Meet Chloe and Sophie

I am hoping housebreaking two puppies is not going to be that much more work than one because today I bought two little Shichons. They are a hybrid dog, half Bichon Frise and half Shitzu. The girls are 8 weeks old today. We are picking them up in 10 days, I can't wait. We have to make a quick trip to Virginia next weekend and it wouldn't be fair to leave our DD, Meggie, in charge of two new puppies for four days hence the wait. Chloe is on the left and Sophie is on the right.

We had talked about getting another dog a couple years ago but when we consulted with our vet he didn't think it would be good for Shelby at her advanced age. He said it would just make her miserable and not for anything would we have wanted Shelby to be unhappy. When we started talking last week about a puppy I told my DH Iwanted two from the same litter. I think if we are going to get two we might as well get them at the same time.

I am off to work on my BBD Where My Heart Blooms, I will post another picture later this weekend. Thank you all for you comments and taking time to read my blog. Hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend!

Round Robin Rant and New Start

I am in a Neighborhood Round Robin with a great group of ladies, well all except one. Lauren Winter has had my and Michelle's round robins for months. She stopped communicating with the group well before Christmas. Despite numerous emails from more than one of us she continues to ignore every attempt we've made to fix this situation. Three weeks ago as a last resort I sent her a stamped envelope. There was enough postage to mail both pieces on to the next person in the rotation and still nothing. I've also posted to her blog asking her to make things right. I feel sure she's looking because I've seen her coming and going on Feedjit for the neighborhood blog. This morning I emailed her and told her if she didn't send me proof that she had mailed the pieces in the form of a USPS tracking confirmation that I would post something on my blog. I am very upset. I understand that sometimes we can't fulfill our commitments but never in a million years would I keep someone else's piece. I just don't understand it. No matter what is or isn't happening in her life, how hard is it to drop a package off at the post office. So this week I will start a new piece, thankfully Michelle and Judith have both said they will stitch my piece again, thank you ladies. Poor Michelle has yet to even have had someone stitch on her's. She is going to have to start over as well.

On a happier note, I've been working on BBD's newest Loose Feather piece, Where My Heart Blooms. It's so much fun and the colors are gorgeous. I think Alma and Barb are fast becoming my favorite designers. I went to Fancimats on Monday for the Market Day and got I Thee Wed, Mildred's Garden House and Thank You Sarah Tobias. They are all wonderful. I also met up with Chelle's sister Joy. We shopped a bit and then went to lunch at Panera's. It was a very nice day :-).

We are still missing Shelby terribly. Today was beautiful, sunny and 55, just the kind of day she'd have loved. Whenever it was nice out she'd go in and out all day and lay in the sun. She liked nothing better than to nap on the deck :-).

I hope everyone is having a great week! Thank you all for taking the time to read and comment on my blog, I so appreciate it.

***In answer to Carol R's comment: Like you I would truly love to give Lauren the benefit of the doubt and that's how I approached this situation. This has been going on for several months. Based on all the information I have available to me she's ignoring the group. According to her blog she's 24 so I don't think she's died. I've googled her extensively to try and locate a phone number. I feel sure I would have come across that kind of information. I considered a computer crash but I find it almost impossible to believe in this day and age, particularly when someone works, they'd not have any access whatsoever to a computer. What's more, before she stopped communicating she'd assured the organizer of our group several times that she'd sent out the round robins. I also sent her a stamped envelope in the mail, she doesn't live alone if she were very ill someone would have still opened the package and known from my note there was an issue. I also know that she bailed on at least one exchange. Unfortunately, I know more than one person who has had their round robin piece "kept" by someone. I wouldn't have posted about this situation if I didn't feel I had made every possible effort to resolve it privately. I hope that eventually the pieces are returned but at this point I am not counting on it. {{{{{hugs}}}}}

Thank You and Stitching Rambles

Thank you all so very much for all your comments about our sweet Shelby. They often brought me to tears but at the same time were a great comfort. We are still very raw and sad and missing her very much. I know it will get easier as time passes but right now it just hurts.

I neglected to post a picture of a gorgeous pinkeep I got from KarenV. I just love it, I am a huge La D Da fan and it's perfectly finished. Thank you again Karen.


I finished a couple things besides round robins this month. This is the new Shepherd's Bush 2008 scissor fob. I wasn't crazy about the ribbon that came with it so it's finished a bit differently.

I also finished a Christmas ornament, it is the Midsummer Night Designs piece from the 2007 JCS Ornament issue. It was one of my favorites this year.

I thought I'd also post a couple of stitching decorating pictures. Here is a basket with several exchange pieces I've received.

This is a picture of my "tree". I know someone who does woodwork and he made this for me. I love it. My goal is to fill it up with smalls and ornaments this year.

Have you all seen the new Drawn Thread Toccata Four piece? I am in love. I can't wait to get my hands on it, I plan to start it as soon as I get it. I am also anxiously waiting to see all the Market releases. I know there will be at least a few must haves :-). I am trying to decide if I need to change my work schedule next week so I can go to Fancimats Market day. I hope you all have a nice week with lots of stitching time.

Sad Goodbye

We said goodbye to our dog Shelby today. She was almost 15 years old. She was the sweetest dog and we loved her so much. She started deteriorating last week so we knew it was coming but the last two days were really awful. She couldn't eat and could barely get up and walk around. I was trying to hold off because my DH is out of town on business this week but she was so bad this morning I couldn't wait anymore. We had to carry her to the car and into the office. I have the a very good vet he and he was so kind today. My DS and I stayed with her until the end and I boohooed all over her. She will be missed more than words can say.

Exchanges and Round Robins

Leena made the most gorgeous SBEBB winter house piece for me. It's a mixed media piece and it's amazing. She also sent along some gorgeous bits and pieces. Thank you again!

Funnily enough I sent to Leena for the same exchange. I made Lizzie Kate's Winter Wishes for her and finished it as a little pin cushion. I was really pleased with how it came out.

This is one of the neighborhood round robins I am in. I stitched Chessie and Me's I Thee Wed for Sue's piece. It's such a fun group.

I used the same chart for Carol's piece. I had to scale it down a bit because the stitching area was a bit smaller. I am still very pleased with how it came out.

Hope everyone is happy and getting lots of stitching done. I've finally finished all the year end processing at work so I have a bit more time. I've tweaked my lists and rotation. Hopefully I will make some progress and have some finishes to show. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on my blog :-).

New Years Stitching Resolutions...2008

I really want to work on some big pieces this year as well as finish some small things. I haven't quite decided how I am going to rotate projects. I tend to get the most done when I am concentrating on one or two designs at a time but some of the pieces I want to stitch are so large it's not realistic to think I could just work until I finished them. I will just have to see how things develop as I work through the year :-). As I complete the smaller pieces I will add other designs into the rotation.

Stitching Rotation Projects 2008:

1 Carriage House Samplings Village of Hawks Run Hollow
2. Drawn Thread Alphabet Sampler
3. Midsummer Night Designs Oh Heaven
4. Blackbird Designs Their Song
5. Blackbird Designs Maude Eloise 1891
6. Blackbird Designs Where my Heart Blooms
7. Ewe & Eye & Friends Love Letters
8. Shepherd's Bush Love Letters
9. Bent Creek Summer and Autumn Snappers
10. Frances Eden 1809
11. Merry Cox Diminutive Sewing Set Pre-Stitching
12. Blackbird Designs Willow House (for my parents)
13. ...And They Sinned
14. Ann Trump
15. Good Huswife June Morning
16. Scarlet Letter And All was for an Appil
17. Neighborhood Round Robins
18. One Christmas Ornament a month
19. Lots of smalls for my wooden stand

So there it is! My plan for the year. I don't expect that I will finish all the bigger projects, I would be happy if I finished even two of them. I hope everyone has a great New Year with lots of finishes.

Happy New Year and Present!

I got the most gorgeous Christmas gift from Karin. She stitched a beautiful ornament with the Eiffel Tower for me. She also sent all of these gorgeous bits and pieces from Sajou, thread winders, Eiffel Tower Scissors, pins, stationery, and a thread holder. I also got a book, a sampler coffee cup and a few other bits and pieces. I was thoroughly spoiled.

We had a wonderful Christmas. I got an absolutely beautiful right hand diamond ring from my parents. It's a piece of jewelry my father bought for my mom 35 years ago so I am especially thrilled to have it. Jeff also got me a ring and earrings, they are wonderful, made in Israel. I got a new Sansa E280, the Maryland Girlhood Embroidery book, SB Come, Frances Eden with the thread pack from HDF and the Elizabeth Meadow Sampler. I also got clothes, shoes, cologne and a really neat lap desk. I think I did very well this year.

I haven't got much stitching done, but I plan to finish up my last exchange and a little gift in the next day or two. As tempting as it is to sign-up for a few of the new exchange blogs springing up, I am going to try and control myself a bit this year. I love, love, love doing them but with my part time job and taking care of my family it seemed like I didn't get much done for my walls this past year. I am going to try and post my goals for the year on New Year's day. I have an idea of what I want to accomplish but I need to put it in writing, LOL. Then I am committed, I think... :-).

Our family has had lots of transitions this year: graduations, retirements, new jobs. There were as always, happy times and sad times, it's a part of life. I am deeply thankful that I always have the enduring peace of knowing that God has a plan for me. My favorite Bible passage is Jeremiah 29:11-13. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart".

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year. Thank you all for taking the time to read and comment on my blog. I so appreciate it. I love reading everyone's blogs and I try to leave little notes as often as I can.

Merry Christmas, PIFS and Exchanges!

The tree is decorated, presents are wrapped, menus are planned and my parents will be here this afternoon :-). I am so excited about Christmas this year. We've spent the last three Christmases traveling to see family and friends, they were all wonderful, but it's nice to be home for a change. I've planned a gorgeous 4 course dinner, salad, pasta, prime rib and dark chocolate cheesecake stuffed cake for dessert. In addition to shopping for everyone's gifts, I do most of my own shopping too and wrap it and put it under the tree. I can be a bit picky, LOL. My DH is so sweet, he always gets me a couple of surprise gifts. He did his shopping yesterday and when he got home he told me how much he must love me to go out shopping at Christmas time. It's nice to be loved :-). He hates to shop. When we were dating, we went to the mall and he looked at me and asked me if 20 minutes was enough. I knew then we wouldn't be shopping together, LOL.

I have finished all of my PIFs and they are winging their way to various destinations all over the world. I won't say who is getting what but the pictures are below.

I had Cari for the Stitching Blogger's Christmas Exchange Blog this year. For her Birthday I sent her a Sweetheart Tree design and some other goodies. Heather did the finishing for me :-). I am sewing machine challenged, LOL. I also sent her one of the SB ornaments for Christmas.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas with lots of stitching gifts, I have a few under the tree :-), and most important, happy times spent with family and friends. I am so thankful to be able to celebrate the birth of our Savior with people I love and cherish.

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11

New Years Stitching Resolutions...

I am already thinking about the New Year and stitching resolutions. I have been in a a stitching slump the last several months. I love participating in exchanges, PIFs and making gifts for people but I feel like lately that's all I do. I really, really want to stitch on things for me. I hope that doesn't sound selfish, I want to concentrate on stitching for my own pleasure for a bit :-). One of the pieces I would very much like to finish in 2008 is Village of Hawks Run Hollow. So far I have one block done.

I am going to finish my last few PIFS, an exchange and a couple of ornaments for my stitching group and guild exchange this weekend. I am off work Thursday and Friday and my DH is traveling for work this weekend so that gives my four days of turbo stitching.

I hope to spend some time this month setting a few goals for next year and going through my stash, that always inspires me to get busy :-). Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Ours was great, food was good and I sent all the leftovers home with my DS and his roommate. I did a lot of online Christmas shopping so I just need to get odds and ends now :-).

BTW, I was trying to figure out why no one commented on my last post. I realized when I changed my settings around last month, I disabled the comments. I was trying to make things a bit more secure because I was getting some "junk" posts here and there. I think I've fixed it. I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read my blog and I love reading your comments.

Quick Post and an Exchange

We got home on Monday! We had a wonderful trip to Germany and Ireland, lots of sightseeing, eating and relaxing. For my DH and me the best part of the trip was the time we got to spend with our friends :-). I've been playing catch up at work and home all week.

I received a gorgeous exchange from Terry. She made the cutest pinkeep and fob for me. In addition she included CCN Home Sweet Home, some gorgeous stickers and ribbon! Thank you again Terry, it was a wonderful exchange.

I sent to Leena for the same exchange. I can't take credit for the finishing on this piece. I really wanted to make a pillow out of this Sweetheart Tree design, but my sewing skills leave something to be desired. I really need to practice, LOL. I asked Heather to help me :-). She did an amazing job putting the pillow together, all I had to do was stuff close it.

I am hopelessly behind on my blog reading and posting. I hope everyone is well and planning for a wonderful Thanksgiving. We are spending it at home with the kids and a few of their friends. Then I have to start getting ready for Christmas, I need to shop gifts, put the tree up, and decorate the house :-). My plan is to find some more blogging time this week, I have a round robin picture and another gift to share.

Finally I am Back...

Life has been so hectic lately, I haven't had time to post :-(. On the plus side, it's a good busy. My DH is home full time again, my DS comes for dinner quite often, and my DD is always coming and going with school, work and a a social life. Between taking care of them, working and doing the things I normally do it seems like I am always on the go. Everyone is happy and healthy, you can't ask for more than that.

My DH and I are going to Europe next month, Germany and Ireland. I will get to visit with my DF, Karin, and her family. I can't wait, that will be the highlight of our trip :-). When we get home it will be time to get ready for the holidays, my parents are coming here for Christmas. We usually to go there, so I am looking forward to pampering them.

I got the prettiest exchanges in the mail. For the SBEBB Autumn House exchange I received this pinkeep from Nicki. I love it, it's so tiny and delicate. Thank you so much Nicki. Funnily enough I sent to her :-). There is a picture of the piece I made on her blog. I took a picture before I mailed it but I had a little camera snafu and accidently deleted it.

I also received a gorgeous needleroll from Judith as a part of the SBEBB Grateful Heart exchange. Its so pretty and finished beautifully. Thank you again Judith! I sent to Tuula, there a picture of the cube-it on her blog, same camera issue.

My current WIP is BBD Their Song. I just love their designs. I think I would like to stitch Willow House next. I don't think the pictures do it justice. Carol posted a picture of her framed piece it's stunning. I can't stop thinking about it :-).

I hope everyone has a nice weekend planned. Tomorrow we are going out with a group of friends to Vines Wine Bar for dinner, music and a nice glass of wine ;-). Sunday we will probably just go to church and then watch football all afternoon. For us a perfect weekend!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog!

Exchanges, a Gift & Meeting a Friend

I had such a fun day on Tuesday! I drove up to Fancimats and met Jacque. She is just the sweetest, funniest person. We had a great day shopping and having lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. She gave me an absolutely gorgeous drawstring bag. The first picture is the outside of the bag and the second is the bottom of the inside. Pictures don't do it justice, it's so pretty. Thank you again Jacque, I was so happy to get to meet you in person and I am looking forward to seeing you again next year :-).

I got the prettiest redwork pinkeep from Vonna. She also sent me some of the DMC sparkly threads and the easel the pinkeep is setting on. Thank you so much Vonna!

Finally this is the little redwork pillow I made for Carol. I used one of the Blue Ribbon Designs freebies :-).

We had a great trip to Virginia. Dyeing to Stitch is a wonderful LNS, they have some amazing models. We also went to Busch Gardens while we were there. We lucked out and picked the perfect day, good temps and no crowds. We saw several shows and rode the roller coasters. I can't stand rides that go in circles but I love to ride coasters.

I am going to have to change my list of stitching projects. I kitted up several things tonight including Peaceful Paradise by Midsummer Night Designs. I always have more projects going than I ought to but I couldn't resist this one :-). I hope you all are having a wonderful week! Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment on my blog. I so appreciate it.

Round Robin, Exchanges and Chat...

This is my stitching on Jane's round robin. Her theme is Halloween, Autumn. I am really happy with how it turned out. I used Shepherd's Bush Happy Haunting, Brightneedle's Ghoulies and Ghosties and a tree from Rosewood Manor's A Forest Grew.

I received the most gorgeous bellpull from Myrna for the USEBB For the Birds exchange. I just love it! She also sent along some other bits and pieces, thread, beads, birdie post-its and linen.

Finally I received this PIF from Heather. It's so cute and I love pumpkins :-). She also sent an adorable Mill Hill kit with it.

I feel badly it took me so long to post the exchange and PIF pictures. Getting my wisdom teeth out wasn't fun and has put me a bit behind the past couple weeks. We are getting ready to take another trip, we leave tomorrow morning for Virginia. My DH has to go there on business and since my FIL and his wife live there I decided to tag along :-). It should be a fun week, we are going to try and go to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg and I will get to visit Dying to Stitch. I love getting to see the ocean too. We lived there for several years and it's so beautiful. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment on my blog. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Exchanges and More Exchanges

I received a gorgeous pinkeep from Cathy as a part of the USEBB Summer House exchange. It's a piece by a French designer. She also sent along SB Glory Scissor Fob and some really cool Stitcher's Name Plates by La-D-Da.

I sent to Nancy for the Summer House exchange and I stitched BBD Pink House over one and finished it as a scissor fob. I just love the BBD designs, they are so sweet.

I also participated in the USEBB For the Birds exchange. I stitched for Shelleen and I know she's received it so I have posted a picture. I stitched Drawn Thread's Four Fat Friends for her and finished it as a cube.

Our trip to St. Louis was really good, we got to spend lots of time with family and attend my class reunion. It was fun to reconnect with people I knew in high school. I must say though it's nice to be home. We had a long travel day on Sunday, we opted to give up our seats on our flight and take a later one so we could get too free tickets. You have to love overbooked airplanes :-).

I haven't stitched nearly as much as I'd like but my goal is to change that this month. I hope I will have lots to show. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read and comment on my blog, I so appreciate it. Have a great week.

Another Round Robin, Gifts, and Ramblings...

This is my second Neighborhood Round Robin. I used EEF's Red House Sampler as a starting point and added a border from BOAF My Betrothed Sampler. I am really happy with how it turned out. I was going for something very different from the other round robin I am doing.

I received the most gorgoeus scissor fob from Nicole for guessing which piece she had started. I also recieved a surprise from Georgie in the mail. She sent me Plum Street Sampler's Stories to Live By: Adam. I love it when the mailwoman brings me good mail :-).

This is our 4 legged child, Shelby. We jokingly call the guest room Shelby's room and you can see why :-). It's her favorite place to hang out. She's the sweetest dog, we love her dearly.

My DH and I are flying to St. Louis tomorrow for a week of relaxing and visiting family. We haven't had this much time together for a few months so I am looking forward to it. He has to work a tiny bit but we should still have lots of free time. We will also be attending my class reunion while we are there. I hope everyone has a great weekend with lots of stitching time!

Exchanges, July Goals & a Gift

I sent to Marie for the USEBB Red, White and Blue exchange. I stitched Ewe & Eye & Friends Liberty House and finished it as a pin cushion. It was such a fun design to stitch and I really enjoyed putting together all the other "patriotic" bits and pieces to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Since I am back to setting "milestones" and vague sort of rotation, I thought I'd better post my July goals here. Nothing too specific because that stresses me out :-). The projects in my basket are divided into 4 categories that I rotate through every four weeks, Monday through Friday. On the weekends I will stitch round robins, gifts and exchanges.

Week 1 BAPs: Carriage House Samplings Village of Hawks Run Hollow & Shepherd's
Bush Happy Haunting
Week 2 Bent Creek Snappers and Zippers: Red Thread Snappers & Summer Snappers
Week 3 Whimsical and Small: Midsummer Night Designs Oh Heaven, Barrick Samplers
The Fox and the Hare, Blackbird Designs Their Song, Truly Thine, Bluebird's
Message, Ewe & Eye & Friends Whimsical Heart, Shepherd's Bush Love Letters,
Week 4 Samplers: Drawn Thread Alphabet Sampler, Shepherd's Bush Thoughtful Hearts
& Just Nan Silkwood Manor
Weekends Round Robins, Gifts and Exchanges: I've joined two Neighborhood Round Robins & I participate on two Exchange BBs as well as doing other odd exchanges, gifts and PIFs

I received the most beautiful flowers from my DH this week. He is such a sweetie! I wish I could post the scent, it's wonderful. Every time I walk by the table where they are sitting I can smell them :-). He is home this weekend for the first time in three weeks, woohoo! We are so ready for him to be able to be home. Thankfully we are almost there, by mid-August he should be here a lot more than he is gone. I think we are going to try to go see Ocean's 13 and relax!

Thank you all so much for reading my blog and leaving comments! I hope everyone has a nice weekend and a great 4th of July holiday :-).

A Little Finish and an Exchange!

I decided to stitch a Workbasket freebie that has been languishing in my stash forever. Well not literally, but I've had this piece kitted for at least 6 years. Lois at Elegant Stitch offered it as a part of a finishing class on Cube-Its. I needed some instant gratification today :-). I am really pleased with how it turned out, it was a lot of fun to put together.

I also got a wonderful Fourth of July exchange piece from Chris! I love the Eagle, it's very patriotic and since my DH was in the military it means a lot to me. She also sent some gorgeous threads, buttons, and decorations. It was so much fun to open and see everything. Thank you again Chris!

Hope everyone is having a great week. I am off to work on my round robins :-).