Friday, July 3, 2009

I've Been Bad...

Well, I have been bad. I changed my mind mid-stream about some color choices, and after choosing different colors I am still unhappy. Don't know why I am the way that I am - guess it is a quirk that rears it's ugly head from time to time. Although I liked the darker red color, the more I looked at it the more it looked rosy-pink and I just am not a pink person overall. So I started fresh and chose blue this time, but the colors are too close together and it almost all looks the same when it comes to the light and medium shades. So back to the drawing board on this one. I will be satisfied with it sometime soon - I hope.

The only other thing I am posting pictures of is the new fabric swatches I bought. I never buy fabric although I have pined over some pretty patterns in my day. Since I never knew how to sew, I never bought any. But thanks to my mother's patience with me I am developing some sewing skills and decided to try my hand at a few projects. I have two designs that I want to stitch but have not been able to decide on the fabrics I want to commit to yet - whether it be due to indecision or insecurity on my part. Either way, I am getting closer to jumping in and making a go of it. What is the worst thing that could happen?

Thanks for coming and reading my blog. I appreciate each an everyone who takes the time to visit and leave a comment. It always puts a smile on my face. I should have more to post over the next week or so. Tomorrow my son and I are heading to my mother's house and maybe I will be able to get some sewing done this go around. Until the next post - take care and be safe.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

And the Winner Is....

The winner of my giveaway is Tammy from Witchy Stitches. Tammy, if you get a chance email me your address so I can mail you the scissor fob. I want to thank everyone who entered - it tickled me death. I will post an update in a day or so. Until then, thanks for stopping by and take care!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Sneak Peek and a Finish

What a long week. At least it felt that way. It is actually hard to believe that next week it will be July. Scary how time flies anymore. We had a fairly good week despite my son falling at daycare twice this week on top of having two screaming fits. After talking to the daycare supervisor, apparently a bunch of them are having the same issues and it is not uncommon at this age for things like this to happen. With Matthew, it is just flat out frustration that makes him scream. It is hard for him to express how he is feeling in words, and screaming just seems to fit the way he feels at the moment. Wish I could express myself that way sometimes.

I don't have much to post this time. I finally framed my Sampler Girl freebie and it looks great. I am trying my best to pick fabrics and frames that are colorful and so far I am happy with my choices.


Finally, I thought I would share a picture of something my mother and I are working on. My mother made a small quilt for my son when he was a baby and had a bunch of small squares left that were 3 1/2 by 3 1/2. She gave them to me to do something with and I have racked my brain forever as to what to do with them. I saw a design called the Simple Strip Quilt and decided that is what we could use the squares for. It looks easy to put together, and since I have very little experience to back me up at this point I figured this would be a good project to try. I only have one quilt to my credit, but it was a wall quilt. So hopefully this one will turn out well. Here is a quick peek of the very first strips sewn together. I think it is cute!


That is it for today. Today is the last day to sign up for the giveaway if you are interested. I will draw the name of the winner tomorrow. Take care and have a wonderful day!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

A Finish!

Well, I am quite proud of myself. This is the first thing I have framed without the glass. Normally I don't do that because I hate things getting dusty, and I know that deep down it is going to irk me that I will not be able to wash this when it comes time to clean it. But this is part of me breaking out of old habits and in to new ones. I am trying to develop the mindset that everything does not have to be just so - that as long as I am happy with it then nothing else matters. We shall see. This is going to work with me tomorrow so that everyone at work will have an idea of how I feel about being there - not that it will matter much. But it gives me something to smile about.

I have tried to take pictures of all that yummy fabric that I bought the other day, but the pictures do not reflect the true beauty of the colors so I am holding off on that until I get an acceptable picture. Thanks to everyone who has dropped by this week and to those who have entered the giveaway. It tickles me to death! Have a good night - take care.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

It's Official!

I'm back. I am officially 40 now. Who ever knew that this day would come? I sure didn't. Last Sunday we went to lunch at Texas Roadhouse to celebrate, and then I topped that off with a banana cream pie Blizzard from Dairy Queen. My DH was sweet as could be and showered me with a few cards, movies and a new book to read. Considering all that is going on in his life right now, it was extremely touching. I have not posted lately because things here have been hectic and up in the air from time to time. After another week and a half in the hospital, my brother-in-law is now in a nursing/rehab facility and we are praying that he will be able to get his strength back and be up and around soon. I have spent the last week taking stock of my life and the way I live it, and I know that a few things need to be changed. I am not getting any younger - that's for sure. With that said, I am probably going to be posting different things than I have in the past. Just bear with me while I sort things out within myself....

I finally bit the bullet and took my son to Hobby Lobby and let him pick out the frames for two projects that I am going to complete. I think he did pretty good for a four year old. I will be working on them tonight and tomorrow and will post the final pictures by Monday.





I have also been bitten by the fabric bug and bought some bright and cheery fabric to use on two embroidery/applique and possibly beading projects I am going to try my hands at. One is a free-form that I am working on - a particular saying that I am fond of that I want to stitch up somehow. No telling what it will look like once it is finished. I also found a wall hanging that I want to try my hand at that uses both quilting and applique methods, so I am going to be brave and buy the fabric Tuesday and pray for the best.

Finally, I have decided to have a small giveaway. My last one was not spectacular by any means as far as what I gave away, so I am trying to do a little bit better this go around. I am offering my first acceptable scissor fob (of sorts) to anyone who would be interested. I tried one other one a while back and just could not make it work. This one turned out better, but I still have a long way to go. The reason why I am giving it away is because I don't have anyone to give it to and I don't want to keep it. I have decided to start sorting through my projects and weeding down to the ones I like. So, if anyone is interested just post your name and email address and next Sunday I will draw a winner's name.


Well, I am going to hush for now. Thanks for dropping by - I appreciate it more than you can know. Take care.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Where Did the Weekend Go?

Hey to all that chose to stop by. I meant to post earlier this week, but have done more sleeping on the couch than computer work. I never seemed to have this problem when I was younger, but those days are long gone. I have been lamenting the fact that I will be 40 soon. I never thought it would bother me, but it does for some reason. Don't get me wrong - turning 40 will be just like any other day in all reality. But when I look back at my life and the choices that I made that led me to this point, I want to click my heals - go back in time - and kick my own bootie for some of them. I know - I know - if I had not made those choices I would not have my son, my husband, or our life together. But sometimes I wish that certain decisions had been weighed more carefully so that certain aspects of my life in general would be different. Such is life. Although I cannot change what I did in my own life, maybe my words of wisdom (snicker) will encourage my son to do things a little better than I did. I can always hope...

Anyway, on to stitchy things. I don't have much to post today because I have only been working on two projects and I chose to spare you a picture of one until it is done. I only have a small tree and the back stitching left to do on the cardinal kit and then it will be done. I will post that picture later on this week since I am sure everyone is getting a bit tired of that one. I did start a new project though and I am iffy about my color choices. It is the red sampler available on the Blackbird Design blog. I made my fabric and thread choices, started to stitch it and now have doubts about the light red I chose. I have held to my guns though and not frogged any of it out yet, but I thought I would post the picture and contemplate it for a while longer. That is my nature - doubt, doubt, doubt.

Final thought - Melissa at Words and Blooms is having an awesome giveaway. You might want to drop by and give it a look-see. I am going to hush now. Still have lots to do before the week gets underway and the day just seems to be slipping away. Everyone take care and enjoy what is left of the day!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Whatever!

Well, thankfully this week is almost at an end. I don't think I could stand much more fun - not! Actually, these past few weeks have been a bit much and tomorrow looks to be no better. I know I sound negative, but it is what it is. My husband has been working non-stop while trying to run back and forth to the hospital (and now the rehab facility) to take care of his brother - I have been enduring all the changes at work while trying to take care of our son and a house being overrun by bugs of all kinds. It would not be so bad if I did not have that constant fear of losing my job hanging over my head every minute of every day.

Anyway, on to better things. Here is another finish for the year - Whatever! freebie from Lizzie Kate. This was a quick stitch and I meant to stop by Hobby Lobby this afternoon to pick up the things I need to finish it, but I was so upset after work that I didn't feel like stopping. I think it turned out great myself and is just suited for this moment in time.

Whatever!
Lizzie Kate
Stitched on 22 count white Hardanger

This last picture is of a trial project. This pattern is a freebie from the Lion Brand website called Crochet Graphic Block Lapghan and it is definitely interesting. Hopefully the final piece will look great.


Everyone have a great night and thanks for stopping by. Take care!