Update

Hey to all.  I have updated my other blog - you can find a picture of my latest finish here.   I have almost completed the transition to the new blog.  I hope you visit me from time to time at my new home.  Thanks for dropping by.  Take care.

New Digs

Hello to all.  It has been a long time since I last posted to this blog.  I spent the summer spending time with my son and trying to work through a few things that needed attention.  While doing all that, I decided that it was time to close down this blog and start fresh somewhere new.  I created this blog years ago as an outlet for my love of cross stitch, but in the past couple of months I have not stitched much.  I have become more interested in mixed-media and have decided to devote some of my time to that.  I have not forsaken my stitching or quilting, but it is time for a change of sorts.  My new blog, Barely Squeaking By, is going to be a place for me to post about my crafts and my life in general.  I hope you can come by for a visit from time to time. 

To my followers, thank you so much for your support.  Without you I would not have kept this blog going as long as I have.  With that said, I take leave and move forward to whatever lay ahead.  Take care.

Lizzie Kate Exchange Received

This has been a long two weeks for me due to my son's school schedule - or lack there of.  We are finishing up the second four day weekend in a row and I feel like I have been beat.  Keeping up with a six year old is not an easy task, especially when it is a boy.  He is like a bouncing ball - going from one thing to another - leaving a trail of destruction in his path.  That on top of getting me up at all hours of the night when he can't sleep and I am just toast before I roll out of bed in the morning. Guess this is just a preview of things to come.  I have not idea how I will keep him occupied for the two months of summer vacation.  It will definitely be interesting.

I received the best surprise in the mail yesterday - my first exchange for The Lizzie Kate Exchange Blog.  My secret exchange partner was Lisa and she sent me this precious little pillow.  She stitched it on 28 count linen using the Lizzie Kate Spring Basket pattern.  I just love, love, love it.  I have a basket set aside to use in my bedroom once we get it repainted and this little gem is going to be the first addition.  There is no better way to start the day than to get something so wonderful in the mail.  THANK YOU LISA!

Everyone enjoy what is left of the weekend!

Bunnies on Parade

I survived the second round of mammograms - barely.  I have discovered that I don't handle situations like this well.  I did learn a lot from this though - about why I was called back and what to do differently next time.  I think the hardest thing for me to work on over this next year will be reducing the amount of caffeine I drink every day.  Granted, compared to some I don't drink a whole lot (one to three cups of coffee a day).  But from talking to the technician today, even a little can make a big difference.  So coffee is going to end up going by the wayside eventually.  Oh, it is going to be rough I can tell you.

I finally found a cross stitch magazine that I like - Cross-Stitch & Needlework.  I got the May 2011 issue and just fell in love with a bunch of the projects.  I just finished stitching Easter Bunny Parade and although there was a ton of stitch work, it was worth it in the end.  Tomorrow I plan on taking it to Hobby Lobby to see if I can find a frame that will work with it.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.  Bye for now.

Such a Long Time

It has been a long time since I have posted to this blog.  Lots of stuff going on and none of it any good.  Since the first of the year I have had some minor health issues that were somewhat annoying.  I tolerated the changes and decided to wait until after spring break to address the issues.  I found a new doctor and started the rounds for my annual checkups.  Let me tell you, it has been no fun.   I don't like getting older, and being a woman is not particularly fun right now either.  Tomorrow is round two of my mammogram and hopefully it will not be a bad thing.  I wish I had my husband's faith, but it has been a long year so far and right now all I feel is worn out and defective.  I think Cher said it best during in interview on the Oprah show back in 2008.  When Oprah asked her about getting older she said "I think it sucks!"  At this moment in time, I am inclined to agree.

I was blessed to be accepted into the Lizzie Kate Exchange as a member and recently signed up for my first exchange.  Of course I stressed about what to stitch for days - about drove my husband insane before I finally settled on a project.  I chose to stitch Lizzie Kate's Spring Alphabet and it was a lot of fun to come up with something new to try.  We all know how good I am stuffing and finishing (not!), but I decided that I was not going to get any better unless I kept on trying.  Lisa was my private exchange partner, so I designed this with the butterfly since it is something that she loves.  I was tickled to find out that she liked it and that my first exchange went well.  My picture is not the greatest, but you can see a better picture posted on Lisa's blog here.

Tomorrow sometime I will post a picture of my latest finish.  Hopefully all will go well and this weekend will be one filled with fun and laughter.  Thanks for dropping by.

Blue Birdie

This is the third time I have started this post.  My thoughts are scattered to the wind today and I can't seem to latch on to something interesting to write about.  I do know that I am starting to look forward to the fact that spring break is around the corner and for one week I will not have to deal with anything remotely resembling Kindergarten.  Yea!

I finally washed and pressed this little lovely and it is ready for the finishing touches.  This sweet birdie freebie can be found over at Manka blogja - it is the blue birdie and can be found here.  I really enjoyed stitching this one because it is just so darn cute and I love the thread choices that I made.  Must be something wrong with me because that never happens.  I actually know how I am going to finish this one, but need to invest in some fabric first.

Stitched on 32 count white linen

DMC threads used:  310, 502, 815, 841, and 3810

I still have one more completed project to post about, but I need to get a decent picture first.  I hope everyone has a great weekend.  Thanks for dropping by.

Still Thinking

I need some help.  I want to break out and experiment some.  I don't know if you have noticed a common theme with my stitching, but I only seem to stitch on white 32 count linen these days.  I think that is because it is the only thing I can find readily available within an hour of where I live.  I am totally blown away by all the pretty fabrics that are being used on other blogs and would like to do the same.  So I was wondering if anyone could tell me what kind of fabric they use and where they order it from.  I would really appreciate the help. 

This was a freebie offered by Jennifer at Feathers in the Nest and I think this one will be a pillow of some sort.  I tend to frame everything, but feel the need to do something different this time.  I guess this will give me a good excuse to go shopping for a basket of some sort to put it in.  

Stitched on 32 count white linen

DMC thread used : 221, 3722

Tomorrow I should have another picture to post.  I have two completed projects to wash and press before taking the final pictures, and with any luck I will get that done first thing in the morning.  Thank you for dropping by.  It means the world to me.