What a Month!

Life is sometimes just too complicated! For stitching news, I am working on a baby blanket for my coworker whose shower I'm hosting this Sunday. I'm really behind on it because my husband's sister died last week from cancer. We were in South Carolina from last Wednesday until Saturday. Although I took the blanket with me, I didn't even take it out of the car. There was just too much to do with all the preparations for the funeral, making sure my sister-in-law's girls were doing okay and all the driving I did. I drove almost 1,300 miles in those 4 days.

My aunt is in the hospital with a feeding tube. She has been able to finally keep food down for the past two days. She said last night that she had no idea when she would be able to go home. The doctor's are trying to set up a home health nurse for her and get some things organized. So, she's still hanging in there.

My oldest daughter is flying out today to go to Nashville for a job interview. She had a telephone interveiw and she's going for testing. I guess if she does well on the tests, she has the job! I originally had a problem with her moving, but I realize that I have done my job as a mom. I sent her to school and helped give her the skills needed to go out on her own. So, I guess I'll have to let her go!

My youngest daughter is bored with school. Not a surprise since she has been saying this for the past 2 years. I just hope things pick up for her. Homecoming is October 12 with the dance being the next night. She bought her dress yesterday and she is getting excited. No date this year, but she seems okay with that.

Well, I guess I'd better get to work. I'll try to post pictures soon!

Life

I can’t believe it’s been a month since I last posted. Also, I have no pictures to share. Life has been a whirlwind! School started on Monday, so things should get back to normal soon.

I’m planning a baby shower with two of my coworkers for another coworker in September. This should be fun, but definitely a lot of work involved (house cleaning)! I’m looking forward to it! My friend is such a dear person that I just want to make this a special event for her first child. I feel truly blessed that she and I became friends. Of course, she is many years younger, but that doesn’t matter. By the way, she’s having a girl!

My oldest daughter has moved back home. She has a part-time job, and is still looking. But, she needs to hurry up and find a job! She worked for Cracker Barrel for 5 years and she could easily get a job in a restaurant, but she doesn’t want to. I don’t mean to be demanding, but she has bills to pay (a car note) and I can’t pay them for her in addition to my bills. She’s going to have to get another part-time job to help out while she’s waiting for calls.

My mom’s sister was diagnosed with lung cancer, and it doesn’t look good. I really believe the cancer is further along than my aunt is telling us. My husband and I are going to visit Labor Day weekend. My aunt and I used to be extremely close, but things happened and we haven’t talked much lately. In fact, I hadn’t spoken to her since last Christmas until I found out she was sick. She knows that her actions alienated her from the family and now she has to deal with it. But, I’m doing what I need to do to be supportive to her, my mom and also be able to live with myself when the end comes. I don’t want to have any regrets.

Well, enough for now. I plan to work on some projects while on the plane next weekend. I hope I can carry my crochet needles with me. I won’t try to cross stitch, but I do need to work on the baby blanket for my friend.

Have a great week!

TGIF!

I haven’t posted in a while because I haven’t yet started my next project. I have been getting organized so when I do start, I can stitch without feeling guilty and without much interruption.

My daughter is a drum major her high school band this year. I’ve been an involved band parent for 2 years and I’m on the parent board. I truly enjoy being a part of this organization because it is such a positive influence in the lives of so many kids. She’s had music camp this week, so I’m going to the school every afternoon. This isn’t a problem because I’ve made some wonderful friends among the other parents. I can truly say that because of my involvement in this program, I’m okay with living in Florida now.

My family and I moved from Atlanta in 2001. I was eager for a new start, but that was soon crushed after reality set in. Along with the hurricanes of 2003, I was ready to move with or without my family! But, I’ve overcome that and now enjoy being here. Work has become more a place where I can see people I care about instead of dreading coming to work everyday. Personal life is going great, so what more could a person ask for.

Due to all of these factors, that’s what started me back on my crafts. I’m currently 46 years old and I plan to live it up!

Have a great day and I’ll post soon with my progress on new projects soon!

Happy 4th and a Linen Finish!

Happy 4th of July! So far today, it's been pretty slow. My husband had to work and my daughter is visiting with a friend. I'm enjoying my time alone, since I really have no choice in the matter.

I finally finished my first linen piece! I'm so excited that I can't wait to start another one. I realize that I'm off on some of the counts, but basically I'm pleased with the final product. I plan to frame it and put in my downstairts bonus room.

My summer has been pretty predictable. Since I started stitching again, I'm letting some things go, but I have to get organized so I can keep up with everything. A stitcher's work is never done!

Hope everyone enjoys their holiday!

My First Linen Stitch!

I am excited beyond words! All of these years, I’ve never even attempted to try to stitch on linen because it looked too difficult. But, after viewing the different blogs and seeing the completed projects on linen, I knew I had to at least try.

I got advice from my friend Deb who told me that the Better Homes & Garden’s Alphabet Heart Sampler would be a perfect beginning piece for me to try, so I went shopping for linen. I was lucky to find several pieces on clearance at JoAnn’s so that was a sign that I had to at least give it a try.

This is my progress on my first piece. It’s stitched on 28 ct ivory linen using DMC variegated garnet floss. This will go perfect in my bonus room.

I have a coworker who is purchasing her first home and I found a pattern by Gloria Moore (Milady’s Needle), “At Home With Family & Friends.” I purchased 32 ct sand dune linen to stitch on, so I’ve got to finish my heart sampler soon so I can get started on it!

TGIF

Well, I'm still trying to get this blog going, without much luck. I am doing some stitching. I started a Dolly Mama project, "High Maintenance," to brush up before I tackle a larger proje.ct. When I complete this project, I'm going to start a rotation with my first piece of linen.

Looking at all the other cross stitch blogs has really motivated me! I hope to be able to display them so I can access them easily and hopefully get someone to read my blog.

Wish me luck!

My Hobby

This is my first attempt to journal my crafts. I decided my goal for the new year was to find out what I was meant to do. Everything pointed me in the direction of the crafts that I always enjoyed.

I started sewing when I was 14. I always wanted to learn to sew and finally did when I took Home Economics as a freshman in high school. It was no stopping me after that. While in high school, I earned extra money by sewing for different people. Then I tried my hand at embroidery and ended up getting hired at a fabric store because the store owner liked my work.

As the years went by, sewing was put on the back burner and I started crocheting and cross stitching. Eventually, work and life got in the way and I stopped everything except for hemming my daughters jeans on the sewing machine.

My oldest daughter wanted to learn to crochet and has made some beautiful afghans. My husband has always encouraged me and has been trying to get me to sell some of my afghans and cross stitch items. I don't know if I'll sell anything, but I am going to enjoy making them.

I hope you enjoy my efforts!