Just Lion around

I can finally show off my Halloween/Fall exchange!  I had a blast getting this ready.  I learned a lot getting this put together.  Thanx so much InkkFreakk for all the help and ideas.

ILCS 2013 Halloween/Fall Exchange
"Double Trouble"
28ct. Monaco over 2
Cross stitch, beads, Krienik, buttons, and wire

ILCS 2013 Halloween/Fall Exchange
Enjoy Sharon!

I have also made pretty decent progress on my birth sampler.  Had a root canal Friday and was pretty out of it most of the weekend.  But here ya go...

"Savannah Birth Sampler"
Progress 9/29/2013

As you can see from my last post I had to do more frogging.  The box the monkey's feet are in was the dark color of the box around the lion.  Switched that out and got the longggg lines fully stitched.  Felt like I spent most of my time on that.  Been liking having a non purple color to stitch and a new shape.

Now my worry is that the original color I picked out to do the lettering for baby's info is not going to work.  The color of the 2 middle boxes is what I was also going to do the lettering in.  Now I don't think it will show well.  Hubby says to go lighter, I was thinking darker.  Maybe the dark purple around the lion?  Hubby thought a super light almost whitish color.  I have no idea but am hoping to have one once I get there.  Ideas are appreciated and will be tried so have at it in the comments.  The boxes around the monkey and lion are DMC 3835 and 3836.  The boxes around the future lettering are DMC 544.  Blow my mind, guys.

I don't remember which group I saw this in but my old hair clips make amazing chart holders!  My chart now never moves.  I can't believe I never thought of this before.

Brilliant!  Hopefully somebody else will think this is a new discovery.  But those who know me are well aware of my childish glee with discoveries in the world around me.

Healthy Stitching!

Frogs have come and gone

Last week I was excited because I had made such good progress.  Then I am putting on the final touches for that box and come to find out I am one stitch off.  I could have hidden it and that was my first thought.  It would have thrown the next box off and by then the work I would have to do equaled the work I had to frogging.  As you can see, it looks like a big step back.

"Savannah Birth Sampler"
after frogging

 But I was able to stitch most of the day Tuesday and get it all redone, redo the leaves, and get the sun added.  Then I figured out I had messed up the color symbols and stitched the middle box for the name in the wrong purple.  Wednesday was spent pulling all the dark purple out.  Not having to count I got it all restitched rather quickly.  I am hoping that is the end of the frogs and they just disappeared into the ether.

"Savannah Birth Sampler"
Progress 9/23/2013

"Savannah Birth Sampler"
Progress 9/23/2013

I am finally able to pick it up again today and am starting the lion that goes underneath the monkey.  Here's to hoping I can count and the color changes I made are correct the first time around.  This is stitching up pretty fast if I could stop making mistakes.

I finished up my Halloween/Fall ornament exchange for one of my groups.  I can't wait to show you all what I made but she hasn't received it yet.  Next week you can see it.  At least now I can focus all my time on the sampler.

In my non stitching world, well I wish I could say it has been as easy as the sampler.  Unfortunately, I can't.  But I am doing what I can to get through...like stitching.  I have a finished stitch that I am trying to turn into a pillow for Christmas.  I have to work on that either Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday since the gift receiver works and is out of the house.  Unfortunately, I have places I need to be too.  Also need to finish a scrapbook calendar.  Am having a ton of fun making it and wishing I could work on my baby books.

We are also trying to schedule some time to go look at new home models and find out if that is a possibility for us.  We might even look into buying a pre owned home before next year.  With some of the changes in mortgage loans starting in January I am thinking we might want to buy earlier than we originally thought.  That would help save some of my sanity as well.

Well, I am off to get some more stitching done while watching some of this season's new shows.  And here real soon I will have the house to myself.

Oooohhhhh goody, my third attempt at a new working computer just got delivered.

Healthy stitching!

Still monkeying Around

Spent most of last week working on the birth sampler and planning my Halloween Exchange.  So here is last week's progress on the monkey.

Progress 9/15/13

I had asked my MIL to order me these copper compression gloves awhile ago.  Everyone in my husbands family has some sort of joint issue or surgery.  She has bought them all a sleeve from this company and one swears by them.  I was really excited to get them last week and of course I tried them right away.  The compression really seemed to help, but not sure about the copper.  Now they are getting loose and no noticeable relief.  I might try washing them, who knows.  I may just have my MIL return them.  I found an actual compression set of gloves really highly rated on Amazon and I am going to try those out.  I am hoping that those give me some relief.  I will keep you updated.

My hubby somehow broke my wireless something or other on my laptop while trying to upgrade my memory.  So we had to quickly decide what the replacement would be.  We went to dreaded Best Buy and found something I really wanted.  I just was not sure if I wanted to have that in this house or wait til we move.  I decided on a laptop to make it through the interim.  Then homeowners insurance came back with a replacement cost number.  So we made the choice to go with the Dell XPS 18, the one I wanted for the new house so I have the ability to stay in one spot or move throughout the house.  It made more sense money wise and component wise.  Hubby went thru work to get a discount with Dell along with our long term customer discount.  The first one arrived Thursday and had some issues.  I paid way too much for it to have issues and argued Dell into getting me another one, without issues, ASAP.  So my new toy arrived Monday morning and by that evening hubby had it ready to work for me.  So now I can stitch in my nest and keep up with everything, or try at least.

My son has had allergies since he was 4.  We were hoping they would go away when we moved to Colorado.  Unfortunately that was not the case and we were referred to an allergist.  We finally had the appointment Friday.  They wanted to test him because our doctors have been so thorough in trying every medicine known to man without relief.  A normal assay minus food and add in horse and barn allergens.  As you can see, after less than 30 minutes, my baby is allergic to the world in general.  Cat, dog, trees, grasses, pollen, horse, and grains.  So, we switched up some of the medications and we are waiting to hear back from them when they have finished mixing up his personal allergy shots.  One in each arm twice a week for about three months before we reevaluate.  Did I mention he hates shots and screams the office down usually?  Yeah, so that should be fun.

Hubby is finally in to see a rheumatologist today, so here's to hoping we will finally have some answers today.  More than likely he will just be given bloodwork orders, but a girl can hope right?

Off to pick up my kiddos and stitch into the night.

Healthy stitching!

Monkey Business

"Savannah Birth Sampler" Progress 9/8/13

I was hoping to have the monkey all done by now.  I had to give up last night due to back spasms.  Frustrating!  But I only have 4 or 5 rows left to finish the mouth area, 2 eyes, and a nose.  I backstitch all at the end so none of that right now.  I will then move on to finishing the leaves, sun and box and the top right corner will be done.  It is shaping up to be a pretty busy week so I really am hoping to get at least that done.

I am also starting a Halloween ornie for an exchange and it has been making my brain hurt.  I think i will run by Hobby Lobby and take a look at their packages of linen.  My brain won't hurt and I can actually get a stitch in it.  hopefully I can unbury my sewing machine soon.

That's about all for this update....

Healthy Stitching!

Making it Better

I had been working on "Horse Pals" to give myself a break on "Blackstone" when a stitching group I am a part of started a biscornu exchange.  I was really looking forward to learning how to stitch one and put it together.  It took me nearly the entire 6 weeks given for the exchange to get it done.  I want to show it off so badly but I have to wait until it reaches it's new home.  Something to look forward to.

This spring I learned I was going to be an Aunt for the first time.  I always thought I would be so excited. Instead I was in such a dark place myself that all I could feel was jealousy and anger.  I hope I succeeded in keeping it to myself because deep down I knew I should be happy for her and was really looking forward to meeting this baby.  I just had no idea how I was going to get through her pregnancy.  Luckily, I changed my medications and was able to talk through most of my negativity  with my husband and now my therapist.  I ordered baby gear to be made for her by a friend of mine since I have no sewing area myself.  I waited until they found out they were having a girl and picked out a nursery theme.  I then found Savannah Birth Record by Dimensions.  It had her jungle theme and seemed easy to change colors on.

It has been.  I had a harder time than normal picking out the perfect fabric, but Deb at Stitches 'N Things helped so much.  Then I got to take all my purple thread and head to Babies 'R Us to try and match as closely as possible her nursery bedding.  I took "Blackstone" off it's scroll frame, put my beautiful lilac 28 ct linen on, did a floss toss just to double check that it all looked right, took a picture for all of you to see, and started stitching.  And it has been stitching up beautifully.  It has also made me feel less affronted and more like an Aunt.  I may never again be able to have a baby of my own but I can love and spoil my niece to death and hand her back to mommy.

It always amazes me what making x's on fabric can do for body, mind, and soul.