Zipping right along

12/15/2011

 
I got an early Christmas present from hubby!  It seems he just couldn't wait for me to open it when it came the other day and guess what it was-----a Kindle!  I wasn't sure I'd like it but after playing with it late into the night and all day the next day, I LOVE IT!   I'm already almost done reading my first down loaded library book.  I feel so tech savvy, our local library just started lending ebooks recently and I'm right there borrowing!  Well, actually I'm right HERE borrowing; I don't have to go out on the icy roads to get the book, just push a couple buttons and there it is on the Kindle, all in the comfort of my recliner.  The only problem:  I haven't figured out how to read my Kindle and stitch at the same time.  Audio books you say?  I'll definitely be checking into that.
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Wow, this seems to working up fast.  Look how much I have done on the first placemat already.  Cross stitching just seems to be the right thing to do on thos cold pre-Christmas afternoons and evenings.  That is if I can get my nose out of an ebook.

 
It's another cold day here in Heart of the Rockies!  Got a morning workout in, I'm feeling good about stitching and watching a movie this afternoon. 
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Yea!  The Christmas ornaments are stitched!  Trying to decide how to stiffen them as I don't have the fancy bottle of stuff they recommend and probably can't find it in this little town.  Do you think heavy starch would work?  or maybe a super stiff iron on interfacing on back?

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Now on to another garage sale find.  These placemats will be a nice addition to my Christmas decor - probably next year, though.  I just wanted to stitch on something Christmas even though I probably won't get them finished in the next 10 days. 

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By the looks of my strip basket its time to do some rug hooking, or in this case, placemats since the canvas is already cut to size.  I learned how to locker hook a couple years ago and find it a rewarding way to use up  those pieces of material that don't seem to be wanted anywhere else.  It's also a good way to use up clothes that are worn out and a little tattered around the edges.  I've even been know to pick up things at garage sales that I thought would make up nicely.  So every now and then I get in the mood to cut strips and this is where they go until I'm ready to hook.

 
I heard a new term yesterday:  "confetti stitching".  Have you heard of it?  Well, I did some research and found that it refers to those loney single cross stitches that are "out there" all by themselves.  Do you trail your thread out to them, making the back look messy or do you stop and start each one separately to look nice on back?  I've haven't decided which camp I hail from, guess it will be decided on a project by project situation. 
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Last night I got busy and finished 9 of 10.  Only one more to go.  This photo shows where I started last night.    You'll have to look at the pic below to see the finished stitching.

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And here I am well into 10 of 10 which I started late last night.  I decided to work on the blended filiment stitches first to get them out of the way.  As I'm stitching, I'm daydreaming about my next project.

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I've  been practicing for TUSAL 2012!  This is my jar since Thanksgiving, a little bit of knitting and a lot of cross stitching.  Still looking for my pretty glass jar to display them.

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Ok, if hubby is going to wrap Christmas gifts (well, put them in gift bags) then I better get the tree up.  We have a tiny living room so our tree is also tiny.  It's about 2.5 ft. tall and decorated mostly with beaded things.  He wanted to know how many things I've gotten him so he could keep things kind of even.  I giggled and said none yet.  Of course, he didn't believe me but...  I haven't.hahaha!
I'm planning on getting some things next week as well as make him something. 

Back to my stitch and a Christmas movie.  I love December!

Stitching and more

12/9/2011

 
Yes, I am stitching and yes, trying to blog but it gets frustrating when you write a perfectly good blog off the top of your head and then it gets lost in cyberland.  I KNOW I saved it!  Ok, I feel better now.
I'm practicing for TUSAL 2012 by saving my ORT's.  If that sentence doesn't make any sense to you click on TUSAL 2010 in the side bar.  Next I need to find a pretty glass container to put them in.  If only I'd have known to look last summer when I was going to garage sales, but I'm sure one is just waiting for me my next trip to Caring and Sharing. 
The Christmas ornaments are coming along, I'm about 3/4 done with 9 of 10.  I've had about enough of blending filiments for the time being so I'm anxious to finish 10 of 10.  I like the effect of the shiny filiment but much more enjoy just using floss.  I'll get some pictures up soon. Afterall, it's what I look at first on everyone else's blog.  That's where the inspiration comes. 
After seeing so many cross stitchers doing and talking about HAED's I just had to find out what that's all about.  What beautiful designs!  (Click here.)  I know what my next cross stitch purchase is going to be if I can decide which one.  Of course, until then I have plenty of WIP's and such around here to keep me busy. 
I've also been playing with the appearance of the blog/website.  It seems each time I look at someone else's I see something I'd like to do for mine and then the time playing around and getting it done becomes consuming.  I confess, I sometimes suffer from the "grass is greener" syndrome.
Better get to work, I've got pictures to take and then back to stitching!!!
And a big happy stitching to you, too!!
OK, this lets hope this post doesn't get lost.  Here goes......
 
 
What is TUSAL?  For a full description check here: http://itsdaffycat.blogspot.com/2011/11/totally-useless-stitch-long.html
After looking at several bloggers and seeing what has been happening in the stitching world, I've decided to join the fun.  I never thought of keeping my thread scraps to monitor progress but it looks fun.  And all the stitching projects currently in progress out there in blogland is amazing.  I have been truly inspired to get the needle moving again.  In fact I'm almost
done with Christmas ornament 7 that I just started night before last and can hardly wait to get going again this morning. 
So, Christmas movies-on, needle and floss threaded and ready, computer off.  GO!
 
Ok, as promised I am adding some pictures of things newly finished or in progress.  This cold, snowy weather has been quite conducive to working on projects from my recliner. 
First up is a scarf I finished this week using some really soft wool from our local store "Fringe".  I even had enough left over to make a head warmer to match.  The color was called "Hummingbird" and should go nicely with one of my coats. 
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Next, this yarn bag is all knitted, just have to put it together.  I found the pattern online and thought it looked like fun.  The last row of stitches just gets left on the needles instead of binding them off.  I woke up this morning thinking about how I'm going to line it so the needles and other small things don't fall through the knit.  When I figure that out I'll be ready to sew it all together.

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Beading usually takes place in daylight hours when these "getting older all the time" eyes can see better.  I'm experimenting with some cube beads in this bracelet exerpt.  I love the iris colors, they're really much prettier in person with that irradecsent sheen.

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And cross stitch is always in progress.  I got this pack of ornaments at a garage sale this summer and have been working on them now and then.  Since this picture was snapped, #6 is finished and I'm on to #7.  I'm hoping to get at least some of them done to give to friends this Christmas season.

Ok, now it's back to stitching as I get ready for the next round of winter.  The forecast says 100% heavy snow tonight.  We'll see......

Snowy December 1st

12/1/2011

 
Nothing like a snowy day to get the juices flowing.  So far we've gotten about 3 inches this morning and it's still coming down pretty heavy.   I'm all excited about the new beads I got yesterday.  I'm also in the knitting mode right now.  I've got a couple more things to show you as soon as I get them photographed. 
 
I'm too busy building this site to do much blogging right now. But  I'd love to hear from you either through comments here on the blog or clicking on the email link at the bottom of the home page

    Vickie Morgan

    I'm a retired music teacher always looking for outlets to satisy my creative needs.  Here in the mountains of Colorado, nature provides lots of inspiration.

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    The view from my house, can you see the angel?

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