Another one down-- yippie!

The Rose heart is complete! Only one left. Happy dancing here in LaLaLand!!! Only one more left to be ready for Christmas for the sister..... mind you I need to figure out where I put the white jobelan that I stitched the first three on in order to cut a square for #4.

This leads me to my next point (and seemingly always "the next point" in my life)-- I'm terribly happy to have gotten it done, but it's played holy heck with cleaning duties. Today I have been a dedicated desk cleaner for 11 hours so far. I can see a lot more of the counter, but the piles that remain are a lot messier. And oh, oh, oh I have to do office bills. I hate doing bills. It's not even my money and I hate doing them. Ick. And I really need to get back to ornie finishing, but, and here's a major big-time but for you, I seem to have misplaced ALL my ornies that were awaiting finishing! For months the pile's been, well, right there. Trust me, right..... There. And now the silly things are no where to be found. It's like a few months ago when for all the dressing at Thanksgiving dinner I couldn't find my bag of stuffing. I found it about two weeks ago after having gotten a new bag of stuffing and using it to finish a couple dozen ornies. I am *not* going to test the theory that if I restitch the 20+ ornies that are missing that the original pile will magically reappear. Tonight I begin tearing The Hovel apart. Wish me luck in my search.

Leaving aside my natural essence of chaos (possibly I should live n Amber? Go ahead, call me Dara. lol If you get the allusion, we should talk. If you don't, nevermind.), I was still rewarded for my ST finsih with goodies by Mr. Mailman who brought me my latest order from Vicki Clayton


And, look at this beauty!!! This is from MicheleNE as part of Simone's Ornament Exchange


Don't forget to go check out Sweet Pea's Bride's Ornament SAL. I think it's a great opportunity for my sister, nephew and family, or one of my oldest friends to get a whole collection of ornies for Christmas next year. Oh dear, it's sounding a bit like a 3-year project for me, huh? Silly me.
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Quote of the day-- for Closer fans --
Just hand me the damn angel!
Fritz -- The Closer
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Currently reading: Neil Gaiman's Stardust. That man has an interesting mind and a wonderful ability for expression. Hey, didn't that get to be a movie this year. Ooo, ooo, maybe i can talk my sister into renting it! lol I could actually see a movie released this year!!! lol

Quick note on a cool find!

Sweet Pea is hosting a Bride's Tree ornament SAL for 2008. It's a really neat concept (that Sweet Pea explains on her blog) and a cool way to use some misc patterns from your existing stash. I've joined. Don't you think you ought to?!!??!?!?! Bride's Ornaments SAL Ah, come on and play with us!!!!!!

Accomplishments

Oh don't get all excited. It's not like I cleaned the desk. I've been working diligently on it, and a couple of the piles are considerably shorter. I'm wondering if that's because a couple of the other piles are so much taller now? lol I'll call it a strategic troop redeployment, shall I?

The accomplishment I speak of is that earlier this week ST Fruit of the Vine #2 (of 4) was completed!!! Wooo hoo!!!!!!!!!

I'm calling it my Zinfandel heart. Now only two left -- Rose is underway to be followed in short order by Champagne.

Once again I've been terribly lucky. I received my Cross Stitch Pals ornament exchange this week from JennyIL --

Not only a STUNNING ornie, but a beautiful card, and silk, and Kreinik!!!!
Just look at the ornie close up -- how lovely is this!

Sure, it's supposed to be a partridge, but you know in my life it simply must be a CA Quail!

I also lucked out with fresh stash from Silkweavers and Down Sunshine Lane
A couple solos:


both are kinda purple-ish and I go them to consider for "Believe" by Enchanting Lair -- another possibility for it is the "Grape Ripple" that came in the same pouch --

Non-fabric stash bought me:

(In honor of the hollyhocks that were along mom's driveway)



Yes, I certainly do have far too much to stitch. I keep looking at that list of things I'd like to start in 2008 and thinking I'm completely insane. I'm sure I'm not the only one... right? Do you all have far too many things you want to start? Anyone good at disciplining yourself to keep from starting everything/wanting to start everything right now?

I'd best go. I have a hot date for book shopping and dinner! Can't keep books waiting, right? Maybe tomorrow I'll finally get around to explaining Cons. I think hereabouts Kathryn is the only one who knows them intimately... or otherwise. But I'd highly recommend them to any fans out there. There's nothing quite like being surrounded by folks just as geeky about your fiction and science as you are.

Happy stitching to all!
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Quote of the day: … Nature works on such a hopeful basis that we believe against ourselves that things will be as they ought to be, not as we should know that they will be. Transcendentalism is a beacon to the angels even if it be a will o’ the wisp to man. Dr. Seward -- Dracula -- Bram Stoker

Finished this afternoon: Bram Stoker's Dracula -- Very, very cool. Not blood and gore terrifying; remarkably modern in tone if not portrayed manner; still extremely readable.
Currently reading: Guess what? Green! lol

So much stuff, so few trash bags!

Why are you turning your home into a landfill?
That was today’s Fly Lady question. You know, I’d really like to know the answer to that too! I took out 4 bags of trash yesterday (and amassed another 2 bags but didn’t get them out to the dumpster. Sure, it’s on my way out in the morning, but I had so much work to carry I wouldn’t have fit through the door with any more bags in my hands. They’ll just have to wait for tonite! And, in response to the abovementioned question, I really do need to dedicate at least a half hour every evening to dispersing my crap. Sure, more than a half hour would be better, but I know my tolerance. I’d rather be especially proud for doing more than my allotted time than dispirited at not fulfilling requirements. LOL I doubt you’ll get photo updates on my progress, because it’s just too dang humiliating to fess up to the extent of the piles! Rest assured – the lack of photos constitutes a boon to your sanity.

Desk Fest 2007 continues apace though. I thought I’d try a Monday and Friday/Saturday check in on the Desk. Frankly I’m not sure how good looking it will ever get, but maybe it will prove amusing (at least for me) to follow the ebb and flow of junk through my office (for instance if I photoing today, you’d see the book one of my consultants brought me to return to one of our other offices. He’d return it himself, but he can’t remember who he borrowed if from. Apparently it’s my job to email around and ask who he borrowed from. Sigh.) So here’s my Sunday evening/Monday morning shot. Hopefully by the end of the week it will look better/different.
view from the door to right counter:

central counter:

left counter:


When not dealing with the counter, I’ve made progress on my Sweetheart Tree Fruit of the Vine hearts. I need 4 of these for my sister for Christmas. [The idea is to have a series of 4 of these in different wine varieties.] I would like general acclaim from the masses for the fact that I have not let the excessive amount of fiddly vines to deter me!



Oh, and I pulled a couple of sparkly threads for my continuing effort to adjust the Halloween Fairy to my own vision. While working at my needlepoint shop this weekend I picked up a Treasure Braid and a Kreinik #4 braid for the “spots” at the edges of the wing. This shot shows the threads in order of appearance on the wing. Some day I’ll get stitching!

Whatcha think?

Several weeks ago I picked the following up at Target.

They are rather weighty, but I think they should make pretty good tiny ornie frames for next year. The square ones are either black or cream. The rounds are all deep red. The little circles on each of the frames are sparkly "diamonds." Who knows why I'm already contemplating next year's ornaments since I counted how many I currently have 22 done and needing finishing for this year! Anyway, I got the frames for $3 each -- seemed a reasonable price for some fancy ornament finishing that will hopefully be fast and easy.

Quote of the day: My basic position is that elephants are non-metallic.
Mr. Rosenbaum – Too Many Women – Rex Stout
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Thankful for: All of you kind stitchers who leave such thoughtful and sweet comments on my slooooow progress. I do appreciate you all.
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Currently reading: Stoker's Dracula -- Still very engaging. I'm very impressed; Green's The Man with the Golden Torc.

Catching up and Kathryn's inspiration part 1

Oh so much to catch up with!

Let's see, I owe pictures of completions and progress. I have FINALLY finished my Midsummer Night's Dream "Quaker Meetinghouse"



I've neglected getting a picture of this for a number of days, but trust me, when I finished this I was practically wiggling with happiness. I'm sure you understand! lol

I also finished my ornie for Simone's exchange

It's an adjusted version of a Trail Creek Farm piece from one of the JCS ornament issues. I changed the colors, added metallic (thanks to Kathryn for her kind gift of some Treasure Braid which was perfect for this), switched the word from "joyous" to "merry," and added the little JABC cardinal.

As for the progress---
Here's the last LosCon day's progress on Halloween Fairy

the threads on the left are the ones called for by the pattern for the wings, but they're just a touch too drab for my liking so I'm switching to the Silk n Colors on the right. Like the plan?

Since coming back from LosCon I've also hauled out my Vierlanden and my Quaker a la 6 Mains and made a little progress on each --



But I really need to get moving on the ST Fruit of the Vines for my sister. Sad to say, they are not inspiring me at the moment.... possibly that has something to do with them being at the backstitching/beading stage right now . lol

Speaking of getting moving, Kathryn inspired me with her post yesterday on trying to get organized and not letting the amount of tasks overwhelm you. I do believe she had my desk (err, whole life, but we'll just tackle the desk for now!) in mind. So I thought I'd try to do a task list (like I do every day) and see how far I got. I think I did pretty decently today-- shock of shocks. Here's the morning panorama:






And here's what the desk looks like now -- I don't get too many kudos though because 1) I worked through lunch and pretty much never left my desk the whole day, and 2) I only had two unexpected interruptions all day (an event that is quite unheard of!).






I'm thinking I'll start making desk/floor, and GASP maybe even hovel check-ins weekly features. Maybe then I'll feel incentivized to get stuff the heck out of my area!

We'll get back to Kathryn's inspirations next time. It's back to work on the counter for me!

Quote of the day: "The road to the apocalypse is paved with disposable food containers." Bones
[I can't help it, it just makes me lol.]
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Thankful for: Terrie Louise in Tasmania who sent me this lovely thank you for stitching a quilt square for her sister who had a terrible car accident-- Bless you TL-- it was not necessary, but is greatly appreciated!

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Currently reading: Bram Stoker's Dracula (never have read it before, and I think you ought to read one "classic" a year - I'm enjoying it and find it much more modern than I expected it to be. It's also making me itch to start Barbara Hambly's Redfield); Green's The Man with the Golden Torc

Net friends, fans, and hotel insults....

After a day of Con-ing I come back to find this on my bathroom counter:

Honest, I'm not a messy hotel guest. All I had for trash yesterday was some napkins, a sheet from the hotel notepad, some kleenix, and the remains of a pear (wrapped in several paper towels and napkins. And, yes, I did leave a tip this morning when I headed off to the panels. Now I need to bus my own trash? I think not Mr. Marriott.

Well, while I was getting in trouble in absentia for trash, in person I was doing what I enjoy best at cons-- sitting in panels collecting book recommendations. Here's the view from the back of the full house at "SF Canon, Essential SF"

Our guides through the spirited discussion and debate were (l to r) David Bratman, our own stitching blogger Kathryn (Threads of Desire), Berry Kercheval, Tim Powers, and Harry Turtledove. After the panel I got to chit chat with Kathryn for a bit. If you've been following her adventures and pending adventures on her blog, you will be amazed to know she shows no sign of collapsing with exhaustion. I don't know how she does it all!

Kathryn also surprised me with a goodie bag! Stitchers and fans are The coolest!

She included HiH's Spooky kit -- a cool house with this nifty moon behind it, 3 perfect Kreiniks (she noted that they were Christmas gold, silver and red..... hmm wonder where she got the idea that I might need Christmas colors??? lol), a beautiful petite Treasure Braid in a brass-ish gold, and 3 packs of some of the best looking Silkweavers fabrics I've ever seen (possibly she heard me whining to myself that one of these days I have to stitch something worthy on a Silkweaver fabric just so I can put something in that dang Stitcher's Showcase of theirs!). Thank you, Kathryn! You shouldn't have, but just try and wrest the stash from my paws!!!

In between the pages and pages of notes I took today, I got some stitching done. A little more on the Halloween Fairy:

And I even did a little needlepointing! Miracle of miracles--

I have to admit that today the fairy was loosing her allure, but the shawl dancer is a little too much for panels. I also brought the Sweetheart Tree "Fuit of the Vines to finish for my sister, but the last thing I'm doing in a hotel conference chair with no side tables is beading! LOL What a disaster that would be --- I also need more solitude for beading because my during-beading swearing isn't socially-acceptable! I guess it'll either be more fairy tomorrow, or I'll sort out one of the ornies I may or may not have brought the appropriate threads for why hanging out on my balcony over breakfast. ... the joys of CA! Here it is the last week of November and I can lounge outside for breakfast! hee heee

Nite nite folks! All this vacationing is exhausting! lol
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The quote of the day came from Kathryn's canon panel-- by Tim Powers in reply to the audience member who said he couldn't stretch his disbelief far enough to believe in Leiber's Canticle for Leibowitz that the one institution to survive nuclear war was the Catholic church but a few minutes later said he could accept the fictional applications of faster than light travel: "Faster than light's ok, but the Catholic Church is improbable?!"

See? You too could have all this fun if you'd come to SF cons! They're everywhere, and I bet most of them are loads of fun. Go on, explore, enjoy yourself!

Happy, happy, happy -- LosCon and Stitching

I'm at LosCon. I'm at LosCon. neener neener neener
Ok, so it's not very mature. It's authentic though. lol

When I checked in I was a little dubious of where they told me my room was --- all I could think was "oh, great. A view of the parking lot." But here's what I have:

[Please note that they have not changed the ultra unpeaceful carpet. lol It's kinda like an old buddy now.)
Yup, that there is my own patio with room to amble around, comfy chairs, and a view of the pool

And then I note that I have a view at just the right light angle that is so appropriate to the Con -- remember the alleged face on Mars? Well check out the lady in the patio rock -- lol


So far today I've had a grand and successful time. I've paneled (and discovered the person/panelist to be avoided at all costs. OMG Shut up already lady you complete, off-topic yammering git!!!!), I've shopped (see below), and I've stitched (also see below).

The shopping was for books. I mean that is what got me to my first LosCon afterall -- I picked up a Pratchett quotes book (and have already gained several giggles out of it), a new Yarbro (love her), and an Alastair Reynolds volume of two novellas (what can I say, I'm a sucker for short fiction).

As for stitching I can report great progress today on Mirabilia's Halloween Fairy. When I arrived this morning I was here (but the holes in the center of the body were already filled in):

Tonite at 5:30 I had made it to here:


Say Barbara -- I have a question for you -- I ran across this in my antique stash pile.


It's on aida and has the threads (but I'd ignore them if I were you because they didn't include all the colors they were supposed to which is what made me so annoyed the day I discovered why I didn't have the "right brown" that I bagged it up and stowed it away). Might it be something you'd like to finish for one of your little angels? If Barbara doesn't want it, does anyone else? It's yours. All you need is a supply of misc browns so you can pick out the appropriate shades.

Wawana -- thanks for the vote on the fabric choice. I like the darker too I think. I'm wondering if I should go darker -- more like a natural linen. Sigh. So many choices!

Well, I'm off to watch Numbers and stitch... then write a memo. Oh the joy of con life!

Hey everyone!

Man, I can't count!!!! It is currently approximately 42.5 hours to the start of LosCon. Still, it is ONLY 42.5 HOURS to LOSCON!!!!!!!!!!!! Scifi bliss here I come.

Kathryn-- didn't some LASFS folks used to host Turkey-laden events for those getting left out of their home fests? Did those go by the wayside when we moved from Burbank to LAX?

Teejay-- thanks for the ideas on the stash control systems. I might try that dating thing. I have been pretty good for the last year or so at passing stash I've "outgrown" along to new homes. And recently I've gotten really good at tossing out all the spare copies I made for working copies. I used to make 2-4 copies of the ornies I really liked out of JCS so I could highlight and toss as I worked. Then I rarely highlighted and tossed. Finally I figured-- "so what's the point>" lol

Ok, everyone, I need an opinion. I'm about to start (yes, again, a new project!) a RR. I'm doing Little House Needlworks' scripture series of 12 pieces as a single piece. Below are pics of some of the thread packs on a cream linen and a parchment jobelan. Which fabric does the best job with the treads? Or, have a better suggestion? Who knows-- I might be back with more pics tomorrow. lol



Oh and I have to share the joy of fresh stash. these goodies came in the mail today from Silkweaver:
first is Rosebud (one of the limited editions)


then Frosted Pumpkin


and then two solos:





For those of you to whom it is applicable-- Happy Thanksgiving in advance!!! May your turkey be perfect and your veggies not burn (mom always burned the veggies... and we always forgot about the rolls until it was a shade too late to do anything with them but play stickball.)

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Being thankful because tomorrow I get turkey and wild rice stuffing and olives (a Thanksgiving essential in my family) with friends and in now... errr. about 42 hours I get to go to LosCon with 1200-1500 of my closest friends lol