A finish and a Update

Ok so I finished it in Nov but havn't had a chance to post. I have been knitting lately. Well my sister let me barrow a knitting loom set she had bought to figure out how to use it to show her and because she knew I have been wanting to try them. So I have a few other things I did. I did 3 scarves and a pair of leg warmers for my daughter to wear to her dance class. And atm I am working on figuring out how to make letters in a scarf for my son that reads OU in the teams colors. my daughter who just turned 7 wanted to model the scarves. I'm being to lazy to go take a pic of the leg warmers I made her atm. The top pic is of her funny face! The 3 hotpads I made in a coffee/chocolate color. The pic comes no where near in doing the color justice.

This I forget the name but it was in the 2011 Halloween mag. I did the fabric myself. I only wish I could make several the same way because its AWESOME! I can't believe I did it and am proud of it.


I am also almost finished with my kitty I am stitching as well. She'll go with the reindeer with the gingerbread man on its back as a card holder when I get a few others done for it.

the ones that got ruined.

These are the ones that got dmg'd from the biggest earthquake we've ever had in OK.In a startle when it hit DH's glass of wine got spilt on them while I was in the process of switching between them.  I didnt have a whole lot done on either of them (maybe a 1/4th on each) and I was going to try to use the parts that weren't stitched on or dmg'd for some small pats. He took them to the dry cleaners we use for his uniforms and my big jacket but no luck. Then he accidentally forgot them on his desk at work last night and the guy that works the late shift threw them out. I get it in his defense they were stained. I'll rebuy the fab for the 1,000 winds after xmas and the other after my SIL's wedding and my sons 9th bday late Feb.  I can't afford to do it until then. 

A realization

Well I realize that the projects I have off to the side I've only managed to finish 2 so far this yr. They were the ones I wanted to make the most progress. Hopefully, by the end of the night I will have another Finish but it also is not on my list. Now I have some that are older WIPS the I am a thousand winds is one of them that will have to be restarted. The Mandala I forget the name that is in the new JCS Halloween book/mag will also have to be restarted. Silly earthquakes. I think when I am done with the one I am almost done with I will start on the Winter Silhouette and work on the Stars and Stripes and try to get that finished up b4 xmas. I also need to work on my xmas card holder and get that put together. The reindeer I have stitched up will be its top and I wanted to stitch a few smaller designs to put on the alligator clips themselves. I have to find the clips I bought when I finished the piece. I was waiting for the xmas ribbons to be put back on the shelves. 

I also would like to learn how to make hair bow clips. I will try to see when I have the time to find some free tutorials online. But if anyone already knows a good site I'd be glad to have it. And I need to finish hand sewing my sons Dino quilt hopefully b4 the yr is out as well. I need more hrs in a day.

Really :(

Well first we have not 1 but 2 quakes. 2 pieces of fabric I was switching between at the time of the 2nd completely ruined that where on PTP fabric. Then thunder storms and even tornados this evening. Top end the night another quake. So we've had a 4.7, 5.6, & another 4.7. USGS says to expect quakes from anywhere to a few wks to a few months. A quake when the ice storm hits the house will buckle. It's almost buckled once from the weight of ice. Caused several cracks everywhere. Ice n a quake combined we'll be out of a home. Yup I wanna grab a blanket n hide in my bed. It's been that kind of wkend. But no was watching Terra Nova with the kids and DH and now the kids r in bed and watching Castle and stitching on a diff Halloween piece I had in the works. I still have a few from the new Halloween mag I want to do.

Yay now hail. Going back to stitching.

I so want my own Mat Cutter-Xmas Gift Hint for loved ones too.

So I've been talking to the few ladies that I know specialize in custom framing. All 4 work at different places specialized in framing cross stitch pieces.

Framing all my stitched pieces is so expensive I have so many done and just sitting here waiting to be framed. With my own mat cutter I can by frames for most of them. But the professional mat cutters are so out of my price range. Talking thousands.

Out of all the models they separately recommended to me I quickly noticed the same 3 models on my list recommended by all 4 ladies. I've met them mostly through cross stitch shops or groups.

The

Logan 450-1 Artist Elite 40" Mat Cutter

Which works for most of my projects.

The

Logan 201 Oval & Circle Cutter - Trimmer

For obvious reasons. I have so many small pieces that are wonderful but the standard size oval pre cut mats in the stores are always just to small or to big. -,-

And then for my BAPS(big ass projects for my non stitchy friends and fam) this one was recommended.

Logan 760-1 Simplex Elite Mat Cutter 60"

Now while these are not the best money can buy I've been told by all 4 ladies that they will do what I want. Which is a professional look without the cost to get my pieces matted and on the wall or given as gifts..

I'll save my personal spending money from now until after Xmas the best I can. Which should end up being enough for the 450 if I don't end up needing it for the kids. The last few months I've been spending it all on the kids. I got to stop doing that and start using it for what it was meant to be for. And If I don't get one for Xmas. My love I hope your paying attention.... then I guess I will just have to buy the first 2 for myself. Now IF I get for Xmas then I can use my money to start framing my finished pieces.

I realize that some of my stitching friends might have other recommendations or comments on personal mat cutters. Feel free to leave them because I WILL wait until just after Xmas.

Yay a finish and a pic of Tarot Town

You can kinda see the cloud in the corner forming










Be Thankful by Diane Arthurs is finally finished. Ok so I stitched the whole thing only while playing Modern Warfare 2 on the ps3 with DH. I'd stitch during the mini intermissions which are normally less then a minute long and the matches last like 10-15 mins depending on which you play. I actually got alot of stitching done that way. I only started it like a month and a half ago.

Close up of the little bee's and the basket. I can't wait to get framed and hung in my kitchen. But it will have to wait until we have the $ or I can buy a mat cutter. Shops cost so much for what I can do for myself but I have no way to cut the mats. The rest is actually easy.

Haed or Nene Thomas lovers.

If you didn't know Steven wrote a book that goes along with his wife's artwork. If you like to read fantasy and are a fan of Nene's art you should enjoy the book. Yes Nene helped with the book as well. I have the luck of running into Steven last yr at my husbands comic book shop. The owner is friends with them as far as when they were in school. I was reading it online and the owner of the store had a print out of it and was going to give it to. The book was on the way to the printers so I said I'd be patient and wait. Last month was my B-day. And I just got my copy of their book from Hubby. We went and picked it up today. However, look inside. They secretly worked together the 4 slick bunch of them. Hubby, the shop owner ( i know his name but I'm not sure if he'd appreciate me posting it to get lots of ppl to come into his store looking for his friends), Steven, & Nene to get me a SIGNED by BOTH of them copy of the book as my Bday gift! Well I just got it today because Steven and Nene have been out of town between the Ren Fair, Comic Con, and the other places they visit. We currently live in there home town so I got lucky meeting Steven by accident. I went into the store to pick up some of her art. I ended up getting 4 big matted prints and a md matted print and a calendar. Steven and Hubby were talking while I was busy with the kids in the store and when we went to pick em up all were signed to me by Nene!!!! I mentioned the Haed site to them and how cool it would be if they would allow her work to be done as a HAED last June and I don't know the details of their contract with them but I'm SOO Glad they did! Since my favorite pieces of her's I have matted and signed I havn't bought any of the HAED's yet. I have so many already to finish. But isn't wonderful! All because last June my Hubby got promoted and I got to spend his promotion money on artwork of my choice I accidentally ran into Steve I now have signed are and the signed book to go with it! Yup I'm bragging but I bet if you ACCIDENTALLY ran into one of your favorite artist's you would to. Below are pictures of the signed book. To think just yesterday I had said to Hubby that it would be nice to feel special and appreciated for all I do around here once in a blue moon. And today I feel just that!

2011 Aug Vacation

I finally finished sorting the pics on the comp from our vacation so I could randomly upload some of them. Fam is welcome to stop by and see the rest on the comp if they like. Friends feel free to browse as you like. Leave comments if you feel like.

The ones from the kids first airplane trip is Here.
Maine pics are HERE.
Maine was AMAZING. BarHarbor was so much fun. Getting to go on the windjammer the Margaret Todd was so cool for our Sunset Cruise. Even if it was about 40 degress out on the water and we were soo cold. My back didnt act up once. And the Newfoundland sheep dogs that the owner lets onto the boat were as large as a small bear! We cuddled to stay warm. And it was worth it! Seeing Moose Crossing Interstate 1 was so funny. We never managed to take a picture of one of the signs but C bought me one. The whale watch cruise was, well nothing can really describe it. The pics are not at the best of times. But you try to watch whales, a 6 & 8 yr old, keep your footing and help them keep theirs on rough seas, keep distance from the sea sick ppl (if you do not know you have see legs take the sea sick pills ppl b4 getting on a boat!), and then stay still to let the camera focus when your in constant motion and the object of the picture is to. HAHA! There is nothing not to love. Even if the whale and puffin cruise was 20 degrees warmer then our Sunset Cruise we had to be up at 5am to get on our Whale and puffin cruise and on the way back to the dock we all cuddled up and slept on the yacht in the Atlantic Ocean. We napped on the Atlantic Ocean and it was the best nap ever!

We did take pics of the place we stayed in New Hampshire just 15 mins from the Hampton Beach water front. They Hotel had everything but I only took a few pics in the morning b4 we left because we wanted to get on the rode. They are HERE


Salem pics are HERE
And Salem blew me away. I knew it was gorgeous and rich in history. But no words relly work and seeing it yourself is the only way to capture it and really feel it. We learned so much about all sorts of things. Not just the Witch Trials but Pirates of the area through out history, And MANY MANY other things too. Oklahoma they said a few days ago on the news is in a 16month drought and green here isn't really green. Even in Bar Harbor I was in awe ppl were outside enjoying the outdoors. When we got to Salem the number tripled at least and the majority where JOGGING! Salem Willows is even more breath taking. If a house is up for sale when we retire from the Airforce if we can afford the place we are going to do what ever it takes to get it. Its that AMAZING! I didn't even take pics of that area well except a sea gull who was just checking out ppl as they jogged or walked by.

Bday gift

Getting to play with this lil girl is my bday gift. Its a joint gift and the best ever as I LOVE BIG CATS. She is only 4 wks old. My big sister paid for the gen admin and gave the tickets to us. Hubs paid to go into the back part of the zoo for a private tour. Both were awesome and I'm still smiling ear to ear. I got to see 194 Big cats and almost all of them were only a tiny fence away.  2 of them there was no fence and I got to pet and take pics of. This lil cub we got to play with for a little bit. Isn't she the cutest! I'll try to find my pics of my recent finishes. But somehow I miss placed them :(. Both were Mill Hill.  I know they are around here somewhere but I think they got knocked behind the the tv and it'll be awhile  b4 I can talk Hubby into moving everything to look.   Gosh I never thought I'd be so close to tigers let alone play with 1. And pet and take a pic with a 16wk old snow tiger!

Jazz up your fabric Bag-stitching done.

Ok the backstitch is finished. The piece is one I dyed myself I made it into a little pouch  or will it just needs to be sewn and given handles. Ok back to watching T.V. now that the kids are in bed and maybe get a little more work on the Greek Mandala til my hand gets sore and I have to put it down. Even tho I only need to use my thumb and pointer finger to stitch with my fractured hand it still gets sore pretty fast so I can only work for short periods of time.

A few Finishes.

Idont know if I posted pics of these finished yet or not. I dont think I have. The most recent was the Whoops Wrong Holiday. Sorry the pic is so dark.  I'll try to post updates of the Haeds and WIPs as I can. I think the most I've worked on is the Greek Mandala. But I've been soo busy I really havn't had much time to do anything me related. I did see Priest today. I so love it, but then again it is made from a Comic book lol. Took my son out of school to see Thor yesterday. Also a good movie. LOL a movie theme going the last 2 days!

My 6yr Daughter and I painting fabric together

I signed up for the Kustom Krafts Jazz up your Fabric class. I cant remember the exact date Dyan got things rdy but the same day she did I started to play and my daughter joined me b4 I was able to get started. The pieces are small 5x7" and smaller or ornies or other small things. it was a blast! 

Since Feb

Well my son is now an orange belt in Karate! My daughter has the knowledge to join him as an orange belt but she's only 6 and would have to spar and compete against 8-12yr olds. So they talked to her and me and decided its best she go from 2nd degree yellow to 4th degree yellow. Another little girl the only other 1 around her age and rank would have gone from 2nd degree yellow to 3rd degree yellow but she felt left out as they are friends so my daughter took a belt down and she took a degree up so they are now both 4th degree yellow belts that way they have someone to spar and practice with. And they are friends so of course its what the girls wanted so it all worked out.  When the nxt season starts up end of May the two girls will have to focus on strength as well they will both at the end of the nxt season rank up to orange and get stuck facing a much much older group of kids. All the others the girls age is a degree of white or a 1st degree yellow.  Poor things they work so hard and kept pace better then alot of the older kids.

My daughter has also been very busy learning Phonics as her kindergarten teacher wasn't teaching it.  In our state its mandatory! So I made them give her tutoring for it and we've been reading to daddy over skype. Oh and she's been reading to our dog and to other dogs at the local library. Its so cute and she has alot more confidence. She can read at a 1st grade lvl almost to a 2nd grade lvl now because I threw a fit. Something I wish other parents would do along with pay attention to what they are learning and are supposed to be learning in school.

We will be homeschooling both kids nxt yr so I've spent alot of time the last few months comparing curriculum and state standards across the USA. That way when we move to a different state we dont get too screwed over. Our Ele school is closing because the college wants it and they offered a pretty price. The college is letting them keep the kids on the property for 1-3 yrs. But they wont sign a contract so its more of an "at our will you will leave". Kids deserve better then that. I went to college for teaching and I got a job that I quit the beginning of this school yr for Kindergarten so for a teacher I can either go back to 24 kids a day or just my own 2. I choose my own 2. Seems best all around.

My daughter also has her first recital soon. We just did recital pics this wk I can not wait to see how they turned out!

Recently

Well as of Tues I think it will be a few wks like 2, maybe. I've kinda lost track thanks to painkillers. Anyway, back to the pic I re-fractured an old boxers fracture on my right hand. I never let it heal right the first as 13 yrs ago I was young n about as smart as I am now haha! No but really casts and I do not mix at all and I then tried to remove the cast causing my boxers fracture to look like a mutilated spiral fracture. As a result my pinkie finger curls acrossed my other fingers when I make a fist as it has been crooked since. I managed to um sneak out of the Dr's office b4 he casted it. Well no I ran out. Childish yes but with C gone and how I am with casts its better to leave it since it is set and keep it wrapped up.

My back was out almost all wk this wk. I've only woken to get the kids rdy and off to school and back to bed until they got home from school. Then of course I'd stay up til their bed time and then we'd all go to bed at the same time.  I do have other updates and I'll try to catch them up over the nxt wk. Things have been pretty busy here since my last post in Feb.

Kalista's Dance recital Costumes

Well she don't have her shoes on that go with the costumes and the tights haven't come in yet. There is a pair for each costume. I have to still buy her Jazz shoes. The first one(yellow/orange) is her Ballet Combo class recital. The 2nd (pink/black) is for Tap combo class. And the last is for her Jazz/hiphop combo class. Yup my little 6yr old is keeping up with school, Karate(2nd degree yellow belt), & a Ballet & Tap combo dance class along with her Jazz/hiphop class! She is begging me to let her add Cheerleading as well but I tell her NO! Between My son's Gifted program at school and both of them in Karate and her dance its enough for me to keep up. Maybe when she's a little older. Oh and my son says I have to add he's 7 and is a 3rd degree yellow belt haha! His Bday is a few wks away and testing for his orange belt in March. They are both on the way young side for orange belt but they want to try for it so they both test in March. Kalista will most likely go to 3rd or 4th degree yellow and I think my boy will likely get 4th degree yellow but WHO KNOWS! They are so amazing! I'm so proud of them Both!

Brayden's 2nd grade Play

He played the part of the scarecrow with a whopping 17 lines! All the others had 2-4 lines other then the gardener who had 10. He remembered them all perfectly too! I'd add video but it wont let me upload it as its 18mins long.

Mill Hill Pirate

I did this piece for my son. He saw it when we were in Cross Stitch Haven and asked that I make it for him so here it is. It came with a magnet but I think I will pick up a bigger one nxt time I'm in WalMart. Which will be soon.

On call for Kalista's class party tomorrow. This wk is going to be an insanely busy wk. Class party's tomorrow for both kids. B's school play, the normal Karate & dance for the kids. We are going to the Grill Thurs I think. And I have to take B to pick out what flavor cake and icecream he wants for his bday party. Going to take them to see Gnomeo this wkend for his bday to. Depending on how the wk goes I may call and see if one of his friends can go. I so don't want to know how much the late fee for Kalista's dance because of the blizzard & snow storm is going to run. But I will just keep in mind it is better to pay the late fee then it would be getting into an accident to try to pay it on time. It's due on the 1st when the blizzard came in. So figured I'd pay it when she goes to dance nxt which will be this wk. Busy busy wk. looking fwd to breakfast with the ladies in the morn. I hope they will be there even tho its Vday. I could really use a breakfast with friends tomorrow.