2008 Blogging hopes and plans
I’ve never been one to keep a journal or daily accounting of my life – I’ve always admired those who do and wished I held the devotion I’ve seen in others. This trait has spilled over into my blogging. I started blogging when I joined an exchange group whose membership required each stitcher to maintain a blog, and have been quite the spotty writer since then. One of the challenges that I’ve encountered is the ability to easily post pictures – this talent has eluded me at all turns. I love blogs with pictures, so my lack of them has kept me away. I don’t know what 2008 will bring, but if wishes were horses (as they say) I should have thousands of words and pictures to populate my blog LOL!
I’ll keep on trying . . .
Exchanges are so much fun
I love stitching for other stitchers, and I love getting packages in the mail – therefore exchanges have wonderful appeal to me.
Here is what I received for a Bird themed exchange from Marie P:
I lead a summer house exchange, and received this wonderful fob from Katrina D:
Another exchange I participated in had a finishing theme for a mattress pincushion, and this is the marvelous piece I received from Tuula from Finland:
And here is side two:
Time for a walk – the day is already heating up!
More stitchings
Okay, it seems I might just have a handle on posting pictures – it seems my camera has a special feature to make a smaller picture of what I’ve taken built in. This allows me to start with a picture that takes up less space, which seems to be what has prevented me in the past.
That being the case, I want to share the biscornu I stitched for the pin exchange mentioned in the last post:
I’ll share more later. It’s hot here – the dog days have arrived in the company of monsoonal moisture up from Mexico. The air isn’t moving, the windows are open wide, and we’ve no air. We only get a few days that are unbearable, and I know I would be a wimp if we did have air, using it more that I want to pay for. This is set to last through Labor Day, and we should be returning to our wonderful So Cal weather after that.
Pin exchange
The mailman brought me the most wonderful exchange today – what an imaginative finish! I love samplers and alphabets, and the blue/purple color is one of my favorites.
From the side:
And from the rear:
Inspiration
I’ve been expanding my blog circle beyond cross stitch, to knitting, sewing crafts, and faith based blogs. With all of these, I am in awe of the marvelous talent these blog authors have in expressing their thoughts, and engaging their readers. Add to this the amazing art that is created, I find my mind spinning with many wonderful new ideas to put into being. I’ve been able to organize my blogroll to add many of these – I still have more to include!
My next adventure – knitting. I took my first and only knitting class 15 years ago, and have only dabbled in it in the years since. I have developed the most inconvenient method of knitting, which has discouraged me for quite a while. Since my interest has grown over the last 6 months, and I’ve seen so many amazing things made with needles and yarn (socks have definitely piqued my interest), I’m making a concerted effort to correct my errant ways and improve my skills. I would love to be able to consider myself an accomplished knitter – to be brave enough to tackle whatever project catches my eye. I know I have a few years and many things to knit before this comes to bear. I’m up for the challenge! Although my stitches seem to be quite tight as I’m making this adjustment.
The music in my life
As I sit here, knowing I need to get some sleep before early morning softball games take over our day, I came across this meme on another blog. I just couldn’t resist compiling my own list to see what I would include in my favorite 7 songs. As I can imagine it is for many others, this is a very difficult thing to do – the first couple of songs popped into my head without much thought at all, as they have been a part of my soul for so many years, I then started wondering how I could leave out this song or that one when I love them all. But this is what came to me first, and as I know from experience, it’s always good to go with the first answer (at least that is what I’ve always told myself when taking a test):
Stairway to Heaven Led Zepplin – ah, the memory of high school dances ending with this song – a long slow dance!
Fluff Black Sabbath – in the midst of some very heavy metal, this beautiful, delicate instrumental that begs for headphones and darkness to let it surround me.
Blowin’ In The Wind Peter, Paul and Mary – a song whose message carries over the years.
Japan Kenny G – we played this song at our wedding, it’s what I walked with my dad down the aisle to meet the love of my life. It brings to mind the beach at sunset, times spent talking for many long hours, so many of the good things our life together has been.
Call to Worship – Mercy Me – this song has me ready to lift my hands to heaven in praise.
You Are So Good to Me – Third Day – a song of pure love and ultimate sacrifice.
Rocky Mountain High – John Denver – yes, I do want to move to Colorado, and this song has a lot to do with that desire!
So many others that would make it on this list – my IPod is a testimony to that fact. Memories are conjured, feelings and dreams come to mind as these songs play. The radio constantly plays when I’m driving, and my IPod when I’m walking, between Christian, classic rock and country most days. A little jazz, Celtic and New Age find their way in, too. I would love to know your favorites.
Exchange in the mail
I took part in a needlecase exchange through the Prairie Schooler Fans Yahoo group, and I was partnered with Georgie P in Australia. I received the most wonderful package from her today – a beautiful needlecase, along with a skein of Dinky Dyes silk in Mango Tango, and a bag of assorted Cadbury eggs (Australian candy), and a postcard of the Victorian Goldfields. Australia is one of my dream country’s to visit. I’m going to try posting a picture – I’m spotty at best with my success doing this!
Georgie’s PS needlecase exchange for me
Well, I can get a title, but not the picture. I should find a class somewhere to make this clear to me LOL! I even tried to upload a picture as an avatar, and it seemed to work, but I have NO idea where it would show. There is probably a picture of my cat Earl floating around somewhere in cyberspace. I need a program ‘WordPress/Blogging for Dummies’, although knowing how popular those books are there is probably one already on the market.
He is Risen, He is Risen indeed!
It’s Easter morning – very early. The rest of my house is asleep, even the cats. I sit here typing, thinking I should make it to bed soon, as 7 am comes quite early, and I’m going to be blessed with watching babies in the nursery for first service at our church. I’m looking forward to the teaching our pastor will give, loving the feel of my Bible open on my lap as he applies those sacred words to our daily lives. I wish my childhood held these memories, but know I can keep on learning from God’s word all the rest of my days.
Easter has been such an evolving holiday for me. My memories of my own Easter baskets waiting with candy mingle with filling baskets for my kids with many of the same candies, along with so many new kinds now available. As my kids have gotten older and their beliefs have changed, their focus has shifted to providing Easter egg hunts for the neighborhood children who have gifted my kids with their adoration (it is mutual, my three love spending time with them too). Baskets have been replaced with bags, and we no longer color hardboiled eggs. I grew up watching “The Ten Commandments” and it occurred to me that my three have not ever seen the movie in it’s entirety, if even at all. I feel I’ve cheated them of something special, a glimpse of the awe I felt watching it, although death and ressurection are not a part of that traditional Easter tale. I’m developing a more spiritual feeling for this day, as I came upon my firm belief in Jesus in my life much later in life than my children did. I plan to bring down the ressurection eggs I have had for so many years, and going over them again with them when we all gather after church. I hope we can make new ones for those neighborhood boys and girls who have a special place in our family’s hearts.
Stitching has been a part of each of my days lately - RR’s and exchanges to stitch and finish, and dreams of projects for myself, hopes of decorating my walls with many samplers, plans to frame and otherwise finish the multitude of projects that sit under my couch waiting their turn to be seen and admired, if only by me! Just today, I’ve finished stitching on an ornament for the Ornament RR I’m a part of. I was able to mail it off to it’s next stitcher, and I have started stitching a duplicate of the ornament I chose, to gift to a wonderful friend who was not able to join us this round. I have begun on a Drawn Thread RR from a new group of friends I’ve been so happy to be a part of.
Here are just a couple of things I’ve finished lately and have received in exchanges: Okay, technical difficulties seem to exist between me and my images, and I’m a bit too tired to figure it out now. I’ll try with a fresh mind tomorrow. My picture came through HUGE!
Prairie Schooler Fans Needlecase Exchange
Okay, I think this worked, but it requires a second step. At least you don’t have to move across the room to view it!
I wish for you all a peaceful, joyful Easter.
This is just a test!
I took one of those tests, and wanted to share it here. Let’s see if I’m successful ?!?
You Belong in Fall |
 Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times… You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings Whether you’re carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you |
It worked! First time around, no, but once I copied it all under code, viola! I must keep repeating to myself ‘try, try again’. I love the fact that I’m ‘Fall’ – that would have been my pick.
It’s been awhile!
I must be one of the most inconsistent blogger around! Yes, Jill, you are right, I need to post at least weekly! I love reading everyone’s blogs, and am constantly finding new ones to bookmark.
It’s the middle of March already – where did that time go? My current stitching projects are quite numerous:
Finishing up a Quaker RR (one more mailing round to go)
Just mailed out the first round of an Ornament RR
Will be mailing my new DT RR out tomorrow
There are several exchanges on the horizon. I love sending packages out and receiving them! It’s great to see what others stitch and how they interpret the given theme. I keep all my exchanges in areas around my stitching spot, serving as a wonderful visual symbol of my love for this needleart. Now, if I could just get some of my finished pieces framed!
Here is a picture of my part in my DT RR (not complete, I still have a house to finish and an owl to add):
I am so looking forward to my Quaker RR coming home – one more stitcher and it will be mine to treasure. I chose a monochromatic theme using Vikki Clayton’s Wenge. No pictures to share at this time, I’ll make sure to post one when it makes it back to me. I think my next Quaker will be either red or green – there’s always room for more Quakers!
I got the chance to meet with some special stitching friends yesterday, and to meet Dani from Ottawa (http://tkdchick.blogspot.com/) who has been down visiting these southwestern states! Our international community amazes me. What a blessing the internet has been bringing us in touch with so many wonderful people!
My next post will show all my recent exchanges I’ve received and sent, as I’ve been very remiss in acknowledging these in picture.
