Back to Blogging

I haven't blogged in ages due to some carpal tunnel developing in my hands/arm. It's from using the mouse, not from typing. I've stayed off of the blog and the internet.

I need to email but I have to do it quickly. I cannot spend time looking at everyone's beautiful stitching or crafty blogs or searching Etsy. Not much, anyway. Just a little, quickly, here and there.

I've been online since about 2000, and I was doing Ebay with a dial-up computer back then. I spent a lot of time scanning in photos and cropping them because I didn't have a digital camera back then.

I am trying to figure out if a laptop would be better for me. I looked into getting a pen/tablet, but it does not replace a mouse entirely.

The Summer House Arrived . . .

down under.

You can see the Summer House photo book that I sent to Gabi on her blog.

An August Giveaway

Loretta is having a giveaway of four packages of great evenweave cloth. Sign up here now!

The deadline is Aug. 21, 2009.

Eliza's Pyn Pillow--My Version

Eliza's Pyn Pillow
freebie from With My Needle
28-ct. linen

A Sheep Ornie

freebie from the DMC website
28-ct. hand-dyed Lugana

A Purple Peacock Pinkeep

a freebie from the web page "magyar mintakendo"
28-ct. linen

Peacock Pinkeep

from "Scandinavian Charted Designs--archives of the Lindberg Press"
Dover Publications

This is one of a series of peacock-themed items that I finished. I added my initials to it.

County Fair 4-H Display

Granddaughter won a Best of Show ribbon for her 4-H project. This is a shot of the entire display with all of the county "Best of Shows."

Civil War Memorial--Wheeling Park

Liberty is missing her sword and there is damage to other parts of the monument.

It was an unsettling experience to come upon this monument at the top of a beautiful, tree-laden hill in the park, on a glorious day. Let us not forget the courage and the sacrifices of all veterans.

Stitching News

I finished my HOE "Summer House" project and got it mailed. I forgot to take a picture of it (again!) because I was rushed.

I have to finish my biscornu from June as well as make one for July and August. I'm out of the competition for the prize but I still want to complete my dozen. I gave one away as part of a birthday bag, so I'll only have 11 in my "basket."

I'm still transferring floss from cardboard bobbins onto plastic ones. I need to buy more plastic ones to finish.

I am not going to stitch any Christmas presents this year. I'm buying West Virginia-made crafts from a local artisan center. I'm going to concentrate on stitching ornaments and seasonal samplers for house decoration. I have a big Prairie Schooler chart "Thanksgiving Comes Again" that I want to stitch, plus I want to get a dowel tree and have it filled with ornaments for Christmas. I saw a dowel tree on Etsy that I'd like.

A Kennywood Visit

A family member who lives in the Pacific Northwest was visiting us and we had a great five days. We spent one whole day at Kennywood Park, near Pittsburgh. We got there just as the rides opened and granddaughter was able to get on the Phantom before the lines got too long.

The pictures show a group of happy people on the Thunderbolt roller coaster, as well as one of the historical markers that are located in various places on the grounds.

Hectic Summer

Life has been hectic since school ended.

Daughter has had different schedules, some evening shift, some day shift, and some 12-hr. shifts, due to working two different (successive) temporary jobs.

Granddaughter has attended school-sponsored music (day) lessons and has had summer outings with family and friends. She is currently working on 4-H projects. We are looking for the party dress and shoes she needs for the county fair junior queen pageant. The county fair here is a big event and is attended by thousands. Three years ago she entered and I made her dress. I don't know if I will make it this year. Nearly all of the sewing patterns available are the same style--flower girl style with fitted bodice and gathered skirt. Nothing is pretty, stylish, and also age-appropriate(no spaghetti straps). I already made the one unique pattern I could find for her first pageant.

I have been embroidering and sewing. I made small stuffed elephants, embroidered bookmarks, and stuffed dolls (complete with clothing). I sold a few things at a church fair. I had started sewing the dolls years ago for granddaughter, but now she doesn't play with dolls anymore. I also sold my peacock scissor fob.

Well, my sewing/craft table looks like a tornado hit it. I have a lot of sorting/cleaning up to do.

I have started my Summer House for the HOE exchange, and am about 1/2 finished. I will make the deadline.

Oh, forgot to say that I just got a copy of "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes A Day." I don't have the required baking stone and am not going to put water in my oven to make steam. I will be letting you know how the recipes work out for me. First I need to buy the plastic container for the dough storage. I will probably be trying some recipes just doing them the regular way, and not refrigerating the dough. Right now I'm planning to bake the olive-stuffed flatbread.


I'll post pictures when I can. Keep on stitching!