OK, so I am in the middle of my exercise, and the phone rings, with someone asking where am I? Knowing the person on the other end of the phone I give my greetings as I walk to the calendar, posted, I might add, on the front of the fridge to say yes I have you down for the 29th at 10 next week as I am saying this I am realizing that it is the 29th and I have missed my appointment. Don't you hate it when your day starts this way.
.
I figure I am retired why do I need to really keep track of the days of the week. We both had a good laugh and I rebooked my appointment for tomorrow. I'm showing my age but remembering when I used to keep my schedule, my childrens schedule and my husband's schedule all in my head floating around knowing at any given time what we are doing on any day of the week. OMG I hate getting older. I figure one of these days I will forget where all my stitching is, except that I can usually find something in every room of the house.
I guess it is the time of year again and I have decided I need to loose some weight before shorts season starts, reason for exercise, so D and I have started to follow WW program together and we are doing very well. This is the first time that he has decided to do it with me and he is now seeing how it isn't as easy as you think. Just because you aren't suppose to eat something it doesn't mean you don't want to. My biggest escape is to go and stitch or sew or something to stay out of the kitchen and one of the escapes is to spring clean my sewing/stitching/craft space which is in the basement. You know that old saying out of sight out of mind well that's the kitchen to me.
Pulled out a few oldies but goodies. Do you remember 10, 15, even 20 years ago when you were stitching and how things have changed. Even patterns are different and of course taste. Some of the things that I purchased way back when and never got to boy are they ever funny. I have been wondering why I even bought some of them but I guess at the time they interested me. Maybe I will get to them one day. Besides I don't need any more.
One of the patterns that I pulled out was a Jubilee Sampler designed by Charland 1991 when she closed her stitching shop in Toronto and decided to just design. Over the years I have seen her at the Needle Show in Toronto but I had forgotten that I had the piece so just for a change of pace I have pulled it out and put it on a scroll frame. I don't use scroll frames very often either but with my shoulders being so sore maybe this will help them from getting any worse.
There were so many patterns that I would love to start each and every one but I now have 4 large pieces on the go so I had better finish something before I tackle any more. I just love to start but have a hard time finishing. As my sister-in-law Barb used to say just do one thread a day and you will eventually finish the project. I'm sure she is right and probably looking down at me saying just do it. On that note I will say my good byes for now happy stitching.
Keep on Stitching, one thread a day. Pennie
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
A month has passed and then some since my last posting and I have decided that once a month is a great length of time to post. Once you retire your life seems to eventually settle into a routine and since it has now been one year since D and I have retired I can say that for the most part that is exactly what has happened.
January was mostly routine until one day when I asked D if we were going to venture south for a few weeks to re-energize in the sun, I asked and 6 days later we were off to the sunshine state. Just one thing about going south I guess I figure that once south and in the sunshine state of Florida that it will be indeed hot and sunny. This year however, although I can gratefully say we didn't have to shovel anything, the wonderful state of Florida sadly was not hot or sunny. I should have known from my parents vacationing all winter in past years that January/February are not always the warmest times in Florida but I can hope.
D and I packed up our hobbies and left for a two week vacation from retirement. Once we arrived we settled in to rainy cloudy weather but a great time for relaxing and doing what we enjoy hobbies. To not have to cook, clean or otherwise engage in any household duty for two weeks and sit and enjoy cross stitching was wonderful. I know you are probably thinking what on earth am I saying as we are retired but a change is as good as a rest.
I was glad to find a wonderful little x-stitch store Needle Craft World in Kissimmee. Cathleen is the owner and salesperson in the store and it was a wonderful time just sitting and talking about hobbies. Like me she is a multitasker so we enjoyed comparing notes. She is a wealth of knowledge and I had a most enjoyable time. She has a table in her store and I am guessing that she has various nights with planned activities if anyone is interested.
D and I had talked about hobbies all through our vacation and we both felt that we have more than enough projects that neither of us needs anything but there is just something about going to a new store or seeing some different items to stitch that peaks your interest and just begs for you to try something new. So once again I purchased a few projects to add to my already over stacked pile.
Coming home was a different story the rain continued all the way up to NC and then it started to freeze rain. Definitely not the best trip home and after a second 12 hr day of driving it was nice to get home relax and have some dinner.
Now back to reality all the usual housework is of course waiting for me. February is my time to organize and decide what to stitch. I have three or four on the go my cherry blossoms and my winter heron but why not add to the list or maybe finish an old project in any case this girl has to move her butt and get some work done. So I need to take some pictures of the projects on the go and post them and see what else I can start.
I know from past travels I have found some really great x-stitch shops but it is always neat to find a new one so if you know of any send me a comment and tell me what you thought of it.
Keep on Stitching, one thread a day.
Pennie
January was mostly routine until one day when I asked D if we were going to venture south for a few weeks to re-energize in the sun, I asked and 6 days later we were off to the sunshine state. Just one thing about going south I guess I figure that once south and in the sunshine state of Florida that it will be indeed hot and sunny. This year however, although I can gratefully say we didn't have to shovel anything, the wonderful state of Florida sadly was not hot or sunny. I should have known from my parents vacationing all winter in past years that January/February are not always the warmest times in Florida but I can hope.
D and I packed up our hobbies and left for a two week vacation from retirement. Once we arrived we settled in to rainy cloudy weather but a great time for relaxing and doing what we enjoy hobbies. To not have to cook, clean or otherwise engage in any household duty for two weeks and sit and enjoy cross stitching was wonderful. I know you are probably thinking what on earth am I saying as we are retired but a change is as good as a rest.
I was glad to find a wonderful little x-stitch store Needle Craft World in Kissimmee. Cathleen is the owner and salesperson in the store and it was a wonderful time just sitting and talking about hobbies. Like me she is a multitasker so we enjoyed comparing notes. She is a wealth of knowledge and I had a most enjoyable time. She has a table in her store and I am guessing that she has various nights with planned activities if anyone is interested.
D and I had talked about hobbies all through our vacation and we both felt that we have more than enough projects that neither of us needs anything but there is just something about going to a new store or seeing some different items to stitch that peaks your interest and just begs for you to try something new. So once again I purchased a few projects to add to my already over stacked pile.
Coming home was a different story the rain continued all the way up to NC and then it started to freeze rain. Definitely not the best trip home and after a second 12 hr day of driving it was nice to get home relax and have some dinner.
Now back to reality all the usual housework is of course waiting for me. February is my time to organize and decide what to stitch. I have three or four on the go my cherry blossoms and my winter heron but why not add to the list or maybe finish an old project in any case this girl has to move her butt and get some work done. So I need to take some pictures of the projects on the go and post them and see what else I can start.
I know from past travels I have found some really great x-stitch shops but it is always neat to find a new one so if you know of any send me a comment and tell me what you thought of it.
Keep on Stitching, one thread a day.
Pennie
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year
Yahoo it's 2011. Well as everyone is bringing in the New Year with a bang, I am saying goodbye to a difficult 2010 with wishes of a happier and healthier year. Has everyone made those unattainable new year's resolutions, I did but a little different this year. Instead of the usual lose weight, get fit finish all my UFO's this year I simply wish to be happier.
Full retirement has set in and we have enjoyed the past year trying to find out what it is we want to do with the rest of our lives. The biggest advice I can give anyone so far is to not just sit around. We have done the walking and the hobbies but the normal everyday sort of stuff that you do in addition to working, cleaning etc. has been not as regular as in the past so now it's time to get off this relaxed rollercoaster and start living the rest of our lives.
Of course my pile of UFO's has grown exponentially and so this year I am going to finish some projects. It wouldn't be fun though if I could start something new so I will have to check out the list and see what I can come up with .
I haven't any pictures of the cherry blossoms or the heron in winter but not much has been done to the later since I started just that kind of year.
Well here goes 2011 and heres to a terrific year for everyone.
Keep on Stitching, one thread a day. Pennie
Full retirement has set in and we have enjoyed the past year trying to find out what it is we want to do with the rest of our lives. The biggest advice I can give anyone so far is to not just sit around. We have done the walking and the hobbies but the normal everyday sort of stuff that you do in addition to working, cleaning etc. has been not as regular as in the past so now it's time to get off this relaxed rollercoaster and start living the rest of our lives.
Of course my pile of UFO's has grown exponentially and so this year I am going to finish some projects. It wouldn't be fun though if I could start something new so I will have to check out the list and see what I can come up with .
I haven't any pictures of the cherry blossoms or the heron in winter but not much has been done to the later since I started just that kind of year.
Well here goes 2011 and heres to a terrific year for everyone.
Keep on Stitching, one thread a day. Pennie
Friday, October 8, 2010
Home Again, Home Again......
Well we have just arrived home again from our holiday south of the border and it's good to be home. Don't get me wrong D and I had a wonderful time in Virginia and this holiday was a little more relaxed than in the past as the weather really didn't cooperate much. We had rain, fog, wind and cloudy days so we stayed where we were and enjoyed the free time to stitch, read and build model railway buildings.
I missed my Wednesday night stitch with the girls and look forward to getting back into the routine of the fall. While in Virginia I was lucky to visit a stitching shop in Fredericksburg called "Everything Stitching" it was a great little place but I didn't have much time to look around. What I saw will make it a revisit next time we are in the area.
If there is anyone else out there that appreciates model railroad or trains in general a place to go is Cass Scenic Railroad in West Virginia and if you can make the trip through the George Washington National Park it will all be worth the trip.
The one thing that I missed down there this year were the colours they hadn't happened yet and I was told by the people at the resort that they didn't think there would be colours as they had a drought this year and the trees would probably just drop their leaves and not change colour. What a shame I know I wasn't the only one to miss them. Driving through the upper part of Pensylvania it looked like Mother Nature had dropped her paint box of colours all over the mountains it was beautiful.
As much as I love taking a holiday it is always good to come home and find out what everyone has been up to and it sounds like my family is doing OK right now and that is a good thing.
To everyone I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving
Keep on Stitching, one thread a day. Pennie
I missed my Wednesday night stitch with the girls and look forward to getting back into the routine of the fall. While in Virginia I was lucky to visit a stitching shop in Fredericksburg called "Everything Stitching" it was a great little place but I didn't have much time to look around. What I saw will make it a revisit next time we are in the area.
If there is anyone else out there that appreciates model railroad or trains in general a place to go is Cass Scenic Railroad in West Virginia and if you can make the trip through the George Washington National Park it will all be worth the trip.
The one thing that I missed down there this year were the colours they hadn't happened yet and I was told by the people at the resort that they didn't think there would be colours as they had a drought this year and the trees would probably just drop their leaves and not change colour. What a shame I know I wasn't the only one to miss them. Driving through the upper part of Pensylvania it looked like Mother Nature had dropped her paint box of colours all over the mountains it was beautiful.
As much as I love taking a holiday it is always good to come home and find out what everyone has been up to and it sounds like my family is doing OK right now and that is a good thing.
To everyone I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving
Keep on Stitching, one thread a day. Pennie
Monday, September 20, 2010
Fall is on the Rise
Today we put the cover on the pool. It is a balmy 70 degrees but the pool is a very chilly 62 and so we must close the pool before it gets any colder so it is secure for the winter months ahead. That's a very chilly thought indeed. Standing here looking at the pool and it feels like fall is here. We have one of those new covers that looks very much like grass but it is not the beautiful blue that we look out and see every summer morning. We have started to put the umbrellas and cushions away and generally tidy up the yard. It will still be nice to sit out and read or stitch while we can.
D and |I have just booked our fall vacation. Great deals when it is last minute like this and so at the end of the week we will head south to Virginia for some R&R. How does that work when you don't work for a living anymore. Every day is like a holiday, sorry for those of you out there still gainfully employed. I know it's tough but someone has to do it.
It's funny the first thing that D and I thought of when we booked our trip was what are we taking with us to work on. We vacation a little different than most as we are hobbyists to the end. When we are driving there is no space issues so it can be large or small, it doesn't really matter. Also on our holidays the first thing we do is find out if there are any, train, stitching, quilting, or beading stores in the area as the U.S. does have more variety and a larger selection so we always find something interesting. Last year we came home with a glass etching 18x36 of The General (locomotive) seat belted in the back seat so it would arrive in one piece. We thank the glass artist in Massanutten the piece is quite beautiful and D shows it off to all his train buddies. It did arrive home in perfect condition.
Last year I didn't find very many stitching places so maybe this year I will have to go a little further afield. If anyone wishes to comment on any shops please feel free to do so. Mind you like most I don't need any more stitching right now if I stitched full time I would probably have to live till I'm a 150 to finish all the pieces. I'm not like the younger ones in the Stitching Sisters they seem to stitch one a month. Don't get me wrong they stitch beautifully but they also have the eyes for it and no arthritis in the hands. Oh to be young again. No strike that. I don't need to go through that again.
With age comes some benefits like retirement. Well I guess while the afternoon is young and the sun is shining I will take my stitching and go outside.
Keep on Stitching, one thread a day. Pennie
D and |I have just booked our fall vacation. Great deals when it is last minute like this and so at the end of the week we will head south to Virginia for some R&R. How does that work when you don't work for a living anymore. Every day is like a holiday, sorry for those of you out there still gainfully employed. I know it's tough but someone has to do it.
It's funny the first thing that D and I thought of when we booked our trip was what are we taking with us to work on. We vacation a little different than most as we are hobbyists to the end. When we are driving there is no space issues so it can be large or small, it doesn't really matter. Also on our holidays the first thing we do is find out if there are any, train, stitching, quilting, or beading stores in the area as the U.S. does have more variety and a larger selection so we always find something interesting. Last year we came home with a glass etching 18x36 of The General (locomotive) seat belted in the back seat so it would arrive in one piece. We thank the glass artist in Massanutten the piece is quite beautiful and D shows it off to all his train buddies. It did arrive home in perfect condition.
Last year I didn't find very many stitching places so maybe this year I will have to go a little further afield. If anyone wishes to comment on any shops please feel free to do so. Mind you like most I don't need any more stitching right now if I stitched full time I would probably have to live till I'm a 150 to finish all the pieces. I'm not like the younger ones in the Stitching Sisters they seem to stitch one a month. Don't get me wrong they stitch beautifully but they also have the eyes for it and no arthritis in the hands. Oh to be young again. No strike that. I don't need to go through that again.
With age comes some benefits like retirement. Well I guess while the afternoon is young and the sun is shining I will take my stitching and go outside.
Keep on Stitching, one thread a day. Pennie
Friday, September 10, 2010
Lazy Day in the Sun
For the last few months I have been trying to decide what kind of notebook computer to get and when I have such questions I usually go to my two sons and start to ask questions. My first and foremost issue was that it had to be light weight and compact and be able to do what my regular laptop could do. My husband and I travel a lot and our present laptop was like taking another piece of luggage. Since my regular laptop is 5 years old a lot has happened in the technology world and so this wasn`t going to be a problem. Famous last words.
First of all both my sons have a huge knowledge of computers as most young people do. They differ a great deal in their uses of the computer. I had this ongoing pros and cons arguement with the two of them for the summer, one thinking a notebook would be wonderful the other thinking it would be great to just get a smaller regular laptop. So I would talk to one and would decide yes this is what I want and then I would talk to the other and find out that the notebook wasn`t going to provide the options that I wanted. This has been going on all summer and I have also asked friends who have a bigger knowledge than I do of computers, that doesn`t take much, I`m grateful to those who gave me their opinions.
This is definitely the time to buy a small laptop-notebook as school has started once again and the deals are out there. I got an e-mail from my son letting me know that there was a particular notemook on sale, great price in my budget, good opportunity, sale ends in 3 days. The other son basically said no get a smaller regular laptop it would be better and he could probably find one on the net for a similar price. Decisions, decisions well I just picked up my new notebook and personally I think it is great. I can fit it in my purse if I want and it is an aqua colour. I remember the days when asked about what I wanted on a computer I would say a nice shade of grey would be good. All kidding aside this is a gem. Big enough for an old dog like me who still doesn`t know much more about computers and it has everything I need or want and if I wish to download a program all I need to do is use an external DVD player and of course the expertise of one or both of my sons.
Isn`t technology great. Good Grief. Now I will relax and stitch for the rest of the day. Tonight I`m going to meet with some new knitting friends so it should be a wonderful evening.
Keep on Stitching, one thread a day. Pennie
First of all both my sons have a huge knowledge of computers as most young people do. They differ a great deal in their uses of the computer. I had this ongoing pros and cons arguement with the two of them for the summer, one thinking a notebook would be wonderful the other thinking it would be great to just get a smaller regular laptop. So I would talk to one and would decide yes this is what I want and then I would talk to the other and find out that the notebook wasn`t going to provide the options that I wanted. This has been going on all summer and I have also asked friends who have a bigger knowledge than I do of computers, that doesn`t take much, I`m grateful to those who gave me their opinions.
This is definitely the time to buy a small laptop-notebook as school has started once again and the deals are out there. I got an e-mail from my son letting me know that there was a particular notemook on sale, great price in my budget, good opportunity, sale ends in 3 days. The other son basically said no get a smaller regular laptop it would be better and he could probably find one on the net for a similar price. Decisions, decisions well I just picked up my new notebook and personally I think it is great. I can fit it in my purse if I want and it is an aqua colour. I remember the days when asked about what I wanted on a computer I would say a nice shade of grey would be good. All kidding aside this is a gem. Big enough for an old dog like me who still doesn`t know much more about computers and it has everything I need or want and if I wish to download a program all I need to do is use an external DVD player and of course the expertise of one or both of my sons.
Isn`t technology great. Good Grief. Now I will relax and stitch for the rest of the day. Tonight I`m going to meet with some new knitting friends so it should be a wonderful evening.
Keep on Stitching, one thread a day. Pennie
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Confetti Anyone
Hi Everyone Once Again:
I have a background YAY! My many thanks to my good friend and fellow stitcher who has once again come to my aid and put a background on my blog. After a few tries myself and not succeeding and getting frustrated by the minute it's good to know that I can always count on good friends to bail me out. I would also like to thank my good friend for framing my butterfly so beautifully last month. It has been hung in my livingroom as a lasting memory of Barb.
I have taken pictures of my on going trial of the Heron and the Cherry Blossoms. The heron of course is time consuming. For one I am stitching on black, it is also a ton of confetti stitching and although I can work for what seems like hours I only seem to achieve a small amount. A couple of stitches here and
there and once again I have to start another thread I am trying to reach a point where there are more stitches of one colour. As you can see from this picture I have a lot of black fabric to cover and I hope one day to do that. Right now as you can see the work is long from finished but one thread a day and one day the
celebration will begin. I have entertained different thoughts; to proceed from working on one area at a time with different threads, to doing as much as I can of one colour. The second way can be a problem if you get out of count and place a stitch in the wrong spot then it is a real bummer. I also am trying to figure ways to start and stop threads as where there are several starts the back is beginning to take on its own depth and this may cause a problem when framing. Anyone have any ideas.
The cherry blossoms is quite enjoyable to work on colour is light there are a few blended threads but that will give it depth when it is finished I didn't give the full length of this one but it is about the same amount to stitch as the heron. I must try to pick something a little smaller I never seem to quite do that. I do love a challenge but not usually this much at once. On the cherry blossoms this is just about the first book, then I can move on to the second of three. I wonder if I can finish this before retreat next May.
A couple of fellow stitchers and I went for a road trip on Saturday and ended up at the Thread and Eye in London they have just moved to a new location which is a little bigger with lots of classroom space and just come on over and stitch space. The second shop was in St. Thomas, Stitch-it Central and she is still working on her location at the present. She is located in front of her home in the previous house. This is a very small and inconvenient space which will be torn down in the next few weeks and she will move into her new basement space in their new home with approx. 3000 sq ft. to devote to her store. I wonder if it will be big enough. I hope she has lots of big ideas for the space because I am sure that her regulars will be able to suggest lots of inventory that they would love to have.
To night is our regular stitching meeting and it is good and hot for everyone to come and enjoy a swim before we start to stitch for the evening. Hope everyone will come and enjoy.
Keep on Stitching one thread at a time
I have a background YAY! My many thanks to my good friend and fellow stitcher who has once again come to my aid and put a background on my blog. After a few tries myself and not succeeding and getting frustrated by the minute it's good to know that I can always count on good friends to bail me out. I would also like to thank my good friend for framing my butterfly so beautifully last month. It has been hung in my livingroom as a lasting memory of Barb.
I have taken pictures of my on going trial of the Heron and the Cherry Blossoms. The heron of course is time consuming. For one I am stitching on black, it is also a ton of confetti stitching and although I can work for what seems like hours I only seem to achieve a small amount. A couple of stitches here and
there and once again I have to start another thread I am trying to reach a point where there are more stitches of one colour. As you can see from this picture I have a lot of black fabric to cover and I hope one day to do that. Right now as you can see the work is long from finished but one thread a day and one day the
celebration will begin. I have entertained different thoughts; to proceed from working on one area at a time with different threads, to doing as much as I can of one colour. The second way can be a problem if you get out of count and place a stitch in the wrong spot then it is a real bummer. I also am trying to figure ways to start and stop threads as where there are several starts the back is beginning to take on its own depth and this may cause a problem when framing. Anyone have any ideas.
The cherry blossoms is quite enjoyable to work on colour is light there are a few blended threads but that will give it depth when it is finished I didn't give the full length of this one but it is about the same amount to stitch as the heron. I must try to pick something a little smaller I never seem to quite do that. I do love a challenge but not usually this much at once. On the cherry blossoms this is just about the first book, then I can move on to the second of three. I wonder if I can finish this before retreat next May.
A couple of fellow stitchers and I went for a road trip on Saturday and ended up at the Thread and Eye in London they have just moved to a new location which is a little bigger with lots of classroom space and just come on over and stitch space. The second shop was in St. Thomas, Stitch-it Central and she is still working on her location at the present. She is located in front of her home in the previous house. This is a very small and inconvenient space which will be torn down in the next few weeks and she will move into her new basement space in their new home with approx. 3000 sq ft. to devote to her store. I wonder if it will be big enough. I hope she has lots of big ideas for the space because I am sure that her regulars will be able to suggest lots of inventory that they would love to have.
To night is our regular stitching meeting and it is good and hot for everyone to come and enjoy a swim before we start to stitch for the evening. Hope everyone will come and enjoy.
Keep on Stitching one thread at a time
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)