Hi Everyone:
Last night was our stitching group and as we all gathered around the table, talking, laughing and some stitching going on a question was asked "when was the last time that I bloged?" Well the simple answer to that is awhile ago. I just don't think I lead an interesting enough life to talk about anything. I was corrected. So I will again put type to words.
First of all congrads to our fellow stitcher who is expecting a baby boy. My advice sit back and enjoy the ride. No two people have the same experience and the time will be as good or bad as you make it.
Now on the blog side of things. This morning as in many morning I opened and read a favorite blog and sorry to say but does the print really have to be that small. I don't wish to have to put on my magnifiers so that I can read it give a poor retired person a break. lol.
D and I have once again approached the idea of me moving out of our mutal craft/train space and giving it all to him. The biggest problem as most may know is that train modellers don't usually like windows in their layouts as it is hard to portray a night scene. A sewer/stitcher on the other hand relishes the natural light from windows. So a compromise has been made.
I will vacate the space with two new spaces to move to. I rubber stamp so it will go into the family room where the printer is so that I can use that when I am making cards. My stitching/sewing will go upstairs to my sons bedroom as the space becomes available. I'm not completely happy with this but I think I can make it my own. My husband is going up north this weekend so maybe it would be a good time to start the move.
My son has gratuated from college and has obtained a position in his field which we are extremely proud of. I have asked him if now we would start to clear out his room he doesn't have to take it until he and his girlfriend have there own place (end of the year) but as least it would be a start and I could also start to organize my stash. Maybe it will be time to purge as well.
My brother-in-law has asked if I would like his wife's, Barb's rubber stamping stash, she was the one that got me started in the first place. I suggested that he first ask her stamping friends and if he still needs to give them away I would take them. So now I have to find a large enough space in the event that this arrives as well. I guess the saga will continue on this over the summer. Meantime I will work out what I have.
My stitching has been picked up once again and moving along but no pictures at this time maybe next time. Time to get to work. Happy stitching one day at a time.
Keep on Stitching, one thread a day. Pennie
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Hold Onto Your Hat
Is everyone still standing? That was quite the wind today and if you did venture out I hope you tied things down or they would probably be in the next County by now. I hope anyone who had garbage day still have their cans. I thought that it was Mar. winds and Apr. showers.
We had such a wonderful weekend its time to take out the lawn chairs and enjoy the sunshine and some stitching outside. The birds and I have decided to start our annual contest to see who will win in the location of nests. Every year the robins and doves decide to make a nest right over the doorway coming out of the garage and right in the middle of our deck so stitching can be a bit of a problem. They make a horendous mess and every year I have managed after several turns with the broom to knock their nest down before they start laying eggs. A couple of years ago we bought an owl and put it up on the roof next to the doorway that worked pretty well and this past winter it blew off the roof and broke into a million pieces. So they are at it again and I am out there with my broom trying to get rid of them. Don't get me wrong I love birds and have feeders out so that we can have different kinds of birds but I don't wish to have them above me when I am stitching or just relaxing on the deck so they must come down. I guess I will have to look for another owl.
Stitching is moving along and I keep finding pieces that I want to start. The cherry blossoms is looking really good with the birds added to it and now I am working the second part which will add in more leaves but a different kind and butterflies. I finished another Christmas ornament no picture so onto the next. I should have done this ornament on a darker fabric as the art deco angel would have shown up better. I will know if I do this again. Myself and two other friends went to the needleart market place last weekend in Port Credit and it was interesting to meet some of my favorite designers as well. Met a stitcher that has invited us to their Thursday afternoon group and I think that a fellow stitcher and myself just might try that this week.
The other piece that I found was an anniversary sampler called Jubilee by Charland. She developed this when she closeing her store with silk threads. They are hard to work with as they catch on anything and everything. It will be beautiful when it is done.
On the weight game or loss I'm down this week and so a celebration is in order just not too much. One of the things that is suggested is that we treat ourselves during the week so we don't feel left out, I would pick out a stitching project but I have enough on the go right now. One stragedy is to stitch when I want to eat keeping my hands busy and out of food. I'll give this a try this week. You would think with all the things that I have to do I wouldn't have time to eat but who said anything about starving myself in the name of stitching.
Well the wind has died down and the evening is coming to an end so I to must move onto the next item up for the evening. I will say my good byes and thank you for joining me for a short time.
Keep on Stitching, one thread a day. Pennie
We had such a wonderful weekend its time to take out the lawn chairs and enjoy the sunshine and some stitching outside. The birds and I have decided to start our annual contest to see who will win in the location of nests. Every year the robins and doves decide to make a nest right over the doorway coming out of the garage and right in the middle of our deck so stitching can be a bit of a problem. They make a horendous mess and every year I have managed after several turns with the broom to knock their nest down before they start laying eggs. A couple of years ago we bought an owl and put it up on the roof next to the doorway that worked pretty well and this past winter it blew off the roof and broke into a million pieces. So they are at it again and I am out there with my broom trying to get rid of them. Don't get me wrong I love birds and have feeders out so that we can have different kinds of birds but I don't wish to have them above me when I am stitching or just relaxing on the deck so they must come down. I guess I will have to look for another owl.
On the weight game or loss I'm down this week and so a celebration is in order just not too much. One of the things that is suggested is that we treat ourselves during the week so we don't feel left out, I would pick out a stitching project but I have enough on the go right now. One stragedy is to stitch when I want to eat keeping my hands busy and out of food. I'll give this a try this week. You would think with all the things that I have to do I wouldn't have time to eat but who said anything about starving myself in the name of stitching.
Well the wind has died down and the evening is coming to an end so I to must move onto the next item up for the evening. I will say my good byes and thank you for joining me for a short time.
Keep on Stitching, one thread a day. Pennie
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
What Day is it????
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.
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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
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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
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
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