Winding down in 2008

Caution, lots of pictures!
Wow. It's hard to believe another year is over. I'm not one to make New Years resolutions. Just don't like putting that kind of pressure on myself, then disappointing myself because I didn't do what myself resolved to do.... I have rethought the whole Start Something New Every Sunday project. I'm done with that! Not that I didn't love love love starting something every week. I'm just having trouble keeping everything organized! I bet I now have 28 skeins of DMC 310 in 28 different places. Needless to say I'm spending more time looking for my supplies than I am enjoying them! My stitching goals this year are:
1. Finish a lot of the wonderful projects I started this year.
2. Finish Family Tree that I am starting 1/1/09.
3. Complete at least one Christmas ornament a month.
4. Stitch as much as possible.

That's pretty much it. It's my passion and my therapy.

At EGA, we had secret sisters. Here is a picture of the lovely Shepherds Bush Needle Roll I was given for my birthday. The stitching is perfect.



At the EGA Christmas Party we had an ornament exchange. This is the ornament that I received. It's perfectly stitched and finished by Barbara.



At the EGA Christmas party, our Secret Sister revealed themselves. I was blessed to have Melinda. She gifted me with this wonderful peyote ornament. The ladies all know how I love peyote work and do not have the skills to stitch my own!



Dear sweet Ruby stitches Christmas cards! She also stitched the gift tags attached to our gifts this year!


Ruby stitched gift cards too


And what was in the packages???
Mermaids treasure pillow


Christmas bread cloth


We spent Christmas day at our friends Pat & Richie. It was a perfect day! Their whole family treat us like family. It was a wonderful day.
Lots of cooks in the kitchen


Christmas dinner diners


What every well planned holiday dinner needs.... what the heck IS this???


Cheers Mommie!!

Please keep Mommie in your thoughts and prayers. She was rushed to ICU on Saturday. She loves to tell everyone that she is 19 but she is really 91!

And, let me introduce the newest member of the family. My baby brother is a Grandpa again. Here is little Emilio Jose, born 12/27 with his proud Grandpa who has been sending me photos daily since his birth. Duane is the father of 4 daughters and Grandpa of 3 granddaughters so to say he is tickled to death to have a grandson is an understatement! I'm guessing he has picked out Emilio's first Harley & helmet! Momma Crystal & baby are just perfect.



Until next year, Happy New Year! Stay safe! Happy stitching!! Thanks for stopping by.
xoxo
~~Martha~~

Twas the Sunday before Christmas and....

This puppy is beat!
Spent Friday shopping. I hate to shop.... (unless it's the LNS or online). Friday night i made 6 eggs worth of egg noodles and simmered a couple of chickens for homemade chicken noodle soup. Saturday I chopped all the veggies for veggie soup and the chicken noodle soup. Made 36 quarts of veggie soup. 6 loaves of cranberry orange bread. Today I made 36 quarts of chicken noodle soup. Another 6 eggs worth of egg noodles. The freezer and fridge are full. The kitchen is almost put back together. My feet, ankles and legs are killing me. I still need to scrub my kitchen floor but I think it will wait till tomorrow evening. I'm giving gifts of food to my boss and friends this year. Not as much as I did last year, but I think they will all enjoy the Veggi soup, Chicken noodle soup, homemade dinner rolls and Cranberry Orange bread. I **might** make oreo cookie truffles or buckeyes Tuesday evening, but will wait and see what time I get home from work and what kind of mood I'm in then! I will ship the grandkids goodies out tomorrow along with my Quaker Friendship round robin.

I took a break this afternoon and stitched this freebie from Sharon/Daffycat. I don't have a photo as DH is using my camera. But it was a cute quick stitch! thanks Sharon! I see many more of these in my future!

I think I had a productive weekend. Nothing like waiting till the last minute!
Thanks for all the kinds words from my last post.
I wish you all a very merry Christmas Holiday. Bless you all!
Stay safe! Happy Stitching!
xoxo
~~Martha~~

Promises....Promises....

If anybody still ever stops by... I'm still here, just soooo far behind, I'm thinking I'm in first place right now. How can Christmas be just 2 weeks away?
Isn't Miss Callie just the cutest? {;^)

A finished finished ornament... Excuse the bottom of my counter....



Another finished finished ornament....


The rest are in various stages of finished finished on the table. Hope to have that mess done and cleaned up before the weekend is over....

I promised pictures with my next post, so here ya go. I'm still hitting the time clock at work for 12-15 hours a day 4 days a week (I do L*O*V*E having Fridays off, but not sure it's worth the other??). Finished up the last of my ornament stitching this Sunday. Yippee for me. I have been kitting up "starts" for January 1, 2009. Not sure how many hours I think there is going to be in that day! You should see my "start January 1 2009 stack"! Not a Christmas decoration up in my house this year. Not a card bought or addressed. I feel like such a Grinch!
Till next time, stay safe!
xoxo
~~Martha~~

Still stitchin' for Christmas!

Howdy.
SSNES update. Yes an ornament. But a different one! I have an ornament exchange at EGA next month so I stitched an old freebie chart for Glory Bee, Blackwork Noel. Stitched on natural linen with Sampler Thread Mulberry. Sorry, no picture. The stitching is complete, just have to put it together in a biscornu. I also started another Heartfelt Harvey....

Nothing new to yack about. My eyes are tired. I'm tired. I'm thankful it is only a 3 day work week this week! I promise pictures in the next post.

Happy week! Stay safe!
xoxo
~~Martha~~

I was tagged!

By Sharon aka Daffycat (the picture on her blog header always makes me smile!).
6 Random Facts About Me

Rules are...

Link back to the person that tagged you.
Post the rules on your Blog.
Share 6 non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
Tag 6 people at the end of your post by linking to their Blog.
Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their Blog.

1. I like mustard on my hash browns. Plain ole French's mustard.

2. I'm addicted to Dr. Pepper, coffee, Crystal Light Raspberry Lemonade and Mojitos. Not necessarily in that order....

3. I can't stand to get into an unmade bed at night. Even if I decide to be lazy and not make the bed first thing in the morning, I will make it up only to pull the sheets right back down and crawl in.

4. I can't wait to get home from work each day and wash my face, shed the heels, nylons, suit, bra... and be a total slouch in my jammies. Even on the rare days I get home from work at 5pn. I love my jammies. Needless to say, I don't answer the door in the evenings either.

5. I prefer to eat chocolate cake from a bowl with ice cold milk poured over it.

6. I hate dust. It's beyond my why I bought dark furniture.

The rules say I'm to tag 6 other bloggers. I'm gonna be a party pooper and let those that want to play, play, jump in!

Now I'm sure y'all are convinced I am really strange!

Stay safe! Enjoy your Saturday evening!
xoxo
~~Martha~~

One more week....

Till I'm no longer in my 40's!
Reality set in the other evening.

I stopped at the grocery store on my way home from work to pick up a few things. It was late. I was tired. I was more than a bit crabby (yes, you can insert the b word here and be 100% correct). I was in a hurry. I hear a voice behind me in one of the aisles.
"Ma'am.... excuse me ma'am".
I turned around to see an elderly man behind me. Sitting in one of those grocery scooter carts.
"Yes", I replied. A bit annoyed at the interruption to my quick shopping trip.
He said "I just have to tell you, you are a very attractive woman".
I was dumb founded and the irritation of the day immediately melted away.
"Oh, that's so nice to hear, thank you so much" I replied. I continued down the aisle, floating a bit off the ground.
Then reality set in....
Used to be young, good looking guys said I was hot.
Maturity. Over the hill.
Ugh.


Thank you all for your encouragement on the canvas piece.
Happy stitching. Stay safe and thanks for stopping by!
xoxo
~~Martha~~

Fall in Florida

Hi there! How are ya? What's going on? I'm just relaxing watching NASCAR.

Fall has arrived on the Florida Gulf Coast! I love this time of year! No A/C running. Windows open. Pulling up the comforter at night. 'Skeeters are gone. Sitting outside and stitching on a sunny afternoon. Ahhhh yes, this is the life...

My new favorite stitching area...


And what, pray tell, did I stitch this weekend??? Well.... I started my first piece on CANVAS! I have to say, although I'm not loving it, I'm not really hating it either! This is the teaching piece from my ANG group. I've been telling the ladies I was going to do all my ANG work on linen. Oh, yeah, that gets 'em going!



First try...



I have not a clue if what I did was right or wrong. I'm changing all the colors and the fibers. I could not see spending $100 for fibers for a piece I was not sure I would:
#1 -- Like
#2 -- Finish
So I am using what I have in my stash and sticking to my favorite Mermaid Shimmer color scheme.

Stay tuned!

My SSNES start today was another Heartfelt Harvey. This one for RJ. Next year, starting January, I'm stitching one Christmas ornament each month. (I'm pretty sure I said the same thing last year too!).

Work is still crazy. Not sure if it is good or bad. I realized last week that I have 9 vacation days to use or lose by the end of the year so for the rest of the year, I get to work my 60+ hours in 4 days and take every Friday off as a vacation day! Wish me luck...
Until next time, happy stitching!
Thanks for stopping by!
xoxo
~~Martha~~

B+O+R+I+N+G....

That's me! Nothing new and exciting here. I'm stitching Christmas Ornaments for my SSNES project. Only another half dozen or so to go! No new decent photos of those. I have been working 12+ hours each day, so the only stitching time I have is weekends and I would much rather clean floors, toilets and showers, cook, grocery shop, do laundry and sleep than I would stop to take pictures... yeah right....


Saw this while surfing the stitching newsletters that had accumulated in my in box the past several weeks. Think I will make it my new mantra:



Halloween night, Golden Needle had a special sale and Halloween party. I bought new stash! I came home with the Family Reunion chart and the linen to stitch it on (Platinum Cashel). Also, I'm not 100% sure I'm happy with my Quaker Friendship Sampler fabric choice, so I bought another piece of linen to stitch it on and another fiber option, Thread Gatherer Silk 'N Colors Acorn Woods. I'm debating now. I also purchased Something Wicked by La-D-Da. We got to draw a sucker for a special discount, I got a 10% discount and a special gift, a beaded scissor fob and counting pin by "Bead-utiful". It was a fun evening.

Sad news this week. My former employer and dear friend to both of us, Dr. LJ Jensen passed away on Thursday. Rest in peace Dr. J. You will be greatly missed.



Thanks for stopping by. I'm going back to my stitching!
Stay safe!

Drumroll.... and the winner is.....

From the 2008 JCS Ornament issue, Heartfelt Harvey by Imaginating Inc. is the ornament I chose for the Grandkids this year.

And the blog winner is..... my best Kansas Stitching Blogging Friend...

http://purplewildcat.blogspot.com/

Sorry, I still can't figure out how to make those fancy links!
Her guess was Walt the Malt. I have to tell you, I did almost pick that one!

Kathy, after your absolutely wonderful weekend, send me an email with your mailing address & I'll stitch you your very own Heartfelt Harvey!

Thanks for stopping by. I'm off to prop my feet up, drink a bottle of wine (yes, it has been one of those weeks!) and figure out what I'm going to spend the weekend stitching (besides 3 more Harvey's!).
Stay safe!
Happy Stitching!
Thanks for stopping by!
xoxo
~~Martha~~

10 12 2008 SNSES

 

Tassel completed today for the Sea Grape EGA Holiday Basket Raffel project.

Last Weekend in Wichita

 

Last weekend I got to spend time with my brothers, sister-in-laws, sister, brother-in-law, nieces, great nieces, nephews and great nephews. It was good to see everyone and be back "home". My brother Duane & I went back to the neighborhood where we grew up. Wow, we could not get over how small the house and yard were! We drove by our elementary school which is now used a administrative offices. We also had lunch with my best friend and her parents. What a hoot! There were never two girls who played more Barbie than Annette & I. I think we wore some Barbie dolls out! It was fun to catch up with her an her family after 20+ years. She still looks and sounds and acts the same! It was fun to hear the stories that she remembered and I forgot and that her parents remembered and we both forgot! I still can not get over how small our old house is and also how small the yard is. The big tree is gone, but we used to play tag and red rover with the entire neighborhood. I know the street isn't any wider!

Other hilights from the weekend pictured above:
Courtney went to her home coming dance.
Duane really wants another bike. Really bad.
Food. Always good food.
The pumpkin weighed 72 pounds! Aiden only 20!
That's one big aloe vera plant and one yellow truck!

Yesterday Bruce had a meeting bright and early in Ft Myers, so I invited myself to Ruby's for coffee and visiting yesterday morning. Was so good to see her and Bill. We had a nice relaxing time, looking at all the stash we have, want to have and have to do!

Work, needless to say, is still a bear. I'm home after 8pm and back at it by 7:30 am. I have not stitched at all during the week and have had little energy to do much on the weekend. Sorry no stitchy pictures for your viewing enjoyment. Keep your fingers crossed I'm more productive on the stitching front soon!

Thanks for stopping by. Stay safe & happy stitching!
xoxo
~~Martha~~

A contest!

Hello friends and neighbors! Happy Sunday!
I have not kept track of my bloggerversary. I have not kept track of the number of posts I have made. Sorry I'm such a slacker! But, to make up for all that.... How about a little fun???
I stitched an ornament from the 2008 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament issue last Sunday as my SSNES project. It is going to be the "mystery ornament". What I would like for you to do is leave a message on this post. Tell me what ornament you think I chose to stitch for my grandchildren this year. Please post by 10/15/08. I will draw the lucky winner on 10/16/08. The winner will receive the same ornament stitched and finished by me, that I have chosen to do for my wonderfully perfect grandchildren! On 10/16/08, I will also post a picture of the SSNES project from last week. Ahhhh... a mystery and fun and games.

Today, for my SSNES project, I started Quaker Friendship Sampler by Samplers and such. I'm stitching this on tan 28 count evenweave with black DMC. I love the black and tan color combo. I'm participating in a round robin with 4 other ladies that starts the first of the year. I'm looking forward to stitching with them in 2009!



The past couple of weeks, work has been a bear. I've been putting in 12 hour days and still can't keep up. I doubt things will change for a while. Yesterday, Ruby & I went to Golden Needle for a little R & R and some therapy! It was wonderful to get away but even better to spend time with Ruby! We have both fallen in love with this:


Rosewood Manor Family Reunion
We will start stitching this on Jan. 1 and this will be our BAP for the year. I have been worried about my SSNES commitment, but, it's my game, so I will start a new motif every Sunday on the Family Reunion project. OK by y'all??

Ruby and I also fell in love with this....

Rosewood Manor Season of Trees.
This may be the BAP for 2010!

And.... I have made a decision on my Neighborhood project from the Me, Myself & I Round Robin:

My "town Square" is going to be by The Work Basket, Bay Sampler. I'm also going to use the houses from Bright Needles Key West & Savannah Samplers. The fibers and the fabric are ready to go 12/31/08!

I'm wondering if I have bitten off more than I can chew for 2009?

Never!

I'm off to St Louis on Wednesday for 2 days of training. I'm flying from St Louis to Wichita Friday evening to spend the weekend with my Brothers, Sister-in-laws, Sister, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews! I can't wait. Not sure how much stitching I will get done, but will take a small piece. The ipod has plenty of audiobooks and movies to keep me entertained at the airport. I will fly home on Monday and back to a ton of work at work on Tuesday.

Happy stitching! Don't forget to leave me a message!
Stay safe!
xoxo
~~Martha~~

Yippee! Happy Friday!!!

I'm still here! I just have not had enough energy to get everything done for the past couple of weeks. I'm about ready to fall asleep now, so here for your viewing pleasure...

My 09/07/2008 SSNES Project "In the Pocket" Designer, Susan Greening Davis. This piece slides in a clear vinyl pocket on the outside of a cute yellow & white checked bag (which I gave as a gift 2 years ago & promised the pocket stitched...)


My 09/14/2008 SSNES Project "Summer Name Tag" Designer, Susan Greening Davis.
This has been a fun stitch. I'm not crazy about the flag button. I think a big silver star will work well!


On Sept 11, 2008, Punta Gorda brought 20 wounded Marines to town for 5 days of R & R. There was a motorcade thru downtown the afternoon of 9/11. They got a hero's welcome! It was so great to see the community come out in force and support these guys. On Saturday there was a thank you celebration ceremony at the city park. The Marines were given keys to the city and all the powers that be were there to thank them for their service. It was a great event. The "guys" were great. I hoped they enjoyed our community as much as we enjoyed having them!


Our city park is located on the Peace River. Is there not a more appropriate place for a celebration for wounded Iraq war Vets?



I missed my family reunion again this past Labor day. Here is a family picture, missing my brother Chuck, a few sister-in-laws a bunch of nieces & nephews & myself.

Back row left to right: My brother Jim, my brother Larry, my brother Duane, my brother-in-law Coe.
Front row left to right: My great nephew Logan (Jim's grandson), my niece Jamie (Jim's daughter, Logan's mom), my one and only sister Merlyn, my Sis-in-law Lisa (Duane) and my great niece Katie (Jim's granddaughter & Jamie's daughter).

And...Sept. 5 was our grandson Trey's 5 birthday. Here he is with his little brother Jordyn. Aren't they cute?!?!


I went to stitch night at Golden Needle this week and brought home the JCS Christmas Ornament. I've got most every page memorized and enought SSNES ideas to last several more months!

That's all for now. I'll have more to say later!
Thanks for checking on me!
Happy stitching!
xoxo
~~Martha~~

Happy Labor Day!

Warning, lots of pictures!
Thanks so much for all your well wishes regarding the tropical weather we have been watching. I'm praying for the safety of the people on the Gulf Coast. Tis the season... I'm ready for November!


SSNES project for 08/24/2008 Mosey N Me Santa's Trimmings from JCS Christmas Ornaments 2004

Stitching with DMC on 28 ct linen. I think this is going to be the ornament for the Grandkids this year. I'm having a hard time getting excited about it! I hope the new JCS Christmas Orney book has some awesome stuff!



SSNES project for 08/31/2008 2003 NATS Show Ornament, Slice of Santa

Stitching on 28 ct tan monocloth.
I thought I would try this and see if I liked it better than the one above!
I'm really not liking it any better! Can you say AADD??

SSNES project for 08/31/2008 Susan Greening Davis Needle Nook

Oh yeah! some bright colors! Stitching this on 28 count watercress Joelan with Needle Necessities 1931. will also use some DMC in the same colors as the NN. I am going to finish this off as a thread caddy.


Once a quarter, our EGA Chapter has an "Overnighter", but, since we are all so old and can't stay awake all night, it's officially a Midnighter. this Friday was the night. We met at Ronald McDonald house and enjoyed dinner together. Lots of yummy foods. then it was time for fun and games. We played my version of Stitchers Stash Bingo also known as Everybody wins Bingo. We all brought Dollar Store items for this. My gosh, you would have thought we all won gifts from Tiffany's! I was a bit concerned a couple of times that we might get evicted from RMcD for outrageous behavior! I was the Bingo caller, so, sorry, no pictures of bingo. Then it was time to play Floss Toss LRC. My goodness, those women love to gamble!

Midnighter Stitching LRC Gambler Patty and Julia


EGA Midnighters Stitching LRC Gamblers Virginia, Melissa & Deb


EGA Midnighters Stitching LRC Gamblers Linda and Melinda



Finally, at 9pm, I think, we all got down to some serious (??) stitching.
Midnighters finally stitching





EGA Midnighters Stitching. Linda & Barbara


Also this past week, was stitch night at Golden Needle. Several months ago I saw this new stitching lamp on one of the stitching websites and knew I had to have it. Kathy ordered for me and finally it arrived. I used it at the stitch in Friday night and absolutely love it! It uses 3 D cell batteries or electric. It is light weight and not a PITA to transport from site to site. I hate to admit it, but it's getting really hard for me to see to stitch if I don't have magnification and good lighting. the lamp is $100 and well worth every penny.
New lamp!


That's about all from the Florida Gulf Coast.
Stay safe!
Happy Stitching!
xoxo
~~Martha~~

Whew

Dodged a bullet here in Charlotte County. Tropical Storm Fay made landfall near Marco Island around 5am this morning. We have had light rain off and on all night. The wind is just now starting to blow, more gusty than sustained winds. Guess it would still be considered a mostly normal day in Kansas {;^)...

Wonder what time my phone will ring with the boss asking what time I will be in the office today??

Thanks so much for all your well wishes!

Off to drink my coffee. Listen to the wind and the rain. Stitch on Multiplication tables. Watch Good Morning America.

Happy stitching.
Stay safe!
xoxo
~~Martha~~