A win... A list...some weather...and much appreciation

Good morning (or afternoon) dear friends, I hope that Tuesday finds you well. I was able to get in my early start - on the bike spinning, catching up on my Farmville on FB, reading and commenting on dear friend blogs and updating mine. Sounds like a good productive morning.

Yesterday I got an email from Edgar from Blacksheep's Bit of the Web. I really enjoy reading his blog because of the treasure hunts (aka Estate Sales) he goes on all over San Fran - he really should be a tour guide, for I haven't been to many of the places he mentions...when we go to San Fran, we typically play "tourist" and only make it from Pier 1 (Ferry Building) to Pier 41 (Fisherman's Wharf). I think that we need to get out and explore a little. Well...back to the reason for the email...I WON the Sail Away give-a-way! I watched/read Edgar's stitching progress of this design and then when he posted that he was going to pass it on - I entered the drawing. I am glad that I exercised will power when I was at NiaH on Sunday - because I saw the kit there and thought about it.

And now for my stitching "to do" list (more for my acknowledgment - but sometimes it is better to make it public in order to commit):

1. Finish Trick or Treat - so that I can actually enjoy it a little before the Halloween decorations have to come down
2. Lizzie Kate Exchange - mail date: November 1
3. CindyMae Quaker Christmas Ornaments models - due October 29
4. Personal Orn Exchange (Heather) - November 15
5. Personal Orn Exhange (Angela) - November 24

Boy...we had another bad rain storm, right in time for "going home traffic". Or for me, it was "driving to the hockey rink traffic". From home to San Jose typically takes 35-45 minutes depending on the level of traffic - but yesterday it took 1hour and 15 minutes. Robert (older son) was able to finish an English paper in the car, take a 30 minute nap and change into his hockey gear in the back seat. Thank goodness that we left at 4 - for we did make it and Robert stepped on the ice just as the clinic was starting. However, when considering all the time it too us to get to the rink (1 hour 15 min) and the time that it took us to get home (another hour and 15 minutes)...the clinic was only an hour long. Doesn't seem like a really good investment in time (or gas) does it? And on top of all that, Robert still had homework to do when he got home; which he finished up at 10pm.

Thank you all for being here, your supports and comments. I couldn't believe when I saw that I had 10 comments on my last post, I think that was the most I have ever received since I have been blogging. Thank you all so much, it really does mean a lot! Well, I have to leave you right now - I hope that you have a wonderful Tuesday and remember...

Live, Love, Laugh

and 

Stitch Often!

Lisa

Monday Morning...need to recoup from the weekend

Well I am up and going on this (dark...sun isn't even up yet) Monday morning. It is funny how we all use to look forward to the weekends to rest, recoup and maybe even get some things done around the house. The weekends were a time to "take it easy" and rest up for the work/school week - to rejuvenate our energy in preparation for the next week. However, now a days it is just 2 more days in the week, were we need to run the kids from one activity to the next, to make sure that they get their weekend homework done before Monday. I feel that we run around more on the weekend and almost use some of the week days to rest up. Oh, well. No use in complaining - for that is the lifestyle that we have chose - keeps us all going!

The majority of the weekend was hockey for the boys. Robert (older son) had early morning practices on Saturday and Sunday; which DH takes care of - I only choose to wake up when they do and make sure that Robert has a healthy breakfast, his water bottle and recovery food for after practice (typically banana, applesauce and some kind of granola bar or, this weekend: homemade banana bread). While they are at practice I typically get my exercise out of the way, while doing my Facebook stuff and/or reading & comment on blogs. On both. Saturday and Sunday afternoon, Matthew (younger son)'s hockey team had preseason games. They won both. The preseason games help determine whether a team will be going "A" (a 2nd year team in that particular age group and typically one that plays pretty well) or "B" (typically a 1st year team in that particular age group and is still developing).

Over the weekend I was able to work on the CindyMae Designs models (got one of the ornaments stitched). So, now I will put that down today and work on the Carolyn's Friendship RR in order to get the RRs I have here in the mail as soon as possible.

Well...that is all for now. I wish you all a happy Monday.
Take care and remember...Live, Laugh, Love and Stitch Often! Lisa

The "TO DO" List - checking off some adding more

Whew...the boys now know their school schedule and teachers and all their paperwork and fee/donations are in the hands of their respective schools. Matthew has an great 5th grade teacher (one that he had last year for adv. math; so he knows her teaching requirements) and Robert seems to have a good 8th grade schedule...meaning 2nd period PE (before lunch, "it is easier to run the mile before you put food in your stomach, mom!") and 2 advanced courses (English and Math). Robert is going to be challenged again this year - he is determined to keep his good grades while being very active in hockey, again this year. Last year he missed 24 days of school due to tournament travel - and also had to balance homework and late night practices 2-3x a week.

CHECK OFF "school registration"....ADD School Supply shopping.

Last night was the first night of dual hockey practices. I took Robert (older) down to San Jose for his practice, as I have accepted the position of team manager so I needed to start the paperwork and the "behind the scenes" organization for the team. It was also good to start meeting all the families (this is a new team Robert is on and I only know 3 out of the 20 families). DH took Matthew (younger) to his practice which is 5 miles from the house. So, the hockey season starts...DH and I sit in separate rinks texting each other about our days and the hockey practices we are watching.

CHECK OFF "get boys ready for hockey season"...ADD get Bantam AAA team registered for upcoming tournaments...ADD organize Bantam AAA team binder, etc.

I didn't get any stitching done at the rink last night, which I am bummed about, but that is how some practices go. I still haven't determined a non-exchange/non-gift project yet to stitch and blog about. Still thinking about that one. But in the mean time, I have been getting emails from the girls in the Friendship Sampler RR and many of them are on the move again. I am currently without one (for new followers...we started out with 18 women in the RR, 1 disappeared holding my RR and another member's RR. I decided to re-start and re-introduce into the mail cycle, the other member unfortunately opted out. So, due to that issue and vacations and other "life" issues, the mailing cycle got a little behind. But those remaining continue to slowly move and grow. Visit the Friendship Sampler RR to view them.)

ADD "find non-exchange/non-gift needlework project"

We are coming up to the weekend...yeah. The last one before school starts. Matthew has a bday party to attend on Saturday and they both have hockey practice on Sunday. But that is ok, for this is the life we lead and it is good!

Take care everyone. Thank you for coming by, reading and commenting. I am grateful for your support. Remember...Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Lisa

Sunday's Report - a day in the city & a finish!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. Yesterday we decided to do a "family thing" as it will probably be the last Summer Saturday where we find all of us home together. After breakfast, we jumped on the BART (Bay Area Rail Transport...kind of a light rail system that runs around the bay area) and rode into San Francisco to play "tourist".

On Saturday mornings, the Ferry Building has it's farmers market going. Just like all the local farmer's markets, you will find a large amount of beautiful produce, bakery good and other delicious items. However, the market in San Fran seems to inflate the prices a little versus the local farmer's market, probably because of the amount of people and the tourist who also visit it.

The ride on BART from our place to San Fran is 45 minutes - we typically get off at Embarcadero and walk down to the Ferry Building. Walking around the market, we enjoyed the free samples of plums, apricots, peaches, nectarines (the "pit" fruit crops, which are plentiful right now). In addition all the heirloom tomatoes are ripe and have begun to be harvested. These make for beautiful fruit/veggie stands (the vivid colors are wonderful). We had to stop at the Hogs Hallow Oyster booth, because Matthew (youngest son) is into eating oysters...go figure, he has always been my picky eater.









We broke away from the farmer's market crowd and started walking down Embarcadero to Pier 39 (the Ferry Building is Pier 1) where all the sea lions hang out. We stopped to look at them and headed down a little further to Fisherman's Wharf, where we stopped for lunch at a nice restaurant which had a great view of the bay and Alcatraz Island. We at at the Franciscan...it was ok. If you are coming to eat crab legs, steamed and cooked in garlic butter, then this is the place to go (especially with the wonderful view). However, our family isn't quite the garlic butter group. We did enjoy a wonderful prawn and crab meat cocktail.

After lunch, we started to walk back to the BART station (DH and boys stopped at the Ben & Jerry's ice cream outpost near Fisherman's Wharf). We got home around 4 o'clock. It was a nice afternoon!

While DH was reading/napping and the boys were resting/playing computer - I went down to the kitchen and sat at my sewing machine where I put the finishing touches to my PS Exchange! Yahoo! Tomorrow I will be able to get it in the mail - and as soon as my secret partner received the item, I will post a photo. I am so happy with the way this came out and I cannot wait to show you! Now I get to move onto another project...I have a few in line, just need to determine what comes first. I might hold off on the Mary Wigham, until after the boys go back to school and our school/work routine gets going. Then I can definitely focus on it.

Take care everyone...Remember to Live, Love, Laugh and stitch often! Lisa

Friday - Update on Life

Hello fellow blog readers. I thought I would post an update on activities here (unfortunately there aren't any photos).

Stitching Update
As posted earlier, my week started off with a beautiful L*K exchange from Sandra in Venezuela. These exchanges are not only fun because you get to "meet" other's who have a passion for needlework, but receiving beautiful things from people all over the world is so fun. I have received exchanges from Canada, France and Venezuela so far this year- which makes the world seem so much smaller and my sons think it is really "cool" to be getting things from the different countries.

I have been trying to finish stitching my PS Exchange. The design I picked out has beautiful colors and should have been simple enough to stitch pretty quickly, but for some reason my "stitching mojo" has been running low. I sit and stitch for a few minutes and then feel the need to either get up and "do something" or just lay down and take a cat nap. I am pretty close to be done with the stitching, so I am hoping to finish tonight or tomorrow.

I have received a few more designs from CindyMae to stitch models. She is coming up with some fun designs and hope that everyone is taking some time to check out her website.

I am in between Friendship Sampler RRs right now, waiting for the next one or two to be sent from Canada. So, after I get the PS exchange completed and get refuel my mojo I am going to look into starting my Mary Wigham.

Hockey Update
This week, Robert (oldest son) went to a hockey clinic set up by hockey family friend in Fresno, CA. He stayed at the family's house until last night. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings he and his 2 hockey friends (his age) skated with the Fresno coach - working on drills and scrimmaging some of the Junior Players (who are 16-17 years old). Robert said that it was a lot of work to keep up with the "bigger" boys - but it was a lot of tiring fun! In addition to their time on the ice, the coach also worked on some physical training with the boys. So it was a very good clinic to get them in shape for the start of the hockey season with their team here.

Speaking of hockey season...as you know tryouts are over and both of my sons have been placed in their respective teams for the year. Robert's team will have its first practice this upcoming Sunday and Matthew's started a couple of weeks ago. Earlier this week, I was asked to be the team manager of Robert's team - which is a volunteer position I have done for the last 3 years. It is a lot of work, but the kind I enjoy (organizing paperwork, communications with the families, and working with the respective hockey club). So, I accepted the postition.

Other Life Issues
This was the last week of summer camp for the boys - last day today. This week is also the week to pick up the registration packets for their schools. We don't really "register" them per se, the packet just contains all the emergency forms, school policies we have to read and all the requests for money. Next week, we get to go to the schools (elementary for Matthew and middle for Robert) to stand in line and hand in all the completed forms and money for the different programs. But after we get through the lines and everything is turned in, the boys then receive their class information...this is the "pot of gold" at the end of the rainbow.

Next week is also the last week of summer break for the boys - no school and no camp, while we will start to get ready for school and find something to make the last week "special", it is going to be a crazy one. DH will be experiencing "executive week" at work - this happens once a month and he typically is tied up in meetings or just late nights working on projects. And for me, my boss is coming in town from the U.K. for some meetings and wants to have some time to meet with me. Even though the boys are old enough to be home by themselves, I don't feel comfortable leaving them here all day w/o supervision. Mainly because they are brothers - and you know how siblings get along (good for a couple of hours and then typically they get tired of eachother). I have a plan in mind for the days I need to go into the office that only leaves them home for a couple of hours at a time.

Hard to believe that school will be starting up and I will soon have an 8th grader and a 5th grader this year. I have gotten use to having the boys around and our summer schedule. I am blessed with 2 wonderful sons and a wonderful DH - Life is good!

Hope Life is going well for all of you out there in blog land. Thank you very much for visiting and all your support. I have enjoyed reading your comments and meeting many of you in cyberspace! Take care!

Remember...Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Lisa

Sharing on a Saturday

Good morning (afternoon or evening...depending on where you live or when you read this),
It is Saturday and I was able to get this old body out of bed and on the stationary bike before any other family members were out of bed, and even before the sun came over the hills. This is one of my favorite times of the day and it seems to be a little more difficult lately to get out of bed and have this time for "me".

Car Shopping
Friday evening we started some car shopping. Something that we haven't done in over 15 years! We have a 15 yr old jeep w/150,000 miles (no AC, dead FM radio, a tired that needs to be aired up on Sunday in order to make it through the week, a squeeky front door to a minor crash 5 years ago, scary breaks, etc.). Up until 6 months ago, we also had a 10 year old jeep but it died a sad death and was replaced with a 7 year old volvo purchased from a friend. So, car shopping is something we don't do. However, with the "Cash for Clunker" program still going - long story/short...we decided to take advantage of that and find a new car - something reliable with good gas milege and reasonable (don't really need lots of bells and whistles to increase the price).
We looked at the Mini Coups (cute, but too small, won't fit 2 hockey bags and teenage boys). We looked at Jettas and other VW type cars...the Jetta is a possiblity. We looked at Hondas, specifically the Accourd and a hybrid...we liked the Accord so we did test drive it. We did go to a Toyota dealership, but they didn't seem to interested in assisting us, so after walking around the dealership showroom and sitting in a car for several minutes without getting approached with the sales pitch - we left. So, today, we will probably test drive the Jetta and then make up our mind. It would be nice to get this done and get our clunker our of our driveway and out of our worries.

Stitching News
While I don't have any photos to share with you...I point you to a couple of models I helped stitch for CindyMae, who has posted the patterns for sale on her design site. Visit CindyMae Designs (Cindy's husband is having some heart trouble - so I continue to send my thoughts and prayers to them!).

My focus the last few days has been on my PS exchange. I hope to finish stitching it this weekend so that I can work on finishing it and getting it in the mail by next Friday. It has a long way to go and I don't want my exchange partner disappointed.

Random Positive Thoughts...being sent to...
It is interesting how "close" I feel to so many I have "met" by reading their blogs - something I started to do last November (2008). Most mornings, I get up between 4 and 6 am, hop up on my 18 year old stationary bike with a 10 year old lap top placed on the book attachment. Once I get the bike going, the computer on and my emails checked - I open another tab on my internet explorer and start scrolling through my booked marked blogs that have become a routine to read.

As I make my way through each and everyone - I see that some have new posts and some haven't posted for a few weeks or a month. New post or not, I continue to scroll down - stopping to read a new post, to leave a comment, maybe even take a moment to "visit" a new blog suggested by the one I am currently visiting.

Over time, I feel that I have come to know some of the people behind the blogs; enough so that my heart breaks when they come into hardship or sickness...or I find myself leaping for joy when they finished a wonderful project or their child learns a new lesson. I have visited far away places with some of the bloggers through their trip photos and stories or enjoyed learning about different lifestyles when bloggers share their daily life stories.

At this time, some of my blog friends are experience some troubles and I would like to send out my thoughts and prayers to them and their family...CindyMae, Beth, Angela. I know others whose blogs I read who are experiencing some hard times and my heart goes out to them too. Take care everyone! Know that you are thought of and loved by more than you can imagine.

Have a good weekend everyone! Remember to Love many, Live now, Laugh often and Stitch!
Lisa

One more hockey rambling...and a photo of current WIP

Your attitude is your choice. It always is. We live in an age that has developed the art of shifting blame to very high levels, and sometimes we get caught upin that same tendency. "Well, if you had my job you wouldn't be so positive.""If you had my kids, you wouldn't feel so good." "If only my boss were different,
I could be a positive person." In other words, "My bad attitude is not my fault!" The truth is, however, your attitude and mine are always our choice. No matter how bad things are, no one can force you to have a bad attitude if you don't want to. Now that should come as really good news because it says our attitudes don't have to be victims of our circumstances or of other people. We choose our responses.
Mary Whelchel

I thought that saying was very fitting this morning. Yesterday, when the AAA hockey team was posted, Robert saw that his name was not on the list and 3 of his former teammates made the team. He was disappointed and DH & I were too. But, we know that he did his very, very best - there wasn't anything that he could have done better...as we say "leave it all on the ice," which he did. He just didn't have the height, strength, "top-notch" skills or the experience that the majority of the 2nd year bantams had. Throughout the afternoon yesterday, I could tell that he was bummed...he wasn't sure what to do with himself yesterday. Not that he was underfoot, but he did "plop" himself down by me and watch me xstitch...and then when that grew old, he "plopped" himself down by DH and watch him play a computer game. He talked about his feelings and went over the whole tryout skates (looking for something to be critical of - for he is his worse critic - but he just couldn't find anything that he did wrong. He knows where he has to improve, but knows that he didn't do anything wrong...as there is a difference, which he has figured out). There was no one to blame - not even himself - it just happened, he just didn't make the team based on the rest of the kids who tried out (38 skaters trying out for 18 spots).

He processed it all afternoon and into the evening, and by the time he was ready for bed, he was ready for AA tryouts (too bad that those don't follow immediately after so that we could get this over with!). I am so proud of him...he got hurt on Friday night and dealt with it (doing what needed to do that evening) and was able to got back on the ice Saturday morning and Sunday morning....he skated hard and battled for the puck and a spot for the team each and every opportunity...it just wasn't meant to be. He has come to terms with it over night and is now ready to go again next weekend. Robert, I love you and proud of the way you are maturing. These opportunities to deal with disappointment are a step to maturing to a young man - which you are doing a great job of. And one last note...to my wonderful DH, we dealt with the scary moment of Friday night and the disappointment of the outcome together very well - I love you very much and would be lost without you by my side!

Ok...enough of my Hockey Ramblings...on to the things that you all are more interested in reading (hopefully you have reached this point!). To reward you for suffering through the first part, here is a photo of one of the things I am working on (sorry for the blurry photo...it was a rushed shot). This is from L*K "It's a Girl Thing". I am planning to use this as part of a little gift for one of my sisters for a holiday gift in December. The stitching of this is just about done. I have been stitching on 28ct evenweave - one over one - using the colors/thread it called for plus making a x-stitch border using Threadworks. In addition, I have been stitching another model for CindyMae (from CindyMae Designs). The mailperson should be delivering the next round of RRs to me, which I hope to receive in the next day or two.

Hope everyone is doing well. Thank you for sticking with me during this weekend of ramblings. Hope your week brings much love and sunshine!

Remember...Live, Love, Laugh and stitch often! Lisa

Friday's show and tell...

Yesterday I received an my personal exchange from Heather - a pinkeep that reminds us to "Wear a Smile...one size fits all". In her card she said that this was her first pinkeep. She did an awesome job! The colors go very well with those in my room, as seen by the bedspread that I photographed it on. Even the fabric used for the backing is perfect! Heather seemed to have captured my liking of neutral, earthy colors very well! Thank you Heather - I love it! You should be receiving your package early next week!









Other Stitching News...
First project...L*K Exchange due in the mail at the end of the month. I am putting the "finishing" touches on the "finished" piece...as you see by the photo of the piece of fabric on the sewing machine. I am really enjoying this new toy. I can't say that my pieces look "professional" but the things I have been making with it seem to be looking very nice and those on the receiving end have expressed positive comments. And the finished work that I have mailed out, are pieces that I am proud of and would enjoy receiving too - so I guess they do look good.

Second Stitch...tomorrow I am planning to attend a get together at my "not so" LNS. It is a get together of the Stitchers by the bay Yahoo Group, which Valerie got me interested in joining. And, what is cool, is I might get to meet Valerie and other fellow stitchers in the Bay Area (as well as go shopping for more stash). I am looking forward to this!

In the backyard...
I think that we finally beat our bird problem, as I spotted on strawberry in our strawberry garden (under the bird netting). Hopefully the little mice we have scurring around the neighborhood will not find this morsel. I probably should pick it as it does look ripe. We also have a little bean plant out in the garden and there are 2 green beans (not much for a family meal tonight, but still pretty cool). Our orange tree seems to be putting out some young looking oranges (yes, that is the little green thing on the end of the branch in the last photo). We'll see if any of them actually grow big enough and ripen into edible fruit. As transplants to California from Minnesota, we have a lot to learn about growing citrus fruit, but it is definitely fun to try and grow oranges, grapefruit and lemons. Actually our lemon tree does very well without much work. We have enjoyed homemade lemonade, lemon wedges on our fresh grilled fish and have even shared our lemons with distant friends & family!

At the rink...
We have had NO hockey this week! Yahoo! So the boys have been going to their camp in the afternoon and I have been able to go to work and stay a little later. In the evenings, the whole family has been home together. I can't say that we have done anything productive - just enjoyed vegging out at home together (boys and DH playing their favorite on-line computer game; boys have also done some of their summer reading; I have been stitching or just plan resting). However, the hockey clinics start up again on Sunday afternoon - so starting Monday, I will be driving down to San Jose (about a 45 minute one way trip) for the evening clinic. Next Friday, Robert tries out already for the next season. He is trying out for a AAA team...we will see how he does. Either he will make that and he will be set for the season...or not make that team and try out for the AA the following weekend. Matthew's tryouts are July 31-Aug 2.

Can't believe how quickly summer goes when you measure it by sports and school events! Nevertheless, we still have time to find somethings...other than vegging at home, hockey, work and camp...to do before school starts. Mmmm, I will have to put my thinking cap on and get out the calendar.

Hope everyone had a good week! Take care and remember...
Live, Love, Laugh and stitch often! Lisa

A day at the fair

Saturday, the 4th of July, we went to the Alameda County Fair. We decided to go early, getting to the gate before 10am, we had to wait until they opened. We wanted to beat the heat and the crowds, as we assumed that it would be crowded on the 4th of July (the photo on the left is Matthew and Robert waiting at the gate) Each of us had special things that we wanted to see or do at the fair. The boys wanted to do the rides and the carnival games (Robert did chores around the house to earn money because he knew that we would not pay for rides/games. Matthew still had birthday money to spend). DH was looking forward to all the fair food - especially the funnel cakes which made a good breakfast.


















Me? Well, I was looking forward to walk through the craft building, or the "food and fiber" building (strange name, don't you think), and looking at the artwork/crafts. There were a lot of quilts, a few needlework pieces and many other craft types. Some were works submitted by adults and many were submitted by schools (as in school projects). I don't mean to sound disappointed, but since my only fair experience is the big Minnesota State fair where the craft buildings are huge and there are separate sections for needlework & quilts, etc - I guess I was expecting a bigger display. But it was very nice and I enjoyed looking at all the artwork. After the boys money ran out, I visited the "food & fiber" (aka craft) building, and enough fair food was consumed...we watch a horse race, as the fair ground are right next to the horse track. We were home around 2 pm...just in time for a nap :)

Our firework viewing was done on Friday night. We took a walk up the hill to the middle school where we watching the fireworks that were shot off from the fair grounds (the fair grounds are about 6 miles or so from our house - and we had a good view from the hill). The fair didn't have fireworks on the 4th - and we were all too tired to get in the car and look for any.

On the stitching front...I am still working on an exchange and waiting for confirmation of receipt from a couple of people. As soon as I hear, I will post photos of those.

Hope everyone had a good weekend...Remember to Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often - Lisa

Hum while you work...

I took a photo of our resident humming bird. Actually we have a least 2 resident hummers, and they are fun to watch. The one I caught drinking is actually being "allowed" to drink at the feeder, for the other was above in a tree watching. They are very territorial. When the one watching determines that the other has had enough, he will chase the other away. When we had 2 feeders up, we had 5 humming birds feeding at one time...but only for a little while - for the 4 visitors were eventually chased away. And if the feeders begin to run dry, that little bird will definitely let me know. For he will buzz around my head when I go out and check the garden in the morning.

Well, since I still can post some of my finishes, I thought I would show you some of my sewing efforts. During my morning blog reading this week, I read Blackbird Designs and Alma is posting some quilting lessons (today is lesson 2). With this new sewing machine, which I have now created several small pillows with and fixed my favorite pairs of shortalls (I live in shortalls and overalls), I thought it would be fun to take some of my scraps and play. So, below are some of the results of my play...I love the way the star turned out. I know that it isn't perfect as the lines didn't all match up, but I think that it will be a nice backing to a pillow or something. The other is really just a hodge-podge of scraps that I had left over which I just sewed together, playing with the different settings of the sewing maching. Not sure what I will use it for, but I am sure that it will come in handy to finish some xstitch project!

Tonight we have the last of the 4day a week hockey clinic. The boys are really enjoying it and bummed that it is the last one. They will have a break from hockey next week (unless we find a local skate or something) and then a "Tune-up" clinic which comes right before Robert (older son) tries out for a AAA team. Can't believe that it is time to tryout for the next season already. Matthew doesn't tryout until the end of July.

Fourth of July is this weekend and this is the first time, since we moved to California (which was 6 years ago) we are in the states for the holiday. Typically we have been in Canada for a hockey tournament (decided that we had enough travelling due to all the travel from January-April for hockey) - so we are looking forward to being at home. There is a county fair (the Alameda County Fair) near by, which we will probably do on Saturday - the boys are looking forward to the rides, DH to the greasy fair food, me-the craft booth (I hope they have one). We are also talking about watching fireworks. I heard that San Fran puts on a great one down by the Bay. Valerie (FogCity Dweller), communicated some places in SF that would be good spots to watch the fireworks from...but we will see if we are up to it, especially if we go to the fair in the morning, I don't know if I can deal with a trip into the city, too (I know that I am in my very early 40s, but some days I feel much older).

I also hope to sit and stitch - finishing up my L*K exchange is the first on my list. Then I need to find a design for my PS exchange, as I received the name and address of my next partner (how exciting!) and I also started a Sweetheart Tree needle roll (theme is blueberries) which is something that I will be giving to my mother, who loves blueberries. Her birthday is in October, so thought that I would try and get a head start on this (as soon as I have something worth showing, I will post a photo).

Question...Which way to you cross your stitches?

1. First I make the / and then I cross the top with \
2. First I make the\ and then I cross the top with /

I am just curious, because when I stitch on the Friendship Sample RR of another member, I always look and try to determine which way they cross their X's so that I can make their artwork look consistant. I don't know if this matters, but I believe that it is a respectful thing to do. I have found most of the women in the group cross as per choice "2" and I on the other hand cross as per choice "1". I guess that this is a good exercise for the good ol' brain.

Thank you for visiting today. Hope your week is going well! Remember:
Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often....Lisa

One "finish" and Two "almost finishes"

Well, I finally finished "Wish, Dream, Hope, Believe" and can celebrate!!!

Time to do the Happy Dance,
Happy Dance, Happy Dance,
Time to do the Happy Dance...
E - I - E - I - O !

Sorry - my happy dance got a little out of hand. But this is the second time I finished this project. The first time I finished it as a pin keep, using straight pins with a ball on the end and attached a fun looking ribbon. But when it was done, it looked stupid...I hated it...it was an embarrassing finish, so I ripped it appart and put the stitched piece in my stitching "catch all" box. This evening, I decided to pull it out again and try something else. I found the foam core square I cut for it and my supply of basic straight pins. I cut some blue fabric for the backing...and attached the stitched piece and the backing to the foam core with the basic straight pins. Then, I remembered my supply of beading stash (another crafting hobby I had "once upon a time"). Using some of the crystal beads, wire, crimping beads and other fun things, I created the hanger. I also found a charm that said "dream" in my stash which I put in the middle of the hanger. I do love the way it turned out...however, I still am not satisfied with the way my corners come out when I do this method of finishing. I have looked at several of the tutorials...but I just cannot make my corners look "professional" (so, if anyone has any good advice, please let me know).

I have 2 more "almost" finishes to show...

Both of these are Lizzie Kate "To My Teacher" designs. One is stitched on 22count aida (which has been hand dyed in red food coloring) and the other is stitched on 28count evenweave. As room parent for my younger son's class, I am organizing the upcoming Teacher Appreciation project/activities. Ever since my older son was in school, I have been organizing Teacher Appreciation "Thank You" books - which the kids write the notes or poems and I make the front cover and then bind it all together. It makes a nice keepsake for the teachers (in addition we al.so collect money and purchase gift cards for the teacher). This year my son has 2 teachers who do a job share, so I am going to make a book for each of them. So, I have the stitched pieces done and will work on making the covers over the weekend. I will post the finished products as soon as I have them completed.

Other news on the stitching front...I received the next Friendship Sampler for the RR (it is Danielle's). I will need to sit down and determine which heart I am going to stitch and what color. Her instructions gives the stitcher the freedom to choose the color of the heart. I don't know if that makes it easier or more challenging to make a decision.

Well...hope your week is going well. Thank you for stopping by and reading. Remember...Live, Love, Laugh and stitch often! Lisa

Hanging in the Hotel

Hello from Quebec. It is our 11th day here. My son and his hockey team won their game yesterday, so they advance again and have a game this afternoon. The routine for the afternoon games has been to pick up the boys, who get dropped off by their host families, at the Pepsi Colisee and bring them back to the hotel we are staying so they can have some quiet time to do some homework and take a nap. There are 4 of us staying in the hotel (2 coaches, another parent and myself) - so we basically split up the boys between our rooms and let them curl up in the beds or couches. I have been blogging about this experience at www.pwaaquebec.blogspot.com if you are interested in reading.

Yesterday, after their game, most of the boys were able to go back to their host families; all except four of the boys. So the coaches decided that they would be able to handle the 4 remaining boys until 6:00pm, when they would be picked up - so they dropped me back off at the hotel. Which was nice, because I have come down with a nasty cough...I don't feel bad, but this cough is horrible. On Tuesday, I went to the snow park with the team and enjoyed snow tubing down these extremely big hills (I have never snow tubed and I don't like roller costers or heights...but I managed to go down these hills and had a good time)...but I think that I might have over done it and seemed to have caught a little chest virus or something. So, having the opportunity to hang at the hotel last night was nice. I caught up on a few things that needed to be done for the hockey team as well as got in a couple hours of fitness. A good workout and early to bed, is what the doctor ordered!

Also, between my relaxing afternoon yesterday and supervising the study halls, I have finally put my first stitches in my Friendship Sampler RR. This is my first RR - which I am excited about doing.

I am stitching on 32ct Creme Luguna. The pattern has a lot of hearts, which each of the others in the RR will stitch (and they will stitch their name or initials and the state). While I am planning to use the DMC colors the pattern names (even though they are mainly neutrals - olives, browns, greys, etc) I started the center heart with Needle Necessities Inc #189 (overdyed). I had this in my stash and thought that it was a great compliment to all the DMC colors called for in the pattern. Nevertheless, when I send out my RR, I will instruct each participant to feel free to be creative when they stitch the heart of their choice...keeping within the color scheme, but making their heart unique. I will try to get my portion done and ready to send out as soon as I get home on the 23rd of February.

Hope all who read is doing well. Take care! Lisa

Shoo-fly progress...and an update on life

Well, I have finally found time to sit down and update everyone on the progress of Shoo-fly. I have been able to finish filling in the white squares...which are not white any more. I like the way it turned out, it kind of has a stain glass window look. I am now working on creating a black border - first I will just create the border with the satin stitch and then I will probably fill in the triangles with black...somehow. When done with it, I am going to investigate the cost of finishing it as a pillow. I don't have a sewing machine and really don't have the skill to finish it as a pillow myself - by hand.

I do need to sit down and begin my Friendship RR. I have the pattern, my fabric and have come up with some ideas for the color scheme. The scheme seems to have an earthy color theme - lots of browns, olives, ecrus and so on. While I will probably make notes of these colors for the other women to incorporate in the hearts that they stitch, I will also advise them to make each heart unique - to individualize it.

At this moment, I am in Quebec City with my older son's hockey team (that is why it took me a few days to finally get Shoo-fly posted). Tuesday was an all day of travel and today, the first full day here, was full of getting the team checked in and then getting them to their first practice. I am blogging about their adventures here in Quebec, so that the parents who are not going to be able to fly up here to witness some of this will be able to get a view of what their son is doing. If you are interested, you can read the daily blogs at: http://pwaaquebec.blogspot.com/.

Well...it is well past midnight - so I need to go to bed in order to be ready for another full day with the team. I am thinking about packing my stitching, because there seems to be a lot of "hurry up and wait" which is a wonderful time to sit and stitch.

Hope everyone is doing well...I haven't had time to catch up on any blogs lately. Until next time, remember to Live, Love, Laugh often and stitch on...Lisa

"Shoo-Fly" Update...and other life "threads"

A Stitching Update....
Here is where my "Shoo-Fly" project is...the white squares between the "Shoo-Fly" pattern has been filled in with a combo of satin stitches and eyelets in black. This has left a shape that looks like a cross with a square in the middle. So, what I have decided to do is:
1st - fill in the little middle square with "reversed scotch" stitch in the middle using the lighter shade of all the colors
2nd - fill the arms of the cross in the mid-shade of each color (corresponding to the light color in the middle) using some other kind of satin stitch
3rd - using the darker shade of each color, weave the floss through the eyelets, making some sort of flower shape. BTW...I am creating (aka "making this up") as I go. So, I, too will be interested to see how it turns out.

Over to the right is an attempt of an shot upclose to one of the squares...trying to show the detail. This is a fun thing to take to the rink and stitch, while being able to look up every once in a while to see how the boys are doing.

A Hockey Update...
This weekend has been somewhat crazy. Yesterday, my youngest son stayed over at a friends house for a bday slumber party, while DH, Robert (older son) and I, left for Robert's hockey playoffs in Vacaville, CA which is about a 45 minute drive from where we live. We stayed the night there so that he would be able to get up at 5am - to be at the rink at 6am - for a game that began at 7am. They won 11-2. After the game was over, I drove back home to pick up Matthew (younger son) from his party and brought him home so he could rest and eat lunch, in order for him to be ready for his 4pm hockey game...which his team won 13-0. If I haven't lost you yet...DH and Robert are in Vacaville at the hotel and Matthew and I are at home where we will sleep in our beds (yeah!). Then tomorrow morning, Matthew and I will join the rest of the family in Vacaville to watch Robert's last game of the weekend...then we will drive further NE near Sacremento for Matthew's noon hockey game...then around the time the Superbowl starts, we hope to be home (ready for a nap!).

Assuming that Robert's team will win their last game, they will be going to State Finals, which will be next weekend in Los Angeles...so we have another weekend of travel - getting back home late Sunday evening...2 days before we take off for Quebec. So the next 10 days are going to be very, very crazy...while I plan to update you (for it is very theraputic to blog), if I don't get a chance to sit and post, I hope that you will forgive me. The nice thing is, I will have a laptop & stitching projects with me when I am in Quebec!

Until the next post...live, love and laugh often...and stitch on! Lisa

Friday's Furniture and Finishing

First the Furniture....
No...this is not a photo of our backyard in Northern California (thank goodness...for I gave up snow & cold when I left Minnesota 5 years ago). This is a photo of my oldest son (the first one on the right hand side) and 3 of his hockey friends on their snow couch they built when they were in Michigan for their hockey tournament last weekend (was that just last weekend?). Why a couch and not a snowman...who knows. It is a good thing that they have memories like this, that will last a life time, because their hockey games didn't go as they had planned...and my son came back very upset.

Well, this weekend they have the opportunity to regain their #1 position in the national rankings for their age division...it is hockey playoff weekend for them. If they win their 3 games, then next weekend we head down to Los Angeles for States...and then get home 2 days before we take off for Quebec City...ugh.

On the subject of stitching....
I am 3 eyelets away from finishing the first part of filling in the white squares on the "Shoo-fly" project. Yipee! After that is complete, I will continue to fill in those white squares. I have come up with a pattern to complete them. As soon as I have one done, I will take a photo and post it - so Stay Tuned!

Another note of completion...this one has to do with my part-time job (I work out of the house 4 days a week). I have been working on a major revision project, revising technical data sheets and I finished the revision today and just handed all of the pdf files to the company's webmaster to upload! Ya-hooooooo! This is so exciting - especially the part about doing it all inhouse rather than giving it to the graphic company we use. My boss and I figure we probably saved the company around $5K. For a big company, that is probably "nickles and dimes" - but every little bit helps!

Just incase I am stuck in a rink all weekend and can't post...have a good weekend! Enjoy your family and friends and...Stitch on! Lisa

Quick Stitch Update

Thought I would post a quick photo of the progress I have made on the Filigree Hearts (by The Sweetheart Tree). I was able to get the top heart and the stem/leaves done this evening while younger son was playing a hockey game (yes, I did remember to look up and watch when he was out on the ice - was able to catch a good play he made which helped a teammate of his score a goal...they did win their game 9-1 tonight).

I still have the border and some flowers to do - flowers go where there is a break in the stems. The patterns calls for the flowers to be made with Mill Hill beads (white and red). Not sure if I will go with bead, or if I will create flowers using the lazy daisy stitch with a beaded center. Lately I seem to be enjoying adding my own creativity to a pattern instead of following the directions as printed. Good thing? Bad thing? I don't know...

The only think that I am not sure about right now, is the yellow linen...however, it was in my stash pile and was calling my name. It actually looks better in person; I think the flash on my camera gave it a washed out look. I do think that it will become a nice Valentine's Day gift.

Well, DH and older son should be landing soon and it is time to get the younger one in bed. One of his teammates had a birthday celebration after the game. They had some pizza and skated - which we stayed for awhile, but came home in order to make sure that I was able to get some food into him (he is not fond of pizza).

Stitchon...Lisa

A Finish...A Start....A Progress Report

The First Finish for 2009....drumroll please...

Flatbed Snowman by Bent Creek ("Zippies" Kit)
Linen: 18ct Natural
Thread...whatever was provided in kit

Well...I went through my stash the other night and located this Bent Creek kit. I felt that I needed to find something that I can sit and stitch...complete and post. I just needed that "first finish of 2009" to post. (Just a little note: the white border around the snowman was something that I added - I just jumped in and started it without planning...that is why it is a little unbalanced...oh well, it adds a little personalization to it)

A Start....

Filigree Hearts by The Sweetheart Tree

Fabric: Yellow Linen (from stash...might be 36ct)

Thread: DMC varigated

And then because it was fun to sit and stitch - complete and post - I found another pattern in my stash. This one I picked up from a sale table in on of my LNS many years ago. I remember picking it up because it has hearts - which make good things to stitch and give away as gifts. So, I picked it up to work on, maybe even getting another finish before the end of the month and then I can make it into something and give it as a Valentine's gift.

A Progress Report..."Shoo-Fly"

I had a little over an hour at the rink last night, so I sat and worked on filling in more of the white squares. It is coming along. I enjoy stitching the satin stitches, which are the first part of filling in these square holes. Those stitches go a lot faster - there seems to be a rhythm with those stitches, which allows me to sit and relax - no really thought needed so I can let my mind wander or shut down if I just need to do that, too. In addition to a satin stitch, I am following with an eyelet, which needs some attention because I have to make sure and find the right holes. I am hoping to be done with this part soon, because now I am looking forward to creating the next step. I am not quite sure what the stitches will be, but I know that I will introduce some color in these squares at some point. I want to keep the black because I love the way that it allows for the Shoo-Fly pattern to stick out...so I will think about it.


Hockey Notes...
Well, I just couldn't finish a post without a hockey mention. DH and older son left on a "red eye" last night to Detroit. This is the 2nd trip to that airport for DH in less than 2 weeks, as he just got back home from there on Sunday with young son. But, back in Detroit, they will drive up to Port Huron for oldest son's Silver Stick Finals this weekend. The first game is at 4:15 pm tonight. They arrived at the airport at 5am (east coast) and were planning to drive to the hotel to get some rest before the first game. The "red eye" allowed Robert to go to school, so he didn't have to miss too much this week...and allowed Steve to get some work done. I hope that Robert's team has a better tournament than my younger son. However, after Matthew got back home, he wasn't upset about loosing all 3 games last weekend for he enjoyed playing in the snow!

Hope everyone out there is doing well...thank you for visiting my blog and for your comments. I feel blessed by having this outlet to show off my needlework, to journal a little about my life and to meet others who have similar interests.

Stitch on....Lisa

Stitching Update

Shoo-fly (don't bother me...)
Finally I have a photo to post and show my progress. I finished the yellow while on the trip to St. Louis last weekend (long plane rides are great for sitting and stitching). Now I am working on the little black squares that were left by the "shoo-fly" pattern. Right now I am doing tri-angle satin stitches around the sides, leaving a cross. Inside the cross, I did a row of eyelet stitches around (after that is completed, you get a cross with a large square center...the upper right hand side shows what that looks like). After I get all six squares done, I will then determine what I do next. It is fun designing as I go...just hoping that it comes out "as I go" so I don't have to rip anything out :).

New Toys to add to my Stash...
For Christmas, my in-laws sent all of us a Visa giftcard; so I decided to use mine to order a couple of new things from nordicneedle.com. I bought myself The Encyclopedia of Stitches by Karen Hemingway (can't have enough stitching enclopedias...maybe I will find some inspiration for those empty squares of the above WIP). I also purchased a Laura J. Perin pattern from her Impressionist Collection - it is called "Quadrille". MMMM, I think that I see a square theme going? I have a few other designs by her - haven't started stitching any of them (maybe this should be one of my 2009 goals).

"Friendship Sampler" RR Update...
We have 15 people signed up to do the RR...how exciting! The other excitement is we are all over the map: California, Alaska, The Netherlands, Louisiana and so on. This is so cool. I have ordered the pattern and I am waiting for the mailman to deliver it. As soon as I have it in my hand I can determine whether I have some fabric in my stash I want to use or if I have a need to go out and purchase something new. I am really looking forward to this activity!!!

Last...but certainally not least...The Hockey Update
DH Steve and younger son, Matthew, left this morning at 6am. I got up around 3:45am to take them to the airport. They landed in Detroit and have driven across the border to Sarnia Ontario for the Silver Stick Finals for his hockey age division. Matthew informed me that he had to breath out of his mouth when he went outside because when he inhaled through his nose, his nose froze. It has been a very long time since any of us have been in freezing weather.

Speaking of weather...I hate to say this but here in California it is 75 degrees. I just got back from walking the dog to pick up (oldest son) Robert from school; wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt felt good!

Well...until next time...keep stitchin'.

Lisa

My first RR

I am excited to announce that I will be participating in my first RR. We will be doing the Friendship Sampler by Carriage House Sampler. Sara (http://sarasimplestitching.blogspot.com/) has graciously decided that she would continue with the RR which was initiated by another. It looks like there will be at least 13 participants...and if there is anyone reading this who would like to participate, please leave a comment for we would love for there to be 20 stitchers.

We are planning to take some time to get the pattern, fabric, floss and time to get organized...for the first mailing will not be until the end of February.

Since beginning to blog and get into the on-line stitching community I have been wanting to get involved in either a RR or some of the exchanges - so here is my first thing. I am so excited! I have just purchased the pattern on 123-Stitch.com and since that is located in Utah (not too far from California) I shouldn't have to wait very long. The pattern calls for silk floss, some of which is very expensive especially when it calls for 11 colors. There have been some suggesting on similar silks and HDF...I will have to check those things out after I get the pattern and choose my fabric.

Well, if there is anyone reading that does want to join, let me know..

Otherwise...have a good day and stitch on...Lisa

Home from St. Louis

I am home from my grandfather's funeral, which was in St. Louis, MO. It was bittersweet...sad because of the loss and everything that surrounds something like that; but at the same time it was a celebration of life. Like mentioned before, my grandfather was 93 years old when he passed. He touched so many, as witnessed by the number of people who came to the memorial service and even went to the graveside ceremony. And it was good to be together with aunts, uncles, cousins...and my grandmother - many who I haven't been with in several years.

In addition, this weekend was the birthday of my oldest...I now am a mother of a teenager. His birthday was Sunday - so, since everyone had already left to go home, Robert and I did a little sightseeing in St. Louis. First we went to the Arch and went up to the top. This is something I never did when I went to school in St. Louis. First you go up in these little pods that seat about 5-6 people. It feels like you are in a little egg. There are several little stools, a white light behind and a window door. You can look out and see all the staircases...it is like a sitting elevator. Once at the top, you get out and look out at the windows and see a lot of downtown St. Louis. It was neat to see the old court house, where the Dred Scott case was tried and the stadium where the Cardinals baseball team plays. After spending time walking through the history museum, which is under the arch and watching a movie about how the Arch was built, we went back to the hotel to check out and then to lunch. With nothing else to do and our luggage to deal with, we went on to the airport to rest and to get some homework complete. It was at this time that I sat and actually finished all the "shoo-fly" quilt designs and begun working on the little squares in between. I haven't taken a photo of it yet, but will plan on posting one tomorrow.

It is good to have this trip behind me know - now it is time to focus on all the hockey travel coming up as well as working on some of my cross-stitch projects!

Stitch on... Lisa