Most Likely

I will be erratic in posting for the next 2 weeks. Leaving for New England on Wednesday to retrieve the college girl. I'm stopping in NH for a few days of visiting with sis and in-laws. Do I have time to stop by Thistle Needleworks? Maybe...

Will I get to Yankee Cross Stitch? Maybe - but they take the good stuff out of the shop for the Celebration of Needlework.

Off to continue on my list of things that need to be done before I go.

SPRING!

Winter tried to hold on as long as it possibly could, but there is no denying spring. Finally. Though I think this is another one of those years where we are going to go from cold straight to hot - no intermediate steps.

Chocolate Covered Cherries Mini

This is a freebie from Casey Buonaugurio. I did it on perforated paper and substituted some beads I had for the confetti stitches. It's for my mom's birthday. Always used to buy her chocolate covered cherries for her birthday/mother's day (this year they are the same day...)

Last Poseidon Picture

In the previous picture I had forgotton his earrings - brass charms of a sanddollar and an angel fish.

Yeah

Spring has resprung!

Break out the sandals!

Hallelujah!

Going into D.C. to pick up a camera I bought off Craigslist. DD needed a 35mm SLR for a photography class next year. Found a terrific deal on a Sigma with extra lenses.

Then of course this will necessitate a stop at DH's favorite store for booze - Calvert Woodley. I have to admit that their sale prices are pretty spectacular. And seeing how someone (not me) likes single malt scotch, I'm all for finding bargains.

I'm just glad no one feels like vomitting at my house today.

And one tiny production note: I forgot to attach the earring to Poseidon. Will do and post a truly complete picture by Monday.

Picked Next Project

Nothing exciting. I knew what I would be doing. It's Casey Buonaugurio's Chocolate Covered Cherries freebie which is on her website and

can be seen here: http://www.caseybuonaugurio.com/

I'm doing it on perforated paper as a birthday card for my mother. We always used to buy her a box of cherries for Mother's Day/birthday (fall in the same week - sometimes same day. Yes, I used to complain to my grandmother about their bad timing.)

In a surprise development, my sister, DD, and I are going to visit her for her surprise party. It's a surprise. Sssh! Don't tell.

Woke up yesterday wiht no plans of flying to FL - now I'm flying to FL. A little extra warning and I might have gotten cheaper seats. But maybe step-father didn't actually believe we'd come for my mother's 70th birthday party.

Poseidon Finished!

Finished this afternoon. Yeah for me!

My Vow

My acid test for voting for any politician will now be their position of gun control. If the politician is unequivocally against any type of gun control, I will campaign for any candidate that is for gun control.

I will proudly say that I once upon a time owned a gun. And it was a gun protected by 2nd amendment rights. A Thompson/Center 50cal Hawken Rifle - a blackpowder firing muzzleloader. Exactly the type of gun the founding fathers were familiar with. None of this 9mm handgun bullshit that can fire 15 rounds as fast you can pull the trigger.

Poseidon again

Did all the metallics. And now I want to know. Why was the gold braid so difficult to work with but the confetti colored braid was easy? I handled them exactly the same. That gold just had to be difficult.

Then I started beading and decided to try this invisible thread that I bought. It's invisible alright. I can hardly see it to thread the damn needle!

Poseidon again

Did all the metallics. And now I want to know. Why was the gold braid so difficult to work with but the confetti colored braid was easy? I handled them exactly the same. That gold just had to be difficult.

Then I started beading and decided to try this invisible thread that I bought. It's invisible alright. I can hardly see it to thread the damn needle!

Kitchen Progress 4/17/07

Hmmm. Guess I should finish painting the soffits so I can pull down the painters tape before it decides to stick permanently.

Like the red? It's called Red Gumball.

Poseidon Progress 4/17/07

This is with all but a few scattered cross stitches done. Last night I did all the metallics in the mermaid's tail. Today it's on to the trident, and then the beading.

Made up Lost Ground

I finished all cross stitching on Poseidon today. Except for some stray single stitches I'm finding as I work my way through the mermaids tail with gold metallic braid. Going to do more tonight while watching Red Sox/Blue Jays. As soon as I finish the dishes.

DS is excited. Last week he got called by the crew coach at Mary Washington asking him to consider rowing. The idea is appealing to him. Today he got a letter with details. Yeah. He could possibly make varsity first year on the team. I'm excited for him.

ahhhh

DS is still living at home as he's a senior in HS. I was just referring to his presence. He didn't want to apply to VTech - says it's a big party school and not to his liking.

Too Upset to Stitch

Wanted to stitch yesterday, but the shootings at VTech took away my ability to concentrate.

If DS hadn't been at home sick, I might have done my best imitation of Nancy Kerrigan - sitting on floor crying and asking why?

Too senseless.

I Got Lucky

No one had a problem with me stitching my way through the weekend. So I finished the seaweed - there was more there than I thought. And have most of the second fish completed. Just need to do him and the shell that is his chin and I will be moving on to the metallics and beading. This Poseidon seems to have a mesmerizing effect on people. Those who have viewed have been quick to ask who's the designer and does she have a website?

Yes. For those who don't want to scroll back, a quick refresher:

Lynne Nicoletti - http://www.lynnenicoletti.com/

I have been extremely remiss on taking progress pictures of this piece. Like not a single one. Was too entranced stitching to stop and take a photo. Sorry. My bad.

Seaweed

Almost finished the seaweed yesterday while watching the Red Sox cruise to a 8-0 victory over the Angels. Just a couple threads worth left to stitch and then it's on to the fish and the shell. I should easily be stitching the metallics and beads by Thursday a.m. stitch-in.

Ah, the rain. Tomorrow's forecasted as major winds up to 50 m.p.h. From past experience I know that trees in overly saturated ground can fall down.

Determined

That's me. Determined. I want to start beading Poseidon next week. I've got a fish, a shell, and some seaweed to finish first. I'm more than willing to sit in my chair and do this today. If people will let me.

Tried to go shopping at yard sales this morning, but I guess the weather is preventing people from holding them. All I found were some cans of spray lacquer for 50 cents. What I really want is a new used dresser for DS's room. And if I happen to stumble across someone selling an old SLR camera, I'd buy that, too.

oops

Guess I can erase last night's Red Sox game from the DVR. Eeeeeeh!
We'll see how Wakefield pitchers in the cold today. Though maybe it might precipitate and cause cancellation.

Now here in VA, they said it might snow Sunday night/Monday morning. Umm. That's April 15-16th. WTF?

In March I went to the EGA board meeting in sandals and t-shirt. Last night it was winter jacket and I almost went looking for my gloves again. Very capricious stuff going on out there.

I'm off to my Thursday morning stitch in. Maybe I can finish Poseidon's chin today.

Just Plugging Away

Daytime baseball games - good for stitching.

Poseidon keeps moving forward. I'm closing in on 75% finished. I've gotten to the point where everytime I change threads I stop to admire it. LOL Progress equals pleasure.

But I'm going to miss Matsuzaka's home opener tonight as it is EGA board meeting night. I did ask DH to record it for me. It might be pleasurable to watch this game in its entirity some day later on in the season.

stitching bloggers' question

How do you decide which stitching blogs are worth repeat and/or regular viewings? Are there certain things you look for in particular? Are there things you wish there were more of? Less of? Is your blog a good example of what you like to read?

The thing that turns me off the most is inconsistent posting. If you aren't going to blog for weeks at a time, I'm going to stop reading.

I used to read through close to 30 blogs which didn't take that long as I'm a fast reader. Had them all linked on my blog. Then I lost them all. And I am apologizing for not fixing that after - what? - more than 2 years? Sometimes I would get sidetracked by external links, but that was more than half the fun.

Do I mind reading the personal stuff? Nope. It just reminds me of the quilting bee phenomenon. Get people together doing the same thing, and they will talk about their lives. It's sociable. And frequently humorous. And enlightening.

Do I worry about whether or not my own blog is an example of what I like to read? Heck, no. I freely admit to writing here just for my own purposes. I'm not looking for approval. Nevertheless do I try to be entertaining - certainly. I am just looking for my voice.

Ah - FYI

I promise not to go on season long rants and postings about baseball. You must remember it is the beginning of the new season. And at the beginning of the season every fan is excited about what the possibilities of 162 games.

I am still painting the kitchen. Still stitching on Poseidon. Still planning my trip to NH in May and our family trip to CA in June.

Turning Japanese

Paparazzi at baseball games. That's the only thing I can see that's bad about Matsuzaka.

Now for a chorus of the song by the Vapors:

No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women...

Stitch N Pitch

For those who haven't seen this promotion yet I bring you:

http://www.stitchnpitch.com/

Stitch N' Pitch brings together two American traditions — Baseball and the NeedleArts. Come to a ball game and knit, crochet, embroider, cross-stitch and needlepoint. Sit among friends, family and colleagues and cheer on your favorite Baseball Team.

I'll be attending the Nationals/Braves game at RFK on May 14th. And yes, I'll have my stitching with me. Or maybe crocheting? and if I can master this lucet, I'll bring that, too.

Go Figure

After a long day - we get satellite up and running and this morning's paper says this:

With assistance from Sen. John Kerry, MLB will be on cable.

Duh.

If you idiots had gotten your act together before opening day, I wouldn't be returning my cable box this morning.


Today

Going to usual Thursday morning stitch in at my LNS. Just need to be home by 2:00 to watch along with millions of others, Matsuzaka's debut pitching for the Red Sox.

Lesson Learned

It is impossible to drive into D.C. to view the cherry blossoms at sunset.
Next year, I will take the Metro.

Big fat duh!

Thought I had it planned out great, didn't know they detour you from Independence Ave. and only option to go north on the Rock Creek Parkway driving on the wrong side of the road! That was a big surreal. Once DS and finally got off the Rock Creek, it took 1 1/2 hours to go south back to Constitution Ave. By then it was too late. Left D.C. for Falls Church and stop to get a treat at the Frozen Dairy Bar.

Painting Update

But I did get the 2nd and 3rd coats of paint on walls underneath the kitchen cabinets. Got 2 coats on the soffits. Definitely needs 3 coats. Four might look even better. Decided not to paint the wall around the sliding door red. It will remain white. Now I have 4/5ths of a can of primer. I guess I'll save it for the day I decide I no longer want a red kitchen?

Not a Great Opening Game

Red Sox ran into a hot Kansas City pitcher. Revenge comes on Wednesday and Thursday.

So yesterday I repainted what I had started to paint red in my kitchen with grey primer. And then painted over it with red. That first coat of red isn't much better than it was on the white wall. But the second coat is a definite improvement. It may take 3 coats to get it looking great.

But while I was in the midst of this project, DS calls me (it's spring break here.) He went off on a bike ride and hit a car. Kind of slid across the guy's hood. I'd say they were both to blame, but DS especially for being on the sidewalk, though I agree that riding on the road there would be a death wish. No win situation. He wasn't hurt. Might have sore shoulder this morning. And bike needs some adjusting as it doesn't really want to turn to the left. He was miffed because he didn't get in his long ride. Oh. They exchanged phone numbers, etc. But if he isn't going to call us asking to fix the scratch on his car, I'm not calling him. I think we may be able to mark this one down to lessons learned. LOOK OUT FOR CARS!

No stitching done yesterday. But wasn't that 80 degree weather grand.

Opening Day

Don't have DirectTV yet - they come on Thursday to install.

But the Red Sox - KC Royals game is on ESPN at 4:00 p.m.

so that's where I'll be. Camped out in front of tv with stitching.

ah, the endless possibilities of a new season.


Meanwhile, maybe today I should get back to painting the kitchen? eh? It's only been a month.