{A Stitchery Giveaway!}

 

Check this out!  A giveaway from BeeInMyBonnet !!!

7 Feedsack Towels, 24 DMC Floss and a week’s worth of vintage kitchen transfer patterns!

 

So cool!

 

Can you tell that I am desperately trying to keep busy on a day when I can’t do much?  I want to direct and help the movers, but I can’t.  All I can do is say “Hey, that’s really old, can we make sure that gets top packed please?” with a “You bettcha, yes ma’am” for a response.  Things are falling into place.  The bank we bought the house from finally got its head out of its..umm.. red tape and signed the piece of paper holding us back on the new house.  We will miss our original closing date, but not by much – so the movers are going to hold our things on the truck until we call and say “hey, load’r in, dawgs!”  (movers words, not mine. really!)

{The Way Back Machine!}

I have this scheduled to post during my blogging break so ya’ll won’t forget about me.  ;)

IN YOUR SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL...
1. Did you date someone from your school? Yep!  Only one, though!  ;)

2. Did you car pool to school?  With my bestest friend for junior year, and then with person from #1 above

3. What kind of car did you have?  I had whatever stray my parents dragged home.  At one point a yellow 1966 VW Truck (think camper van front with a flatbed in back), and a 1977 Oldsmobile Delta 88 that floated and sucked gas!

4. What kind of car do you have now? The Momplorer

5. Its Sunday night...where are you now? Wherelse!

6. It is Sunday night...where were you then? Hiding in my room or out with #1

7. What kind of job did you have in high school? Blockbuster Video for many years, movie theater for a short time

8. What kind of job do you do now? Personal Chef, housecleaner, poop cleaner, nurse and finder of all things (aka HomeEngineer)

9. Were you a party animal? Not until college, sorry.

10. Were you considered a flirt? I tried.  But it only worked on #1

11. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? Nope.  No rhythm.  But #1 was and he was HOT!

12. Were you a nerd? No.  But I did get great grades.

13. Did you get suspended or expelled? Ya, right!  Never ditched a day in my life (well, there was one time, but I was so scared I made #1 bring me back to school!)

14. Can you sing the fight song? My college one, yes.  High school had fight songs?  I can sing the silly songs the band played at football  games about blood and green grass though!

15. Who was your favorite teacher? Not a single one.  They all annoyed me and proved everyday that they didn’t want to be there and we were just pains in their asses. 

16. Where did you sit during lunch? Outside, behind a building everyday.  Was the one time a day I was able to get away from the people whose goal in life was to make my life miserable.

17. What was your school's full name? Umm.. too much information, sorry.  But it was a very southwestern sounding name.

18. When did you graduate? 1995

19. What was your school mascot? Eagles

20. If you could go back and do it again, would you? HELL NO!  The only good thing I got from it all is Xiris and for that I am so thankful. I would not go back even for a single day, because there is not a day I can remember that someone had something mean to say to me or do to me.

21. Did you have fun at Prom? It was okay.  Kind of  a waste of money, really.  I felt uncomfortable for the most part – but I love the people I was with and we had a good time!  The nasty champagne in the limo was quite memorable- and the resulting story of best friends’ mother declaring Xiris to be evil because he barfed in her house.  heh.  

22. Do you still talk to the person you went to Prom with? Every single day. 

23. Are you planning on going to your next reunion? Um.  No.

24. Do you still talk to people from school? With Xiris, and recently reconnected with my bestest friend.  There are a few more I’d like to talk to – but I don’t know how.  DH mentions chatting with them once and a while on FaceBook, but I am avoiding that place like it has the pox.

25. School Colors?Kelly Green and Gold

26. What celebrities came from your high school? Ha, yeah, right!  I can tell you how many babies were born our senior year though!  LOTS and LOTS!

27. Did you play a sport? Nope.

28. What was your favorite club? I did Model UN for a short time. But honestly, it was so there was a “club” listed on my resume and it got me out of school once a month so I could attend summits.

29. What class or teacher did you fear? PE.  I let you come to your own conclusions as to why. 

30. What class was your favorite? Physics, because our teacher was a complete dope.  Seriously, he had a calculator that flipped open much like early Star Trek communicators.  At random during the lectures he’d flip it open and talk to it, with babble language.  He was arrested 5 years later for being high at school.  Anyone see that coming?

 

Your turn!  Copy, paste and use your own answers!  Leave me a comment if you do it so I can see, too!

{State of the Stash}

Here it is.  All of it.  (Well, except the GIANT bag of Cotton-Ease recently gifted by Pam!  So much!)

 

The fabric is another story completely!  

{Feeds}

If you are reading this blog via some sort of feedreader, please be aware that this might have changed.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/fuzzysheepcrafts/Uxdl

I've started using feedburner, so I don't know if that means you need to update your links or not - but just in case I am throwing that out there for ya!

Counting the Days

I think this may be the last post for a little while.  I have a sneaking suspicion that life is going to be pretty crazy for the next few weeks. 

Just a quick rundown of the days that are to follow:

• 4 days until we are all together again
• 5 and 6 days until everything is packed
• 8 days until everything is loaded and trucked
• 9 days until CornHole house closes
• 10 days until we close on WindyDreams house
• 11 days until everything is loaded into WindyDreams

After that – paint, cleaning, ordering of an entire kitchen suite,  unpacking, organizing, utilities, getting things repaired before deadline set by others, finding window coverings for all the windows, getting settled, making friends, creating new routines, fending off a certain crazy cat lady who says she’s coming to visit already!

 

I think I’ve found a publishing tool that works for me!  I can use it while offline, load pictures, schedule things etc.  I’m going to give it a run for it’s money in the near future!

{Stitchy Sunday}

Here is my WeeWonderfuls Boy Elf Stitchette.

I really love Hillary's designs! I can't wait to see if she puts something new out this Christmas.

I worked him up to resemble SpacePirate. How do you think I did? I think it looks like him!

For this one, I worked his hands up so that they appeared to wearing mittens. I didn't like the look of the flesh colored hands on the PrincessZ stitchery, but not enough to rip it out (I think the issue there is that she is holding a white Lambie and the colors were too close).










I used my own handwriting again, but this time in a more manly block script. It was alot of stopping at cutting floss, but I love the work in the end!










I have gathered all the supplies to turn this one, and these two, stitchettes into pillows for the couch in the formal living room. I am even going to make my own piping because I had a vision of something that does not appear to exsist! In the end, it's my hope that they'll be cherished keepsakes for a long time, and that the children will each want to take their own when it's time (not that will ::ever:: happen, they stay babies forever, right? RIGHT?)

PS - if the post comes in funny, I am trying out new publishing tools. Blogger's dashboard has been driving me batshit-insane the past few times I've tried to post. So, until I find the one that works best for me, things might get a little screwy!

Technorati Tags: embroidery, weewonderfuls, SpacePirate, finished object

{Hello Wisconsin!}

I don't really need to say more, do I?

*as seen on I94, headed into Racine.

{Button Swap!}

I recently participated in a button swap over at WonderMommy. The rules were quite simple - send 6 buttons. Here is what my partner, EM at 10000Beads sent to me. Not only did she send me a great selection of vintage buttons, but she made me a great little zippered pouch with buttons on it. Seriously, even the zipper pull is a button! I love it! Thanks so much E!

{Sneaky Bi-atch!}

I talk to KashmirKnitter on a daily basis. We are two people who seem to have separated at birth (except that she thinks I am an alien for liking the TacoPizza).

It turns out that she was my upstream for the recent Mom's Day swap on the Knittyboard. The sneaky bi-atch played it off by pretending she had someone else! Sneak!

She sent a great package that got lost in the limbo of all the moving around we've been doing - but it was eventually tracked down! And thank goodness! It was FAB-U-LOUS! She sent the necklace that she knew I loved. She made it herself, and I will treasure it always. The yarn is a ball of my favorite cotton in the sweetest pink. She sent goodies for the kids, and her kids sent a box of shells from thier beach. I love the little bag with the sheep, and the cards she tucked in where great! My favorite reads "I love my cigarette lighter, but he won't fit in my purse!" Ha!

KK, you rock! Thanks so much!

{Guest Blogger: Mr. Edamame Wasabunny}

Ha! I stole the computer today. That bear person isn't paying attention to me, so I stole her computer and I am planning to take over the world with it. Watch me, I'll show you! I needed to find a way to get out of here, away from those screaming, chewy, stinky things that the bear person snuggles for some reason. They are always chewing on my ears or throwing me, I'll show them!

First, I downloaded instructions on how to hotwire a MomMobile. It was harder than expected, and I got a little burn. Don't worry, I'm okay. Once I got the beast started, I took it for a spin and ended up in a town somewhere in the middle of cornfields. And the music that woman listens to is awful! I couldn't figure out how to make it stop! I should have made a left turn somewhere and got a little lost once or twice.

The MomMobile beeped at me lots while I was going, and it just died and I couldn't start it again, so I went out to look for some help. I came across this thing, but I think it wanted to eat me. Seriously, look at that evil look it's giving me. Gives me the heebies!

I found these people. They were all dressed in orange, looked harmless enough. I asked them to help me, and then they stole me! Seriously, they dragged me around, showing me more of those mean looking beasts who wanted to eat me.

I think this one wanted to eat me too. I mean, who wouldn't?! I'm super delicious looking, right?

I told them I was hungry, and being nice hijackers they decided to feed me. They told me I had to eat this weirdness presented to me. Something called Taco Pizza. Sounded all kinds of wrong, but was suprisingly delicious. Not my usual food, but I think I might be hooked! I think that one in orange was contemplating eating me for dessert, though.
After we ate, they took me back to the place where the MomMobile died and housed all those beasts. I was pretty sure they were going to feed me to that first evil thing, so I ran away! I found a building with all this stuff in it and I hid there.

They spotted me, so I had to find a new hiding place. This one worked for a while, but they got me again! They really had that look in their eyes that said "FEED HIM TO THE BEASTS!"

In the end, they didn't feed me to the beasts, but rather they put me back into the MomMobile. They wouldn't let me out. Look how pathetic I look! Lemme out! Lemme out!

And then the car filled up with those stinky, screamy creatures that chew on me! Look! The girl one tried to throw me out the window! In the end, my plans to take over the world were thwarted, but I'm glad to be home. At least these stinky creatures don't chew too hard. That evil looking beast really wanted to eat me and would have chewed on my head until I was dead bunnymeat. And to think that I overheard that bear person saying she wanted to bring home that evil beast! The horror!

**special thanks to Kir for giving my Edamame a full name! Loves!

{A Secret Project Revealed}

I had come across THIS image a long time ago, and had bookmarked it for some reason. As I was cleaning up my computer - I saw it and immediately thought of Pam. She's madly in love with anything dragonfly and loves celtic knotwork. I knew it was a match, and needed to be made.

I contacted the wonderful woman who created the original drawing, and made sure she'd be okay with my working it up as an embroidery. Caryn was very gracious and said I could. The look on Pam's face when she saw it was priceless and I'll never forget it. I am so glad that she likes it. I thought long and hard on the colors - and I think I captured her favorites, having taken inspiration from her newest tattoo.
To work this little beauty up I copied the design onto some cream KonaCotton I have been working with. I just use a light pencil line, as it rinses out as soon as I spray with a bit of water before I iron the finished project. I then colored in the shadowed areas with 3 shades of purple Prang colored pencils. They are great, smooth colored pencils - never failed me. Because I knew I was going to frame it, I didn't look for something more permanent. The colors set in fine when I sprayed with water afterward. I did a simple backstitch around with a varigated green/blue shiney floss. It was fabulous to work with. Finally, I sprayed it and starched it, stuck it to a needlwork framing board and framed it up. I gave up trying to get it straight (hey, it was 1am!), and made him fly... good idea, I think!

I loved the design, and want to work up another (perhaps for the creator!). It's a true celtic knot - one strand throughout. It was pretty thearaputic for me to work up because I traced along the yarn from one point all the way through until I came back to the start. I tried to match the varigation on each side of the yarn as well.

Guest blogger tomorrow!

{Friends and an Alpaca}

This weekend the cubs and I all packed into the MomMobile and headed south to a little town far smaller than CornHole (but so much cuter, and less smelly!) to attend the Iowa Sheep and Wool Festival.

Better than that - We finally got to put a body to the words of one of my dearest friends, Pam. It sounds weird to say things like that because we'd never "met," but it really is true. We chat almost everyday, offer advice and harangue each other on almost daily.
We pulled into the festival at about the same time. She came with her bestie Kir* and Kir's son MrShepherd. I saw her out of the corner of my eye, but convinced myself that it wasn't her because this woman had long curly hair. It couldn't be her. She wasn't sure if it was me either because I was hiding behind my "hollywood sunglasses."

As soon as we figured it out, I was wrapped in the biggest, warmest, most sincere hug! Seriously, it was totally worth the wait - and I am so glad we finally got to meet.

We wandered around the little fest, letting the kids watch the sheep and alpacas. MrShepherd did a great job of herding PrincessZ, and then decided he liked it enough that he wanted to start his own herd and kept asking his mom for a baby sheep. It was really sweet!

I fell in love with these guys:
The owner was really sweet. He showed MrShepherd how to spin alpaca yarn and told us all about raising alpacas. I could just swim in those eyes! So expressive and sweet. This beauty is "Shocking Black" and that's her bud "Emily" behind her. Apparently Shock has a sister that competes with her "Awesome Black." Get it? "Shock and Awe" !!! Too funny!

Anyway, Kir talked us into experiencing GodFather's Taco Pizza. Yes, that's right - I took both kids to a restaurant on my own! I did it! And honestly, they did great! They are 2 and 1 - they make a mess and can be loud - but we made it through without meltdowns and too much trouble. I have to remind myself that they are little. Sometimes I expect too much from them - and both Kir and Pam told me that they didn't do a single thing that 2 and 1 year old aren't supposed to be doing! Heh. Thanks ladies! There was a hall with local fiber vendors - tons and tons of squishy rovings and whatnot. I love, love, love handspun yarn - and maybe one day I can learn how to do it - but right now I need another hobby like I need another hole in my head! But guess who got sucked in? Kir! She picked up a spindle and a beautiful ball of sparkly fluffy stuff! Maybe she'll blog it... it's totally fabulous.

I picked up a neat little gizmo to hold your dpns when you want to set them down, and a hank of handpainted sock yarn. I felt a little guilty about it, buying a house and all - but it'll be something to work on for the 5 or 6 days we're without our stuff. It was all Pam's fault! So... as her punishment, I am challenging her to find me a sock pattern for it. Something toe up, with an easy but interesting pattern, a nice heel and a comfy toe. Are you up for it, Pam? Maybe I'll even do them 2 at a time on one circ. Will my fancy new holdery thing work with that too?

The cubs enjoyed the day, and crashed hard as soon as we got home. PrincessZ kept saying "oh NO! my Pamda went byebye, and boy too! Soooo sad."

I made a great new friend. Kir is wonderful. She's so warm and funny. Anyone who appreciates my bad jokes and random tossing of movie/tv quotes is good in my book! And her MrShepherd is one great kid!

* be sure to click over to Kir's blog. Pam and I are giving her a hard time for never updating, so maybe this will get her going.

Stay tuned. I will have a guest blogger soon and be revealing the super secret project.

{Shhhh! It's a Seeeeeeeecret!}

That's all you get until it's done!

{Flowers, Gardens, and Black Thumbs}

I am going to admit right now - I have a black thumb. I kill plants. That being said - here are the pretties currently under my torture...errrr...care. I don't really know how to care for any of them (aside from the roses, deadhead those, easy enough).

A hanging basket of petunias and little blue things. I know to take off the spent flowers, and if I want it to get bushier to pinch behind the flower.
A pot that I planted with lots of different things. It gets afternoon sun, but not much due to the giant addition the neighbors put up last year. Columbine, monkey grass (I've only ever had it indoors before), Salvia, geranium and coleus. Any advice here to keep it bright and flowery? It's right outside my front door, kinda disguising a settled driveway.
One of my first roses of summer. Truth be told, I hate rose bushes. But they are easy to care for - simply prune off the dying flowers, hack it back to the ground in the winter, rinse lather, repeat.
Peonies. Again, another plant I don't like - but mainly because it attracts ants, and I don't know how to care for it. This bloom is as big as my head. It's HUGE!
Another Peony bush, a girly pink ruffly fluffy one.
This peony bush makes flowers that remind me of tulips. I love how they open and close with the sun. It's neat going out in the evening watching them slowly close up.

These are two plants that I am worried about. They are under the back patio, in the shade most of the day - only receiving direct light in the mornings from about 10am to 1pm-ish.

A geranium. Admittedly it's in a hanging basket that I have just planted in the large patio pot and mulched around. I was in a hurry before a showing, needing pops of color on a boring patio.

A plant I've never even seen before. It's a begonia. I have no idea what to do with it.