New Stash

The mailman has brought me an embarressment of riches this week. In addition to my great swap from Becca, and Cathi's perfect scissor fob, I also got some new stash! I ordered Tracy Horner's (of Ink Circles) the Huddle kit, which I fully intend to make into Christmas ornaments for everyone in the family. Well, almost everyone. I just can't wait to get started!

In addition, I finished stitching what will become a pin cushion for my grandmother. It's Blackbird Design's Bluebird, but a little modified. I wanted it to be a little bit shorter, and I added an extra letter, J for my grandmother. The C is for me! :)

I stitched this on 40ct something over one, using Soy Luster's Soy Silk Shadows in Bayou. I love Soy Luster, it feels sooo good. :)

Swap from Australia

I received my package from Becca in Australia yesterday! She sent some gorgeous yarn, a book I can't wait to read, a beautiful book on Australian wildlife, 3 Violet Crumbles, and a wonderful bracelet. The color of the yarn doesn't show too well in my photos. It's a rich purple, but one with a lot of red in it. She hand dyed it herself, and I think the color is wonderful. I can't WAIT to stitch it up. Becca also sent me a pattern and the needles for a scarf to make with it, and although it's a bit beyond me, I'm ready to give it a try. I spent a long time last night fondling the yarn, it's just so yummy. :)

I don't know why this ended up looking so blue, but you can see how generous Becca is!

This is the yarn that Becca hand dyed, this doesn't show how deep the color truly is, but I'm really excited to start knitting it up!

This is a closeup of the bracelet that Becca made and sent to me. When it's on, the white beads end up looking a like bits of coral. It's so pretty and feminine. I just LOVE it!!!!!

Duke thought that the package was for him. I think he has designs on my Violet Crumbles!

Plum Street Samplers

Paulette at Plum Street Samplers is starting a new blog (yay!) and to celebrate is having a giveaway! You should head over there now. ;)

If you haven't checked out Paulette's blog, you really should. It's always engaging, and full of gorgeous photos. Of course, I adore stitching her designs. I'm currently working on her The Queen's Sampler - Elizabeth I, which is a joy to stitch. I haven't done anything except the words, and as soon as I have something a little more interesting to show, you can be sure there will be pictures.

Bored At Work

Just for fun

One Word, No Explanation

You.
Can.
Only.
Type.
One.
Word.
No.
Explanations.

Not as easy as you might think...

1. Yourself: A-
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend husband: husband
3. Your hair: brown
4. Your mother/stepmother: artist
5. Your dog: feline
6. Your favorite item: ring
7. Your dream last night: family
8. Your favorite drink: dietcoke
9. Your dream car: sexy
10. The room you are in: office
12. Your fear: burning
13. What you want to be in 10 years: mother
14. Who you hung out with last night: Lisa
15. What you’re not: organized
16. Muffin: cinnamon
17. One of your wish list items: maid
18. Time: afternoon
19. The last thing you did: payroll
20. What you are wearing: pants
21. Your favorite weather: cold
22. Your favorite book: history
23. The last thing you ate: popcorn
24. Your life: frantic
25. Your mood: detatched
26. Your best friend(S): far
27. What are you thinking about right now? sleep
28. Your car: husband's
29. What are you doing at the moment? listening
30. Your summer: hot
31. Your relationship status: newlywed
32. What is on your TV? NBC 5
33. What is the weather like?: gorgeous
34. When is the last time you laughed?: morning

taken from Crafting with the Stitch Witch

Sad Weekend

Sadly, this was not a great weekend. My DH had a cousin of his pass away on Thursday, so much of Sunday and all of Monday was spent with family. Sunday we went to the Rosary (a viewing with a collective prayer of the Rosary, for those not Catholic). Then Monday morning was the funeral mass, then the graveside service, and then dinner at a local hall. Death is always sad, but this was especially hard for DH's family as the cousin was only 19 years old. Her death was unexpected, and it was horrible to watch her mother and step-father at her funeral. I had never met the dear girl, but from what I hear she was a lively, sweet girl who really loved spending time with her large extended family. Please, if you can spare a moment, send up some sweet thoughts both for Nicole, and her grieving family, particularly her mother, step-father and siblings.

Thank you

Two Swaps and a Win

I'm so excited for my mail in the next couple of weeks. First off, my swap partners and I for the Book and Yarn Swap on Ravelry have posted our packages. I had to delay the sending of mine due to being out of town, and I really appreciated my partners' kindness about the whole thing. I sent mine out yesterday, and I believe theirs went out either yesterday or the day before. I hope they like what I've sent, and I know I'm going to be thrilled with what I receive.

Secondly, Cathi had a giveaway if you could guess the name of the pattern she was stitching. The answer was Grille Gratuite 86 from Gazette 94. Since only 3 people had the right answer, Cathi has been sweet enough to send us all a little something. I can't wait to see what it is!

I also plan on stitching Grille Gratuite 86, so thank you Cathi for the inspriation!

You should check out how Cathi finished the piece. I think it makes a super cute wall hanging.

Easter - Stitching Plans

Did I mention that I cross-stitch? I'm new to knitting, but I've been the "cross stitcher" in the family for a while. Actually, that's totally a lie, my Aunt is the cross stitcher. She does gorgeous work, and has, IMO, great taste. That said, my DH and his family don't really know my aunt, so they think of me as the cross-stitcher. I feel like a cheat whenever they say that.

That said, I've made a decision. I have a project that I've been working on for my SIL that I keep picking up and putting back down. I have not admitted to my SIL that I'm working on this for her. SO..... I'm going to tell her (and show her) at the Easter dinner we're all going to this weekend. Then, I'll have to be good about working on it so that she won't be upset! It's the Queen Bee by Little House Needleworks. I'm doing it over one, so it'll be nice and small. I'm not sure how I'm going to have it finished yet, but probably not as a framed piece.

Also, I had a project I had started as a commission, but the woman who asked me to do it has backed out. Which, isn't a bad thing, because I'm going to alter it to suit my own taste. I think that I'll change the woman's dress to be white and gold (with Kreinik) and call it a wedding dress. My wedding colors were lavender and cream, so I think that it will look nice. I'm also doing this over one, as that was what the woman wanted, but I may frog what I have and do it over two instead, we'll see.

I plan on working on cross stitch, but also my nieces' surprise this weekend. I'm knitting covers for their DS lites. I found a cheery baby worsted weight acrylic by Bernat to stitch them with. The colors aren't too babyish according to Eldest Niece, so I'm in the clear there.

Ok, I just had to take a break because the Operations Manager is apparently a yellow chicken livered IDIOT. I work in HR, and I'm supposed to just do payroll, but for the moment, until the HR Generalist starts next Wednesday, I'm in charge back here. I have been for almost 3 months now. One thing that I have NEVER been in charge of is the hiring or firing of our employees. I just process the paperwork. We recently had a series of group interviews, and extended tentative offers of employment to almost everyone. However, we interviewed more people than we have spaces for, and we decided not to hire everyone. (Big surprise right?) Well, one of these people that I called last week to say Thanks, but we're not interested at the moment, stopped by today to plead his case. He went and spoke with the Operations Manager, who was NOT involved in the decision not to hire this person. She sent him over to me and told him that I might be able to make a decision for him WHAT?!?!?!?! OMG WTF, this is SO above my pay grade. I foisted the whole thing off on the GM (who is out today) and said that I would talk to him on Monday, but that I could NOT promise that the GM would change his mind!! (And seriously, I'm kind of creeped out now, he was totally in my personal bubble, which I defend very strongly.)

I fired off a fairly angry email to the GM letting him know what happened, and that I didn't think that the Operations Manager needed to be sending this kind of thing to me. She's a big girl, and she's FOND of telling me that she's in charge, so she can tell Mr. Creepy Applicant that he's not hired. Either that or give me a pay raise and the HR Generalist's job, but as official Payroll Clerk, this is NOT my job.

**Update, the GM called and said that he agreed, it's not currently my job, but that now he thinks it's a great idea for me to learn how to fire and not hire people. I feel that I may have shot myself in the foot....**

*** Both photos were filched from 123 Stitch's website, where you can purchase the patterns if you desire. I'm not affiliated with them, but I believe in giving credit.