Frogging

I've been thinking about frogging. I had knitting and cross stitch that all required extensive removal. I had been working on Little House Needlework's Lavender's Blue onver one, but hated it, and realized it should be over two. I completely screwed up on Plum Street Sampler's The Queen's Sampler - Elizabeth I. Apparently counting is NOT a strong suit. I even managed to mess up on a project from Just Cross Stitch (I can't remember the name for the life of me.) I also was taking a motif from the Sarah Moon sampler to turn into a pincushion for my sister in law, but I used a bad thread. I used Soy Luster on a 40 count fabric, and it's just too thick. And last, but not least, I hated the edges on both scarves I have on needles. They were ratty and gross. I needed to re cast them on with an extra stitch so I could slip the first of each row.

It was to the point that when I finally got home last night, I didn't want to sew on anything. I didn't want to knit, purl, or put in an Algerian eyelet. (Actually, it was French knots, and I really hate French knots, so that probably doesn't count.)

So, I frogged it all! I spent all evening frogging my knitting, and picking fuzz off of my linen. I rewound my yarn, and put my stitch markers away. (I also realized that I have only one needle minder, and that is NOT enough.)

I have NOTHING to show for all those hours and hours of work, but I feel REALLY good about it. I cringe a little when I think of the wasted silk, but oh well. It's kind of like starting all over again. I get to sort out which project I want to work on first, and shop from the little stash by my chair.

That said, I will probably start on something entirely new tonight, just to be contrary. I'm thinking Tracy Horner's The Huddle. Unless her Fleur d'Orleans comes in the mail today. (It probably won't, but I can hope.) I'd start that first. DH and I were married in New Orleans (where I was born), and we're starting a Fleur de lis wall. My first piece on the wall is a needlepoint project my mother did for us. It's in my wedding colors of purple and cream, with our "monogram" of a fleur de lis over a Texas star. So pretty. I cry fairly often when I look at it, I just love it so much. (That part sort of terrifies my husband. LOL)

Anyway, so I won't have pictures for a while. It's a little weird feeling, not having anything on needles or on linen at the moment. (I'm NOT counting anything in the UFO pile, because I usually don't admit to their existence.)

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.

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.