"Live Simply" took a complex trip

I heard from Kathy, my L*K exchange partner, and she received the L*K exchange I stitched, finished and mailed to her. It was definitely a fun pattern to stitch and finish, especially since the colors were so "cool". I stitched this on 28ct evenweave, basically using the colors listed. I finished it as a pinkeep with some fun green and orange ribbon I found at Jo-Ann Fabrics.

This exchange definitely had an adventure getting to Kathy...first, I was a little late mailing it. I took it to our post office near the house which had one of those 24/7 post machines which weighs your package, determines the amount of postage you will need and then allows you to purchase the label. Well, it was wrong in the amont of postage it told me I needed because after mailing it on May 3, it arrived at my house on May 6th with a sticker noting that 34cents more was needed. So I added a stamp to it and put it back in the mailbox. Then, in Kathy's email, I just found out that I didn't quite put the right address on the package...but thankfully Kathy's SIL is the mailperson and made sure that the package got delivered. Ugh - thank goodness the mail gods were looking down and helped out :) 

Hope you all are having a good Friday...I took my normal Friday off and got some housework done as well as just caught up on a few things before the weekend really got off to a start. After school, Matthew (younger son who is finishing up 5th grade) is going to take a 7th grade math assessment test. He took the 6th grade one and did very well - thus qualifying for 6th grade honors math next year; but they wanted to see how he would do on the 7th grade one. So we will see-we told him not to stress over it especially since he hasn't been exposed to many of the 7th grade math concepts...he told me that he is just going to take it for "fun...because math is cool and fun, mom".  Thought he had a good attitude!

This evening, Robert (older son who is finishing up 8th grade) is attending the special 8th grade dance tonight. Supposively he asked a girl to the dance...but you really don't "go to" the dance together, you just "meet at" the dance. So, since I will not see the girl he asked (via texting) I was privileged to find out her name and allowed to look her up in last year's yearbook. She is very cute...and I guess I approve :) I guess this is how it all starts, right?

This weekend brings hockey clinics and tryouts (for spring tournament teams) and I leave on Sunday evening for Seattle for a business trip, which I am looking forward to! So, that is about all right now. Hope you have a great weekend and remember:

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Catching up on Wednesday

First up...I have to share with you my L*K exchange I received from April. It came on Monday and was a welcome surprise. I love it! The colors are beautiful - soft pink, purple, green and blues - perfect for spring and Mother's Day. I have put it in my kitchen, a place I spend a lot of time in with the family, for all to admire. Thank you very much April.

DH is in Atlanta today and tomorrow for interviews. While moving might not necessarily be our first choice as he looks for a new job, we are keeping an open mind. We both feel that life is an adventure and full of journeys. When we first met eachother we were attending college in St. Louis, MO (that was over 20 years ago). Since then, we have lived in New Orleans (south)...Minnesota (north)...and California (west)...so it would only make sense for us to move east. Well, we will see and just keep positive thoughts as we ride this job searching roller coaster together as a family.

In the meantime...things are going fine - still very busy with the boys' sporting activities. Monday and Tuesday evening I spent at the rink while the boys attended their hockey clinic. Today, Robert had a track meet and has one tomorrow as well. Track finishes up next week with the Chamipionship Invitational meet, which we hope he will be asked to run in. This weekend brings spring hockey team tryouts for both boys - Robert: for a team going to Minnesota next month and Matthew: for a team going to Los Angeles in June as well.

Regarding school...both boys are in the middle of state testing. They have less than a month of school, ending with graduation on June 13 (Matthew from elementary school and Robert from middle school). Hard to believe how quickly they grow up...speaking of growing up, Robert is attending the 8th grade school dance this Friday...and he has texted a girl to "go with him" even though they are just meeting eachother at the dance venue.

Regarding stitching...I am working on an exchange for the ornament swap. After this exchange, I will be back to Mary Wigham. And as soon as all the exchanges I have finished and sent out are received, I will be able to share some stitching photos with you. Should be soon!

Well...since I seem to be just rambling on, I will thank you for making it to the end and remind you to:

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Sharing on Saturday

NOTE...if you are visiting my blog to read about the 8th grade Washington DC trip - above this post are links for each specific day. Enjoy and thank you for stopping by :)

I finished stitching my heart on April's Friendship Sampler RR last night and will be trying to make it to the post office so that I can send it along...little by little the RRs are finding their way home. I just have one more to stitch on...and mine is still in the Netherlands. Mine is trailing behind due to a situation last summer, where the original one I started and sent out 'got stuck' at one of the RR members house; since no one could reach her, we assumed that she dropped out - and unfortunately was holding my RR and one other members. I made the choice to start over with a new piece of fabric, so it will be home in another few months.

April requested every stitch in teals, limes, purples...kind of an ocean and springy feel to her RR. It is beautiful. I stitched my heart (you can see it on the bottom - 2nd one in) in a DMC varigated-type and white. I love the way it turned out...and I hope April does too.

Well, Saturday is here and without any early morning activities, everyone will have this opportunity to sleep in. I slept in too...one extra hour at least...but I am on the stationary bike right now as I type out this post. I gotta get in my spin!

Today is Clean Up Dublin Day (Dublin, California that is). Robert (older son) is in a scholorship group at school which focuses on community service activities throughout the year. So, this morning, he will be going up to his school to help clean up the campus for a few hours. I think that Matthew's (younger son) school is also having an activity like that - but he hasn't mentioned anything about it. We are planning to walk with Robert to his school and then thought it would be fun to walk up to Matthew's school so that he could show DH and I the class garden that he has been working on with his fellow classmates. He is very proud of this garden. I am hoping that it survives over the summer (might have to talk with his teacher to see what we can do to help out during the summer vacation).

Working outside, which is something that I need to do here at home as well (clean out the garden and mow the lawn) is tricky right now as allergy season is horrible. Matthew has a persistant cough and runny nose...and now I have a cough that is developing. While he feels run down, I don't feel too bad as long as it doesn't seem to affect my breathing (that would really be a problem...LOL). Are allergies bad where you live? Listening to the news, it sound like allergy season is bad everywhere and more appearent now a days. Well, if you are suffering - take care!

Back to stitching...now that the RR is complete, I have started the Lizzie Kate Exchange project and found some fabric that is easy to stitch on and will help the project get stitched faster. My goal is to be done stitching this one by this evening...and then I can start on my Seasonal Exchange. If I can keep on this schedule, I will definitely be able to make the May 1 mail date deadline. Keep your fingers crossed :)

Well, my blogging friends, thank you for taking time out of your busy day to visit. I hope that you have a wonderful weekend and remember:

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!

Lisa

L*K Exchanged received

Today when I got home from work and went to the mailbox, I found a little puffy package waiting for me from Lori...and look at the beautiful pinkeep that I found inside (Bridal Bear decided to model with the beautiful exchange):

Isn't it beautiful? The colors are so soft (she used GAST threads) and stitched wonderfully on 28ct fabric. According to a notecard Lori enclosed in the package, this was her first pinkeep she has ever made. If she didn't write that in the card, I wouldn't have been able to figure it out as it was perfectly made!

Attached to each pin was a small clear Swarovski crystal, which added a lot of sparkle and I am sure added with a lot of love. The ribbon...well, that was chosen by her youngest son and I believe that he did a wonderful job of finding the perfect ribbon - it is soft in texture and color - the perfect finish for the pinkeep.

And look what it is sitting on...a little stand. Lori spoiled me with adding this in the package. Thank you so much, I love it. I have set it on my nightstand, by my bed, where I have all my exchange treasures displayed.

Well, my friends, my weekend has begun as I am off of work tomorrow - which will give me a little "me" time while DH (is at work) and the boys (are at school) are out of the house. While housecleaning should be on the "to do list", I might just put that off for another week and make some time to stitch...good idea?

Take care and remember:

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Finally a finish to post and just a weekend update

Good day blogger friends,
I hope that you all had a good weekend. Ours here was very nice...and I will share a little of the activites in just a bit, but thought I would post a stitching photo first (YAHOO!). I saw that Lori received the L*K Rnd3 I stitched and finished for her. So without further ado, here is what I stitched:

L*K..."Love"

Fabric: Pink/Maroon-ish color...something I had in my statsh

Thread...used the colors called for, but added a little JAB heart button in place of a stitched design

I saw this pattern when I was shopping in NiaH last month and, knowing that I had a L*K exchange to stitch, decided that it would be perfect for Round 3 which was so close to February. According to Lori's post on the L*K blog, her wedding anniversary is also in Feb - so my decision to go with this pattern sounds like it was a good one!

Well, that is one exchange that made it to it's new home...as soon as Sharon shares that she received the ornament from the ornament exchange we are doing, I will post that one soon. At this time, I am still model stitching for CindyMae, who just announced that she will be published 2x this year in The Cross Stitcher magazine - August and September. I am so excited for her. When I first met her via blogging, she was creating free designs and then started working on some to sell via internet. Soon we became friends and I started to stitch some of the models for her so that she can upload photos of what the design will look like.  The design I am working on right now is called "Doggone Napping" and it is a counter part to "Cat Nap":

CindyMae Design...pattern available (click the link)

Again, I am so excited for her and everything she has accomplished in the short amount of time! Congratulations Cindy!

Ok...now that I finally had a stitching post going, I thought I would also (bore you)...here are a couple of photos of Robert from his tournament in Seattle over MLK weekend - this is the tournament that he and his hockey team - San Jose Jr. Sharks Bantam AAA - won.

Hockey filled our Sunday yesterday, with both boys playing games. Robert (older son, pictured above) had 2 "league" games versus the LA Jr. Kings Bantam AAA; Robert's team defeated them in both games....Way to go Sharks! And Matthew (younger son) had an evening game, which they won as well. Good outcome to a great hockey Sunday!

Hope you are having a good Monday! The boys are off of school so we are all relaxing today!

Until the next time...remember:

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

Weekend update...

Hello dear friends,
The weekend has been nice and somewhat quiet so far. With DH and Robert (older son) in Texas for a hockey tournament, I have a few less people in the household to manage (LOL). Matthew does have some hockey committments this weekend, the first was a scrimmage with a team in his age division last night. Matthew's team won. It was a good game, followed by a potluck which the other team was also invited - which made for a nice evening. Today, Matthew has another game at 11:15 and then in the afternoon the team is doing Lazar Tag; which I signed up to participate in too (yes, it was open for parents and siblings...thought I would see what this game was all about).

On the stitching front, which I have not written about in a while...well, I have just about finished 2 exchanges which are due mailed by the end of the month - 2010 OSE and the L*K Rnd 3. They are stitched and prepped for the finishing I am going to give them. And since tomorrow is MLK Day (Martin Luther King Day), and there is no school (and I will be home from work), I am planning on sitting in front of the sewing machine and accomplishing those finishing touches so that I can get them in the mail next week. I have also been working on some model stitching for CindyMae - it is a really cute design which coordinates well with the Catnap pillow I did for her, but this one has a napping puppy on it. Oh, yah, if you visit her website, she has just added some wonderful Valentine designs (model stitched by April)...don't you just love how we blogging stitchers support eachother :)

So, bottomline...with most of my stitching right now exchanges or model stitching I do not have anything to show off again...and MW is feeling neglicted. I do miss Mary, but I would like to get my "committments" accomplished first so that I can dedicate my attention when stitching Mary...it is not a good one to loose focus while stitching. Nothing worse than trying to frog 1 over 2...well, 1 over 1 is hard to frog...but frogging is no fun, so no stitching Mary without focus!

Oh, yah...one more thing...watch out for the dreaded software virus that is going around right now. We have one laptop at home that is sick with it. I haven't done a lot of reading about it, but I have read that it has come from some of the yahoo groups and/or downloading software from some of the social communities (aka facebook). So, make sure that your antivirus programs are good...but just be careful!

Well, it is time to stop rambling on...Have a great Sunday and remember:

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Lisa

A gift for me...and the "official" birthday boy

I don't know if you will remember, but I have been (and still am) a participant in the L*K exchange. Round 2 was due in the mail around Thanksgiving...and I did complete mine and sent it to the assigned exchange partner. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the exchange partner hasn't acknowledged receiving what I had created & sent, nor did she send anything to me (it seems that we were eachother's partner). Because I am well aware of "risks" associated with participating in exchanges, I got over it and signed up for Round 3 - I love the people I meet through these exchanges and I love to stitch & finish & share with others. Nevertheless, an Angel Stitcher contacted me and let me know that I will not be forgotten...so without further ado, here is what the mailperson delivered to me yesterday:

"Life's a picnic" by Lizzie Kate

Stitched and finished as a pinkeep by my Angel Stitcher (Lisa V)

And I found the perfect place to show it off...on my little wall shelf with my fruit and vegetable dishwear. This design is so me! Watermelons...strawberries...pears...well, I live on Watermelons (as long as the grocery store has them in stock; we seem to be at a low point right now).

Thank you Lisa...while you definitely didn't have to do this, I so appreciate it and love my new addition to my kitchen shelf, where I will be able to enjoy it every day!

The Bithday Boy

Well, my oldest turned 14 years old yesterday. It is hard to believe. I still remember the day/evening that he arrived...fourteen years ago. I looked like I had swallowed a watermelon, and this is before I ate as much watermelon as I do now. After going into the dr for a check up and complaining that I was getting so big, they decided to do an ultrasound which showed that I would be delivering a baby between 9 to 12 lbs (and I am a pretty small person: 5'3" tall and pre-preg weight was 102...when I was pregnate with Robert I gained 60 pounds). So I was scheduled to be induced the next day; and after 16 hours I had a 9lb 2oz bouncing baby boy. It was one of the most incredible things that I ever experienced (until 3.5 years later when Matthew came along). I am very proud of Robert and all that he has accomplished in his 14 years. I pray that he continues to find excitement and enjoyment in life, learning and physical activity. I feel so blessed that he is in my life!

Happy Birthday Robert!

Robert (now 14years old) and Matthew (10.5 years old)

Have a great day and remember...

Lisa, Love, Laugh and Stitch often - Lisa

A clean dog, a visit to the eye doctor and a soon to be 14 year old

Today was my day off from work and it was pretty relaxing. Although I get a few things done. First up, was to take Bruno to the groomers. He is an outdoor dog. Our house has a nice set up, for Bruno has an indoor place inside our garage where he sleeps and eats and then there is a door to the backyard where he does his...."thing". We take him out for walks/runs, but haven't let him into the house since we moved here because he is a big dog and has a tendency to chew things. But, as the vet always says when we visit, "My, Bruno, you are a happy dog aren't you?" And I think he is. Next week he gets to see the vet to get his yearly check up and rabies shot.

Yesterday, Robert (older son) and I went to get our eyes checked by the eye doctor. I do this once a year, as I am very near-sighted and my eyes seem to continue to get worse (but I did find out that they haven't changed in the last year, which is a good thing!). However, we found out that Robert was slightly near-sighted so it was time to get him glasses, which he will only have to wear to see the whiteboard (remember when it was a blackboard or referred to as the chalkboard?). Poor kid, I guess he got my "eye genes", for when I was in 8th grade my eyes started to change and I got my first pair of glasses. After his exam, he tried on several designs of glasses and settled on a pair that he like and feels that he will be able to put on in school without feeling to embarrassed (I took a photo with my camera in the store...I think he looks "smart" in those, don't you).

And speaking of Robert, his birthday is Monday...and he will turn 14. Fourteen years old...OMG! It is hard to believe that I will be a mother of a 14 year old. I am sure that I will post a memory of the day he was born as I always get sappy on the birthdays of my sons!

On the stitching side of my life, I did take some time to stitch on a L*K exchange today, but don't have anything that I am able to show you...I am sorry, but know that you will understand.

Well...time to get the boys ready for bed. Tomorrow Matthew (younger son) had a hockey game in the early afternoon. So I bid you "good-night" and remember...Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Lisa

Happy New Year (one day late)

Happy New Year to all. I hope that everyone was able to celebrate the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 in some fashion. Ours was a very quiet one, for we are in the middle of another hockey tournament, so we had just come back from Matthew's (younger son) hockey game Thursday late afternoon, had a little dinner, played a little family game, enjoyed our 9pm (celebrated the New Year on the East Coast) and then stared the bed time routine. I think that we all were in bed around 10:30pm.

As the saying goes...

EAT

SLEEP

HOCKEY

And that is about all we have done since December 27th...some days we even repeated that list a second time if there were 2 games or 2 hockey events in one day. But there are worse things in life that we could be doing.

2010 Goals and Projects

I haven't had much of a chance to read many blogs lately, but those I have read have started posting their goals and projects for 2010. One of my main goal (which unfortunately at the rink yesterday I broke) is to cut my sugar consumption down and eventually cut it out all together. What I am referring to is the large amount of candy and sugared gum I consume, especially when I am sitting around at the rink or at work. It is in those kinds of solutions where I am either "bored" or "focus" and just need something for my mouth to do - like chew. Unfortunately sugarless gums contain a faux sweetner called sorbitol, which I seem to be sensitive to and causes a lot of discomfort after I chew several pieces of gum. There have been many studies in health magazines, which say chewing gum can help you think or chewing a piece of gum after a meal as a dessert will help you know the meal is over and you will eat less. The problem with me is I go through a lot of bubble gum in one sitting...so I need to remember "everything in moderation" is ok.

That is one goal as it pertains to eating; another related goal is to work on adding weights, sit ups and push ups to my exercise routine.

And stitching...I would like to or have signed up for:

1. Finish MW by the end of the year

2. 2010 Ornament Exchange/Swap

3. Keep exchange signs up managable - continue with L*K

4. Finish Friendship RR - stitching on the remaining RRs and then as soon as mine gets back, finish it!

5. Continue to model stitch for CindyMae

I think those are nice simple goals to have - I am sure that I will have other projects that come up over the course of the year, but these are the ones that I would like to focus on!

I know that there should be other "life style" goals I should have that would cover family (extended and nuclear), financial goals and marriage. To cover all of those, I think stop procrastinating would definitely help in all facets of life.

In Closing...

I though I would add that above sub-title so those who skimmed the above, knew when I was getting ready to finish this post :) I have been working on MW when I allow myself to sit. I have finished another motif and started on another. I am planning to finish it and then post another photo Sunday as a closing to the week and the holiday break. I have 2 exchanges to get done and send out before the end of the month - one is the 2010 OSE (aka Ornament Swap Exchange) and the other is Round 3 of L*K. I also received a new pattern from CindyMae, which I am looking forward to stitching. It is a counterpart to "Catnap"...so those who are dog people stay tuned!

Have a great Saturday! Take care and remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often! Lisa 

Home from LA and the Hockey Weekend...and a finish to share.

I am hope for the Hockey Weekend in LA. Going down there as  'team' on a bus wasn't too bad...just got a little long last night, when we were all ready to be home. Friday night, we stopped mid-way and pulled out all the food that was brought (bread, meats, cheeses, fruit, veggies, chips, cookies) and had a little picnic on a grassy area by a gas station/convenience store. It worked out really nice. We arrived into Long Beach (southern California) around 10:30 that evening (only making it a 6.5 hour trip...not bad at all). Along the way, we were treated to the basic adolenscent movies...Wedding Crashers, America Pie, etc. Definitely brought back memories of youth group retreats - and Porky's was considered the "bad" movie at the time.

Regarding the hockey games...well the boys didn't do so well. They got shut out (0-11 and 0-12) against one of the top Bantam AAA teams in the nation and lost the third game (3-2) against a team that they probably should have beat. After the 3-2 loss, the coaches were so upset at them and "embarassed", that they felt it was important for the kids to feel that shame. So right after the game, the boys were only allowed to take off their hockey skates and then, in full gear, marched out of the locker room with their bags and sticks...single file throught the hockey rink and right to the bus. Where they had to sit, in gear (gloves & helmet too) in silence until they reached the hotel. It was so quiet on that bus, that us parents were also quiet and felt like we were also being punished. Oh well...did they learn anything? I don't know - for that evening we took them all to dinner at Famous Dave's BBQ (which was a very nice meal) and then they played that 0-12 loss game on Sunday morning.

So that was the extent of the hockey weekend. I did try and take out several different stitching projects I had - one WIP and one new one...but the bus was so bumpy at times, that I decided that it wasn't worth "trying" to work on these, because I had the feeling that I was in the wrong holes the entire time...and I don't need any frog visits during Thanksgiving! So, I decided to work on my ornament exchanges this week when I was back and on less shaker ground! So Angela P and Heather...your ornaments are getting close to being done...I definitely will have them in the mail before December 1!!!

If you made it this far on this "boring" post, your reward is coming. Even though I haven't heard from my L*K 2nd Round exchange partner, I have received permission from the organizers to show what I stitched, finished, and sent...back on October 31. "Gather a Harvest of Love" on 32ct linen using the threads called for.

I did enjoy stitching and finishing it...I hope that it did arrive there and my partner does like it. I have no bad feelings what-so-ever - because I enjoy stitching and finishing...and I have signed up for Round 3 of L*K exchange too!

The boys are already off for the Thanksgiving week. We will probably do our grocery shopping today...for I just hate when the store gets crowded. And, as it is only day one we are already having some attitude issues...gotta love those boys. LOL.

Well...time to sign off. Hope everyone's weekend was good.

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

Tea for 2...and a finish to show you!

I have this little "app" on my yahoo inbox (or somewhere) that tells me when someone's birthday is coming up. I get emails about 2 weeks before the event and the again about 4 days before. I don't know if this is something that I signed up for or if it just happens, but anyway...I found out that it was my neighbor's birthday today. I know that she loves tea because she helped me plan and host a tea party a couple of years ago for Matthew's (younger son) 3rd grade class (he is in 5th grade now). I did all the "room mom/party planning" stuff and she did a presentation on teas. So, when I found out that it was her birthday, I pulled a Lizzie Kate tea pattern out of my stash, found some chocolate color linen ivmy stash and then started going through my thread stash (thus, not following the color key and really didn't complete the entire pattern) and found a great matching button...in my stash...and created this quick finish. To totally finish her gift, I backed it with some autumn looking fabric (which looked like it had tea leaves on it)...which I also had in my stash, and then attached it to the top of a nice square glass container (which I did have to purchase at Michael's yesterday) .

I added a little twine and beads around the glass jar, some of the charms say "Live, Love, Laugh" and the other says "Dare to Dream"...and then I filled it with all sorts of teas (from my tea stash of course). I hope that she likes it...we haven't exchanged or acknowledged eachother's birthdays before - only the kids a couple of times. But over the six years we have lived here, she and I have come to rely on eachother - either by watching eachother's house when the other travels or helping out with the kids.

Just wanted to do a little "show and tell" hope your week is going well and Happy Wednesday - we are 1/2 way to the weekend!

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

Trying Tuesday

I am up and going early this morning. Good practice for next week, when the boys' school schedule starts up for the new school year...which also means I will start back to my early work hours. Today, though, I will be going into work most of the day because my boss is in town from the UK for some quarterly meetings. While I will not be able to attend those meetings (which are Wednesday & Thursday), I am going in to meet with her and some of the other people who are in town this week. I am looking forward to it.

Yesterday I got my PS Exchange in the mail to my secret exchange partner - postal shop said that it would take about 10-14 days to get there, which would make arrive about the first week in September. Not bad, the mailing date was August 31 so I am well ahead of the deadline. It was a fun design to stitch...and I am very pleased with with finish. I hope that my partner likes it too. As soon as I get word of it's arrival I will photo the photos.

I have picked up a UFO - L*K "It's Expensive to be Me" - a design from the Girl Thing booklet. I am putting the finishing touches on it and then will probably set it aside while I determine how to finish it. I am thinking that this would make a good holiday gift for a family member :)

I have also started stitching another model for CindyMae Designs. She has figured out how to convert her graphs to pdf's and now is offering a downloaded version for a smaller price - and quicker gratification. So you might want to check out the redesign of her website.

Well, just stopped by to post a "hi"...off to get my blog reading and commenting done. Maybe I will be visiting you this morning :)

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

Received my Lizzie Kate Exchange

Yesterday I received my L*K exchange from my secret partner, Sandra. The package came all the way from Venezuela. I just love my exchange. Sandra enclosed a postcard with a beautiful picture of La Playa Medina, a beach she is planning to go to next month before school starts again. Also, written on the card was her thought process of creating this exchange for me. She said that she chose this design for me because I am "such an active and outdoorsy woman" she thought it would be perfect...and it is!!! The box that the design was attached it is beautiful. She wrote the words: "Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch" on it (something that I tend to close each post with).


And, to prove that I am an outdoorsy person, I set up a photo shoot of it with some of the fresh roses from my rose bushes. While shooting the beautiful box, a bee decided that it was a good time to collect pollen from the yellow flower (you might be able to see it in the photo).

Thank you Sandra - I love my exchange!



I am still working on my PS exchange. Having a hard time allowing myself just to sit lately. Maybe just a case of ADD right now :) On that note, it is time to get ready for work and feed my younger son lunch. Have a good day!

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

L*K Exchange made it to Canada!

I heard from Angela P. this morning and she received the L*K Exchange I made and sent to her. She said that she was getting ready to leave, when the mailman handed her a package...which she felt the need to open immediate - and was excited to see what was inside the box. I was happy to hear that she liked it.

I stitched "Cross-Stitcher in Residence" by Lizzie Kate using the majority of the colors the pattern called for, except for the door, which I substituted with the same color as the roof (the door color called for matched the fabric and I just didn't like how that was looking). Also, I attached a silver star where the heart button was suppose to go - for there is a "star" living in Angela's house.

On the back of the pillow, stitched a little spool of thread and added the saying "Come in and Stitch awhile" - thinking that kind of tied the whole them together. I settled on finishing this as a long pillow, because I read on Angel's blog that she likes long pillows. And it sounds like this exchange was well received.

Angela - may the pillow bring as much happiness and enjoyment to your residence as it gave me while I stitched it for you!

Now all of my exchanges I have completed and sent have been received. It is really a good feeling to be involved in an activity like this! In addition, I am enjoying assisting CindyMae by being a model stitcher for some of her designs that she is creating. I just finished another one last night and it really is cute.

With that finish, I spent sometime last night organizing the two Friendship Sampler RRs I have in my house. First, I will be adding my heart to Simone's. I have a DMC varigated red picked out, my heart chosen, a working copy made of that area - so I will work on that today and hope to have it complete sometime this weekend so that I can also add my heart to Ann's...I would love to complete these and be able to send them on their way to Karen; but don't want to promise, just incase life gets in the way over the weekend.

The other stitching projects on my "to do list" is my PS Exchange (mail date: Sept. 1; I have everything kitted up ready to go...this will be my next project after I finish the RRs)...then it will be time to organize my Mary Wigham. I received my fabric from NiaH earlier in the week and have downloaded & printed out all nine sections, so I just need to sit and determine the color scheme. Oh, yeah...I still need to finish my sister's anniversary gift too.

It is interesting how quickly a hobby can turn into something that has a "to do" list. However, as long as it doesnt' invoke stress, I think that it is ok. Stitching is something that brings me happiness; it is a good method of relaxation for me and a great outlet for my creativity. Nevertheless, it is alway a good practice to do a "reality check"...for if this hobby and passion becomes stressful, a "have to do, and/or a task - then I will need to re-evaluate all the things I sign up for. However, right now it is perfect - and I am enjoying everything that I have signed up to do!

So may your passion for needlework continue to bring you much happiness and enjoyment!

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Until next post....Lisa

An Exchange to post

I received word that my "personal L*K exchange" recipient received her pillow, so now I can post the photo! For Heather I stitched "It's A Girl Thing". After she & I planned for this exchange, I read her blog and found out that she was interested in this pattern - so I thought I would stitch it for her. I stitched this using the color and floss called for on 28ct even weave - 1 over 1. And then finished it as a pillow. On the back, I decided I would add our names and year as a remembrance of this one-on-one exchange. I had so much fun stitching this. L*K is such a fun, easy, quick stitch. And the colors were so nice and vivid! It was also nice to do a "girl thing" :) My house is just full of boys :)
Oh, yah...if you click on Heather's name to visit her blog you can read about her travels to Texas where she actually met the designer of Lizzie Kate (Linda). How cool is that!


I have been stitching off and on the last couple of day - trying to finish some of the Quaker motifs for my two sisters wedding anniversaries coming up in August and a model for CindyMae. This weekend, DH and I have been playing tag team - as we drop off and pick up the boys at their respective ice hockey events. Robert (olderson) is going through tryouts again, this time for a AA team - we will know this afternoon if he makes this one. Matthew (younger son) has a hockey clinic all weekend, in preparation for his tryouts which is next weekend. By Aug. 2, we will be done with tryouts, both boys will be on a team and we will have some idea how hockey will play a part in our lifes this season.

So, with that...I will bid you good day and thank you for stopping by and reading. I hope that your weekend brings you and your family much happiness, laughter and love! And you find time to sit and stitch!
Love,
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

What 'cha been doing?

I have been doing my part (still) to help the economy improve as I build up my stash some more with some Prairie Schooler patterns and a few Lizzie Kate. I signed up for Rnd 3 of the PS exchange and hope to stay with the L*K Exchange after this round, so I felt that I should have some new things to pick from as I continue to stay with these exchanges. Participating in exchanges was one of the goals I set out to accomplish as I was a newbie in the cyber stitch world. Through this activity I have come to know many people - it really is adding a wonderful element to my life!

The mail person adorned my mailbox with the August 2009 edition of the Cross Stitcher Magazine. The Christmas Stocking in it is very cute - but for those last minute 4th of July projects there are a couple of very nice patterns, as well as some other fun projects that I will probably put some sticky notes on as possible projects/gifts from others.

Stitching Update...I have been working on a couple of L*K exchanges. The first one is a personal (one-on-one) exchange with Heather (Stitch in Tyme) We set a due date of July 1, so I will be getting this in the mail to her soon and will post a formal photo after I receive the word she received it. It was a fun colorful stitch and finish...I hope that she will like it. The other is for the "official" L*K Exchange and is due August 1. I am about 1/2 done with the stitching of the design, because I wanted to have some time to think about how I want to finish this for my exchange partner - maybe trying something new. However, I have put this aside temporarily because I wanted to do a little something to surprise someone - so I started this new project because I need to get it in the mail tomorrow. So lots of exchanges going on.

After sending the Friendship Sampler RRs down to Karen in AZ on the 16th of June, my house has been without an RR. I miss having a heart to stitch the end of this month...yet it is nice to be able to focus on other projects for a while. Several of the members of this RR has been enjoying weddings, graduations and other wonderful family activities; some have been travelling and some have been dealing with the unfortunates of the economy...so the email box has been a little light with communication, but reading their blogs they are all doing well. Again, it is amazing how this type of activity - Round Robins, Exchanges and Blogging can bring some of us together! It really has been a positive addition to my life!

Update on household life...DH has been very busy at work lately with meetings, early morning conference calls and late night projects. The boys started their day camp last week. Robert is a junior leader (which is a wonderful program the Rec center has) and is volunteering at a preschool camp a couple days aweek as well as a half day camp with older kids (K-5 grade). Matthew is attending the afternoon camp (which Robert is a jr. leader at...so far no problems). While the boys are at came from 1:00-5, I take that time to go into work and put in a few hours there.

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Background info re: my job (skip if not interested)...I don't know if I wrote about my job, but I work part-time at a manufacturing company in the Marketing and Communications department. I have been there a little over 3 years - it has been the perfect job for my life as it is very flexible - allowing me to set my own hours with the only request that once set I am committed to be there. In the summertime, my hours change to reflect the summer camp hours - going in in the afternoon. At the end of May, my boss was laid off - so now I report to her boss who is in our UK office (I have been given a Blackberry so she and I can communicate when it is morning here and before she leaves for the day in the UK). I won't bore you with any more detail, but I thank my "lucky stars" everyday for this wonderful job.
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This week I will not be going into work because they are shutting the office for the holiday week as well as for budget reasons (and because of being part-time-no pay for me). But the boys will still be attending camp, so I will get the afternoon to get some things done without them. DH and I might even schedule a date during that time...which would be nice to have quality time with him! However, the boys still have their hockey clinc...

Hockey...we have one more week of this clinic the boys have been attending. It is the one which is 4 days a week and this is week 6. It has been a great clinic for them - they have definitely developed new skills on and off the ice and had a lot of fun doing it. But getting everything organized and driving the 45 minutes each way and sitting there from 5-8 gets a little old. But like I said, this is the last week of this clinic. Next week we will not have any hockey to run off to...but then the following week (July 11-5) they both have a "tune up" clinic.
"Tune Up?", you might ask. Yes, while my boys have been on the ice without much down time - not all families do this much spring/summer hockey (and some do way more)...but tryouts for Robert is July 17, with the Bantam AAA (13-14yr age group). If he goes through the weekend and doesn't make this team, then he trys out for the Bantam AA the following weekend and so on. Matthew's tryouts are not until last weekend of July.

Well, if you made it this far, I give you a lot of kudos because this definitely got a lot longer than I had originally planned. All the boys are down at hockey...I have made plans to go to see "My Sister's Keeper" with a friend this morning (I'll let you know my thoughts tomorrow).

Thank you for visiting! Hope your weekend is going well and you are able to stay cool if it is hot outside, dry if it is raining and warm if it is cold!
Remember....Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often! Lisa

PS Exchange made it across the ocean!

After a visit to the Year Long Prairie Schooler Exchange, I read a post from yesterday that announced Elisabeth received the pillow I sent her...yeah! I was really getting worried as I did send it out on May 28 (unfortunately I sent it regular air mail because anything quicker was about 3x more...and it had to travel to France). So, now I get to post the photos I took before I wrapped it up and sent it out the door.

The pattern I stitched is from Book 137 - Summer Breeze. I used the DMC colors it called for. I stitched as per the pattern, except for the lines that separated the small squares - it was suppose to be backstitched, but I decided to to 2 lines of xstitch. I think that I used a 32ct evenweave, but don't remember exactally. I finished it as a pillow (this was my first pillow finish, too, using my new sewing machine). Since I forgot to stitch a piece with my name/initials and the date, I attached a tag I had designed several years ago. All in all, I was very pleased with the way it turned out and I hope that Elisabeth enjoys it. The photos I took of it included the Orchid plant I got from the hockey team back in May at the year-end team party. It is still alive after a month (yahoo).

This was my first completed exchange...one of my goals for 2009 was to sign up for an exchange and complete it...so now I have. And I am very pleased with the way this has gone and very excited that my first one was with someone who was outside of US, as it makes it more "exciting". Those outside of the needlework community, who have never heard of exchanges or round-robins, were amazed that I was stitching something for someone I didn't know and sending it off to France. But what I like about exchanges is...it allows me to stitch things and then give them away to someone. I know that I do this for my family, but they don't always find enjoyment in my stitched pieces as someone who stitches themselves and has more of an appreciation for the amount of work that goes in to it. I have now signed up for the 3rd Round of the PS Exchange and will be finishing a couple of L*K Exchange pieces for mail date of July 1 and Aug 1.

Today is day 4 of Summer Vacation...the boys and I are enjoying quiet relaxing mornings. Around lunchtime we typically run a few errands and then it is hockey in the evening. On todays list of errands...Robert will need to turn in some paperwork for his Jr. Leader/counselor position he is doing at the city camp starting next week. He is too old for the camps, but too young to get a job...so the city has this wonderful program where they take "volunteers" to staff "junior" positions, helping out the counselors. In addition, this program also educates the Jr. Leaders about the job finding process...teaching them about writing resumes, going through interviews, writing a "thank you" letter after the interview, filling out job applications, taking responsiblity for their own schedule & communicating to their leader when they need to change the schedule, and then there is an exit interview at the end of the summer. It is a great program. In addition, there are leaders who have gone through the program themselves when they were in middle school and have been hired as soon as they were old enough for camp conselors and other positions with the city recreation program throughout the year.

Hope all is well with you.
Take care and remember: Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often! Lisa