Stitches with Camels

Moving on ...

2011-11-05T17:53:00.004+04:00

You can now find me here.

Book Review: Touch The Dark by Karen Chance

2009-10-17T20:52:00.002+04:00

Touch the Dark by Karen Chance

The blurb from the back cover:

Cassandra Palmer can see the future and communicate with spirits - talents that make her attractive to the dead and the undead. The ghosts of the dead aren't usually dangerous; they just like to talk ... a lot.

The undead are another matter.

Like any sensible girl, Cassie tries to avoid vampires. But when the bloodsucking mafioso she escaped three years ago finds Cassie again with vengeance on his mind, she's forced to turn to the vampire Senate for protection.

The undead senators won't help her for nothing, and Cassie finds herself working with one of their most powerful members, a dangerously seductive master vampire - and the price he demands may be more than Cassie is willing to pay ...

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I wanted to like this book, really I did, but in the end it was just okay. Which was kind of disappointing since I had read her short story "Day of the Dead" (which can found here - http://www.karenchance.com/books_dayofth...) and liked it.

While reading this book I felt like I was missing something and found myself confused for the most part. The constant explanations and descriptions in the middle of conversations and actions between characters contributed to that. I know they are necessary to set up the world and characters in the first book of a series but I found my eyes glazing over on more than one occasion. I may have even nodded off a time or two as well! I did keep reading however, hoping it would improve and it did slightly, mostly towards the end.

Despite my so-so experience with this book, I will read the next book in the series, and hope that it does indeed get better as I've heard.

View all my reviews >>

What I've been reading ...

2009-10-04T16:58:00.001+04:00

How to Murder a Millionaire by Nancy Martin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a fun read. I like a bit more romance with my mysteries but what there was picqued my interest enough to search out the rest of the books in this series.

3.5 stars

View all my reviews >>

Sorry, still no stitching.

Perhaps ...

2009-07-24T22:57:00.003+04:00

"Reading With Camels" may be a more appropriate name for this blog right now! That is all I appear to be doing at the moment - if you are a member of Goodreads, you may have noticed that!

I can't remember the last time I picked up a needle and thread, all I know is that it has been a while. I'm sure the desire to stitch will eventually return but right now I'm content in my world of books :) I'm currently having fun re-organising my bookcases and entering my books into an Excel spreadsheet (I'm sure it would go a lot faster if I could just stop getting distracted by the blessed things!). A lot of the books I read are part of a series or the author is quite prolific, and I need to keep track of what I have and what I need to buy so I don't double up. It is also giving me a chance to put aside a pile for the second-hand book store. I don't like to part with my books but I have a few that I couldn't get into and didn't finish, and I'd rather have their spaces taken up with books that I do enjoy and will read again.

Unfortunately, all this reading hasn't included keeping up with my Google Reader and I'm very much behind on what's been going on out in the stitching/blogging world. I shall just have to keep trying to read a few a day to catch up!

Books, books and more books!

2009-05-18T23:21:00.002+04:00

I have become obsessed with them! I've read 13 books so far this month (I'm a recluse - I don't go out much and sleep is highly over-rated IMHO :)). I've been making my way through the pile I bought home from the US but I'm also becoming very well known in my local Border's :) I'm sure the security guard thinks "OMG, she's here again!!!" every time he sees me walk in - lol. Well, I am in there at least twice a week while the kids are at their guitar lessons - the music school is in the same shopping centre and very conveniently within a five minute walk to Border's - and I invariably walk out with at least one or two (or more!) books to add to my collection.

I blame my obsession on Goodreads :) Keep discovering new series and authors, and more recently, monthly challenges that peak my interest which then sends me on yet another quest to Border's. At the moment I'm fantasizing about turning our guest bedroom into a library - wonder what DH's reaction to that would be, LOL?

I haven't completely abandoned my stitching though. I've been making slow progress on Plum Gothic and Dark Cherry but not much else. Will upload pics in the next day or two.

So, there you go. I'm around, just have my nose stuck in a book and in some alternate reality :)

Sorry ...

2009-04-15T13:49:00.004+04:00

Karin and Diane, but I can't oblige with a stash photo. Can you believe that I bought NO stash while in the US? Nada, not a thing, didn't even enter a store selling anything resembling needlework nor did I came across one (wasn't actively looking though).

Very sad state of affairs :)

Wanna see how many books I bought home?

2009-04-14T22:08:00.004+04:00

I think I've forgotten how to stitch!

Oh, and by the way, I read 13 of those books while away too :)

In Washington, DC

2009-04-06T04:54:00.002+04:00

Niagara Falls was awesome! We stayed on the Canadian side and had a fantastic view of both the Horseshoe and American Falls from our hotel room. We had one really nice day where we took a tour and checked out the tunnels beneath the Falls, and went up the Skylon Tower. The Maid of the Mist wasn't yet running - too early in the season. Unfortunately, our last full day (Friday) was rather wet and miserable but we managed to explore the main tourist area in Clifton Hill and take a turn on the Sky Wheel.

We arrived in Washington yesterday to an absolutely beautiful day and LOADS of people!! Our taxi driver informed us that the Cherry Blossom Festival was on this weekend. I don't think I've seen so many people in one place!! We awoke to another beautiful day today and after a slow morning we walked down towards the White House, the Washington Monument and then headed towards the Lincoln Memorial. Couldn't get near for the amount of people so we decided to try again later in the week.

Off to Niagara Falls tomorrow!

2009-04-01T00:43:00.002+04:00

Another spur of the moment thing :) Three nights in Niagara Falls and then we head to Washington.

We spent our last day in New York today at the Ripley's Believe Or Not Odditorium. We arrived just as they were preparing to unveil a likeness of President Obama made out of gum-balls and they asked the kids if they wanted to help unveil for the press conference. It was pretty cool. CBS Worldwide were there too so family and friends in Australia and Dubai might see them. The marketing and PR ladies took our details and said they would email us any pics and/or articles. I think the experience will be a highlight of the kids' trip :)

We wandered back to our hotel in Times Square via Fifth Avenue where DH did a little shopping. Had hoped to get to Strand Books (thanks for the tip, Megan) but we'll have to save it up for next time. We all enjoy New York so I'm sure we will be back again :)

Hello, New York!

2009-03-30T01:14:00.003+04:00

Yes, I'm in the Big Apple! It was a spur of the moment idea DH had about a month or so ago and the last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind of organising dog/house-sitters, passports (had to renew the kids' passports before we left), etc, but here we are.

The weather has been a bit chilly but the first couple of days have been clear at least so we managed to get some great views from the top of the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center. Today was foggy and rain has been forecast this afternoon so we decided to just do some exploring on foot. DS wanted to find a Games Workshop outlet as well as a new scooter. I just wanted to find a well-stocked bookstore (I've been reading a lot more than stitching lately). We've walked quite a bit today and weren't very successful with DS's mission but I managed to find a Borders and cross off several books of my wish-list. I tend to read a lot of series (ie. Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter, Julia Quinn's Bridgertons, Keri Arthur's Guardian, Cheyenne McCray's D'Anu/Tuatha D'Danann series) plus a few new-to-me authors through Goodreads that I'm keen to discover :) I do have a regular bookstore in Dubai but frustratingly they will be missing a vital volume and I am quite anal about reading my books in order. Anyway, I've filled in a few gaps today and hope to find a Barnes & Noble or some other bookstore tomorrow to fill in a couple more that I couldn't today. DH's expression when he saw my armful of books was priceless - lol. I don't think he quite believes on how serious I am on hitting another bookstore tomorrow :).

Well, I must go and see if anyone is interested in dinner :)

The reason for my absence ...

2009-02-25T15:09:00.004+04:00

My SIL and nephew stopped over with us for a few days on their way through from the UK to visit family in Australia. J was born in August seven weeks early - he's six months old now and is just adorable :)

Progress!

2009-02-13T22:48:00.004+04:00

Don't you just love those pouty lips?!

I've been working on Dark Cherry and The Encounter too but just haven't got around to taking up-to-date progress shots yet. It is SAL weekend for Dark Cherry so I will wait until that's finished before taking another pic.

Ruth asked how it is that I find over one stitching to be soothing - lol. I honestly don't know :) I get into a zone where I can just leave everything behind, be it a crappy day or worry over a family member or friend, and head off to daydream land for a couple of hours. If something's bothering me I've usually thought out a solution after a stitching session too :) And, it always amazes me that after hours of stitching tiny little crosses, it will take just one and suddenly an eye or a mouth, or a turret of a castle or a tiny little flower or leaf, will appear.

Or it could be that I'm just bonkers - lol!

Quick Stitchy Update

2009-01-23T12:45:00.005+04:00

Have a few things to blog about but have only got time to quickly upload some HAED WIP updates at the moment. Normal (and hopefully regular!) blogging to resume shortly!!

I've recently gotten back into my HAED stitching, I'd forgotten how soothing I find it and it has helped me get through these last few weeks.

First up is a new start, QS Dark Cherry by Ching-Chou Kuik. This is my yearly challenge SAL piece on the HAED BB with monthly SALs on the second weekend of each month. This is what I managed for the January SAL and given that I had family here didn't think this was too bad an effort :) Stitched on antique white 25 count lugana with DMC and PB10 for the sparkles. Started on 10 January 2009.

Next up is my current progress on QS Plum Gothic by Caron Vinson. I was hoping to finish this last year but with one thing and another that didn't happen. This year!

Lastly, my current progress on The Encounter by Ed Beard Jr. This is a full size HAED (36 pages, which is not as big as some). DS chose this chart and wants me to stitch it up for his birthday. He didn't specify which birthday but I'm estimating I may have it done in time for his 21st - lol! Stitched on 25 count white lugana with DMC and PB10 for the sparkles. Can't remember when I started this - early last year I think.

Lovely PIF received!

2009-01-05T20:29:00.004+04:00

This arrived in the mail the day before Christmas from Karen - isn't it lovely? An email of thanks is on it's way to you, Karen :)

Since I had no sign-ups I will be sending out random gifts over the next month or so.

My parents are visiting and well, to be honest, things haven't gone well for the start of their trip. However, this post isn't the time or place to go into details. Another time, perhaps.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T19:20:00.002+04:00

Been Quiet Around Here!

2008-12-12T21:36:00.006+04:00

The second half of November was busy - had a couple of things, stitching-wise, I wanted to get completed. Managed them but only just!

My November ornament:

Tipsy Tree by Charland Designs - Just Cross Stitch 2007 Ornament Issue

Stitched on 28 count natural linen with GAST threads

My Thanksgiving ornament for the Seasonal Ornament SAL blog:

Turkey Ornament from Lizzie*Kate's Fall Crazy leaflet

Stitched on mystery hand-dye remnant with DMC threads

I also completed a needlecase (my first ever) for the Monthly Finishing Challenge blog but I'm less than impressed with the finishing so didn't bother taking a pic and will probably ditch it.

I've been doing a LOT of reading over the last few weeks which means very little stitching so far this month! I have got myself hooked on the "In Death" series of books by J D Robb (aka Nora Roberts) in a big way (just check out my Goodreads widget in the sidebar!!)! No sooner have I finished one then I start on the next one even when I should be doing something else!! Not sure what it is about them that gets me in. I guess they have all the elements I enjoy reading - crime, action, humour and in-between-the-sheets action (although not necessarily always in-between-the-sheets!!) which takes me out of my reality for a while :)

I need it because the next few weeks are going to be crazy busy, next week is bad enough!!

My parents are coming for a visit in a week's time so I need to finish getting the guest room ready. The beds are made but I still need to move my craft stuff out of the wardrobe so they have room for their clothing, etc. They are staying for nearly six weeks so I won't have easy access to the room.

DH and I decided to revamp the upstairs activity area for the kids for Christmas. A new bigger tv, wall unit, new couch, get rid of the computer desks, give them more space, trend it up. Since the bigger tv is downstairs they (and their friends) have made the loungeroom their second home which means DH and I have to fight for the remote to watch what we want when we want or even just the chance or space to stretch out on the couch and chill. Another reason I haven't been stitching as much. They do clear out when we tell them too but they wouldn't need to if they had their own decent fun space :)

Anyway, because of that brilliant idea, I've been waiting for goods to be delivered - the wall unit came yesterday but one of the side pieces was damaged so it is still in pieces until they can bring a replacement one on Monday. Because of that I had to re-schedule the delivery and installation of the tv which has put things back a few more days. There is stuff everywhere, which will eventually go into the wall unit, but it is starting to drive me just a little bit batty.

I also decided, in a moment of insanity, that the kids' bedroom closets needed a thorough de-cluttering and re-organising - a process which is still ongoing and which probably would have been done by now if the kids were at school. They've been off since the beginning of December for the UAE National Day and Eid holidays. DD goes back to school on Sunday but only till Thursday when they break up again for the winter holiday until January 4th. Due to some program the high school has on next week, which has cause for the majority of teachers and students to be absent, DS is off till January 4th. Apparently there will only be six teachers and the remaining students will be split into groups and doing some sort of "fun" program instead of their regularly scheduled classes. I've given him the option of going to school or staying home and helping me out with the shopping and various other errands and the sorting out of things around the house. He opted for staying at home and helping me only because he doesn't think I'm serious about him helping. Boy, is he in for a surprise!!

Somewhere, somehow in the next few days I need to finish the Christmas shopping! It would be so much easier if I knew what to buy - the kids are easy and are pretty much done - but DH and the parents - bah!! DH, DD and I did a little today and I got a couple of ideas for DH so I'll hit one of the nearby malls one day next week and try to get him sorted out. Of course, it doesn't help that his birthday is three days before Christmas! I do have something in mind for that though, thank goodness! The parents I'm thinking I'll take Christmas shopping when they get here! I also need to figure out what we'll be having for Christmas lunch and start buying the food for that, although that could probably wait until mum and dad get here too. Mum, at least, would probably enjoy the chance to come along and help. I plan to do a quick grocery shop on Sunday for the regular stuff which DS will be thrilled about, no doubt - muwahahaha!!

Somewhere in between things being delivered and the shopping next week, I need to squeeze in a doctor's appointment, take the dog to the vet for her annual check-up and vaccinations, helping out with DD's class Christmas party (for which a date hasn't been set) and get my bicycle to the repair shop. The back tyre has a puncture courtesy of a massive bougainevillea thorn.

I will get it all done but I don't usually leave things like this to the last minute - my usual spark just isn't there this year. DH has travelled for work quite a bit over the last 12 months (and is off again tomorrow!) and I guess I'm just plum tuckered out :)

Well, this has turned out to be longer than I anticipated - if you've made it this far through my ramblings, congratulations and thank you :) I'll say goodnight now and go bury myself in a book!

Great Mail Day!

2008-11-11T11:01:00.004+04:00

I was in an Ornament Exchange with another group recently and today I received this lovely ornament from Meari. Thank you, Meari, I love it :)

I also received my order from Needle In A Haystack - yay! I'm off to make myself a cuppa and paw my way through those mags :)

Goofy Girls and Puppy Dogs

2008-11-09T21:31:00.003+04:00

I looked up from the kitchen workbench last night and was greeted by this scene at the back door - DD and her friend were clearly bored of playing with the dogs - luckily my camera was close at hand :)

We are dog-sitting a friend's dog while she is away - Rabbit (yes, that's his name) is the brown/black dog on the left. He's a bit of a show-off :)

Pumpkins and Pretty Scissors

2008-11-02T23:03:00.001+04:00

Horrified by Just Nan

Stitched on 32 count Summer Khaki Belfast linen
with the called for DMC threads.

I was hoping to have this done in time for Halloween but I was a day late. I finished it up yesterday and popped it in the frame last night. Decided to keep it on display for a bit longer - it is autumn after all :)

I'd seen the pretty Roberta Gingher scissors on a few blogs recently and figured I would add a pair to my collection. The Bianca pair just happened to fall into the shopping cart at the same time :) I ordered them through Mike & Carol's Internet Store a week ago and they arrived on Wednesday - four days to get here!! Brilliant service and given that I have a "thing" for scissors I will definitely purchase through them again.

October Ornament

2008-10-30T23:51:00.001+04:00

Snowflake 2007 by Heritage Series
Just Cross Stitch 2007 Ornament Issue Magazine

Stitched on a grab-bag piece of CountryStitch hand-dyed evenweave with Petite Treasure Braid PB10 and white Mill Hill beads. Finished as a frayed edge pillow (a finishing technique I borrowed from Ruth - thanks, Ruth!

Thank you for all the wonderful comments on my Jingle Sparkle Joy finish - ever so much appreciated :)

Jingle Sparkle Joy Ornament

2008-10-26T12:22:00.004+04:00

I made this up into an ornament last night but realised this morning that I forgot to put a hanger on it - D'oh! Anyway, during my Pilates class this morning I had a sudden flash of inspiration and when I came home I made the idea a reality :)

I'm happy with how it turned out and I hope my exchange partner is too. I don't think she reads my blog but just in case I whited out her initials :)

Another finish ...

2008-10-25T19:41:00.005+04:00

I finished stitching this in the wee hours of this morning (about 1am I think). It is a freebie from Midsummer Night Designs and can be found here. I stitched it on white 32 count opalescent lugana with the suggested DMC threads. Just before 2am I was dunking the finished piece in coffee - the white was just too stark and I wanted to tone it down :)

This is for an exchange so after I post this I will go and finish-finish it and get it packaged up and ready to send off to it's new home next week.

Thank you one and all for your lovely comments on Happy Haunting. I think I will set Tuesday aside this week to finish it off into a flatfold - should be interesting!!

Also, thank you Alison for the link to your new blog - I shall be over shortly to check it out and say hello :)

A finish and a few starts :)

2008-10-24T11:44:00.010+04:00

Happy Haunting by Lizzie*Kate

I finished this around 11.30pm on Wednesday night - tried to post yesterday but Blogger wouldn't let me for some reason.

I stitched this up on a 30 count hand-dyed linen remnant I came across in my fabric stash with DMC threads. I can't find the tag now but I think the linen colour is called "Iced Cappucino" - no idea on the company though.

I am thinking of making my first flatfold with this finish for the Monthly Finishing Challenge. I'm limited with backing fabric choice but I thought the one in the pic might work - what do you think?

After the Lizzie*Kate finish I started another Halloween design - Just Nan's Ghoulies & Ghosties. Should have gone to bed but it wasn't yet midnight and I had everything ready to go. Managed a few stitches before nodding off :)

I stitched some more on it this morning. This is my progress so far :) I'm using CountryStitch's 28 count "Cappucino" lugana and DMC threads for this one. Mmmm, seems to be a bit of a theme happening with my fabric choices there - lol!

I've put the JN aside for now though as I need to make a start on an exchange piece plus my October ornament and I also want to get a BCA piece finished before the end of October!

The BCA piece is a free design from Romy in Austria's blog. I'm afraid the camera flash has washed out the colours but the lighter pink is Dinky Dyes "Linda's Roses" (Limited Edition silk) and the darker pink is HDF's Rose Quartz 1369. The fabric is black 28 count Monaco.

I sat stitching at my dining table yesterday as the natural light coming in through the windows was wonderful and I could spread out more than I can in my usual stitching spot in the lounge. There is stuff everywhere although not as bad as my finishing frenzy day :) I really need my own stitching room!

Now on to something totally unrelated to stitching. DH and I don't go out a lot but last night we were to meet some friends/work colleagues of DH's for dinner. Octoberfest is on - one of our friends was particularly excited by this fact so thought it would be the perfect excuse for a night out :) Thursday night is the beginning of our weekend here. Our dinner reservation was for 7.30pm, the hotel is a 10 minute drive from our place, maybe 15. We left home at 7pm - you can see where this is going can't you? At 7.02pm we hit a massive queue of traffic - all of which appeared to be going in the same direction we were. It took us AN HOUR to get to the hotel! At 8pm we finally pull up to the front entrance of the hotel only to be told that valet parking is full (despite us having a reservation)!! We would have to backtrack to the public carpark, park there and walk back to the hotel. It would probably have taken us 25 mins in traffic to get back to the carpark (road system all one way in that area), then a 10-15 minute walk back to the hotel ... in high heels. Uh no, I don't think so! So we gave up, called our friends and apologised but we're going home! It took us less than 5 mins to get back home!

DH rang another couple that were supposed to be going and found out they were about 15 mins in the queue of traffic behind us - warned them there was no valet parking at the hotel and to park in the public carpark which they hadn't got to yet.

I've since heard there were apparently 600 people there - nobody would have heard what anyone was saying anyway!!!

Right, I'm off to clear off the dining table so we can have some lunch :)

Thank you :)

2008-10-17T00:28:00.002+04:00

For all the lovely comments you all left on my finishing frenzy finishes! Wow, made my day :) I didn't mean to take so long to respond with my thanks but DS came down with a rather nasty cold last week and had a couple of days off school, DH was away again and DD has been quite the social butterfly recently which means I have spent quite a bit of time in my truck driving here, there and everywhere! I, who very rarely gets sick, appear to have caught DS' cold ... so nice of him to share ... NOT!

Now, some quick replies to some previous recent comments and then I'm off to try and get some sleep - we've got a busy weekend lined up!

Ruth and Sharon, info about the Spot Sampler Mystery SAL can be found here.

Speaking of the Spot Sampler, Cathy, I will eventually stitch up the ornament found on the Spot Sampler Blog - have a few other little things up my sleeve at the moment though :)

Megan, I quite enjoy stitching on black and have a couple I'm in the process of kitting up (Spot Sampler and Ink Circles Hanky Pysanky) - how insane does that make me - lol?

Good night all!

Finishing Frenzy Pictures

2008-10-08T14:01:00.033+04:00

Here are the pics as promised. Hover your cursor over the pic for the design details.

Remember when I blogged about this? Well, I finally finished sewing on the beads and found something to put on the top of the tree. I wanted a pale pink heart but just couldn't find one so I settled on the silver star instead. I thought about another pillow finish but decided to make up a needleroll instead. This is my "pink" contribution for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

I went looking for a bigger display container and found this wooden tray tucked away in a cupboard. It works well although I need to stitch and finish a few more items to fill in the empty spaces!

Now I need to get cracking on some Halloween ornaments!

Finishing Frenzy!

2008-10-08T00:28:00.003+04:00

Despite waking with a headache this morning and its constant presence throughout the day, I still pulled out the sewing machine and my precious stash of finishing items, and went crazy :). So much so that I'm almost out of polyfill!

Pics will have to wait until tomorrow though (sorry!) - it is well after midnight and I need sleep!

My dining room looks a mess and the dog has gone into hiding (under my desk in the study) but it has been a good productive day :)

Thanks for stopping by!

The mailman bringeth ...

2008-10-06T21:46:00.005+04:00

My JCS 2008 Christmas Ornament issue along with this month's FOTM from CountryStitch arrived this morning. I had a quick peruse while having my second cup of tea this morning (after cycling to school with the kids and then walking the dog I was parched!) - I will have to go through it again and note down the ones I'm keen to stitch.

I didn't end up watching American Chopper on Friday night (it was a repeat of a show which we'd seen at the beginning of the summer) which meant I didn't end up stitching. Saturday was spent mostly doing laundry!

Yesterday, however, I stitched this ...

Spot Sampler Christmas Ornament
Stickideen von der Wiehenburg 2008
Stitched on black 28 count Monaco with HDF mystery spool

I joined another Stickideen von der Wiehenburg mystery SAL - this time it is a Spot Sampler. Apparently there will lots of motifs that can be used for Christmas ornaments. This one was a freebie for members of the Spot Sampler group. At the moment I'm just collecting the pages - no plans to start stitching it yet (but I am fickle so who knows!). I am toying with the idea of stitching it on black, no idea on threads yet but I am test-stitching another one of these ornaments with another HDF mystery spool in a green colourway. Will probably finish it tomorrow. Not sure if I like it or not yet.

I plan on having a finishing day tomorrow although I do need to go to the vet and get a new registration tag for the dog. I stood on her current one a couple of weekends ago when DH was giving her a bath and broke it - oops! If I do that early I should still have a good few hours to finish a few ornaments before the kids get home from school.

It's getting late so I'd better call it a night. Thanks for stopping by and I'm glad ya'll like the new look :) Ooo, which reminds me, since I'm on a real Halloween kick right now, I started pulling threads for Just Nan's Ghoulies & Ghosties today too. I really wanted to start it this afternoon but I'm short one colour *sigh*.

There is something else I was going to mention but I think I will leave it for tomorrow :)

New Look for October

2008-10-03T22:16:00.004+04:00

Coming from Australia we've never really celebrated Halloween although autumn is one of my favourite times of year, and I've always had a thing for the fun spooky stuff :)

Of course since moving here all that has changed, and Halloween has sort of become a big thing in this house ... well for me and the kids, not so much DH :)

Hence the new look :)

I have been stitching - a HAED piece that DS chose late last year and asked me to stitch for him. It involves wizards and dragons - two of his favourite things and luckily mine too. I did start it earlier this year but unfortunately didn't get very far. There's not much to show but blobs of blue at the moment - I'll post progress pics when there's more to see. Oh, this is the chart - The Encounter - I started in the top left corner so you'll see what I mean about blobs of blue!

Thank you Rachel, Cathy, Sharon, Sally, Kim and Lelia for dropping by and admiring my latest ornament finish. Sharon and Kim, I hope you get your respective mojos back soon too!

I'm about to go and make myself a cup of tea, settle into my stitching chair and watch American Chopper :)

September Ornament

2008-10-01T23:50:00.003+04:00

A Star, A Star by The Sunflower Seed
from the JCS 2007 Ornament Magazine

I used DMC floss and substituted Kreinik 002V #4 braid for the PB01. I also used Mill Hill 42011 beads instead of 40557. Stitched on 32 count Kiwi Illusions "Oyster" lugana.

Started and finished 30 September - put the last beads on at 11.54pm!

I haven't been doing much of anything since we returned from holidays, except to read (boy, have I read a load of books in the last few weeks!). I came back feeling restless and disenchanted. I do enjoy (for the most part) life here but there are times when the constant heat, humidity, dust, construction, roadworks and the ensuing traffic chaos get the better of me. The fact is I'm not a big city type of girl yet I find myself living in one - go figure! It was also Ramadan (officially ended today) - not being able to eat and drink in public during the daylight hours doesn't bother me - it is the morons on the road who become even more moronic on the roads, the shortened business hours and the insane amount of time it takes to do something relatively straight forward and simple. Then I get angry with myself because I have much to be thankful for. Unfortunately, this feeling of blah has affected my motivation to stitch - it just hasn't been there - in fact this ornament is the most I've stitched in weeks! I did pick up the knitting bug while away but even that has been put away.

Still, there are signs of hope of a return to normality :) I've stitched some on a HAED WIP tonight and have pulled another out of hibernation to work on tomorrow. I got my September ornament done and I have an urge to get out the sewing machine and have a finishing day - perhaps over the weekend. I've also signed up for an Ornament exchange which is the first exchange I've participated in for a long time! Last but certainly not least, I've blogged :)

I'm back :)

2008-08-30T23:46:00.002+04:00

Will fill you in our trip and get back into blogging mode next week after the kids have gone back to school and our dog/house-sitters have left :)

Ornament for August

2008-08-08T22:00:00.005+04:00

Rudy by Glory Bee - JCS 2007

Stitched on natural 28 count linen
Graziano, I think - it was a scrap leftover from another project)
with DMC threads.

Oh, and a bead from Mill Hill :)

My apologies for the creases! I haven't had a chance to give him a press as DH has gone to bed and the iron and board are kept in our walk-in closet - it will have to wait until I have a finishing day.

I will be a little quiet for a couple of weeks - our dog/house-sitters arrived today and DH, myself and the munchkins head for the airport tomorrow for a little summer travelling. We will be taking a laptop so I may have a chance to do a post or two while away. Depends on internet availability, cost and whether DS will let me use HIS laptop - lol!!

Something I've been remiss at lately (!!) and that is thanking those of you who stop by and leave me a comment! They put a smile on my face and I really appreciate them. So, a big thank to you all :)

I must go and check my list and make sure I have everything packed and organised, and then to bed I think. The last few days have been a whirlwind of grocery shopping, laundry and re-organising my kitchen cupboards, and I've been awake since 5.30am this morning - it is after midnight as I write this! I can go away safe in the knowledge that my house guests have a well-stocked fridge/freezer and well-organised cupboards :)

Oops, almost forgot! Here's an update on Morag (aka Moonlight Guardian by Dragon Dreams). She is coming on holidays with me - which reminds me I'd better replace my scissors with my Clover thread cutter for stitching on the plane :)

Randomness :)

2008-08-03T14:34:00.001+04:00

Random Questions. (:

What time do you go to bed?: Anywhere from 11pm to 2am lately!
Do you drink coffee?: Rarely, prefer tea.
What was the last song you listened to?: Just For, Nickelback
How old were you when you got/gave your first kiss?: Way too long ago to remember, probably in my early teens.
What kind of ice cream is your favorite?: Don't like ice cream.
Have you ever met an internet friend in real life?: Yes.
Are you/have you ever been anorexic?: No!
Do you know which US states don't use Daylight Saving Time?: No idea - don't live in the States.
What size shoe do you wear?: 7
Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?: My friend and neighbour.
Which is more important in your life, TV or Internet?: Internet.
Do you have an iPod?: Yes.
Have you ever been fired from a job?: No.
Have you ever taken something you knew belonged to someone else?: Yes.
Do you overuse smileys?: No.
Who is better; Madonna or Blondie?: Blondie.
Who is better; Elton John or Billy Joel?: Don't like either.
Do you know the song Total Eclipse Of The Heart?: Yes.
When was the last time you ate something?: About an hour ago.
Name three website you visit every day:: Google Reader, Yahoo Mail and Heaven & Earth Designs Yuku Board.
Have you seen all of the Jaws movies?: No.
Do you have Entomophobia?: Yes.
Do you know what Entomophobia is?: Yes.
Have you ever worn black eyeliner?: Everyday.
Have you ever worn blue mascara?: Yes, long time ago.
Ever spiked your hair?: Yes, even longer time ago!
How long have you had a computer?: 10 years.
Have you ever written something, and published it on the internet?: Yes.
Do you have a crush on anyone at the moment?: Yes.
Do you like Starbucks?: Not really but prefer them to Second Cup or Gloria Jean's.
Have you ever owned a kitten?: No.
Is it raining where you are?: Definitely and unfortunately not!
When was the last time you played cards? (not on the computer): No idea.
Can you play chess?: Nope.
Ever owned a pair of the original Nikes? (white, with only a single swoosh): Nope.
Ever worn leg warmers?: Oh yeah!
When was the last time you read a book over 700 pages long?: Don't know - a while ago I suppose.
How many people are on your IM friends list?: Don't do IM.
How many hours of sleep do you usually get?: 4-6
Have you ever drank cherry coke?: Yes.
Do you prefer using pens or pencils?: Pens.
Have you ever skipped for a long distance?: No.
Have you ever had a black eye?: Yes.
The torture is over, you may now leave. (:

Fill out this survey yourself
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Best laid plans and all that ...

2008-07-27T23:58:00.005+04:00

For the past couple of nights I've been working on my Spanish Mystery Sampler - part three was released last week and I'm still working my way through part one. Anyway, I finished off a thread, and sat back to look at my progress. That's when I thought to myself "something doesn't look right" and sure enough, on closer inspection, I see my mistake. I check the chart and there's an error on the chart and I missed it. (Note to self, check SAL boards more frequently as there was notification of said chart error!).

I've put it to one side until I decide whether I want to frog out two nights worth of stitching over one on black, or just get a fresh piece of fabric and start over *sigh*. I briefly thought of leaving it that way - nobody will probably notice - but I will know and that takes the shine off of it for me.

So, to make myself feel better I started something new :) I've been admiring Dani's Moonlight Guardian (Dragon Dreams) WIP for some time and since I've had it kitted up for ages, well ... I'll let the pic speak for itself :)

Meet Morag ... :)

DMC cotton floss, rayon, Kreinik and Caron silks over two
on Kiwi Illusions (CountryStitch) 28 count Twilight hand-dyed lugana.

I had kitted it up with one or two choices of fabric and so spent a little while deciding which one I liked best. This decision making process also involved pulling out a couple of other options from my fabric stash before making my final choice!

Of course by this time it was almost 1am and I really should have gone to bed but as you can see I didn't :) Well, it was Sunday, the kids are on holidays and who needs sleep!!

I've been stitching on it in between chores today and it is really coming along nicely - I'll post another pic tomorrow :)

Heaven & Earth Designs LE Tornado Relief Chart

2008-07-27T14:36:00.005+04:00

Recently the owners of HAED (the fabulous Michele & Bob) had their home and property devastated by a tornado. One of my favourite HAED artists, Ching-Chou Kuik, donated this beautiful piece of artwork for charting to be used to raise funds for tornado relief. Proceeds raised will go towards the major clean-up and debris removal operation now faced by the family.

Flow Runners is a limited edition chart and will only be available for two weeks. If you want to help, purchase details can be found here.

Being the major HAED fan that I am, I have already made my purchase and will probably add this to my WIP list next year :)

Pic as promised :)

2008-07-26T23:49:00.003+04:00

Vierlanden Susanne Sampler
(c) 2008 Stickideen von der Wiehenburg

Stitched with one strand of HDF premium silk "Dusty Rose"
(retired colour now I believe)
over two on 32 count "Hydrangea" Kiwi Illusions lugana from CountryStitch.

Finally, it is done!

2008-07-26T15:39:00.005+04:00

I put the last stitch in my Vierlanden Susanne Sampler just after midnight last night - yay! No pic yet as she is having a bath, then I will iron it dry and take a pic and upload later.

I had hoped to have this finished on Monday but the courier did in fact turn up first thing that morning so I was able to take the kids school uniform shopping as planned. They were ecstatic!

The uniform shop is unfortunately no where near the school, the traffic is awful consisting mostly of lots of very large trucks (lorries), and the sign-posting is non-existent or easily hidden behind long lines of said very large trucks! I am glad that I found some directions online and printed them off before we set off. Anyway, we made it and I spent a fortune (DS and DD have grown a LOT this past school year so I had to get everything!) on kitting the kids out. Unfortunately, DS and I will have to go back later in August as they didn't have his size trousers in stock *sigh*. At least I know where to go now, and hopefully won't miss the turn (like I did on Monday because I couldn't see the sign!) on the way back that turned a 25 minute trip into a 45 minute + trip!!

Tuesday morning, in between loads of laundry, I started sorting out the study - filing away papers and getting a pile ready for shredding. Tuesday afternoon DS had his classical guitar lesson so DD and I wandered around the shops for an hour planning to buy a paper shredder (unsuccessful) while waiting for him.

Wednesday morning was spent in the truck running a couple of errands, and then Wednesday afternoon I made a start on my scissor pocket which is this month's theme for the Monthly Finishing Challenge blog.

Thursday morning I was up early to walk the dog before it got too hot. The kids were still asleep when I got back so I went around tidying up before my cleaning lady came in. Mid morning I was down at my friend's sorting out a maintenance problem (they were away and their maid came to me for help - we use the same maintenance company). Got that sorted, fed the kids some lunch then we headed off to the cinema to see "Get Smart". So funny - I had a giggling fit after one scene and I still have a bit of a chuckle when I think of it now. We will definitely be adding that to the home movie collection when it comes out on DVD :)

After the movie we headed down to the food court for some dinner following which DS had an electric guitar lesson (the music school is in the same shopping centre as the cinema). While we were waiting, DD and I headed down to the hypermarket in my quest for a paper shredder (mission successful).

Around 7.30pm it was time to head home, feed the dog and take her for her evening walk, make myself a cup of tea and settle in my stitching chair in front of the tv. I stitched on Carnation Quaker while watching American Chopper and the return of Bones (Season 3).

I'd better go and check on the bathing beauty - be back soon with a pic.

but not quite :)

2008-07-20T11:59:00.001+04:00

I've never been good at estimating how long something is going to take me to stitch and the Susanne Sampler was no exception :)

One more stitching session should see it done though (I hope!), which I may get tomorrow. I had planned a thrilling adventure to the school uniform shop for tomorrow morning but that has to be postponed until Tuesday because of a courier delivery I'm expecting tomorrow. So, a possible stitching day - yay me!

I bet you could hear the kids' collective sigh of relief where you are?

:)

Of course if the courier comes early morning, the school uniform shopping trip could still be on - muwahahaha!

Almost ...

2008-07-19T22:12:00.003+04:00

Terrible photo, sorry, but I'm on the home stretch now and hope to finish this tonight, so I will take a better one in the daylight tomorrow! Wish me luck!

July Ornament

2008-07-19T15:22:00.004+04:00

I started this little guy on Wednesday and finished him up last night :)

The Decorator by Full Circle Designs
Just Cross Stitch 2007 Ornament Issue

Stitched on a mystery hand-dyed 28 count opalescent
evenweave with DMC threads

I succumbed ...

2008-07-14T12:37:00.002+04:00

to another new start today. The kids helped me choose the colours :)

This is Carnation Quaker Mystery Sampler from Wiehenburg Designs (available only to members of the Wiehenburg Samplers Yahoo Group). I tried to resist, really, but I kept seeing all the wonderful WIP pics and well, resistance was futile :)

I'm using HDF silks Mauve 1441 and Jewel Weed 3167, one strand over two on antique white 40 count Newcastle linen.

Joss Whedon fans ...

2008-07-02T19:37:00.001+04:00

Check this out!

Then spread the word!!

June Ornament

2008-06-30T10:18:00.003+04:00

Peace by Country Cottage Needleworks from the 2007 Ornament issue of Just Cross Stitch.

Stitched with DMC threads on 28 count mint lugana.

I was hoping to finish-finish it before photographing but up until a couple of days ago I hadn't found the right backing fabric (I'll probably finish it as a pinkeep). I'll try to get it done this afternoon ... if the kids will give me a few minutes peace!!!

Vierlanden Sampler Susanne progress

2008-06-22T01:21:00.006+04:00

I thought I would post my progress on this - I have a portable project I stitch on while waiting for the kids to come out of school in the afternoons and this one was the chosen one for last week. I'm back to my Quaker Mystery this week. Anyway, it is too hot for the kids to cycle to and from school now - not too bad in the mornings, but blisteringly hot in the afternoons - so I'm back to driving them. I need to get to school half an hour or so before they let out to get a car park. Very typical of Dubai, they construct multi-story building after multi-story building but don't consider the carparking requirements of the people who will eventually reside and/or work in them. Anyway, gripe over :)

I think I've finally cleared out my Blogger drafts folder which will explain the sudden influx of posts from me - maybe one more waiting on pics - but I'll do that tomorrow. Hang on, it is tomorrow, in fact its almost 1.30am - oops! Better go to bed - gotta get up in 4.5 hours!

Plant Love Pinkeep

2008-06-19T10:48:00.000+04:00

I stitched this up a week or so ago. It is a Lizzie*Kate design from Issue 28 May 2008 of the Gift of Stitching Online Magazine.

I finished it as a pinkeep and had planned to gift it away but I'm less than thrilled with how the finishing turned out (I'm a bit of a perfectionist at heart) so it will go into my smalls basket. They are probably minor things but they bother me :)

I had a lot of frogs visit me while I was stitching this too - pesky little critters!

June Edition of HAED BB Challenge SAL

2008-06-18T23:58:00.002+04:00

Before:

After:

I managed to finish the first page this time!

What it will look like when I'm eventually done!

Dream of Purple

High School Musical

2008-06-11T22:55:00.001+04:00

The high school held a music performance tonight and since DS was playing guitar in one of the items we went naturally went along :) He was accompanied by several of his classmates on various instruments (there were three on classical guitar which is what he plays) and performed the New Zealand folk song "Pokekarekare Ana". They were fantastic!

(Apologies for the quality of the pic - DD decided she wanted to be the photographer tonight!)

I was blown away by the level of talent in this show. We were entertained by some very musically gifted kids. I just wish that some of the parents in the audience could have shown a bit more respect for these kids who had put a lot of work into getting this show ready and were putting their all into it tonight. There was one woman sitting two rows behind us who did not stop talking (and loudly too!) throughout the entire show (except maybe briefly when her child was on stage) and this was despite being told to be quiet nicely by a lady sitting in the row directly behind me! That's just plain rude! Unfortunately, the talker wasn't the only one and I felt really sorry for the kids up on stage. How can a child learn respect when his/her parent is incapable of showing any?

I guess all I can do is try to teach it to my kids the best I can :)

New Starts

2008-06-09T21:01:00.000+04:00

A couple of weeks ago the HAED BB had a New Start SAL. I couldn't resist and started Ching Chou Kuik's Sweet Pink Mermaid. I've actually done more than this since this photo was taken. It's a nice stitch. One strand of DMC over one thread antique white 25 count lugana.

This is a Mother's Day freebie mystery exclusive to members of the Wiehenburg Samplers Yahoo Group which I started today. I'm using one strand of HDF's Premium silk "Dusty Rose" (discontinued I believe) over two threads of CountryStitch's 32 count lugana in "Hydrangea".

Dance Awards Ceremony

2008-06-06T18:30:00.000+04:00

It's been a long day! It was DD's dance awards ceremony today and we had to be at the theatre at 8.45am for hair and make-up to be done and get into costume for an 11am show start. I had my alarm set for 6.30am so I could walk the dog before we left but she had other ideas and woke me at 5.50am! Tikki is not allowed upstairs, knows the rule and obeys it ... except this morning!! Clearly she needed to go out in a hurry! I'm not sure she would have done it had DH been home (he's away on a business trip). Anyway, since I was up I decided to get her walk over and done with early :)

We made it to the theatre on time, found our seats and deposited DS and his book in one of them with instructions to guard the other two, while DD and I headed backstage. I pitched in to help out Miss Haley (DD's dance teacher) and a couple of other mums with getting the girls hair done. We had a serious production line going and I would hate to think how much hair gel we went through! I lost count of how many buns I did - several - but it was nothing compared to the braiding machine that was Miss Haley!

Once hair and make-up had been done it was on to the costumes.

I headed back out to my seat about 15 minutes or so before the performance was due to start and praised DS for being so patient. I am so glad he is a major bookworm! He defended our seats very well too as quite a few people had tried to claim them. There were no tickets - you just had to ring the dance school's office to reserve however many seats you wanted and that was it. So basically the earlier you got there the better chance of good seats!

The performances were great and DD looked very cute on stage. There is only DD and another girl in her tap class and they performed to "Monster Mash". The audience really got into it by clapping along to the beat which was great :) Miss Haley made a lot of the costumes or part of them herself (she also teaches ballet and modern) and she did the most wonderful job. We will miss her when classes start up again after the summer as she has taken a teaching position at the Performing Arts School in New York.

We arrived back home at around 1.30pm, I made some lunch and afterwards attempted to do some stitching. I just couldn't focus so I laid down on the couch in front of the telly and promptly fell asleep for about an hour and a half - lol!

I've just taken Tikki for her evening walk and am now about to organise dinner. Then the kids and I have a date with the tv and American Chopper :)

My day in photos

2008-05-27T23:04:00.004+04:00

I thought I'd document my day with the camera (I've seen it done on a couple of blogs and thought it would be fun.

My day

Not all my days are as busy as this one, thank goodness :)

Thank you also for the well wishes for DS - he's just fine and back at school today!

Quick WIP Update

2008-05-26T16:24:00.000+04:00

DS woke this morning saying his throat was still hurting so I kept him home from school again. I suspect he would have been fine to go but under my dragon-like exterior I really am a softie :)

Anyway, here is the current state of play of a couple of projects I've been working on recently ...

I'm still quite a ways behind on the Quaker Mystery but the summer holidays are fast approaching and I expect I will get quite a bit done then. We have no real holiday plans at this stage - may go away for a couple of weeks in August if we can find someone to look after the dog.

After much dithering and dathering I finally started on Periphaeria's Mystery Spanish Sampler - I was planning to use a HDF silk but couldn't decide which one I liked. In the end I decided to use DMC Colour Variations #4210, one strand over one thread on black 25 count lugana. Yes, I'm insane!

Off to check on the patient - told him he is well enough to do some revision but I don't think much of that is happening!

Wow, thank you ...

2008-05-25T23:58:00.001+04:00

for all the lovely comments about my latest ornament finish - I really appreciate them :) It was nice to see quite a few new visitors too - welcome and thank you for visiting my blog.

I have been remiss in posting lately (actually can't believe it has been quite as long as it has!) - things have been a little busy around here of late.

The painters turned up on Mother's Day (11 May) to finish off the interior paintwork. They did a great job and I'm very happy with the results, and only in two days - very impressive! It took me longer than that to put everything back in place! DD's room however I had to re-arrange differently. It actually looks better and has opened up her room and given her more space so it was worth doing :)

DH has been away for a week, back for a weekend, away again for ten days, back for a week, away again and there is at least one more trip in the works after this current one. He was also ill with a bad cold for the week that he was back so was working from home for a couple of days as well.

This weekend has been DS's turn to come down ill with a sore throat and bad ear ache. I kept him home from school today and took him to the doctor - he's now on antibiotics plus ear drops and I have to take him back to the doctor in a couple of days to check on the ears. There's a flu bug and a nasty tummy bug (one of DS's friends is currently off school with that) going around at the moment although I think the trip we had to Dreamland (water park) a week and a half ago may have had something to do with DS's current ailment. I think he's also trying to wangle another day off school tomorrow as he wss complaining that his throat was hurting before he went to bed which was the first time he'd complained all day! I'll see what he's like in the morning - he has exams coming up next week so I don't want him to miss too much school and revision work.

DD is preparing for her tap dance exam and dance award ceremony so we've had extra lessons and costume fittings etc. The exam is this week and the ceremony is the following week - busy times :) After the summer looks to be even busier as she wants to start up ballet again and maybe modern or Irish dance plus tap! Our girl does love to dance :) I think I'm going to have to limit her to tap and one other mode of dance though otherwise she'll just be overdoing it. Did I mention the piano and tennis lessons that are squeezed in there somewhere as well?

I have been stitching and I do have some pics to share - I just need to take a couple more and then upload them. It is quite late at night right now and therefore not great conditions for taking pics of needlework. Tomorrow!

Thank you again!

May Ornament

2008-05-07T00:37:00.005+04:00

Another one done for the 2008 Christmas Ornament Challenge!

"Quiet Night" by Erica Michaels Designs
JCS 2007 Ornament Issue

Stitched on Polstitches "Welsh Mist" (Dragon Shades) 28 count Jazlyn with DMC threads. Subbed the called for Rainbow Splendor with two strands of Dinky Dyes' "Icicle" stranded cotton (I'm pretty sure this was from a collaboration pack) and one strand of Petite Treasure Braid.

This ornament is quite large as it should have been stitched on a 40 count linen but the Welsh Mist was the perfect colour and it was already in my stash :) The construction side of things was a little challenging but I think it turned out reasonably okay :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Monthly Finishing Challenge for May

2008-05-06T17:00:00.005+04:00

I recently joined the Monthly Finishing Challenge blog and May's challenge was a biscornu.

The chart, fabric and silk ("Frosty") are all from the 2008 Limited Edition Winter Pack from Dinky Dyes. The beads I had in my stash (MH02017 "Ice").

I love Boursin!

2008-05-03T23:32:00.003+04:00

Boursin cheese that is :)

With a few simple ingredients ...

and fresh Taglitelle pasta

The kids and I sat down to this for dinner tonight ...

Clearly went down a treat :)

Calling in the cavalry!

2008-05-02T23:11:00.001+04:00

Yep, DH wants me to call the guys that painted the outside of our house last week and get them to finish off the inside.

I think I mentioned before that the walls are quite high in the rooms that are left to paint and I can just barely reach the top. DH is going to be away for work quite a bit over the next coming weeks so I guess the last thing he wants to be doing when he is home is climbing up and down a ladder finishing off the painting.

I probably also shouldn't have told him about the little tumble off the ladder I had when I was painting the hallway either?! It wasn't serious - a couple of bruised knees and an elbow. I just stepped back off the ladder when I thought I was on the last step when in actual fact I was on the step above it - oops :)

Anyway, I've requested a quote and should have that in the next day or two.

Oh, and I finished the stitching on my May ornament tonight too. Will post a pic when I've finish-finished it :)

I'm off to make a start on my biscornu for the Monthly Finishing Challenge.

Enjoy your weekend!

Doing my bit for DMC :)

2008-05-01T22:44:00.003+04:00

Thank you all for the lovely compliments on my recent ornament finish. This is only the second pinkeep I've made and I decided to lace both the stitched piece and backing fabric this time, rather than use glue on the backing fabric like I did for my first one. I'm really pleased with how it turned out :)

April Ornament

2008-04-30T00:12:00.002+04:00

Front

Back

Toy Shop Sign by
Carriage House Samplings
from the JCS 2007 Christmas Ornament magazine
Stitched over one with DMC thread on 28 count Natural Cashel linen and finished as a pinkeep.

Painting, ornaments and noisy neighbours!

2008-04-25T18:13:00.012+04:00

I know I said last week I would bore you with my painting progress but with DH out of town again and me feeling a bit off-colour with some sort of tummy bug this week, I didn't quite get there :) I'll bore you today instead.

So far I've managed to paint both bathrooms downstairs (okay, one is really just a toilet and sink), the entrance way and hallway, and the dining room. Okay, so not much but I like to take my time, wash down the walls, tape everything up and cover up any furniture and the floor with plastic drop-sheets. I then go around and carefully do all the cutting-in with a paintbrush and then finally the roller work. My neighbour thinks it's funny - she just slaps it on and probably would have had her whole house done by now! If we were still in our old ~~dogbox~~ house in Australia, that probably would have been the case, but this house is considerably larger with much higher ceilings. We will have to get someone in to paint the stairwell walls (two floors high) though - they'll have the proper scaffolding to reach right up to the top. As it is I can just barely reach the top of the walls from the last (safe) step on the ladder in the lounge, guest room and bedrooms upstairs. I will roller up as far as I can reach and DH will have to do the cutting-in for me. No painting this week though - ran out of paint :) I replenished supplies on Wednesday however so I'll have no excuse next week!

Last week we handed over a rather large amount of dirhams (local currency) to have the outside of our house painted - DH had done some repairs and it was looking a bit shabby with all the patched-up areas. It looks great now though! A large number of painters turned up on Monday morning and by late Wednesday afternoon they were done!

I did get a little stitching in this week. After doing a few chores in the morning I sat down on Tuesday and finished off the stitching on my March ornament. I was stitching my version of A Colonial Christmas Ornament by Cherished Stitches from the JCS 2007 Ornament issue and only had the third panel to complete. That afternoon I finish-finished it ...

A Colonial Christmas Ornament
by Cherished Stitches
from the Just Cross Stitch 2007 Ornament Issue

Stitched on black 28 Quaker cloth with HDF "Tugtika" silk threads

I had a little trouble with the construction so it hasn't turned out quite as nice as I'd hoped. I think I will ignore the instructions and do it the way it makes sense to me if I ever stitch it again.

I've made a good start on my April ornament and all going well I should have it finished before the end of the month.

I'm off to stitch a little before bed - hopefully I can keep my eyes open! Our neighbours had a bit of party last night and were extremely loud! Our villa is in a block of four - I guess it is really a large townhouse - we are on one end, two in the middle and then another end unit. Our bedroom is upstairs at the back of the house and faces their back garden which is where the neighbours and their guests all were. Normally with the double-glazed windows and doors and the aircon running we can't hear anything from inside the house. Last night though their wooping and hollering and banging of doors was loud enough that it kept DH awake, and he usually sleeps with earplugs! Now DH had earlier only just returned from being out of town all week and was extremely tired. The last thing he needed was to be kept awake till the wee hours (I'm talking 2-3am here!) with inconsiderate neighbours. Thank goodness it is our weekend and he was able to sleep in this morning! He got the drill out after he got up though and proceeded to put up some picture hooks on the shared wall, hoping to get his own back - lol! You don't want to mess with DH when he's not had enough sleep!

Unfortunately, it sounds as though they are having another party tonight :( I think there will be a call placed to security if they're still carrying on after midnight! Our good friends live in the other middle unit next to them - I've suggested we coordinate our efforts and starting drilling from both sides 7am tomorrow morning ... mwuahahaha!

Dream of Purple

2008-04-17T23:18:00.003+04:00

Despite the painting (which is still ongoing), I managed to make some pleasing progress during the HAED BB SAL last weekend.

A couple of SAL weekends ago I decided to start using a different coloured highlighter to mark off my chart each SAL as a gauge for my progress as well. For April I chose pink :)

I will bore you with my painting progress tomorrow :)

WIP Updates - Pic heavy!

2008-04-10T22:20:00.005+04:00

I grabbed the camera this afternoon and took some pics of my current stitching WIPs.

First up, Violet Eyes by Rachel Marks & HAED. I pulled this out earlier this week and stitched a little more on the eye area. According to my photo records I haven't worked on this since November last year. There's lot of white and sparkles in this one!

Close up of the eye area I've been working on.

Next, some more progress on Plum Gothic QS.

This is my current progress on the Wiehenburg Quaker Mystery 2008 SAL. I haven't stitched a lot on this WIP in recent times due to the holidays. I usually work on this during DD's tennis and tap dance lessons. Activities start back next week so it will start to see some action again :) Oh, and I finally managed to get a more accurate pic of the fabric colour this time!

Next up, my start on LHN's Princess and the Pea - sorry about the creases, I didn't feel like climbing upstairs where the ironing board and iron are located to iron them out :)

Last but not least, my before pic of Dream of Purple for the HAED BB Challenge SAL weekend starting tomorrow and running through Monday. I'm hoping to get a fair amount done but that will depend on the painting!

Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!

No, you're not going mad :)

2008-04-10T14:18:00.003+04:00

If you come across some posts that weren't there before it is just that I have finally managed to find some time to go through my drafts folder to add pics, edit where necessary and finally publish them!!

The kids are on Spring Break this week but go back to school on Sunday. DH and I plan to begin painting the inside of the house this weekend starting with the downstairs tomorrow. I need to start washing down walls this afternoon so DH can fill in some cracks and do some other minor repairs. Thankfully, I like painting as I can see I'll be doing the bulk of it during the week when everyone is at school and work :) We are getting quotes for the outside to be done too. Hopefully they'll be quick in getting that back to us as we would like to get it done before it starts getting too hot! I'm sure the guys doing the actual painting would appreciate that too :) I will stock up the drinks fridge as soon as I know when they are coming so there will be plenty of ice cold drinks on hand for them.

I have stitching pics to share as soon as I've uploaded them from the camera so stay tuned :)

More Plum Gothic QS

2008-03-28T17:54:00.003+04:00

This is what I managed to get done during the HAED BB Background SAL last weekend. Not too bad considering it was a busy weekend.

She is still on my stand so I will probably continue to work on her when I can this weekend although I do need to squeeze my March ornament in there somewhere!

Thank you for dropping by and leaving such lovely comments, especially on my previous Plum Gothic post. I'm hoping to get back to stitching and blogging normality next week!!

What's in a name?

2008-03-26T12:23:00.003+04:00

Blatantly stolen from Kim's blog :)

What Melissa Means

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated.

You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want.

You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way!

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.

You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.

At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.

You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.

Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.

You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.

You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong.

You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know.

You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do.

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.

You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.

You have the classic "Type A" personality.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

There's some truth but I'm not sure that I agree with everything, especially the last part!!!

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T13:55:00.003+04:00

It was also FIL's 70th birthday so we took him out to lunch. This is what greeted us when we walked into the hotel lobby, and a great photo opportunity for DS and DD - lol!

They had little bags of chocolate eggs at each place setting on the tables, and later the Easter Bunny himself going around handing out more :)

QS Plum Gothic

2008-03-21T12:11:00.004+04:00

The Fourth Weekend Themed SAL on the HAED BB starts today and the theme for this month is Background. I've pulled Plum Gothic out of hibernation in an effort to meet my goal of getting her finished this year!

Sorry I haven't been blogging much recently - as well as DH being away and having visitors (which is sapping what little energy I have lately!) today has been the first time I've been able to get on to any Blogger sites in the past few days!

I've managed a little bit of stitching but have packed most of my WIPs away for safe-keeping while the in-laws are here so no photos as yet. The in-laws are going to spend a few days with my sis-in-law next week so I'll get them out and photograph them then :)

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Easter!

Backyard Camping!

2008-03-20T13:24:00.001+04:00

Even though we are in a Muslim country, the kids still get a long weekend off for Easter. With the in-laws here, my sis-in-law has come to stay for the weekend (she lives a good 30-45 mins away from us in the city) and decided that it would be a great idea for her and the kids to camp out in the backyard :)

DD was keen but DS less so although he changed his mind when we said his friend could stay over and camp out with him too :)

DD and "friends" heading out to bed! This is what she sleeps with every night!!!

I'm here ...

2008-03-14T11:48:00.001+04:00

but DH has been away and now we have visitors for a couple of weeks. I've been stitching but just not on the computer quite so much. Hopefully I'll get some time over the weekend to update the blog!!

All is well in my world ...

2008-03-04T17:41:00.000+04:00

I have Vegemite :)

It has finally re-appeared on the supermarket shelves here again - yay!!

Win "Where There Is Life ..."

2008-02-27T21:44:00.003+04:00

Go check out the contest Kim is holding over on her Stitch Pink blog. You could win this exclusive Little House Needleworks design fully kitted which was generously donated by Chris.

Ta da!

2008-02-19T10:57:00.007+04:00

Stitched with silks and fabric supplied in kit.
Completed 18 February 2008.

It was the HAED BB HAEDless Stitching Sampler SAL this past weekend and I managed to finish this last night. The lighting wasn't conducive to a decent photo so I had to wait until this morning to grab one :)

I started this a long time ago and I put it away because I think I was struggling with the instructions and some of the stitches. I was fairly new to linen and specialty stitches back then :) I've had a bit more experience with specialty stitches and linen since those early days so this time around it was quite a quick stitch :)

Next up is my Wiehenburg Quaker Mystery SAL piece. The actual SAL started at Christmas last year but I didn't join up until mid January. It took me a couple of weeks to decide on fabric and thread so it wasn't until late January that I finally started it.

I am using a HDF (Vikki Clayton) silk Gandy Dancer 1113 which is a really nice rust red on CountryStitch Kiwi Illusions "Daffodil" 28 count Jubilee. I'm stitching it over one because the piece of 40 count linen I had wasn't quite big enough to stitch it over two.

The silk is a "solid" colour but you can just see a very subtle variation :)

My replacement parcel from Sew & So arrived on Sunday (yay!) - five days from when they posted it. No sign of the original ones and I don't expect to see them. One thing I know is if I'd received a parcel or two in my mail box with someone else's name on it (even if it had the correct PO Box number) then I'd (a) either send it back myself, or (b) take it in the post office for them to return to sender.

Anyway, one of the goodies contained in my parcel was this ...

Actually, it was just the chart and threads needed to stitch it. I went for a stroll through my fabric stash late last night and pulled out a piece of Kiwi Illusions "Hokey Pokey" 32 count lugana by CountryStitch (link in my sidebar) which I thought might work. What do you think?

Also, while I was rummaging through my stash I came across this ...

I think I stitched this up in 2005 or perhaps 2006!! All it needs is a smattering of beads and then to finish-finish it and it is done! I just need to decide on what colour beads and then find something to attach to the top of the tree. It is supposed to have a Mill Hill treasure but I have a box full of beads in which I'm sure I can find something suitable. I don't have any suitable backing fabric either but I think I will have enough of the fabric I stitched it on to use as backing. That way I can personalise it ... mmmm, thinking, thinking :)

I found a few other lost treasures whilst visiting my stash last night but as this post is already picture heavy as well as being long enough I will leave those to another time :)

As always, thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog and leaving comments. I appreciate them all :)

Almost forgot :)

2008-02-12T21:10:00.000+04:00

I heard back from Sew & So yesterday about my mislabeled and presumed lost items. They really are wonderful people to deal with and are re-sending them. It appears there was a little gremlin at work who manually changed the address label. Of course, the "lost" packages will probably turn up now!! In which case, I will send the duplicates back :)

I have also fallen in love with this - Hanky Pysanky by Ink Circles - in the rainbow colourway. Nicole's WIP is what drew me to it (scroll down to the bottom of her post) :)

I need to stop looking at stash, get off this computer and go stitch!!

Oh, and I've been tagged by Nicole (different to the one above :)). I will respond to that in the next day or two.

Okay, stitching awaits!

Ornament for February

2008-02-12T18:55:00.001+04:00

"Joy" by Lizzie*Kate, Inc
JCS 2007 Ornament Issue
Stitched on 32 count Light Mocha Belfast with DMC
(and Petite Treasure Braid PB10 added for the "snowflakes")
Finished as a pinkeep (my first)

Busy Weekend!

2008-02-10T14:27:00.000+04:00

Boy, what a crazy busy weekend!

Friday night DH and I attended a corporate function at one of the nearby golf clubs. It was put on by our hometown State Government (they have an office here) in honour of a visiting bigwig. Lots of produce specific to our hometown region was flown in including Balfours Frog Cakes and Vili's Meat Pies!!! Plus local seafood (prawns, yellow fin tuna, barramundi and King George Whiting), Wagyu beef, Berenberg strawberry jam, Medlow fruit gels and Bickford's beverages.

On Saturday Australian Rules Football came to Dubai - Collingwood vs Adelaide - and with DS being a huge Adelaide fan we had to go :) The game was held on a polo field which was converted into a football ground for the event! It was a fantastic day and much fun was had by all. Adelaide won so DS was very happy!

Unfortunately, DS was off school sick today so my plan to spend most of the day with Dream of Purple for the HAED BB February Challenge SAL didn't happen. Instead, the day was spent catching up on the laundry I didn't do because we were out all weekend and taking DS to the doctor. He's fine and should be back at school tomorrow.

I did manage to put in the last few stitches left on my February Christmas ornament though! I'll post pics tomorrow :)

Parcel Woes

2008-02-08T00:46:00.000+04:00

Back in early January I had a little online stash shopping spree - I ordered a couple of Sampler Cove charts from European XS, some silks from HDF, both in the US, some Gloriana silks from West End Embroidery and Sew & So, both in the UK and a LHN chart and the Crescent Colours threads required to stitch it also from Sew & So. Plus I requested one of my Rainbow Club FOTM from CountryStitch (in New Zealand) to be a certain colour on a higher count with one of the SC samplers in mind.

The silks from West End Embroidery and HDF were here within a week. The charts from European XS turned up a few days later and then my fabric from CountryStitch arrived. I've since ordered another lot of silks from HDF and have received them. Various mail from my mum in Australia has come in. Can you see where I'm going with this? Yep, not one item from Sew & So has arrived - I find this incredibly bizarre because their service is top-notch and I have always received mail from them no later than 7 days after ordering. In fact, all our mail is received fairly quickly. Thankfully, Sew & So had sent the first parcel by recorded airmail so it had a tracking number. Using that tracking number on the Royal Mail website, I discover that the parcel has been handed over to the UAE postal system for delivery.

I emailed customer service at Emirates Post (easier than trying to ring them in my book) and asked them if they could locate the parcel for me. A very prompt and helpful reply came back saying that the parcel had been received by them on 11 Jan but it had been addressed to the incorrect PO Box number! I was advised to bring the tracking number and photo ID and come in to collect it from the Dubai Central Post Office in Karama.

Oh. boy.

I'm sure I've blogged in the past about my incredible directional/navigational skills or rather the lack thereof, so you can understand why I was less than thrilled at the prospect of driving into Bur Dubai. You would think after almost three years of living here I would have it down pat but the truth is I very rarely if ever go into the city and of course, the roads are continually changing! Anyway, after conferring with DH the best route to go, I set off yesterday morning and made it into the Post Office. I missed one turn but got back on track fairly easily. I even managed to find a park in the chaos of the PO carpark!

Remembering that the main entrance is actually at the back of the building, I walk in to find that they've "automated" things with a ticket "machine" - a man sitting behind a desk at the front entrance with a ticket dispenser :) After telling him my purpose for being there (with the help of a kindly security guard - the "machine" had some difficulty in understanding that I wanted to collect a parcel not send one!), waiting for my number to be called and then being referred to three different counters, I eventually walk out with parcel in hand. Hooray! I now have my threads to start Sampler Cove's Spanish Rouge Sampler!!

I did ask about the other two parcels I'm waiting on while at the PO but unfortunately, they couldn't be located. I can only assume that they were addressed incorrectly as well and therefore lost. They were sent normal international airmail not recorded so therefore no tracking number. I have emailed Sew & So to let them know and I'm sure all will be sorted. I'll keep you updated :)

10 Blogs

2008-02-07T19:52:00.000+04:00

Good grief narrowing this list down to just 10 was hard! I decided to mix some of the regular blogs with some new ones :) Anyway, here goes ...

The Rules:
Give the award to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blogland. Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times.

1. Nicole stitches, quilts, knits and also beads, I believe :). I also love reading about her and her family's adventures in her other blog.

2. Felicity - She has inspired me to pull out my many non-HAED WIPs/UFOs and get to work on them. Lovely looking blog too :)

3. Tannia does the most beautiful work and sings too!

4. Deb - I came across Deb's blog only recently - it is so bright and colourful :) She quilts as well as stitches and I'm also looking forward to seeing the results of her Queens & Harpies Paper Dresses start-up.

5. Andrea - Another new to me blog. Andrea's stitching is so neat and immaculate and I love the way she displays and photographs her projects!

6. Carol's blog is also fairly new to me but I am in awe of her beautiful stitching and finishing.

7. Anne has had her share of knocks lately but refuses to let them get her down for long. Better times are ahead - she deserves them! I also admire her fabulous stitching and finishing skills.

8. Jennifer does the most wonderful ornaments and I love her Friday Feasts: A Buffet for the Brain too.

9. Leonie knits and stitches and is my stitching and stash-hunting pal back home. She doesn't blog all that often but she always manages to make me laugh out loud at something she's written when she does.

10. Alison is such a laugh (I met her in person a few years ago). Amazes me with her speed and her wonderful stitching of all things Shepherd's Bush :)

There are so many others - in my Blogroll and in my Google Reader - you all make my day :)

WIP Updates

2008-02-07T16:35:00.000+04:00

Current progress on The Drawn Thread's An Open Heart - I've finished all the bands and am now working on the inner whitework border. Thanks go to DH for holding it for me so I could take a pic :)

My to date progress on Shepherd's Bush Beekeeper's Cottage. I went searching through my boxes looking for this kit to pass on to another stitcher and when I found it, was very surprised to see that I had actually started it! I'm planning to get this finished up hopefully over the next HAED BB Sampler SAL weekend so I can forward it on.

I also succumbed and joined the Wiehenburg 2008 Quaker Mystery. I'll add a pic when I've done a bit more.

Made My Day :)

2008-02-03T16:53:00.000+04:00

I was surprised and flattered to find that the lovely Kim over at KiP thought my blog made her day! Wow, thank you, Kim :)

Now I'm supposed to award another 10 bloggers who inspire and make me happy about blogland, and given the amount of blogs I have in my Google Reader, it is going to be a difficult task! So many of you out there in blogland inspire and motivate me! I'm running short of time right now so I'm going to have to come back to this after some thought :)

Lots of comments on my Plum Gothic progress too - thank you!! Welcome to new readers and, Sally, of course it's okay to add my blog to your Google Reader :)

Plum Gothic QS - Page 2 Finish :)

2008-01-28T12:14:00.000+04:00

It was a UFO/SWIP themed SAL on the HAED BB this weekend and although I have older HAED WIPs I could have chosen, I really want to finish Plum Gothic this year! Preferably in the first half! I have neglected her woefully and I have made a pact with myself that I am not going to start another Quick Stitch until she is done! Mmm, we'll see how long that lasts - lol!

Anyway, I spent most of Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon stitching away on her and put the last stitch in page 2 late in the afternoon. There is still today to go in the SAL but I probably won't work on her now until Wednesday for the Quick Stitch SAL :)

Shopping Trip

2008-01-27T14:42:00.000+04:00

This is the result of my little shopping trip last Tuesday. I didn't quite get all that I wanted (particularly buttons) but I'm happy with what I managed. I have another trip planned in about a week's time to a different part of the city where I'm hoping to find a few more bits and pieces :)

Thank you for your lovely comments on my first biscornu too :)

I have been stitching quite a bit this week - I just need to upload the pics from my camera to the computer so I can show you :)

My First Biscornu

2008-01-25T17:24:00.000+04:00

In the lead up to Christmas and our holiday last year, I found I needed to stitch on something small and simple - something I could pick up and work on for a few minutes when the opportunity presented itself :) I had seen lots of biscornus on various blogs and admired them but had never attempted one myself, so I decided to rectify that.

The fabric and Dinky Dyes silk thread used were from a Dyer's Collaboration pack, and I used this chart - Popular Red Biscornu - from a link on the Own Two Hands blog.

Unfortunately, it is not completely finished as I'm not having much luck finding the right buttons. I thought I might go through my beads this weekend and see if I have something that will work. If not, I will have to go on another exploratory shopping trip further into the city in a couple of weeks time :)

Thank you ...

2008-01-22T01:08:00.000+04:00

everyone for your lovely comments on St Georges. They mean a lot and have spurred me on to get a couple of other WIPs out of the way :)

Right now, I'm beavering away on An Open Heart (The Drawn Thread) - I had hoped to finish the last band tonight but it is past my bedtime so it will have to wait until tomorrow. Then I get to start on the whitework borders.

I did take a progress pic but it was taken at night and unfortunately it's not the best shot. Today was overcast (looks like there's more rain coming) so not the best conditions for picture taking! Hopefully, the next pic will be it finished anyway!!

Must go to bed now - I'm off fabric hunting and thread buying tomorrow ... or should I say later this morning :)

First Major 2008 Finish

2008-01-19T18:56:00.000+04:00

Long Dog Samplers "St Georges"
Started sometime (I think) in 2006 and finished 19 January 2008
Stitched with 1 strand of Gloriana "Red Clay" silk over 2 threads
on cream 40 count linen

I was going to start Sampler Cove's Rhapsody in Red Ribbon Sampler or Spanish Rouge next but I'm still waiting on the charts and fabric (for SR) to arrive. I do have Double Dutch from The Gift of Stitching online magazine kitted up but I've decided I will pull out An Open Heart and work on that for the rest of the weekend.

WIP Updates

2008-01-19T12:12:00.000+04:00

First up, Long Dog Samplers "St Georges" ...

Next, I managed a few more stitches in Dinky Dyes "The Dreaming" this week ...

A quick post today :) As you can see, I am very close to a finish on "St Georges"!!!

Here yesterday, gone today ...

2008-01-17T23:36:00.000+04:00

The rain that is :)

This is what our backyard looked like yesterday after 2-3 days of constant rain:

(Please disregard the sorry excuse of a trampoline - the mat disintegrated from the heat and sourcing a new one is proving difficult.)

This is what it looks like today:

Laura commented that she couldn't imagine a city "not built for rain". Strange, I know, but because they get so very little rain here it just never enters into the equation during the construction stage (no gutters, storm drains, etc). However, when it does rain it causes complete and utter chaos! Flooding, electrical problems, traffic mayhem, etc. All schools were ordered to close yesterday and today by the Ministry of Education because of it. Our school has been affected by flooding and I believe electrical problems.

Just a quick post tonight as I'm keen to stitch a little more on Dream before I head to bed. We have a busy day tomorrow so I don't want to stay up too late but I want to finish the section I'm stitching first!

I should have some WIP update pics for you tomorrow. It is the start of the HAEDless Sampler SAL on the HAED BB and I am working on St Georges this month. There will be a finish in the very near future!

Also thank you for your comments and welcome to new readers - there are a few that I want to reply to and I hope to do that soon!

HAED BB 2008 Challenge SAL - January Edition

2008-01-15T16:02:00.000+04:00

Before After

Dream of Purple
Original Artwork: Ching Chou Kuik
Charted by: Michele Sayetta of Heaven & Earth Designs (c) 2007

Stitched 1 x 1 full cross on 25 ct pale aqua lugana using DMC threads

I finally started stitching on her Sunday evening for a few hours and then managed to get a few more hours in on Monday. I filled in a lot of the empty spots so I was pleased with my progress.

We have had quite a lot of rain today and this city is just not built for it (or US President's visits for that matter!) so after having my plans shelved because of the inclement weather (DD's class was meant to go on a field trip today and I had volunteered to help out) I dropped the kids at school, came home and settled down to stitch for the day :) I'm continuing to work on Dream of Purple until tomorrow when I switch her out for QS Plum Gothic. Several schools are closing tomorrow (including the one mine go to) because of the heavy rain. It has caused quite a bit of flooding and electric problems.

As I said before, this city isn't built for rain :)

I leave you with some shots (not taken by me) of our main freeway yesterday closed for the Bush visit.

So ...

2008-01-14T00:59:00.000+04:00

George W is here and the whole town has come to a standstill. Yep, because of road closures and traffic disruptions during his visit, the Government have declared tomorrow (Monday) a public holiday - Chaos in Dubai ahead of Bush's visit!!!!

*Sigh*

I loathe politics ...

It's raining ...

2008-01-12T14:28:00.000+04:00

my tumble dryer is kaput and my new one doesn't arrive until tomorrow! My house, therefore, looks like a Chinese laundry (must find out where that saying comes from)!!

I managed to put a length (six strands) of floss into The Encounter but it's just a pitiful blob of blue :) I then sat down to work on Dream of Purple, delved into my WIP box and came out with my WIP and the chart but not the threads or the actual page of the chart I'm working from! Figured I had put it in one of my overflow boxes which are stacked on top of the wardrobe in the spare room before we went on holidays. My search of the boxes I could reach was fruitless and since DH had gone to bed I was going to have to wait until this morning for him to get the boxes right at the top down for me so I could have a look. I could have gone back to The Encounter but I'd already taken him off the stand and the Q-snaps and put him away.

This morning my much taller DH got the boxes down and I now have my threads and the first page of the chart ready for tonight's stitching session on Dream of Purple.

During the search I came across an old WIP of Dinky Dyes' The Dreaming - that looked a more soothing stitch - so I pulled that out and worked on that instead. I'm not sure when I started it, probably sometime in 2006!

This is how it was when I picked it up last night ...

I might squeeze a little more time on it over the weekend so I'll hold off from taking a progress pic until early next week.

I also put a few more stitches in St Georges this afternoon while waiting for DD at her tap class. Thank you also for the lovely comments - it is coming along quite well and I'm really pleased with how the thread colour stitches up.

Rightio, I'm off to iron the essential uniform and work items for the kids and DH for school/work tomorrow and then settle down to reacquaint myself with Dream of Purple!

Happy Stitching!

Pay It Forward 2008

2008-01-11T20:58:00.000+04:00

I've gone and done it now - I've joined Karen's PIF challenge :)

So, if you would like something stitched by me sometime during this year (2008) then please be one of the first five (5) people to either leave a comment here or email me at buffster_fan at yahoo dot com dot au and I will be in touch. In turn you must post to your blog the same challenge and accept five people to send to. They do the same and forward it goes :)

If I do not have five people sign up then I will send five random parcels to different parts of the globe :)

I didn't get a lot of stitching done on The Encounter yesterday - prepping the fabric (I actually dragged out the sewing machine to edge the fabric), pulling the floss and gridding the outline of the first page took longer than I anticipated. We also went out last night for dinner so I didn't really sit down to stitch until quite late. I probably managed about 20-30 stitches before I headed for bed. I will work on this some more next week after the HAED Challenge SAL which is this weekend and I will post a progress pic then.

However, I will leave you with the latest progress on my Long Dog Sampler "St Georges" - not the best photo, sorry but you can see that it is almost done! I did quite a bit of this in the last week of our holidays.

I haven't managed to stitch yet today so I'm off to make myself a cuppa and then head to my stitching chair for an hour or two!

HAED BB Quick Stitch Wednesday SAL

2008-01-10T13:38:00.000+04:00

<- Before

-> After

I didn't get as much time as I'd hoped on this last night so progress isn't very noticeable but at least I managed to put some stitches in before my eyes grew heavy and I had to go to bed! I really had hoped to finish Plum last year but it wasn't to be. She will most definitely be finished this year though and hopefully in the first quarter!

Just a quick post from me today - January's edition of the HAED BB 2008 Challenge SAL starts tomorrow (I think - must check) and I will be working on Dream of Purple this year instead of Verdure.

Before the SAL starts however I want to put some stitches into my New Year's start. Because I was away I obviously didn't get to start it on 1st January 2008 but today, rather conveniently, marks the start of the Islamic New Year so I get another chance :)

The chart/design? Well, I am in the Heaven & Earth Designs Birthday Club and whilst scrolling through my wishlist trying to decide on what chart to get, DS spotted this one. Am I insane?! Quite possibly :) DS said he wanted it for his birthday (which is in July). However, he didn't specify which birthday so I told him he may get it for his 21st, or if he's lucky, his 18th - lol! That gives me six to nine years to stitch it up :)

On that note, I'd better get to it! I shall report on my progress tomorrow.

2008 Ornament Challenge

2008-01-09T22:09:00.000+04:00

The Aussies Institches Yahoo Group (of which I'm a member) are holding a 2008 Christmas Ornament Challenge using the 2007 JCS Ornament magazine. Each month we vote for our favourite two ornaments from a set page in the magazine. We can then choose one from the top two to stitch the following month. So in December we voted for January's ornament and we are currently voting on February's ornament and so it goes. This way it gives us plenty of time to gather our supplies etc. I am going to be using it as an opportunity to use what I can from my ever expanding stash pile!!

Anyway, because of this blasted cough/cold I have kept myself at home the last couple of days and have spent my time stitching and gathering supplies online for upcoming projects (more about that in another post) as well as throwing in the odd load or two of washing!

We can stitch the ornament at any time during that month but I decided to get in early as the 2nd, 3rd and 4th weekends are alloted to other SALs (mostly with the HAED BB!).

I sat down yesterday and started on my choice for January and this morning finished it off ...

Fill With Love by Designs by Cathy Jean
2007 JCS Christmas Ornament Magazine

Stitched on Natural 28 count Cashel linen
with The Gentle Art Sampler and Simply Shaker threads

Started: 8 January 2008
Finished: 9 January 2008

This chart was a relatively quick stitch although the backstitching for the branches/pine needles and wording I am positive took longer than the stitching up of the stocking!! I didn't have all of the Sampler/Simply Shaker Threads called for in the chart so I substituted the ones I didn't have with similar colours. I think it turned out reasonably close :)

I must say that after stitching over one for so long it felt rather alien to be stitching over 2 again, especially on 28 count. The stitches looked enormous!

I hope to have an ornamentifying day towards the end of the month to completely finish it off. It is finished off as a pillow ornament in the magazine but I am not sure if I will do the same or use some other method. I will need to go in search of backing fabrics and stuff though as I don't have any of that sort of thing here. That will take up pretty much most of a morning - no quick dash to Hobby Lobby or similar store for me here! Hopefully, I will feel like it one day next week - might ring around and see if a friend or two are interested in coming along :)

Okay, well it is the Quick Stitch Wednesday SAL on the HAED BB today and I want to put a bit of time in on Plum Gothic before bed so I will end this for now (and so I can blog about her tomorrow!).

Happy Stitching!

Winter Holiday Report (rather long, sorry!)

2008-01-08T20:48:00.000+04:00

**I had intended to add various photos of our trip to this post but Blogger Photos is being unco-operative at the moment so I will leave them out for now. I have started uploading them to my Webshots album and will hopefully finish that off tomorrow. I will add Webshots thumbnails to this post then.**

Our first stop was Geneva where we experienced our first really really cold weather in a long time! DH even had to borrow my hat to keep his head warm until he could buy one of his own. I have lots of hair to keep my head and ears warm ... plus the hood on my jacket :)

We spent a couple of days here wandering around sight-seeing. Spent some time at the Martime Museum which was okay but spent quite a long time at the Roman Museum (which was included in the ticket price to the Maritime Museum). They had an archaelogy student there that day who was available to answer any questions we may have had about the displays. The kids spent quite a bit of time with her and found it very interesting.

Next it was back to the airport to catch the ski-bus to Tignes (this trip was a bit of a Planes, Trains & Automobiles type experience - lol) - about a three and a half hour trip. A little tedious but the scenery made it worth it, as did the looks on the kids' faces when they saw snow.

Upon arrival at Val Claret (the resort we were staying at) we had a long walk up the hill pulling two large suitcases plus assorted hand luggage and watching for icy patches to Club Med. I was very happy to hand over the luggage to the strong young gentlemen there to greet us at the door!!

It was then a flurry of booking in, having something to eat because we were starving, booking ski lessons, sorting out ski/snowboard equipment hire and attending information sessions before we finally managed to get out and go for a walk in the snow before dinner! This is the kids first experience of real snow so of course the first thing to do is have a snowball fight and build a snowman. A bit of a poor excuse of a snowman though - lol!

For those of you who have never done a Club Med skiing holiday before ... the next six days involved skiing twice a day in groups according to your level with an instructor. I struggled the first day or two in Level 1 (I can do snow-plough turns but it has been 15 years since I last skiied and lacked confidence) so made the decision to go back down a level to Beginners. Another lady who was struggling with me decided to do the same thing yet she had no problems in that group the year before!? A lot, I think, depends on the instructor and abilities of the group. Our instructor was very disinterested in those that couldn't keep up and while the people were very nice were also very competitive. I found out later that most of them had come down from Level 2. No wonder I found it hard! Anyway, the beginners group was perfect - really nice people, no competition, keen to have a bit of a laugh and some fun as was the instructor, so the next four days were really enjoyable :)

The kids were having a blast in their respective groups - DD was in her element - both skiing and socially. She had formed a nice little group of friends and was having a great time! DS found a buddy around his own age in his snowboarding group so he too was having fun. DH found his Level 2 group a little difficult so he came down to Level 1 so he could work on his technique. He caught a bit of a head cold so didn't ski one day and then mostly stuck to the afternoons.

Mealtimes are a big communal affair and each night there is something different to entertain you and the staff are great. It was Caitlin's birthday (and mine too) while we were there and I organised a cake to be brought out at dinner on the last night :)

All in all, we had fun although I wouldn't really call it a holiday - skiing twice you are constantly on the go from 7am every day. I think if we did one of these holidays again, I would leave DH and the kids to the snow and I'll do the spa package, find a cosy corner in the bar and stitch :)

From Tignes we had less than an hour's taxi ride to Bourg-St-Maurice to catch the EuroStar train to Lyon and from there we switched over to the TGV to Nimes. We spent the night here and then the next day back to the Hertz rent-a-car office (at the train station!) to pick up our hire car and start on our journey to Toulouse.

There are some rather spectacular Roman ruins in Nimes so before heading off we decided to pay one of them, at least, a visit. A short walking distance from the train station is the Arenes (Arena). Apparently, it is still used today for various events. You get an AudioGuide gadget that you listen too as you walk around and stop at various points of interest.

It was quite windy the day we were there and I was rather worried that Caitlin was going to blow away when she was right up at the top. I went up to have a look at the view from up there too but I'm not keen on heights so I didn't stay too long :)

After a rather delicious jambon (ham) baguette for lunch for me and hot dogs with fries for DH and the kids (they looked really yummy too - real sausages, covered with grated cheese and then grilled and then they put the fries on top inside the hot dog) we piled ourselves into the car and started our 2-3 drive to Toulouse. We marvelled at the wind farms at various points along the way and various castles and cathedrals dotted throughout the countryside. We took in as much green and trees other than palm trees and hills as we could (we don't get to see scenery like that here!).

Getting to our hotel in the city and then finding a carpark was interesting - in the end DH spied a 24 hour secure carpark across the street so unloaded us out the front of the hotel and then went off to park the car while I checked in. He was gone some time and I was starting to worry a little but he eventually made it back after half an hour or so. He had to go "half way around the world" as he puts it to get back to the car park because of all the one way streets.

Anyway, checked in and the car safely parked, we decided to head out and do a bit of scouting about. Our hotel was on the edge of Place du Capitole, it was New Year's Eve and things were starting to get busy. We found a nice little pizzeria place around the corner that we thought would be nice for dinner and managed to get a reservation for a little later that evening. Gave us enough time to go back to the hotel and get showered etc. We enjoyed a very nice dinner and then back to the hotel. I'm afraid we were all asleep well before midnight so didn't see the New Year in although I vaguely remember briefly waking when they left off the firecrackers.

New Year's Day found us heading 15-20 minutes outside of Toulouse to DH's friend's house for a walk in the forest with their dogs and then dinner. It was a great afternoon and a very enjoyable meal with wonderful company. Beatrix told me of a craft shop not far from our hotel that I might be interested in and when we left much later that evening, I had a hand-drawn map of the location in my gloved little hand :)

The next day we decided to take it easy and just explore and in my case, go searching for the craft shop. It wasn't very far away at all and we found it quite easily. There was another shop next door that looked interesting too so I sent the family off for a wander for half an hour while I had a browse through both shops. Unfortunately, neither of them had anything I was really interested in - the first one was mostly haberdashery type stuff and the second, La Droguerie, whilst it had some lovely things (mostly knitting kits, yarn and buttons and beads) there wasn't really any one thing that jumped out and said "buy me"! I must have been sick (actually, I am, but that's another story!).

I still had 20 minutes or so before the family were due back to meet me so I headed out of the shop and went for a little wander along the street. I went around a slight bend in the street and something in a window on the other side grabbed my eye so I went over to investigate. It turned out to be a little quilt/needlework store! It was a lovely little store, lots of French designers (although no Long Dog, not that I could find). I was happily pottering around and deciding what to buy when I looked at my watch and realised that I was overdue for meeting the family! They would be wondering where I was when they discovered I wasn't at the other store, so I hurriedly paid for my purchases and rushed back to meet them. They had just decided to head to the store I'd found as they had noticed it while walking about and figured that was where I was probably was :)

The next morning/early afternoon was spent walking around the city exploring some more. I don't think I saw much though as I was constantly walking with my head down watching where I was placing my feet to avoid the dog poop! That was one thing that put me off my visit to Paris many years ago although Toulouse was not quite as bad. We spent much of the afternoon relaxing in our rooms - I managed to get quite a bit done on St George's - and an early night as we had a big drive ahead of ourselves the next day back to Geneva for our flight back home.

We started out quite early the next day because we didn't want to rush the journey. About an hour and a half out of Toulouse we stopped at Carcasonne for some breakfast and a little look around the Medieval city - DS loves this sort of thing :)

We continued along our way, stopping every couple of hours or so for DH to rest his eyes and take in some sustenance. There was quite a lot of rain in patches which required lots of concentration. After one wrong turn we finally made it to the hotel where we had dinner and collapsed into bed. We had another early start the next day to give ourselves plenty of time to find our way to the airport, return the car and get checked in.

The next morning we found our way to the airport fairly easily, returned the car and checked in, in plenty of time. I finally managed to see Rush Hour 3 and The Bourne Ultimatium on the plane ride home so I can cross them off my list to see now. Enjoyed both of them.

So, now we are back home, where the dog was very happy to see us, and I am making my way through the mountain of laundry. The kids are back at school and DH is back at work. I have managed to pick up a cold along the way (usually it is DH or one of the kids but I was the lucky one this time) which is unfortunate but happens :)

I enjoyed our holiday but I'm glad to be back home too :)

Okay ...

2008-01-06T23:22:00.000+04:00

who stole the last month and a half of 2007?!!! Boy, those last few weeks went by in a blur!

Since it has been a while I have lots of updating to do which I will get to this week. We only just got back from our winter holiday last night and I'm still unpacking and ploughing my way through two suitcases of laundry!

The kids are back at school tomorrow (they were supposed to go back today but since we didn't get back till late I gave them an extra day off) so after an essential shopping trip for groceries in the morning and some more laundry, I should be able to sit down in the afternoon and get this sorely neglected blog up to date!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas or however you celebrate the season and here's to a great 2008!

Back soon!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-19T23:00:00.000+04:00

We are off on holidays tomorrow - doing a Club Med skiing holiday in Val Claret, Tignes, France for a week, and then afterwards making our way to Toulouse for a few days to hopefully catch up with some friends there.

Tonight we invited our friends who live a couple of doors down for some Christmas Cheer and also so the children could open their gifts to each other. We also did the family gift opening but I've saved a couple for Christmas Day :) It was a pleasant evening spent in good company partaking of a couple of bottles of champagne, with the kids playing Mousetrap (one of their Christmas gifts) in the next room :)

I will probably have limited internet access while away so I'll see you in a couple of weeks!

I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable festive season - however you celebrate it :)

I love my camera :)

2007-11-25T13:15:00.000+04:00

The kids were out shooting some hoops with their friends before dinner last night when DD came running in yelling for me to come outside and bring my camera! I went outside and was greeted with this gorgeous sunset!

Got a bit carried away with the photos - sorry!

Stitching: I have been doing a little stitching although not huge amounts. I seem to have the reading bug lately and my stitching has suffered because of it. Anyway, it is the Christmas/Mermaids SAL on the HAED BB this weekend so I've pulled both Dream of Purple and Sea of Roses out with the intention of making some progress. I also had Plum Gothic QS out earlier this week and once this weekend is over I intend to get back to her and work on her until she is done. Well, that's this week's plan anyway :)

I'll post before and after pics of each after the SAL has finished. Right now I'm heading back to my chair for an hour's stitching before the kids come home from school!

House Guest!

2007-11-16T13:06:00.000+04:00

Meet Rabbit!

No, we haven't taken on another dog :) We are just looking after him this week while his owner (a lovely lady by the name of Trudy) is overseas for work. He'll be going home after the weekend - I think Tikki will miss him - they get along really well together. Still, she'll see him at Christmas when he and Truds come to house-sit while we are on holidays :)

Camping Trip - Part Two (Warning: Photo Heavy Post!)

2007-11-15T10:34:00.000+04:00

Okay, now where was I? Oh yes, trying to upload photos!! It appears Blogger Photos is being nice to me today but for how long remains to be seen!!!

Anyway, here are a couple of shots of the mountain goats (kids) continuing on up the hill - the bit I passed on!

At the very top! DS and his friend continued over the ridge and onto the other side - if you peer really closely at the next photo, you can just see them at the top!

We were only sleeping one night in the rough so after breakfast, we packed up camp and headed back down the mountains towards the main road and the Fujairah Rotana Hotel (ah, showers, toilets and comfy beds!) where we were to spend the second night! We all rolled in to the lobby looking rather dusty and hot, so much so that a lady appeared bearing cool (white!!) face cloths and another nice lady armed with a tray of ice cold juice for us all. I'd hate to be the poor soul trying to get those cloths white again - lol!

After checking in to our rooms, we all had a quick wash, put on our swimming gear, lathered on the sunscreen and headed down to the pool! Since I really didn't get all that much sleep the night before, I promptly crashed out for an hour or so on the lounger!

The kids had a great time in the pool on the water slide ...

and since the hotel is right on the beach as well, on the banana boat ...

in the giant tube ...

and on the beach itself ...

After the beach fun, the kids went back into the pool, while the adults relaxed poolside with a round or two (or three or four!) of cocktails :) We then all headed back to our respective rooms for showers and a change of clothes for dinner. The kids descended on the buffet and the chocolate fountain while the adults went for the a la carte dining. We had a reasonably early night (before midnight) and after a little sleep-in the next morning, buffet breakfast and another little play in the pool for the kids, we were on the road home by midday.

Going home!

Some of the amazing road side scenery!

We enjoyed our first camping trip and will definitely do it again - although DH reckons that next time we skip the first night under the stars and just head straight to the hotel - lol! Perhaps a compromise of one night roughing it and two nights in a hotel :)

Camping Trip - Part One

2007-11-12T09:24:00.000+04:00

Last Thursday we headed off with four other families for the weekend on our first ever UAE camping trip!

We planned to leave around 2.30pm so Ken took the day off work and I arranged early pick-up of the kids up from school. I had slowly been accumulating all the gear in our spare bedroom the week before and had done all the food shopping on Wednesday so all we had to do Thursday morning was load up the eskies (coolboxes or iceboxes for those non-Australians) with food and drink, load the truck up and head off.

I think we managed to pack everything including the kitchen sink - lol!! Unfortunately, I forgot to get a pic of the truck all packed up but you can imagine how much room two tents, four sleeping bags, one queen and two single airbeds, six collapsible chairs, one collapsible table, clothing, torches, BBQ kettle, eskies, first aid kits, shovel, rope, mini-compressor and other assorted camping gear took up!

We met up with the others at 2pm and by 2.30pm and armed with our trusty UAE Off-Road Explorer book, our convoy of four 4WDs were on our way towards Wadi Sidr/Sana on the East Coast near Fujairah - approximately 140kms. Roughly just under a two-hour drive, with an estimated arrival time of around 4-4.30pm leaving us about an hour of good daylight left to set up camp.

Well, that was the plan! With a couple of missed turn-offs by the lead cars trying to break the land-speed record (we were heading up the rear behind the third vehicle at a more "leisurely" 120kms/hr) we ended up travelling in two convoys of two and eventually meeting up further down the track. Then the route up through the mountains had changed since the last time the leaders had been there, so it made more like 2.5 to 3 hours before we finally got to the plateau where we camping for the night.

Still, given there were eight adults and ten children, we managed to get the tents up and the rest of the camp sorted fairly quickly (despite it being very windy to start with!). The kids went searching for firewood so they could get their bonfire happening and the adults set up tables and chairs, dispensed ice cold beverages, got the meat cooking on the barbie, and salads and other assorted snackage spread out just as it was getting dark. It was so quiet and peaceful and so nice to get out of the city for a change. A rather pleasant evening was had by all.

We were up quite early the next morning (6am) so I took the opportunity to take a few photos before breakfast. You can just see the open boot door of our vehicle on the far side of the camp. We were the only people up there which we thought surprising since the UAE Off-Road Explorer book is quite popular.

See that hill behind the campsite in the photo above? Well, the younger kids and I decided to climb up it! It doesn't look like much but it was quite steep and hard going to the point where I thought I was going to pass out! Anyway, about three-quarters of the way up is an unpaved road where I stopped to catch my breath and take this photo. The kids continued up to the top but I passed and after ensuring that the kids were making their way safely back down to the camp, I opted for the easier route back via the road!

*sigh* Blogger Photos is now being totally unco-operative and won't upload at all so I will save the rest of the photos and try to post them later.

Going camping!

2007-11-08T13:30:00.000+04:00

Catch up in a couple of days!

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T22:30:00.000+04:00

The kids all dressed up and ready to go out and scare up some treats! Liam actually made the little boy from across the road cry when he answered the door to them. I gave him an extra treat and he was soon happy again :)

Tikki got in on the act as well! Ken put my lit-up pumpkin headband on her - I'm not sure that she was all that impressed actually - lol! I think if Caitlin and her friend, Nadia, weren't there she would have bolted!!

New Look ...

2007-10-18T22:30:00.000+04:00

Yes, I've decided it was time for a change :) I came across this wonderful template at Final Sense - I think it works well. Hope you all like it too!