Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Been Quiet Around Here!
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!
My November ornament:
Stitched on 28 count natural linen with GAST threads
My Thanksgiving ornament for the Seasonal Ornament SAL blog:
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!
Friday, October 24, 2008
A finish and a few starts :)
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 :)
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
September Ornament
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 :)
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Finally, it is done!
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.
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.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Wow, thank you ...
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!
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!
Friday, March 21, 2008
QS Plum Gothic
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!
Friday, March 14, 2008
I'm here ...
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!!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Busy Weekend!
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 :)
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 :)
Friday, February 08, 2008
Parcel Woes
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 :)
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 :)
Sunday, November 25, 2007
I love my camera :)
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!
Friday, October 12, 2007
HAED BB October Challenge SAL Weekend
This weekend is the October edition of the Yearly Challenge SAL and Verdure comes out to play.
Here's my before pic:
I'm not sure how much stitching will take place as the Eid al-Fitr holiday started yesterday and the kids are off school until Tuesday. I'm sure it wasn't all that long ago they were on summer holidays!!
Here's my before pic:
I'm not sure how much stitching will take place as the Eid al-Fitr holiday started yesterday and the kids are off school until Tuesday. I'm sure it wasn't all that long ago they were on summer holidays!!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
I have been quiet!!
Received a reminder from Nicole* today that I hadn't blogged in a while - she wondered if I was still stuck behind the ironing board - lol! No, ironing is pretty much up to date (thanks to our maid who caught it up for me while watching the kids one night a couple of weeks back). I've been a bit restless and just haven't been in the blogging frame of mind. Anyway, thanks for the push, Nic, I seem to be getting into the groove of things again now :)
Okay, so what have I been up to since I last posted? Well, let's see I've continued to read a lot. I discovered The Black Magician Trilogy by Trudi Canavan, the Heather Wells mysteries by Meg Cabot and the first of JA Konrath's Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels mysteries, Whiskey Sour, all of which I've enjoyed. I've also started Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer, from DS's bookshelf, which is also looking to be a good read :)
I have also been stitching. There was a New Start SAL on the HAED BB at the beginning of the month which is all the encouragement I needed really :) I chose Ching Chou Kuik's Dream of Purple.
My progress ...
I also participated in September's edition of the Yearly Challenge SAL with Verdure and managed to complete the first page plus a little of the second page :)
This past weekend was the Background SAL on the HAED BB and I chose to work on Molly Harrison's Fairy of the Sea. I had moved over to the top right of the chart and started on the background there a little while ago.
Before:
After:
I'm way behind on my PhotoHunt entries, so much so that I think I will stop participating in it for now. Maybe I'll just do my own random pic of the month type of thing or as and when I take a memorable or amusing pic.
Like this one ...
DS was home sick a couple of days this week with pharyngitis. On Monday, his first day off school, he'd come downstairs to talk to me but I was outside hanging out a load of washing. This is what I came back inside to :) Tikki decided she needed her rest too - lol. Oh, and DS is fine now :)
Right, time to take DD to her tennis lesson!
~o00o~
*If you haven't done so before go and check out Nicole's awesome progress on her St Nick in his Study WIP. The detail is just amazing!
Okay, so what have I been up to since I last posted? Well, let's see I've continued to read a lot. I discovered The Black Magician Trilogy by Trudi Canavan, the Heather Wells mysteries by Meg Cabot and the first of JA Konrath's Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels mysteries, Whiskey Sour, all of which I've enjoyed. I've also started Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer, from DS's bookshelf, which is also looking to be a good read :)
I have also been stitching. There was a New Start SAL on the HAED BB at the beginning of the month which is all the encouragement I needed really :) I chose Ching Chou Kuik's Dream of Purple.
My progress ...
I also participated in September's edition of the Yearly Challenge SAL with Verdure and managed to complete the first page plus a little of the second page :)
This past weekend was the Background SAL on the HAED BB and I chose to work on Molly Harrison's Fairy of the Sea. I had moved over to the top right of the chart and started on the background there a little while ago.
Before:
After:
I'm way behind on my PhotoHunt entries, so much so that I think I will stop participating in it for now. Maybe I'll just do my own random pic of the month type of thing or as and when I take a memorable or amusing pic.
Like this one ...
DS was home sick a couple of days this week with pharyngitis. On Monday, his first day off school, he'd come downstairs to talk to me but I was outside hanging out a load of washing. This is what I came back inside to :) Tikki decided she needed her rest too - lol. Oh, and DS is fine now :)
Right, time to take DD to her tennis lesson!
*If you haven't done so before go and check out Nicole's awesome progress on her St Nick in his Study WIP. The detail is just amazing!
Saturday, June 09, 2007
PhotoHunters "Shoes"
I'm sure the shoes in this house breed - we always seem to have huge colonies near every main entrance door! We bought shoe cupboards to try and combat the problem but I think DH and I are the only ones who seem to understand its purpose - lol!!
Okay so the sandals are mine but I always leave a pair near the back door because I am constantly going in and out and the ground is too hot at the moment for bare feet! But they do get put away at the end of the day. The other two belong to DD. Normally there would be at least another three pair in that spot - DS and DD's Etnies (skate shoes which double as school shoes) and DH's flip-flops - but the kids are wearing their Etnies and DH had put his flip-flops away.
Put away where they belong!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
QS Wednesday
It's Quick Stitch Wednesday on the HAED BB and I will continue to work on Snowflake. Here's my current progress ...
It was the HAED BB Challenge SAL for May this past weekend and I was supposed to be working on Verdure but I'm so enjoying Snowflake that poor Verdure didn't stand a chance! I think I may stick with Snowflake until she's either finished or I get bored with her, whichever comes first :) I will make up for lost time on Verdure then.
It is starting to warm up quite considerably over here now - ick! I have a feeling this summer is going to be very hot!!
It was the HAED BB Challenge SAL for May this past weekend and I was supposed to be working on Verdure but I'm so enjoying Snowflake that poor Verdure didn't stand a chance! I think I may stick with Snowflake until she's either finished or I get bored with her, whichever comes first :) I will make up for lost time on Verdure then.
It is starting to warm up quite considerably over here now - ick! I have a feeling this summer is going to be very hot!!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
TGIT (Thank Goodness It's Thursday)!
Thursday afternoon signals the start of the weekend for us and I am so very glad it has arrived this week - I'm tired and am looking forward to a nice quiet (and hopefully, stitchy) weekend.
Thank you also for all your lovely comments on my recent WIP progress pics - they brighten my day :) Details on what thread I'm using for St Georges (as requested by AnneS and Fudgey (glad you found my blog, JM!)) - I'm using one strand of Gloriana silk, colour "Red Clay" over two threads on cream 40ct linen.
Yesterday was Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand and I had a marathon baking session making Anzac Biscuits (cookies for my non-Aussie friends) - I made a batch for each of the kids to take to school plus some for DH's office and home plus another lot for a friend as a thank you. Said friend only managed to eat one and the rest she shared with her co-workers so tomorrow (I am all Anzac'd out today) I will make another batch exclusively for her :) Then I think that will do on the baking front for a while!
All is quiet in the house right now - DD is playing next door and DS is not talking to me because I nixed his sleepover plans for tomorrow night *sigh*. He wanted THREE friends to stay over and I am so not up for that this weekend! I have been at school nearly every day this week helping his group out with a major class project which is due next week - I have had my fill of 11 year old pre-pubescent males this week! I may concede and let him have ONE friend over although that will depend very much on his attitude between now and tomorrow morning!!
I guess I will go and make the most of the peace and get some stitches in - what's the bet everyone will start bugging me the second I get comfortable?!!
Thank you also for all your lovely comments on my recent WIP progress pics - they brighten my day :) Details on what thread I'm using for St Georges (as requested by AnneS and Fudgey (glad you found my blog, JM!)) - I'm using one strand of Gloriana silk, colour "Red Clay" over two threads on cream 40ct linen.
Yesterday was Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand and I had a marathon baking session making Anzac Biscuits (cookies for my non-Aussie friends) - I made a batch for each of the kids to take to school plus some for DH's office and home plus another lot for a friend as a thank you. Said friend only managed to eat one and the rest she shared with her co-workers so tomorrow (I am all Anzac'd out today) I will make another batch exclusively for her :) Then I think that will do on the baking front for a while!
All is quiet in the house right now - DD is playing next door and DS is not talking to me because I nixed his sleepover plans for tomorrow night *sigh*. He wanted THREE friends to stay over and I am so not up for that this weekend! I have been at school nearly every day this week helping his group out with a major class project which is due next week - I have had my fill of 11 year old pre-pubescent males this week! I may concede and let him have ONE friend over although that will depend very much on his attitude between now and tomorrow morning!!
I guess I will go and make the most of the peace and get some stitches in - what's the bet everyone will start bugging me the second I get comfortable?!!
Monday, March 12, 2007
For Alison's DD (Sims 2:Seasons stuff) :)
Alison, tell your DD I'm not sure how I got my Sim to spontaneously combust :) I was playing Leod McGreggor (one of the new Sims that come with Seasons). His temp was in the red when I started playing him. I think I made him drink tomato juice too, which I have since read, warms Sims up. So does drinking hot chocolate. He also got sick with the flu so that may have had something to do with his high temp too.
Anyway, she could always make them wear their winter overcoats outside in summer - hee hee, drink tomato juice and hot chocolate and warm himself by the fire (if she has one) to see what happens. Oh, and baths and showers tend to raise their temperature too from what I've noticed. Sounds like she is having as much fun as I am playing it :)
Tannia, a couple of my son's friends think I'm a "cool mum" because I play computer and PS2 games - lol. DS does too most of the time - doesn't like it when I crank the stereo up in the truck and bop along to the music on the school run though - ROFL! I have seen Rollercoaster Tycoon and some of the other Tycoon games - haven't played them though. Will have to check them out next time DS has his guitar lesson - there's an electronics store nearby that I tend to wander around in while I'm waiting. Not good for the purse sometimes!!
I'm back to stitching today so should have some stitchy pics to show later :)
Anyway, she could always make them wear their winter overcoats outside in summer - hee hee, drink tomato juice and hot chocolate and warm himself by the fire (if she has one) to see what happens. Oh, and baths and showers tend to raise their temperature too from what I've noticed. Sounds like she is having as much fun as I am playing it :)
Tannia, a couple of my son's friends think I'm a "cool mum" because I play computer and PS2 games - lol. DS does too most of the time - doesn't like it when I crank the stereo up in the truck and bop along to the music on the school run though - ROFL! I have seen Rollercoaster Tycoon and some of the other Tycoon games - haven't played them though. Will have to check them out next time DS has his guitar lesson - there's an electronics store nearby that I tend to wander around in while I'm waiting
I'm back to stitching today so should have some stitchy pics to show later :)
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Long time, no post!
But I'm here, my mum has gone back to Australia, the kids have gone back to school and things are slowly getting back to normal! After a little slump (which seems to be becoming a tradition!) I'm also stitching again - yay! Not quite on my usual regular basis but I'm getting there :)
I had a great visit with mum - despite the loads of shopping we did I think she has gone back relaxed and well rested, with promises to come back again soon!
My fingers are almost back to normal but unfortunately the ganglion cyst has come back. It is not bothering me so I am just going to leave it.
I had a lovely little surprise in the mail recently - I received the most wonderful scissor fob from Carol for my birthday! She stitched the centre square of Chatelaine's Medieval Town Mandala for me - I love it! I was gifted a new pair of embroidery scissors from a friend here so my new fob has found a home already :) I haven't been able to take a decent photo of them this morning to show you but Carol has a lovely pic of the fob on her blog. You may need to scroll down a few entries though!
Caitlin had a bike on her Christmas/birthday list last year and unfortunately Santa nor the Birthday Fairy had room in their sacks to bring her one, and of course, we haven't heard the end of it - lol!! So, last Friday we all jumped in the truck and headed down to the bike shop. Let's just say it proved to be a rather expensive afternoon out!!! All four of us came away with new bikes plus helmets, head lamps, tail lights, a lock and a pump!! It took two trips to bring all four home (we could only fit two in at a time) - thankfully the bike shop wasn't that far away.
While the kids and I were riding around the neighbourhood trying them out, Ken decided to become Tim the Toolman and build a bike shelter :). A very good job he did of it too. The bikes definitely need some sort of protection, particularly during the summer months.
This is the time of year to be out riding and walking - by April it will be starting to get too hot - so on Sunday the kids and I rode to and from school and have every day this week ... well, except for today!
When I went downstairs this morning at some ungodly hour to go and walk the dog, I discovered it had just started to rain! We had been having some lovely sunny days recently so it was a bit surprising. Consequently the dog didn't get her walk and I drove the kids to school instead of biking! It also happened to be the rescheduled Sports Day for the lower Elementary School today as well - the original one scheduled for December had to be cancelled because of rain!! What a disappointment for the kids. The upper Elementary School's Sports Day is scheduled for tomorrow - hopefully the rain will have passed and it will be able to go ahead as planned. Maybe the little ones who missed out today could join in some of the activities tomorrow.
Because it is such a wet and dreary day I decided to stay in and stitch :) I wasn't really in the mood for over one stitching so I took my current HAED project off my floorstand and went rummaging through my WIPs in search of Drawn Thread's An Open Heart. I didn't find it (must be in a cupboard upstairs) but I did come across my Lanarte Arabian Woman and Night WIPs :)
I had a great visit with mum - despite the loads of shopping we did I think she has gone back relaxed and well rested, with promises to come back again soon!
My fingers are almost back to normal but unfortunately the ganglion cyst has come back. It is not bothering me so I am just going to leave it.
I had a lovely little surprise in the mail recently - I received the most wonderful scissor fob from Carol for my birthday! She stitched the centre square of Chatelaine's Medieval Town Mandala for me - I love it! I was gifted a new pair of embroidery scissors from a friend here so my new fob has found a home already :) I haven't been able to take a decent photo of them this morning to show you but Carol has a lovely pic of the fob on her blog. You may need to scroll down a few entries though!
Caitlin had a bike on her Christmas/birthday list last year and unfortunately Santa nor the Birthday Fairy had room in their sacks to bring her one, and of course, we haven't heard the end of it - lol!! So, last Friday we all jumped in the truck and headed down to the bike shop. Let's just say it proved to be a rather expensive afternoon out!!! All four of us came away with new bikes plus helmets, head lamps, tail lights, a lock and a pump!! It took two trips to bring all four home (we could only fit two in at a time) - thankfully the bike shop wasn't that far away.
While the kids and I were riding around the neighbourhood trying them out, Ken decided to become Tim the Toolman and build a bike shelter :). A very good job he did of it too. The bikes definitely need some sort of protection, particularly during the summer months.
This is the time of year to be out riding and walking - by April it will be starting to get too hot - so on Sunday the kids and I rode to and from school and have every day this week ... well, except for today!
When I went downstairs this morning at some ungodly hour to go and walk the dog, I discovered it had just started to rain! We had been having some lovely sunny days recently so it was a bit surprising. Consequently the dog didn't get her walk and I drove the kids to school instead of biking! It also happened to be the rescheduled Sports Day for the lower Elementary School today as well - the original one scheduled for December had to be cancelled because of rain!! What a disappointment for the kids. The upper Elementary School's Sports Day is scheduled for tomorrow - hopefully the rain will have passed and it will be able to go ahead as planned. Maybe the little ones who missed out today could join in some of the activities tomorrow.
Because it is such a wet and dreary day I decided to stay in and stitch :) I wasn't really in the mood for over one stitching so I took my current HAED project off my floorstand and went rummaging through my WIPs in search of Drawn Thread's An Open Heart. I didn't find it (must be in a cupboard upstairs) but I did come across my Lanarte Arabian Woman and Night WIPs :)
I decided on Arabian Woman - it would be nice to have her finished and framed and on a wall while I'm still living in the Middle East - lol!!! I must say it feels rather weird stitching over two again - the stitches are HUGE - lol!!
I can't remember when I started this - probably just before we left Australia to move here - so roughly 18 months ago.
This is how much I stitched before packing it away in the moving box ...
Let's see how far I get before my over one stitching starts calling me again :)
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Just call me slack!
Sorry I haven't posted for so long - I've gotten out of the irregular habit I had before I had the problems with my wrist and fingers!!
Anyway, I have seen the specialist about my wrist and it turns out that the tingling in the fingers isn't anything to do with the cyst - apparently it would be different fingers. I'm still none the wiser about the tingling but as it seems to be gradually going away (only in the tips now) the doc thinks I may have damaged a nerve in my elbow doing something at the gym or leaning on it too hard. I do tend to rest my chin in that hand and then lean on my elbow when I'm reading at the computer or at the table. If it hasn't settled then I need to go back and see the specialist so they can investigate further.
As for the cyst, I got the doc to aspirate it anyway - it only took a few minutes. I had to wear a pressure bandage for a couple of days and I had a mighty bruise but other than that it seems to be fine now. I do think it will come back as there seems to be a bit of a lump there but it may just be that my skin hasn't settled from the original one.
Thanks for the well wishes. I will try and get into regular blog posts again but with the holidays coming up I may still be a bit sporadic with them for a few more weeks.
No stitching to speak of but I have finished a book - "The Sultan's Seal" by Jenny White. Nicely written but I found it confusing and I'm still not sure who did what! Maybe I'm just missing something or I need to reread it ... not for a while yet though. I've just started Labyrinth by Kate Mosse - not sure what I think of it yet - it is still early days :)
Better go and sort dinner out!
Anyway, I have seen the specialist about my wrist and it turns out that the tingling in the fingers isn't anything to do with the cyst - apparently it would be different fingers. I'm still none the wiser about the tingling but as it seems to be gradually going away (only in the tips now) the doc thinks I may have damaged a nerve in my elbow doing something at the gym or leaning on it too hard. I do tend to rest my chin in that hand and then lean on my elbow when I'm reading at the computer or at the table. If it hasn't settled then I need to go back and see the specialist so they can investigate further.
As for the cyst, I got the doc to aspirate it anyway - it only took a few minutes. I had to wear a pressure bandage for a couple of days and I had a mighty bruise but other than that it seems to be fine now. I do think it will come back as there seems to be a bit of a lump there but it may just be that my skin hasn't settled from the original one.
Thanks for the well wishes. I will try and get into regular blog posts again but with the holidays coming up I may still be a bit sporadic with them for a few more weeks.
No stitching to speak of but I have finished a book - "The Sultan's Seal" by Jenny White. Nicely written but I found it confusing and I'm still not sure who did what! Maybe I'm just missing something or I need to reread it ... not for a while yet though. I've just started Labyrinth by Kate Mosse - not sure what I think of it yet - it is still early days :)
Better go and sort dinner out!
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
I may be out of action for a little bit ...
I have what appears to be a ganglion cyst on my left wrist. It has been there for a few months and they usually go away by themselves ... except mine appears to be putting pressure on a nerve as for the last couple of days I have had a "pins and needles" type feeling in my left ring and pinky fingers. I saw the doctor today and she has referred me to a specialist who I am seeing tomorrow afternoon for assessment. I am not sure whether he will aspirate the cyst or suggest surgical removal. In either case, I probably will not be able to use my left hand for a few days. No typing or stitching - thankfully I can still play The Sims 2 as that only requires the use of the mouse and my right hand - lol!
I will update you when I can :)
I will update you when I can :)
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