Spring Cleaning -- Virtual Style!

My mind is in the mood to spring clean...but my body does not want to listen. So, instead of sorting and discarding things in the closets today...I spent some time putting items in the Studio on clearance!

All of the beaded hat pins, counting pins, and scissor fobs are now in the clearance section...until they are gone! And, I will not be putting these back on the site.

Everything in the GIFTS section that is not sold by the end of this month, will go into my personal gift basket for family and friends.

So, get these while they last!

Not Posting Today

Well, at least not about stitching. It's been a hard week so far...and I've not sewn on anything except a few stitches on a surprise swap piece, which I can't blog about.

But, I thought I'd at least let you know I was alive and kicking! The sinus crud is still in full swing...and I don't think I've gotten 6 hours of sleep in the past four days! So, I'm tired and can't think enough to be creative!

Sommer goes to the hospital today for a scan of her liver. She got her annual physical last week and her white blood cell count is very high (over 250) when it's supposed to be around 20 so please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She has been battling the sinus crud too, and has a UTI. So we think that the infection is the cause of the elevated white count...however, they want to scan her liver to just make sure it's not something worse. She is also anemic. They have advised she quit smoking and no more beer drinking for her on the weekends...(I totally agree...but hey, I'm not young any more...so fun is not important to me! Ha!)

She was trying go get some sleep today...after working last night. But, NO...she had to get up and go to the school to pick up Aidan. Ms. Aidan has been mis-behaving lately. She talks in class...a lot! She does not listen to the teacher, and is talking back. And this is just the first grade! (Oh the joys to come in following years I'm sure!!)

She has been in the principle's office off and on for about 3 months now; AND has gotten little "behavior" comments on her report card too. We have tried taking away privileges, spanking, time out, and she crys and carries on...and then does it again the next week.

This week, she has been in the principle's office each day. The principal makes her write sentences..."I shall not talk, I shall not thrown food in the lunchroom, I shall not whatever...." but, apparently that has not worked. So, today...they called her mother...and Sommer had to go and pick her up. She brought her to me (Nana's get the FUN jobs too!). So, right now...Aidan is in bed...for a nap (punishment). She will not get any TV time today either. When she gets up...the plan is to feed her a peanut butter sandwich and milk (prison food)...and give her school style work to do. No fun things. I'm thinking about corporal punishment (have her help me mop the floors) but I'm not sure I have the strength to carry that out!

So, no fun for either of us today it seems...and I was wondering if any ya'll had any suggestions you'd like to share? See...I'm desperate! I'm pleading for help to the public at large!

Aidan is a good kid generally; makes all A's...but just won't stop talking when she has something to say. (Sounds a lot like her Nana...I know...hush! this is not about me...) And, I have told her many times that she has to be quiet in school, listen to her teacher, do her work...and not get in trouble.

When we were children (my mom has seven!)...I don't remember us having problems in school. At least not to the point that my parents had to go pick one of us up! Of course, in those days kids got whippings if they were bad....first at school, and then when they got home. I myself have carried many a stripe across my legs from a hickory switch and on rare occasion, my Dad's belt. The fear of getting a whipping kept me in line pretty much. Today...that's not an acceptable thing...to have children be in "fear" of you. I'm not sure I agree or disagree with this. Depends on the particular mood I'm in when asked the question....today...I am wishing for a hickory bush. But, instead...I'm going to go lie down and get my own nap! Think I'm gonna need one! Hope the coughing doesn't keep me awake!

Now is your day going?

Redwork Peacock

This little peacock is based on a crochet pattern for a pillow that was published back in 1911. I modified the original design to adapt it to cross-stitch, and think that it would be particularly suited for redwork. Hope you enjoy it too!

CIJ Round #4

The Round #4 files for the Christmas in July Block(s) of the Month are loaded on the Shawkl_Blog_Files Yahoo Group Site now. So, hop on over there and download them if you are working on this Christmas in July quilt top.
Here's a sneak peek of Round #4

More Free Charts!

Morning all! I've been stitching on a secret gift for my Secret Sister, so can't show any pictures. Instead, I thought you might like another chart. Yes, I'm still playing! Just can't get over how quick and easy this software is! Here is a little fly pattern that would be easy to do in seed beads as well. And, if you change the color green out for yellow and play around with the chart just a little... viola, you have a reasonable little bee too!

Studio Heads Up

I've re-done the Studio pages for charms and lace as we just got loads of new ones in. And we put several laces on clearance too! So, if you need more charms and lace (and really, is it possible to ever have enough??) just hop on over and check them out!

Dogwood Charted

Okay, here's the last chart...at least for a few days. No, seriously...I mean it! I've got to get back to other projects...really, I do!

The pink dogwood version is easier to follow since it isn't white on white. LOL!

And, here it is...stitched across two threads on 32 count sky blue linen.

So pretty! Now, what to do with it? Perhaps a needle book?

I'm adding this post to Fabulous Friday links over at http://www.littleandalucia.com/2011/04/creative-friday-features-and-link-party.html

Owl Chart

I know, I said one more yesterday...but I just can't quit!

The colors can be browns, but the purple and pink shows well for a photograph. Just copy the image, and enlarge it when you print.

Bumble Bee Chart

Here's one more little chart for you. Enjoy!

Free Rose Sampler

I'm still playing around with creating cross-stitch designs. A sampler seemed like fun idea, and yes it was enjoyable. However, it took many more hours that I had thought it would...so as usual, I feel like I'm running behind in other things. Good thing the dog doesn't care if I dust or not! Hope you enjoy the Rose Sampler.

And here is the chart...

...and the legend. The colors are very basic and you can easily change them up to fit whatever color of roses you enjoy.

I'll load a full size photo of the color chart and the symbol chart into the Yahoo Files in case you need a larger version to stitch by. 

HGTV One-block Swap

Lisa finished my swap block and I received it last week. Finally getting around to blogging photos for ya'll! Hope you enjoy the vintage beads, silk ribbon, and lovely embroidery work as much as I do!

Thanks again Lisa!

ETA: Thank you ladies for all the nice comments on "my work"...but this is work that was created by my friend Lisa. She drew my name and I asked her to stitch a block with the theme "ROSES". And she did a super job! I'm so glad you appreciate her work too!

Free Cross-stitch Chart

Here is a little chart for you. It can be stitched in many color ways...for a robin, blue bird, "purple bird", etc. I drew it out with a simple border of Algerian Eyelet and Long Stitches for the corners. My plan is to do a 2-sided little mini project with a monogram on the opposite side.

The yellow stitches are straight stitches (recommend 3-ply thread), and the blue dot for the eye is a French Knot...you might want to actually use BLACK thread...but it would not have shown well on the photo if that was my ink color. LOL!

ETA: The chart was created in Pattern Maker for Cross-stitch software, distributed by HobbyWare. Thanks for asking Maggie!

Cabochons

The past two days, I've been trying to get a few more cabochons beaded for the Studio's page of CQ Motifs. There are dozens in my stash to work on and it will surely take my lifetime to get them all done! It is a tedious process, but I enjoy it for a few hours...then my eyes need a rest! Here are the ones I have managed to complete and add to the website...for those of you that enjoy adding a cabochon to your CQ Projects (like me!).

Not Your Granny's Yarns!!

And...coming from a "Granny"...I know! Check out the great fibers I found at the "Yarn" shop yesterday! Wonderful for more Under the Sea crazy quilt landscapes!

Jacksonville has had a yarn shop for  few years now, right in the middle of the Town Square. And lucky for me, right next door to the nail shop I go to! It called "The Taming of the Ewe"...which I think is so clever. Well, they have tons of yarn of course...as knitting is their biggest activity. They also do crochet, spinning, needle punch, and other things. For me, I was looking for yarns that "might" be able to be used in crazy quilt projects...and what I found was just gorgeous and luscious!

This skein is silk! Bright jewel colors made from left over Sari threads. Cool!

This skein reminds me of chenille, but it isn't. It will be great to stitch with too I think!

And lastly this skein is similar to ribbon and will couch down wonderfully!  So, the next time you see YARN SHOP, pull over and check it out! You might find some great fibers for crazy quilting projects too! And, if you want a smidgen of these...just send me a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope...and I'll send you some back! My address is in the Contacts Info on the Studio website.

Spring is Here!

What a great morning! Today Buddy had his bi-monthly appointment with the dog groomer...and while he was there, I drove around Jacksonville. Had a great cup of coffee, had my nails done (and they soooo... needed it because I had eaten them to the bone! Horrible habit...wish I could break it...). Here's a photo of Jacksonville's town square, you can just drive around and around the circle if you want.

Anyway, I parked in front of the nail place, but they would not be open for another 30 minutes...so I walked over to Java Jolt (behind the EMV van above) and had a small Breve! Yummy! Then when walking back, I took photos of all the potted spring plants...and the ones in the bed too! They just brightened my day...and I hope they do the same for you!

Under the Sea in the mail...

My stitching is complete, and the block is on it's way to Candji to finish up. Here is how it looks after my round was done.

And here is close up view of just my portion.

More Under The Sea

The past couple of days, I've been working on another UTS block in the round robin series. And the work done before me is wonderful...let me show you. Here is a beautiful fish that Deloris created on her embroidery machine. She makes me want to go buy a new sewing/embroidery machine myself! Isn't her work just gorgeous!

Plus, on the other side of this rectangle block...Jacque has placed this stunning mermaid and stitching! And the little dimensional felted fish is so cute!

Well, it is certainly a little daunting to follow this pair of creative stitcher's! I went on the hunt through my stash for some pretty and textural fibers. I found a piece of dyed cheese cloth and these cute little flowers. They were white and I dry brushed them with some alcohol inks.

You know I had to add some feather stitch plants since there weren't much there yet! This time I decided to use some of the rayon I have from EdMar for my Brazilian Embroidery because the colors are so vibrant.

Beads and a family of fish...and I'm almost done! These brass fish are painted with fingernail polish. When completely dry, I used some color markers on them...and then rubbed most of that off with an alcohol wipe so only the color is in the "creases".

I'll show you the finished block in a couple of days as I'm stitching away!