November AND December ornaments!

I went to check out a stitching store in Walpole last weekend called Hoops & Needles. During my browsing I saw this tiny stitched cube, 1 inch square, made from a kit they sold. Of course, being a woman of a very little brain, I don’t have the slightest recollection of who made the kit- it was in one of those flat plastic boxes, a little bigger than a credit card. I do remember it was called “100 Pins”.

So, I went temporarily insane, and made my own versions, one in DMC Variations Red/Cranberry and Blue/Indigo.

Vee-O-LA:

And here they are with a quarter for scale:

The “100 Pins” cube was stiffer; I think it had some card stock lining the inside faces rather than polyfil. The clerk said something about it being hollow. Since I was flying by the seat of my pants, I used polyfil and made ornaments out of them. I used 36 ct. antique white linen, 2 over 2, and I poached snowflakes from various charts in my stash. It’s sewn together like a biscornu. It took between 4 and 5 hours to make each one. I’m pretty happy with the results!

I still have my "’Tis Red to complete, and I had picked out a beaded snowflake design from the 2007 or’08 JCS ornament issue for December, so I may end up with 14 ornaments this year!

Our Stitch & Bitch group is having our Christmas party tomorrow night at Mamma Mia’s, an Italian restaurant in the next  town over. Chicken goes for surgery Friday morning. And they’re forecasting  snow for Sunday. Chickie can’t be in the car with the wipers on; that ride home will be fun!

Progress and I finished something....

Here's progress on FOS. I started the lettering:

It doesn't seem like I did a lot, but I finished this first:

Just Nan's Christmas Biscornu, Side B

32 ct Jobelan "Lambswool" with recommended fibers.

Ree, The Pioneer Woman, has created an all new website with all of her various sites available in one place. PLease check it out! I hope that link-y thing works- Anna at Stitch Bitch told me how to create them (Thanks Anna!)

Off to ride the horse. Emily rode yesterday afternoon, outside for the first time, and got bucked off. Landed on her head, thank god for expensive helmets. SHe was out briefly and has symptoms of a mild concussion, but she was spending the evening with her BF, so she didn't "want to waste time at an ER". He brought her back to school today and she asked me to look up the hours of the college health clinic (again, why waste her time?), so maybe she'll get herself checked out. Her vision was doubled , but back to normal by 10 pm. This morning she woke up very stiff and sore. People tell me that the worry never stops. I guess it's time to give up my fairy tale otherwise.

MMMMMMMMMMM-Food!

Pizza night with my best friend- Emily is joining us too. The ol' Town Spa linguica pizza and greek salad- I can't wait! Emily got another "defective"cake:
"Chocolate Decadence" cake- it's a flourless chocolate cake- it's like eating fudge or a slice of dense fudgy frosting- chocoholic heaven! Thta's edible gold leaf in the center.
The other cake http://anotherxcrazyblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/miracles.html
was awesome too- that one was a chocolate layer cake.
I haven't stitched this week which is frustrating as I'm so close to finishing that biscornu!
Editor's note: Sorry-but I don't know how to substitute a word for a link yet! And any typos can be attributed to having a jiggly dog on my lap who wants scratchies. Problem is I type with 2 fingers.

Well...

it wasn't any worse than I thought it'd be, but it wasn't any better either. It was very tiring. The thing I've been loving most about not working at the barn is that I can enjoy my whole weekend: I'm not so exhausted by 4:00 pm that I can't do anything else but flip channels on the remote and sleep on the couch. (And be extra crabby by Monday morning!) All that came crashing back to me Saturday afternoon around 3:00, after I returned from my "other" side job, 40 miles round-trip in the monsoon rain storm we had here in New England. I really needed to get Axe more hay but I was too exhausted to drive to the other side of Middleboro and back (30 miles more round-trip), all the while hoping I wouldn't get caught on the wrong side of a flooded road.
I did make it back up to the barn at night and walked her around the indoor for 15 minutes and gave her her hay. The plan for Sunday was : Bob & Hayley were going to get started at 5:00 am, and I was going to show up at 6 and clean up behind them doing stalls. Then we'd be done with all the chores between 7 and 7:30, just as trailers started coming in for the show.
SNORT! I drive up at ten to six, and it's dark. "Well, OK, maybe the lights are on inside- Bob (who lives on the property) will already be at work".
I open the door to quiet darkness, and some of the horses nicker (Axe did- she always says hello to the waitresses). So I go back out to my car & call Bob, who doesn't answer. So I go in & get started. Like I said: it wasn't any worse than I expected!
Bob comes in around 6:15- he had remembered to change his clock, but forgot to turn his alarm on. Hayley- she shows up at 7:20- who knows why. I left around 8:20, finally done. The caterers started setting up in the aisle right in front of the stall where we keep hay & shavings, so we had to work around them, and try to pull a 75 foot hose up and down the aisle with riders getting their numbers and being meandering tourists. Anyway: I survived, and Bob has someone lined up to try the shift out next weekend.
Here's some stitching from Thursday & Friday last week:
Creepy Kids:

Christmas Biscornu2 back side:

OK! So I'm gonna go out on a limb here & guess that Blogger and the internet in general is experiencing a HUGE slowdown because of the surprising news that yet another politician of note has admitted to being involved in a * GASP!* sex scandal! And so i cannot upload photos right now. And if this posts uploads, it will be a bloody miracle.

Front Side complete..

I even added those tulip beads, which will be a hoot to work around when i sew both sides together. Now I have to do a reverse side.

Here's more progress on FOS- it's subtle, but it's progress (over one stitching in window & door and the roof and chimney)

Riding tonight. I hate having to get there after 7:30 to avoid jerks, and even that late, some are still around.

To Bead, or Not to Bead....

well, there's no question! Bead, of course!

I still have more to do- the left side and there are some around the middle.

something to Stitch about...

Stash: (self-explanatory)

Sorry about the flash.

Christmas Biscornu 2:

On this face I have the outlined backstitching & all the beads, then I have to complete the reverse face, which will be simple like the first biscornu.

That Bright Needle ornament from JCS 2007:

Still some red to be stitched on the upper right motif, some lilac on the upper middle, and finish the lower right and complete the outline.

Girth fuzzys for the Axinator:

One for her dressage girth and another for her regular girth. These slide over the girth (the wide "strap" that holds the saddle on, goes under her belly) to help prevent chafing behind her front "elbows". My girl has sensitive, ticklish skin, she does, precious. Good ride tonight. She's loving the hay I bought for her- waiting with prickly ears for it after our ride tonight!

Bricks & Mortar...

More FOS:

It was kind of slow going, and the color changes for the masonry occurred a bit further apart than I like to skip stitches, but still too close together to end & re-start the thread. There are 3 different floss colors in there, and I haven't got the rhythm down yet, so I had to refer to the chart every 4 stitches. PAH! And the right side of this house is finished on another page, so what you see continues a bit more to the right.

More stash:

The chart is self-explanatory; the fabric is 40 ct. "Exclusive blend #4". It has a slight over dye effect, but it's a nice buttery yellow. I'm not sure what I'll be using it for, but I know I have several Want-To-Starts that would look nice on this color. I like the chart, but really only got it because I've been itching to stitch something from BBD- like from the book I got last year. Even just the alphabet sampler. People have been discussing rotations, but my scatter brain just can't wrap aound more than one large-ish project and one or two small projects at a time. Plus I absolutely HATE not having all the floss in my kitted project, and having to steal colors from one kit to the next and then not returning it. And that's because I'm cheap and don't want to buy more than one skein of floss at a time (unless the design callss for more).

So anyway, my OCD says to finish the Xmas biscornu, and then ...Ahem... remember the Wish ornament? I need to finish that, and then I can pick a couple of new smalls. ANd then finish FOS.

Oh, and I did get all my tax, FAFSA & CssProfile stuff done. I can file my taxes when I get one last document from BU. It seems they mail out the 1098's on January 31st. Oh- I mean, their "outside source" mails them out on the 31st. I told the student accounts girl that they should tell their "outside source" that I'm supposed to have the document in my hot little hands by the 31st- by law. "TEE-Hee!" she replied, "Well I don't control that."

No I wouldn't think so.

SO There!

Fruit of the Spirit (aka Creepy Kids) progress:

Sorry it's at an angle- I'm trying to keep my shadow off it.

And more on the second Just Nan Xmas biscornu:

This is about an hour's work at lunch.

And the Winner is....

Hawaiian Biscornu!

Freebie pattern from Tante Zolder (My Aunt's Attic)

28 ct. Jobelan "Summer Sky"

Thread Gatherer's Silk "Hawaiian Sunset"

As you can see, the beads did not happen. I started stitching it together, and I couldn't coordinate the thread & which stitch to bead onto; so i just left them out. I suppose I could go back & go around again with beads. Maybe later. Here's the back:

I started the 3rd JBW Designs ornament: Joy Love Peace Tree:

This is with WDW Thyme & Garnet threads and that 32 ct Jobelan "Lambswool" (same cut I've been using- it's really getting around!)

These are felt stuffies my Mom made. I forgot to put them away Monday when I got all the Xmas stuff put away:

Have to ride the horse tonight and finish making up some grain- college girl took her horse home to CT for the holidays with her bags of grain, and didn't bring the bags back. I guess she thinks I pop them out my ass like a 63" tall ziploc bag dispenser.

RETRACTION!!!!

I just saw the word "Hawaiian" spelled correctly somewhere else- NOW I know why it hasn't looked right! I thought it was because I was omitting the apostrophe! Well, OK, obviously my spelling has nothing to do with my dyslexic typing skills...or lack of caffeine....or time of day... or aggravation with spawn of my loins......I take back my disclaimer from the other day about (SNORT!) knowing how to type! See here: http://anotherxcrazyblog.blogspot.com/2007/12/ummmm.html

BWAAA HAA HAAA!

Happy Blog-o-versary to me!

I think it's been a year since I started blogging- go me! I'm finally getting readers, and commentators- thank you all very much for your kind support!
I stitched on Creepy Kids (FOS) on Thursday, but it didn't seem like enough visible progress to warrant a photo. And I must get back to & finish my Hawaiin Biscornu- it's laughing at me in my stitching tote because I threatend to use beads around the edges.
I made a pot of chili this afternoon; it came out very good - "it'll put hair on your chest" as my dad always said about such things; say - would you rather have hair on your chest or a uni-brow? I digress...
Usually my chili is weak, but I put in 3 or 4 of those little finger-size dark green chilis- are those jalapenos? And they had Rotel tomatoes in my little old white-bread suburban supermarket- with cilantro & lime juice. And 3/4 of a can of Budweiser, that other 1/4 can hit the spot at 11:30 in the am! Lip-smacking, I tell you! I used chuck stew beef cut into 1/2" cubes, plus some hamburger leftover from Em's tacos the other night. Bob had given me one of those "Vidalia Chop Wizard" (As Seen on TV) for Christmas- perfect on the onions & peppers. I definitely should write the recipe down before I forget.
Now I have a ton of dishes all over the counter- all holiday leftovers are removed from my house and I have all those containers to wash.

Progress pix..

Stitch & Bitch tonight; some progress on Fruit of the Loom, and I backstitched the face of the Hawaiian biscornu and started the back. I also bought a star button for the middle.

I should have ridden Axe tonight, but talked myself out of it- I had my rubbish to collect, and then there was a whole bunch of people riding in the indoor tonight. I'll go up tomorrow night to ride- fridays are usually quiet.

I bought this cute chart: one of the ladies at S & B had bought this a couple of weeks ago, and had one design finished by the end of the night (about 90 minutes):

I've got work from Tom Saturday- YAY! I desperately need the $$. Which makes a whole lot of sense to be buying stash. Riiiight.

TTFN

Close but no Cigar..

I finished the top face of my Hawaiian Sunset Biscornu:
Now for the bottom face (something simple) and assembly. I hope this goes together OK- the border square is going to be 90 degrees off the design. Maybe I'll have to dig up some beads.
TTFN

No Witty Title tonight..

Here's progress on Creepy Kids (aka "Fruit of the Spirit"):

I also bought Winter Floral Sampler by Knotted Tree to go with my Fall Floral Sampler:

Which can be seen here: (I hope) http://anotherxcrazyblog.blogspot.com/2007/02/well-deserved-day-off.html

I let Deb hang my biscornu on her tree at the shop. It looked very nice & Christmas-y. Joann & Jean brought bakery cookies - various Italian favorites - SO YUMMY!

And a Drum Roll please...

My first finished biscornu:

"Christmas Biscornu "

by Just Nan

32 ct. Jobelan "lambswool"

DMC threads & Kreinik filament

The back side I designed.

Maybe it should be puffier? It's kinda firm as is.

Biscornu Construction

I started putting my Xmas biscornu together today- I stitched the back side after my boss left. This is what I came up with for the back design: The little ticks under the date are for alignment guides.

Here it is under construction:

And another view:

Here are some shots of the little critters. My camera's shutter is kinda slow. I couldn't t get a good shot of Delilah- she just wanted to stuff her face. This first one is Aslan :

Delilah came running when I topped of the kibble bowl, but that's Aslan voguing for the camera. Chickie always gets a kitty bit too:

Off to wash dishes & watch Heroes. Good ride tonight- no one was there.

TTFN

If it's Thursday I must be bitchy...

I finished the top side of my Christmas Biscornu:

Now I have to do a bottom side and assemble. Deb is anxious to see the finished product. She wants us to do a group project biscornu.

Here's the Hawaiian Sunset Biscornu 3/4 done:

Both are about the same size in RL, the Hawaiian might be a touch bigger. I DO hate to try & keep track of 53 backstitches in a row. My Mom has completed 15 biscornus since maybe the end of August. She's a show off.

TTFN

One Hundred!

Yay! Photos! Hawaiian Sunset & Christmas biscornus:
Xmas is done except for back stitching,beads & finishing.


Aslan sitting like the Queen he is:

I made bread in my machine today. Oatmeal Molasses Craisin walnut:
Stash I bought Thursday:
Plum Street Samplers "Fruit of the Spirit"

And Little House Needleworks "Gingerbread Cottage" and "Snowflakes"




These are the first LNH to catch my fancy. I see on other blogs they're quite popular, but i haven't been crazy about any until the Gingerbread one, and then Deb had gotten "Snowflakes" and another Christmas-y one similar to it.
We're being battered by high winds and rain today. I worked for my friend Tom today. It was odd not going to the barn & giving Axe her breakfast. ;(
Emily's college equestrian team is riding against a local team at our barn tomorrow. She's coming home tonight with her roomate to watch and take photos. Her roomate is a journalism major. I get to make a hot lunch for her 20 teamates. Oh fun. ..
Not.
TTFN

99th post on the wall!

Just noted that logging in and today begins National Blog Posting Month: http://nablopomo.ning.com/

Today will be busy. Bob & I are moving the Axe back to HBF. He's not happy about it at all- he doesn't trust any of the people providing care. I totally understand his point, but she needs to be ridden everyday, and this is the closest available place with an indoor. I can check on her on my way TO work (as well as after of course)- it's that close.
I told Em we'd do this as long as we could move her to the other place when a stall becomes available. In deference to Bob, I'm totally nervous about how much (or little) turn out she's going to get. The owner's girlfriend's 4 horses are top dogs, to the neglect of all the other horse in the barn.
Anyway, then tonight is S & B. I hope Deb has gotten new charts in from the Needlework show. I'm starting to get tired with these little things I've been doing, and am getting the itch to do a bigger project.
I'll try to post later- I was able to work on the Xmas biscornu at lunch yesterday. I'm down to about 50 stitches remaining, then the beading. (And back face and finishing...)
TTFN