Spring in Colorado and a Tale of Two Kitties

FIRST DAY STITCHING OUTSIDE FOR 2010

Last Tuesday, the weather was just beautiful.  When I got home from work, I decided to sit out back on the patio and stitch for a while.  The cool metal sun above hangs on the back wall of the house.  Here's a photo of my stitchin' spot:

We haven't brought out all our patio furniture yet, so I brought out a couple of old pillows from indoors to sit on.  The little dog you can see behind the table is Miss Molly Noritake, our Japanese Chin (a rescue from the Humane Society believe it or not!).  The sliders to the right go into the kitchen, the sliders behind Molly with the mirror finish go into the master bedroom.

I had a great time sitting outside for a while and made a small start on my first SYHO project.  It's by Blue Ribbon Designs and is called Established With Love.  I'm still working on the windows; it will be a while until mine looks likes this.

WEDNESDAY

Remember that 'Spring in Colorado' heading on this post?  Here's why.  This is the sight that greeted me when I looked out back about 6:45 as I was getting ready to head off for work.  What a difference 12 hours can make!  This snow was those big, fat, heavy, wet snowflakes so prominent in spring months.  Oh joy!

And here's what my cozy stitchin' area looked like...

By the time I got home from work that day, we were back to spring (altho not spring temperatures).  It remained fairly cool and windy right through the weekend.  We are supposed to be back to high 60's today and into the 70's tomorrow.  (Until the next cool, wet weather hits again)  :(

GIFT OF A KITTY MUG

This morning, one of the MA's (medical assistant) at the Health Center where I work, brought me a wonderful kitty mug, filled with Starbuck's Chai Tea (my very favorite beverage!)  Isn't this the cutest thing?! 

BLOG GIVEAWAY WIN!

I won a giveaway at Prairie Grove Peddler blog recently.  Look at the great chart she sent me:

She does a weekly giveaway, so you might want to check it out:  Prairie Grove Peddler

NEW STASH!

A while back, I won a giveaway from Evalina's blog---a $20 gift certificate for my favorite ONS (of course I chose 123Stitch).  I finally spent it; I used it to purchase the chart for Quaker Gone Tropic.  At the same time, I ordered the floss and fabric.  Doesn't all this look like a fun and yummy stitch?!  Thanks once again Evalina!!

A FLEA MARKET FIND

Meari move over...for once I found a great deal at a flea market!  Usually I'm reading Meari's blog in disbelief at the incredible deals she finds.  A couple weeks ago, DH and I were trolling for an entirely different item at a flea market/antique shop about 20 miles from home.  DH found the other item I was looking for (more about that in a future blog post). 

Since moving into my new office in the fall, I've been wanting to put a live plant on a little table of some sort in the little alcove area.  So, I was keeping my eyes on the various small tables I saw in the flea market.  Yep, spied a likely candidate buried under a cookie jar, some other dishes, and a plant of some sort.  Looked at the price tag...$14.95.  Hmmm, sounds interesting.  So, I move all the 'stuff' off the top and give it a closer inspection.  It looks brand new! 

When DH picks it up to inspect it further, we discover it is VERY heavy (solid wood), and the bottom is stamped 'Ethan Allen' (a fairly well known and moderately expensive) furniture store.  Doing a search on their website, the closest-looking little table I can find retails for $499!

We found a very nice plant at Lowe's for under $15.  I think it looks quite nice in the alcove at work.  The little mini-quilt hung on the hanger on the wall is one of a series I started making last year.  I need to get moving so June is ready to put up when it's time! 

SMALL STITCHING UPDATE FOR LAST WEEK

I've almost completed Page 1 of the Spring Sampler.  I am just loving this stitch!  While I had full intentions of doing lots of stitching this past weekend, one thing led to another, and I ended up surfing the Internet for most of two days.  Also watched 'Hotel For Dogs' (not nearly as cute as thought it was going to be), and assorted other movies.  Hopefully I'll do much better in the stitching department this coming week.

STITCHING ORGANIZATION IDEA

Last, I wanted to share something I found that works really well for me to organize the stitching chart pages for current projects.  Because I don't want to write on my actual chart, I always make a working copy of the chart.  I actually like to enlarge it (since my eyesight is not great); so I like to scan the chart, make it into a PDF file and then use the Snapshot Tool to highlight a portion of the chart and then print it on a full page (which automatically enlarges the size of the chart grid to fill the page. 

Now before anyone gets upset that I'm violating copyright law or some such; I am NOT sharing the file with anyone.  I'm only enlarging and printing a working copy for my own use.

Anyway, here's a current example.  I'm getting ready to start a LHN design, Coming to America, which comes all on one sheet of paper.  I scanned the chart, made a PDF and broke the chart into SIX sheets for printing.  That makes the chart a size I can see without difficulty.  I also enlarge the key at the same time.  So, now I have 7 sheets to work with for that one chart. 

When picking up a prescription at Target the other day, I was browsing through their office supplies while I was waiting.  I came across a heavy plastic folder that has the metal prongs to hook pages into.  It also has front and back pockets.  So, here's the great organizational tool I came up with from that find:

Front Cover

Inside Front Cover

Inside Pages (I used sheet protectors
to create the inside storage pages)

Inside Back Cover

I purchased a couple of these folders and as I complete a project, I'll just reuse the folder again for another project.  Since they are made of plastic, they should last a long time and they only cost a few dollars.

RHUBARB RUNNING AMUCK

Last spring, DH was moving some plants around in the backyard.  I distinctly remember him saying 'I'll just put the rhubarb in this clay pot 'temporarily' until I decide where to plant it.  Well, look what happened this spring....

You can barely see the red clay pot underneath the leaves.  I think his pot runneth over!  :)

UH OH....WE HAVE A DROWNING VICTIM!  DOES ANYONE KNOW CPR??

This photo doesn't begin to do this crisis justice!  The other day one of my stitching magazines arrived in the mail.  I was holding it under my chin, while standing at the kitchen sink, before retiring to my sewing room to look through the magazine.  Sure enough, next thing I know, the magazine flapped it's wings and flew right into the sink which was full of water at the time!  Let me say, the magazine was dripping; each and every page was well and truly wet.  Not a pretty sight at all.  I nearly cried.  I emailed the company, explained what happened, and a nice lady responded right away, saying she'd send a new copy; no worries.  The new copy arrived in today's mail.

SO, WHAT HAS LUCKY BEEN UP TO NOW??!...THE SCENE OF THE CRIME...

I know I keep whining about how much I want grandchildren.  Well, guess I (almost) got my wish.  Heard this noise in the kitchen the other night (I was sitting on the sofa in the upstairs family room watching TV).  I didn't think too much about it.  A little later, DH comes upstairs (he's watching baseball or some such sport on TV in the downstairs family room).  He comes into the kitchen and wants to know why I left the cabinet door open under the sink?  I say, "I haven't been in the kitchen since dinner." 

He closes the door, and is standing at the fridge, refilling his iced tea glass.  He says, "Come here, you need to see this."  Okay....what do you suppose is going on?  Lucky (the McDonald's bag kitty), is standing on his back feet, stretched up and he opens the cabinet door with his front paws.  Within 10 seconds, Lucky and his pal Doc, are both inside the cabinet; happy as clams, snuggled up to the various bottles of cleanser, dish washing soap, etc.  Good grief.  DH's quick fix to that was the wooden spoon through the handles. 

The next day, he finds them inside the bathroom cabinet (same exact cupboards with double doors).  And a little later that day (you'll LOVE this!), DH opens the bottom drawer in the bathroom vanity (it has double doors and 3 drawers) to find Lucky lounging inside the drawer!  Our guess is, Lucky opened the drawer and climbed in and Doc shut the drawer on him.  

So, wonder if we are going to have to invest in those kid-proof latches for the inside of the doors and drawers once again?!  Thought we were all through with that sort of thing. 

My tale of two kitties draws to a close.  Hopefully next week I'll have a lot more stitching to share.

Until then,

Happy Stitching and Happy Mother's Day! (Our son should be home this week for Mother's Day!)  The sweetie hasn't missed being home for a Mother's Day since he moved away a couple years ago. 

Vicki in CO

Cat in a Bag, Flowers, Flowers, Flowers and Stitching

This is the back half and tail of Lucky, the kitten we rescued from the shelter in October 2009.  You can read his story here.  DH stopped at McDonald's the other night after work.  Guess the empty sack just smelled too enticing; Lucky did his best to get his entire body inside the paper bag.  Maybe DH should have asked for the bag to be 'super-sized' as well as his beverage! 

SPRING HAS DEFINITELY SPRUNG!

I am so excited.  While our Colorado spring weather has included warm days, windy days, rainy days, and even some snowy days; spring is definitely my favorite season.  When we redid our backyard a couple of years ago, we planted a lot of tulips and daffodils.  Last year, just as they were getting to the point of blooming, we had a really nasty storm that annialated them...no flowers to speak of.  I was so bummed!  This year, they have been blooming like crazy!  Here's a bunch of photos for your enjoyment.

There was a story in our local newspaper last week about a woman who lives just a few blocks from us.  She has planted over 5,000 tulips in her yard!  She was welcoming people to come this past weekend to see them in full bloom.  I would have loved to see that, but one thing led to another and we never made it there.

STITCHING UPDATE

I don't have a huge amount of stitching to show this time.  I found myself with very good intentions, but little time spent with the needle in my hand.  If everyone would stop talking so much on the lists and stop writing and posting such wonderful things on their blogs, I'd get a lot more stitching accomplished!

TUSAL

I'm very late in posting my TUSAL for the month.  Ooops!  It looks like there is some green floss trying to escape from the jar. 

OAKHAVEN DIVA SAL

Here's my stitching on this new project as of April 18.  This photo is kind of dark.  Sorry.  Believe it or not, the red on the left will be a cat.  Once again, I used artistic license with my choice of floss colors.

OAKHAVEN 2010 MONTHS SAL

I finished April on Sunday, but not before doing a bit of ripping!  I was stitching along and before I knew it, I'd put a leg on the 'P' and made it an 'R' so had to take that out.  The month of May should be a really quick stitch.

Bride's Tree SAL - April Stitching Finished

The stitching is finished, but I still need to get the ornament put together.  The background is the fabric I'm using for the back.  I got the pins as a freebie in 'Cross Stitcher' magazine, Issue 224 that I picked up at Borders bookstore recently.  The ribbon is from Michael's.  I'll post another photo once it's all finished. 

Wiehenburg Spring Quaker SAL

I simply couldn't resist this SAL!  Her quaker designs are just lovely.  I decided to go a bit outside the box with my fabric and stitching.  The border all around is shown stitched in green.  I simply could NOT bring myself to stitch the tulips in one of the motifs in green; so my tulips are pink.  I'm using DMC floss and Silkweaver 28 ct Cashel Linen called Serenade.  

 

This is what the sampler will look like when it's finished. 

Counted Blessings - A New Project!!

Check out my new blog, Counted Blessings.  I started this blog to record my progress on a project count my blessings.  This will be done by stitching 100 - 1" squares.  Each square will signify and illustrate one of the blessings in my life.  It's not too late to join in this new endeavor.  Check out Amy's Blog, Counting My Blessings to learn more about this project. 

I'm still in the beginning stages of planning my project.  I think I'm going to use a 28 ct Lugana from Enchanted Fabrics.  It is called Mystique Bubblegum, a very nice, lightly marbled pink.  It's my intention to use a variety of threads, buttons, beads, and other embellishments on this project.  It will be quite a challenge to stitch 100 different blocks that are only 1" in size!  Besides that, I've done very little embroidery, so that will definitely be a stretch for me.  But, I hope I'm up for the challenge.  

There are lots of other things I could share with you, but I think I'll call it quits for this entry.  If you've read this far, I commend you, and appreciate you, as well as your comments, very very much! 

I'll leave you with a couple photos of my 'stitching kitty' - Oreo Cookie.  She is always wherever I am in the house, 'helping' me with my stitching every chance she gets.  Unfortunately, her idea of helping is grabbing the floss and eating it.  

Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO

Wednesday Updates

It's been a while since I posted an update.  I have several things to talk about, so let's start with today's mail. 

I received my Bingo prize from Shelley for the recent Bingo game I won on ILCS.  It is so cute!  A fall-themed magnetic list pad (going right on the fridge) and an adorable Lizzie Kate 'Boxer Jr'  called 'Autumn.'  I LOVE Lizzie Kate; thanks so much Shelley!  Great choice!  She also included a nice note.

I can see three purchases in my future--so I have the complete set of seasons...they are shown stitched together and put in one frame on the back of the box.

Since I'm hosting the new Bingo round, I need to start thinking about the prize....hmmm....more shopping!

Update on Lucky

As some of you know, our new little furbaby, Lucky, was very ill last week.  Here are a couple of photos I took, that clearly show how his devoted adopted-Mom, Oreo, kept vigil at his side while he was ill.  In this first photo, Lucky is inside the box, sound asleep.  Oreo slept with her head on the edge of the box.

In this one, you can see how Oreo is sleeping with her paw and head up on the edge of the box, just a few inches away from Lucky.  Is that a devoted Mom or what?

I'm happy to say, Lucky seems to be well, altho he'll still be on antibiotics for several more days.  But, he's now racing around the house like a kitten should.  Thank goodness!  We were so worried about him.

Colorado Quilting Council Meeting

Last Saturday, I went to Boulder with a friend from our local Quilt Guild to the monthly meeting of CQC.  The speaker was Nancy Odom of Timid Thimble Creations.  She was an interesting speaker and had lots and lots of quilts to show, which I always enjoy.

I took along my Halloween Kitty wall hanging and my Stitchin' Kitty wall hanging (that hangs above my cutting table), for Show 'n Tell. 

I Have Another Finish!

Well, at least the stitching is finished!  Someone I met on TGOSM list recently (thanks Patti!), mentioned a group called Sampler Guild of the Rockies.  They meet once a month in Denver.  I have exchanged e-mails with the current president of the group, and weather permitting, plan to go to the November 8th meeting. It will be so much fun to meet some other stitchers in person!

They will be working on finishing an Altoid tin.  Since I don't have the design they are stitching, I came up with my own, so I can participate in putting the design on the tin.  It's a simple design--just my initials with a border around it.  I finished stitching it last night.  It's simple, but I'm pleased with how it came out.  I chose a DMC thread color that matches the edge around the top of the tin pretty well. 

First Big Snowstorm of the Season

We had the first big snow of the season today.  From what the National Weather Service was predicting though, it sounds like it could have been much worse than it turned out.  I'll be interested to see the news in a few minutes to see what they say about tonight and tomorrow.  Here's a shot looking out our front door a while ago:

Here's a two photos looking out the back door into the backyard.

I think that's the major updates for the moment.  Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween.  Hopefully our weather will clear up and not be quite so nasty out for those little ghosts and goblins.

I'll leave you with a photo I took of our three dogs last night.  They were all lounging in my office/sewing room.  Of course, as soon as they saw the camera, Max (our Cocker Spaniel) came racing over toward me.  Aren't they quite a trio...small, medium and extra-large!?

Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO

Lucky, The Newest Member of Our Family

Some of you know about our new fur baby, Lucky.  He was featured on the front page of our local newspaper on Tuesday; he and his five litter-mates were rescued from a trash dumpster and taken in by a local animal rescue group.  You can read the story here. 

Seeing that little furry face, that looks SO much like my Oreo Cookie (aka 'Helping Kitty,' 'Tacky Oreo' and other names not suitable for all audiences), in my heart, I just KNEW he was meant to become part of our family.

Fairly early the next day, I called my DH from work and said, "How much do you love your wife?"  Having been married for 38 years next month, he knows me pretty well and replies, "What did you buy now?"  A bit indignant, I replied, "Nothing.  BUT, I do have something I want YOU to buy." 

I went on to tell him I'd spoken to the rescue group, and the kittens we'd talked about at dinner the night before would be available for adoption at noon that day.  I told him I REALLY hoped he'd go and get one of these kittens.

He was second in line to choose one of the kittens at noon!  The lady who was first in line choose one with an all black face.  DH said he choose the one he felt looked the most like Oreo, and turns out he chose the one who was featured in the newspaper. 

When DH brought our new fur baby to my office to show him off, one of my staff suggested we name him Lucky, since he was lucky to be alive after being in the dumpster without food or water for who knows how long.  That seemed to fit just fine, so Lucky it is.

This is Lucky taking a catnap during his first evening in his new home.  Isn't he adorable?  He has the loudest purr for such a tiny kitty!

He is giving me that "WHY are you taking my picture over and over?" look.

At first, Oreo Cookie felt obligated to hiss at him, and he obligingly returned the hiss.  However, it wasn't long before Oreo was sneaking over to him to give him a couple of grooming licks and a sniff or two, then letting out a half-hearted hiss.  Isn't Lucky the spitting image of his new mom?!

Today, the hissing is all over and Oreo has taken over her role as Lucky's adopted mom, grooming him patiently and lovingly, just as I knew she would! 

I have a suspicion from his early fame, he just MIGHT be a bit of a ham.  What do you think?

One last photo of the little sweetie...

OK, I think that's the update on Lucky and Oreo for the moment.  Expect more photos and stories of his escapades in the future.

Till Then, Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO