December 31, 2009

The reading challenge has begun and I have finished my first book. I will add to this list as the year goes on.

1. Kiss of Death by Meryl Sawyer - mystery/romance

2. Eye of the Beholder by Merline Lovelace - mystery/romance

3. A Necessary Risk by Kathleen Long - mystery/romance

4. Epiphany by Rita Herron, Debra Webb & Mallory Kane - romance

5. The Charm School by Susan Wiggs - romance

6. The Hidden Heir by Debra Webb - intrigue/romance

7. The Hollow by Nora Roberts - paranormal/romance

8. Lover's Bite by Maggie Shayne - paranormal/romance

9. Artic Drift by Clive Cussler - adventure/thriller

10. The Ride of our Lives by Mike Leonard - non fiction/humor

11. The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter - paranormal

12. Meet Me at Midnight by Jessica Andersen - intrigue/romance

13. The Darkest Kiss by Gena Showlater - paranormal

14. Dark Paradise by Tami Hoag - intrigue/romance

15. Whose Lie is it anyway by Abby Gaines - romance

16. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich-intrigue/romance/comedy

17. Baby Jane Doe by Julie Miller - romance/intrigue

18. Operation Midnight Rendezvous by Linda Castillo - intrigue/romance

19. Everything but the Baby by Kathleen O'Brien - intrigue/romance

20. Stork Alert by Delores Fossen - intrigue/romance

21. A Woman with Secrets by Inglath Cooper - intrigue/romance

22. The Puppet Master by Jan Coffey - thriller

23. Trace Evidence in Tarrant County by Delores Fossen - intrigue/romance

24. Under the Mocroscope by Jessica Andersen - intrigue/romance

25. The Quilter's Kitchen by Jennifer Chiaverini

26. Grave Surprise by Charlaine Harris - mystery

27. The New Year's Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

28. The Front by Patricia Cornwell

29. The Quilter's Homecoming by Jennifer Chiaverini

30. Justice for a Ranger by Rita Herron

31. Mozart's Sister by Rita Charbonnier

32. Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts

33. Zapped by Carol Higgins Clark

34. Mayhem in Miniature by Margaret Grace

35. A Bone to Pick by Charlaine Harris

36. Killing Kelly by Heather Graham

37. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

38. Dead Giveaway by Brenda Novak

39. Wicked Game by Lisa Jackson

40. Executive Privilege by Phillip Margolin

41. Cousin Kate by Georgette Heyer

42. Remember When by Nora Roberts

43. Total Control by Pamela Britton

44. Marry Me Christmas by Shirley Jump

45. Aunt Dimity Beats the Devil by Nancy Atherton

46. The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith

47. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

48. Case of Lies by Perri O'Shaughnessy

49. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

50. The Widow by Carla Neggers

51. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

52. The Man from Stone Creek by Linda Lael Miller

53. Sula by Toni Morrison

54. Season of Glory by Ron & Janey Benrey

55. Season of Strangers by Kat Martin

56. Heart of Fire by Kat Martin

57. Wanted Man by Ellen Hartman

58. A Wanted Man by Linda Lael MIller

59. Sleep Softly by Gwen Hunter

60. Thriller edited by James Patterson (short stories)

61. Body Guard Confessions by Donna Young

62. A time to Come Home by Darlene Gardner

63. Nine-Month Protector by Julie Miller

64. Lawman by Diana Palmer

65. The Winter Lodge by Susan Wiggs
66. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
67. Copy Cat by Erica Spindler
68. Heart of Courage by Kat Martin
69. Fools Rush In by Kristan Higgins
70. No Holding Back by Liz Allison & Wendy Etherington
71. Body Movers 3 Men and a Body by Stephanie Bond
72. Beyond the Limit by Lindsay McKenna
73. The Red Hot Empress by Meredith Blevins
74. Scots on the Rocks by Mary Daheim
75. Divine Evil by Nora Roberts
76. Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea by Nancy Atherton
77. Twilight of a Queen by Susan Carroll
78. The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer
79. Hot Rocks by Lev Raphael
80. Jigsaw by Jerry Kennealy
81. Secrets of the Model Dorm by Amanda Kerlin
82. The Boelyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory
83. Hounding the Pavement by Judi McCoy
84. The Bride Finder by Susan Carroll
85. Murder Talks Turkey by Deb Baker
86. The Sudoku Puzzle Murders by Parnell Hall
87. An Ice Cold Grave by Charlaine Harris
88. 5 Bodies to Die For by Stephanie Bond
89. Armagedon Children by Terry Brooks
90. Murder Grins & Bears it by Deb Baker
91. A Deeper Sleep by Dana Stabenow
92. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
93. Death of a Prince by Susan Baker
94. Aunt Dimity Detective by Nancy Atherton
95. Fatal Voyage by Kathy Reichs
96. Riptide by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
97. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
98. The Last Wife of Henry VII by Carollyn Erickson
99. The Water Lily Cross by Anthony Eglin
100. Sonnet to a Dead Contessa by Gilbert Morris
101. Cruel & Unusual by Patricia Cornwell
102. Spring Muslin by Georgette Heyer
103. The Mermaid in the Basement by Gilbert Morris
104. The Queene's Christmas by Karen Harper
105. Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris
106. Twin Killing by Marshall Cook
107. The Vampire of Venice Beach by Jennifer Colt
108. A Christmas Visitor by Thomas Kinkade & Katherine Spencer
109. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
110. Dead Man's Puzzle by Parnell Hall
111. The Queene's Cure by Karen Harper
112. Medusa by Clive Cussler & Paul Kemprecos
113. Unhallowed Ground by Heather Graham
114. Kaleidoscope by Dorothy Gilman

Total pages read for 2009 38,505

I stitched on Day this past week. I got alot done as I was off on Monday and Friday. But my days off have come to an end. I have used up all of my 2009 vacation time. Back to working full weeks in January. Ugh.

Stitching will slow down for a while as I have lost my stitching chair/light to the Christmas Tree. I plan on reading instead until the tree departs.

This week I was supposed to be stitching on Pinecones but I found more excuses for not working on it. I have decided to take it back out of my rotation until I feel the urge to stitch on it.

I did manage to make my cat ornaments into ornaments. This is my first time doing this kind of finishing. This past spring some of the Hoosier Stitchers had me over for a lesson. I took my first attempt (cotton balls glued to a pop tart box that then warped). Cici and Ana showed me the correct materials to use (mat board and fluffy stuff from the fabric store). I brought home a finished ornament to use as my guide. I finally got my act together and gave them a try this weekend. Not bad still room for improvement.

The frog necklace represents the necklaces I made with my nieces on Thanksgiving. I bought 9 different kits from Michaels ($1.00 each quite the bargin). I let each of the little girls pick out which kit they wanted. Felicia, MaryJane, Glory and Jessica were all able to string the beads on their own. I just tied the knots. I did help Elizabeth (who is 2 I think) string her beads. The girls want me to bring a different craft project for Christmas. They are home schooled and arts and crafts is not my Sister-in-law's thing. The older kids took their kits home as they were busy playing Monopoly.

This week I am back to stitching on Butterfly Fairy.

This past week I worked on my train piece. I have also been working on cleaning the living room to get the christmas tree up. Once the tree is up, I lose my stitching light which limits the time I can stitch as it is too dark to stitch at night.

I am switching to the dreaded pinecone piece. Hope to make some progress as I would like this one done and out of my rotation. I need to practice my queen stitches. Hoping I have something to show on this piece next week.

Ok this is my last new start. It is from Cross-Stitch & Needlework July 2008. The pattern did not have a title but I am calling it happy girl. Here is a picture of what it will look like completed and my progress after one week. It is by Joan Elliott. The bright colors attacted me. I am stitching it on 14ct grasshopper green aida. It has light effects floss which is different to work with. They are slippery and knot easily. I started this on 11/22/09.

My daughter was home for Thanksgiving. We spent a quiet Friday watching movies and stitching (I was stitching she was text messaging.) She is back to school now.

This week I will be working on my train picture.

Another new start this week, Abecedaire by Gazette94. I am stitching this on 14ct white aida. I have wanted to do this one for a while but couldn't decide on what colors to use. I loved all of the choices other stitchers had used. I was out buying more floss for a different project and saw the dark color and grabbed it and then the light color was there so I went with it. I ended up with #3685 and #3727. Hopefully my choices will look good when it is all done. This is a large project but it should stitch up quickly. I hope to have this one finished in 2010.

My daughter should be home this week for Thanksgiving. A short visit but it will be good to see her again. My car died Tuesday night. Dead battery. So now I have a new battery and just need to get the oil changed to be ready for winter.

I started another project this week Butterfly Fairies - Day by Lanarte. I stitched 2 whole days and I have this blue blob. I have included a picture of what it will look like when completed. I am stitching it on 28ct antique white Monaco over 2. I don't usually stitch on anything but Aida so this is a change for me. So far no problems.

Today is Sunday and time for me to switch projects again. I have another empty slot in my rotation. So I will be starting another project that I have ready to go.

I have some stitching updates. I made some progress on Freight Train. I never knew there were so many shades of gray/black. This is only the first of 6 train cars. So I have a long way to go on this one.

Next up was pinecones. I am still struggling along with this one. I did manage to stitch 4 pinecones. I didn't stitch the full week on it. I figured some progress was better than none.

Most of my time (when not at work) has been spent raking leaves. Last weekend we helped my sister rake her yard, then we raked my yard. We is my son and I. Then on Monday (no school for son) we raked the grandparents yard. It was a beautiful warm sunny day excellent for raking leaves. This is a picture of my yard this morning. Most of the leaves have now fallen off as we had strong wind and rain for 2 days. I will be spending my afternoon out raking.

This week I am back to stitching cat ornaments. Hope to finish another ornament this week. I did stop into my lns after raking leaves on Monday. I bought alot of beads, kreinik braids and I picked up 2 free pieces of matt board to finish my ornaments. I am still working on kitting up future starts.

I finally finished Gathering Honey on 10/19/09. There was alot of backstitching and french knots. I have moved on to the next project in my rotation, Freight Train. I now have 2 open slots in my rotation and will be adding 2 more starts when they come up.

Saturday I went to Ball State to visit my daughter. Went to the Dean's List ceremony and watched her get an award. Her grandparents also made a surprise visit. Their first time on campus. They seemed to have a good time in spite of being against her going to college.

Then I drove home and attended my neice's 16th birthday party. I had a full day Saturday as I didn't get home from the birthday party until 10:30pm. I had a nice visit with my brother and sister-in-law and their 9 kids.

I hadn't stitched in a week and picked Gathering Honey back up Sunday and finished it up Monday (had the day off). I am still using up vacation time.

I worked on more backstitching on Gathering Honey this past week. I am so close to a finish that I will continue working on it until it is done. I am saving all of the french knots for last. I am in the process of kitting up more new starts. I now have 11 designs in the kitting up stages. I need to find some smaller projects as these will all take awhile and I might not have any finishes for years.

I didn't any stitching done this past week. Tuesday after work I had to drive to Ball State to get my daughter. She was selected for Jury Duty on Wednesday. We drove home in a driving rain storm. She did not get picked for the Jury so after work on Wednesday I drove her back to Ball State. My son rode along to keep me company on the drive back.

Thursday morning I left with my sister to go to Turkey Run State Park and Shades State Park. It rained steady all day Thursday. We went hiking at Shades State Park anyways. We were the only ones hiking. Back in the woods and ravines we were protected from the rain and only got damp.

Friday we went hiking at Turkey Run. There were a few other people hiking even though it did rain off and on during the day. Once again the trees protected us from getting really wet.

Now I need to catch up on all of my housework. I will also be working at the school carnival on Sunday. Hope to get back to my stitching next week.

I finished Orchids on Friday, 9/11/09. I enjoyed stitching this one because of the bright colors. I have been looking thru my stash making a list of what projects I want to start kitting up. I have picked out 8 and will work on gradually gathering the supplies. Of course another project could catch my eye and jump into the line up. When this empty spot in my rotation comes up again, I will begin a new project.

The weather has been beautiful this weekend. I mowed the lawn yesterday and hope I burned off enough calories to cover the cookie I had today. I have lost another 3 lbs on my diet for a total of 13 lbs. I find exercising harder to do than watching what I eat.

This week I will be stitching on the Cat Ornaments.

This is how much I accomplished on my new start - Freight Train by Patricia Gaskin. It is being done on 18ct Ivory Adia using one strand of floss. This will be a long skinny piece - 527w x 83H. There is a lot of shades of gray and black in this one. This one will be in my rotation for a while.

This week I am working on Orchids which is a nice change because of all of the color. I have a short work week, off today for the holiday and Friday for vacation time. Hope to get alot done this time around.

I went bike riding yesterday with my son. Did a couple miles on the bike trail and then off to Dairy Queen for a treat. I have to bribe him to get him off of the computer. We did play Wii for a couple of hours Saturday night. He beat me every game even though he had never played them before. He is quite good at video games.

I worked on Gathering Honey this past week. I am now down to backstitching the inner garden. I also have some french knots to do. Yuck. I might see how beads would look. Definitely want to get this one done before the end of the year.

I started a new project today, Freight Train by Patricia Gaskin. I am stitching it on 18ct Ivory Aida using one strand of floss. Not to many bright colors in this one. Will post a picture after my week is up.

This past week I worked on Pinecones. I didn't get much stitching time but did get a little more done. It is really a struggle for me to work on this one - it is on linen (which I don't usually stitch on) and it has speciality stitches. I switched to my next project early - Gathering Honey. I am backstitching away.

This past week I worked on my Cat Christmas Ornaments. I did get quite a bit done. I am down to the backstitching. I seem to have a few projects in the backstitching phase.

Saturday we took my daughter back to college. She is on the welcoming committee and got to move in early so it was not as crowded as last year. We drove around the area and found this old fashioned soda fountain. I won't see her again until parents weekend in October.

I worked on Orchids this past week. It is fairly quick to stitch. Up this week are my Cat Christmas Ornaments.

I have school registration for my son this week and take my daughter back to college on Saturday. So stitching time might be limited.

I did get some backstitching done this week on Gathering Honey. Most nights I was too tired to stitch. Still a long ways to go. I will be working on Orchids this week.

I did manage to read 12 books in July. Added them to my list at the top of the blog. You can tell I rode the bus more often this month.

Took my daughter to finish her back to school shopping today. Now I just need to get my Son some new clothes and we will be all set.

I did work on Gathering Pinecones this past week. I put it on my scroll rods hoping to make it easier to work on. I got a little done. I just do not like stitching on linen. This week I am back to working on Gathering Honey. Lots of backstitching to do.

I started a new project this past week - Orchids from British Cross Stitcher September 2004. I really like the colors in this one. I have also dug out a very old WIP - Gaithering Pinecones from Hillside Samplings. I started this one back on 9/8/01. I have struggled with this one as it is stitched on linen and has alot of specialty stitches. I am going to work on it this week and see what happens.

July 12, 2009

I finished the freebie I was working on 7/3/09. Ed the Hedgehog from the British Cross Stitcher magazine. I also put in alot of time doing more backstiching on Gaithering Honey. I still have alot to go. I framed Angel of Cross Stitch by Joan Elliot. This one has been sitting in my completed box since 2004. It is the first picture that I have had framed that I am keeping for myself.

I have also been working on kitting up 3 more projects to start.

June 28, 2009

I finished Summer Garden by Cathy Livingston yesterday. I really enjoyed stitching this. I have one more in this series to do - Wintertime. I started this on 9/14/08 and finished yesterday, 6/27/09. Under a year which is quick for me.

I went to my LNS Thursday and took in my Angel of Cross Stitch to get framed. This will be the first piece I have had framed for me.

Here is another picture of the hollyhocks in my Dad's garden. Two more colors have appeared.

I continued working on Summer Garden this week. I am almost done. I will continue working on this one this week with the hopes to finish it.

I took some pictures of the hollyhocks in my Dad's garden. We planted these seeds in 2005. Last year just the dark red ones bloomed. This year we also got the peach ones.

June 16, 2009

I am going to use this blog for my stitching as well as my reading. I was using Yahoo 360 but they are doing away with it and the new format is horrible. They are trying to make it look like Facebook and it sucks.

Here is the progress I made on Summer Garden last week. I am going to continue to stitch on it this week as I hope for a finish.