Hmmm....

Well, I only got about 20 stitches in this weekend on Santa of the Forest. I spent the rest of the weekend reading, and finished one book, and half finished the other (which I actually finished this morning). I went shopping Saturday morning, I bought6 books (two were a gift for my mom) and then I went again today and bought another book. Right now, I have 6 or 7 books in a pile in my bedroom waiting to be read, and they are all telling me to read them, NOW! Funny...lol.

So, my computer is messing up on me. Not bad or anything, and it's only my iTunes. I got an iTunes card, so I bought season 11 of America's Next Top Model. I can't watch it on TV because we can't get the CW on dish, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that show. I bought season 10 last year, and I love having it so I can watch it on the computer whenever I want to :) Well, I downloaded the first episode (out of 6 available) last night, and I can't watch it. It just skipps and freezes and goes ahead at super speed. I figured that since the last upgrade iTunes is even doing with my songs. (My iPod plays fine, but I have an older iPod, it won't play my TV Shows, I can only watch them on my computer). I did figure out I need more RAM, because iTunes is RAM hungry, big time. I do have over 700 MB of RAM, but I guess I need more. I also need to upgrade my video/graphics card and audio card. My computer is almost 6 years old, and I have never done anything to it other than add a 256MB RAM card to it (in addition to the 512MB card it came with). I was told at Office Max that my computer was probably too old to use the new stuff (I don't think so, but whatever). So, I have to get inside (it's ok, I learned how in school) and see if it is PCI or PCI Express. I think it is Express, but I could be wrong. I guess I may just have to break down and get a new PC. First thing though, I need an external hard drive to save everything too, I have 6 years worth of stuff on this thing!

Any suggestions, I am more than happy to hear them!!! :)

Off to camp

We are off to hunting camp tonight. I love going to hunting camp. It's only a few miles away, in my husband's family's woods. (It's right where our lot is, where we will hopefully be living this time next year). I love the woodstove heat back there, and the cozyness of it. It's old, and made of used supplies, but it keeps us dry, and holds a lot of memories. We don't have power back there, but we have a generator to run the lights at night, and sometimes we will watch a DVD or two. I am taking back some stitching, and some reading as well. This weekend it will just be me, Em, Gabby, Hunter and Em's cousin Sean. Usually Em's dad and step-mom come back, but she's working this weekend, so they won't be coming back.

I have to go shopping to buy food for this weekend. I started a small list, but am waiting for Em to get home at noonish to finish it off and hit the new Super WalMart 15 miles away!

Hopefully I will have some progress to show you when I get home Sunday evening.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!!!!

Introducing......

The newest member of the Baker family!!!!

This is Gretta. I call her Miss Gretta. She's a year old (give or take), she's fixed and all up to date on her shots. She is timid, but loves to be petted on her terms. I adopted her from the animal shelter a couple of weeks ago. I took her to the vet, and she got a clean bill of health. She's also been tested for feline lukemia, and she's good to go. She sleeps on my pillow at night, I give in, and I share it with her. She's a small little girl, about 6 lbs, about the same size as my little Izzy (they are about the same age). They get along for the most part, but they don't like to eat together. She's slowly been warming up to us, and I am so happy to have her here. She's a sweet little kitty.

What a week! :)

I know it's only Wednesday, but this week has been very productive homework wise. I am up-to-date, and ahead even. This weekend is my break, no school on Monday or Tuesday, so no homework due next week (since most is due on Mondays). I have a discussion due on the 17th, then back to my regularly scheduled Mondays.

I did another charcoal drawing for art, I don't have a picture because I had to hand it in for my midterms portfolio. I will post a picture after I get my portfolio back. I am in love with this drawing. I bammed it out in a little under 2 hours (never thought I would get it done in time) and can't wait to frame it and hang it on my wall!!! This is the picture I worked from (we had to use photos we had taken of something we had very positive or negative feelings for. I started drawing trash, but was not enjoying it, so I drew this other instead).


It's cropped and convereted to black and white to make it easier to draw in black and white, lol. Here is the original picture I took a few years ago.....
I just love my drawing, and can't wait to share it with you all!!!!


This weekend I plan on stitching. I was thinking of stitching on my RoS over one red conversion, but I am not sure. I am not feeling her. I don't want to start a new project either, so I may take L&L's Santa of the Forest back to hunting camp with me. We shall see. I may not even stitch. I have a bunch of new books I had to have (love Paperbackswap.com!). I have the next book in the DarkHunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon that I need to read. I just finished book 8 and have book 9 waiting, and I got book 11 in the mail yesterday, so book 10 should be here today or tomorrow. I also bought a new Dean Koontz (well new to me anyway), The Taking, and I bought a vampire looking book called Twilight by Stephanie Meyers (I think).

Also on Paperbackswap.com, I found all four of the The Heritage of Shannara series in hardcover. I love hardcover, I much prefer reading hardcover to paperback. I tried looking for the Original Shannara series, only to find out they are extremely rare in hardcover, and sure enough, there are some on eBay for $500-$1000!!! I haven't read Terry Brooks yet, so I am not paying that. I will just go borrow my mom's paperback version, lol. If I like them, maybe I will get the book club edition (all 3 novels in the series go for about $60). Who knows, lol.

Well, I think I rambled enough today. I think I will go dig out Santa and see if my little Hunter man will give me a few moments peace to stitch!

Updates...

So, I still have no time. I am neglecting my blog and boards. I have tried to keep up with reading everyone's blogs, but it's been hard. I think I have read most of them now, just no comments from me for now.

I got my new glasses. I hate them. I am taking them back, they are horrible. They give me headaches, and make my eyes feel really scratchy. I don't care, I don't need bifocals. I saw so much better without them. So, after spending all that money, they sit in the case, and I am wearing my old glasses. I am planning on taking them back tonight, after my Gabby girl gets off the bus.

I have been doing a lot of homework. Essays, test, more essays, drawing. Most of my drawings are at school, so I can't show you any pictures. I LOVE the one we just finished, it's a charcoal still life. I will try to remember to take my camera in tomorrow and snap a picture of it before I put it away in my cubby for the semester.

I guess that's all. There is nothing of great importance happening over here, just the same old stuff. Tons of work, work, work, and no time for anything else.

I guess that's all for now. Sorry to be away for so long! Until next time.....

New Store Address

Yeah, changed again, this is bad of me, I know. I found a site that will host for free, and give me unlimited space to host my products. I just have to upload all my products again, but it's worth it. I shouldn't have to change sites again!

http://stitchesinheaven.ecrater.com/

It's a work in progress!

Busy busy busy!!!

It's been so busy, I don't know which way I am going. I have so much to do, and no time to do it in. I slacked on my Short Fiction, I have 4 stories left to read, and the discussion is due today! I have a unit exam in Sci Fi, yikes! I still have to read 3 essays for that one. I finished all the reading for my other two classes, but for the one, I have to go out and buy a local, and national newspaper, and compare them, for today. I am so far behind, it seems I can't keep up. I am supposed to have at least 5 drawings in my sketchbook for art (I have 2) for tomorrow. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! I need to find a better way to keep myself organized. I am getting very stressed out, confused and frustrated. Grrrr.

On the stitching front. I managed a few stitches last week. I just haven't had time to post the results yet. I have a small blob of red for my over Rose of Sharon to show you. Maybe next month I can get some more in. We have a couple days off in the middle of October. (but, I will probably need those days to do homework! I hope not, I need some stitching).



On other news, I just spent $600 for a pair of new glasses. OMG! I almost fainted. That took every penny I had left of my refund. It was $120 for the exam (I had Gabby checked out too, she has 20/25 vision, good news!) and $380 for my glasses. $244 for the lenses alone! They decided I needed bifocals. I am 29 years old, and getting bifocals. I am afraid I won't like them. If not, I do have something like 30 days to return them for a refund, and get plain regular glasses. I have 20/80 vision in my left eye, and 20/150 vision in my right. Yup, I don't see very well. He told me the bifocals should help me to read better, and see my stitching better. Hopefully, I would hate to loose my stitching!!!!!

Well, I have to go now. I have to type up a transcript of an interview I did for my journalism class. Until next time!!!!

Happy Birthday Angel Baby Michael

I am at work right now. It just dawned on me it is September 16th. 6 years ago today, I gave birth to my gorgeous little angel, Michael. He graced this earth for only 4 short hours, hours that I will cherish forever. I miss you little man.

Where does the Time Go?

The past couple of weeks have just flown by so fast. I have done no stitching, I am sad to say. I probably won't any time soon either, though I long for it so bad. I look at my cupboard when I am supposed to be doing homework, and just think of all the stitching I could do with my time. But, then again, I have no time anyway!

I miss Toby very much. Little Hunter keeps asking if Toby is outside, and then saying he needs to come in. Gabby doesn't say much, and Em doesn't either. Izzy, the poor little baby kitty misses him a lot. I can tell, she will sit at the door, looking out, watching for him. She will come up to me and meow, which she's never done before. She has also taken Toby's spot sleeping on my legs at night. We are getting through, but I still can not accept the fact that he's gone.


School is going well, very busy, but good. I got a work study job on campus. I am working in the EOP office 8 hours a week (all I know is EOP stands for Educational Opportunity Program and helps students somehow, I know nothing else but am sure I will learn). I mainly file paperwork, answer the phone if my boss is out of the office, make appointments if my boss is out of the office. Next week will be busy as my boss is out of the office all week. I only work Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 hours each day. I get paid minimum wage, but I get paid! That will help out with gas every week, so Em doesn't have to worry about filling up 2 vehicles.

I have gotten some good grades so far. My art project (blog post below) got a B. I have another one (sorry, forgot the pic) will be graded for tomorrow's class, and I have another one in my bag (waiting to finish it up) that's due tomorrow. I have gotten 3 perfect grades on the 3 assignments for history. I got a perfect grade on my journal and discussion for Media Studies, and both discussions in Journalism, and Science Fiction as well. English hasn't been graded yet as the professor had a death in her family. I also joined a 'club' on campus, called the Green Campus Committee. Their goal is to try different things to make the campus more environmentally friendly. I hope it goes well.

So, everything is cruising right along. Gabby loves school this year, and loves her teacher. Hunter loves his babysitter, and Em is doing great at work, we even paid off our account there, so that means larger paycheck! (Stash maybe? haha, just kidding)

As Promised....

I just finished my drawing for art class. I can oil paint a lot better than draw, that's for sure! We had to have at least 5 items in the drawing, at least 2 of which had to be organic. So, I picked 2 books, a lighthouse that holds a tealight inside, 2 tomatoes, and a plant. It is far from perfect, but I think you can tell what everything is, lol.



I never thought to take a picture of what I drew until I put everything away, lol. But, you get the idea right? Just remember this is our first assignment, we were not supposed to add lots of detail like shading and stuff, just outline and contour. Hopefully I get better with practice, HAHA!!!

August Goals revisited

Since it's the first of the month, I thought I would see how I did on my August goals.

August Goals --

1. Finish Violet -- DONE!

2. Stitch 10 hours on Santa of the Forest -- Nope

3. Add something to Mirabilia slot #1 -- DONE, and stitched on (Rose of Sharon, over one, red conversion)

4. Add something to Flora & Fauna (Misc) slot #3 -- DONE, and stitched on (Chatelaine's Tiny Rose Mandala Garden)

5. Stitch at least 100 stitches on Wizard of Oz -- Nope

The ToFaat Rotation as of today:

1. Mirabilia - Rose of Sharon
2. Mirabilia -
3. Flora & Fauna (Misc) - Tiny Rose Mandala Garden
4. L&L - Santa of the Forest
5. HAED - Wizard of Oz

So, I didn't do too bad, considering I didn't have much stitching time during the month. I am not going to set any September goals because of school. I know I won't have much time at all to stitch, so won't set any goals. I need to make school work my priority right now, unfortunately, lol. I would rather be stitching!!!

Ahhh, The Joys of School

I think this week, I got in about 10 stitches. That was yesterday before I had to run out to do the banking and shopping. I can tell this is going to be a semester with no stitching getting done. :(

I do like school though. My art class is awesome! My best friend, and my cousin are both in class with me, so it's cool. This past week, we had to draw without looking at our papers, that was very interesting. Bridget laughed at hers when she peeked (bad girl!) she said she didn't know we were drawing body parts (supposed to be plants) HAHA! For homework, I have to draw a still-life with at least 5 objects in it, at least 2 of those need to be organic. We can look at the paper! All done in black ink, concentrating on lines and contours. I will try to remember to post a picture before I hand it in next week. I haven't started it yet.

Now, I have 5 online classes! 3 of which have the same teacher. I am getting so confused! I keep mixing the 3 up, when stuff is due, what is due. So, I just emailed my teacher asking him a question for one class, and told him to forgive me if I am having a duh moment, lol. One of the classes I have with him is SciFi film. So, yesterday I watched 2001 A Space Odessy, and The Thing. I have to watch them again and takes notes this time (if I don't fall asleep during 2001 again). Hopefully the remainder of the movies aren't so bad, lol.

My other classes are interesting so far. Early American History, and Short Fiction. For history, we are reading about the discovery and colonization of America, and have to do a short essay on our opinions of what happened to "The Lost Colony of Roanoke". Very exciting!

Short fiction is going to be fun. I love the teacher (I have had her a few times before for other classes) and she has everything so organized!

Well, enough of a break, it's back to work for me. Em took the kids to his dad's for the day, so I have the house to myself to do my homework. So why am I sitting here playing on my blog?? haha!!

Get your own - Open publication

Thank you

I just wanted to thank everyone for thinking of me yesterday. I am still shocked at the death of my precious Toby. Em and I don't understand what happened. Toby was a healthy (or so it seemed) 4 year old cat. He was a big baby, not overweight, just large overall body size. He was my cuddle bug. This year, we have now lost our 2 precious kitties. Butters got hit by a car the Friday before Mother's Day, and now Toby, who died peacefully in his sleep. I am still so sad, and I miss him so much. At least Butters and Toby are playing in Heaven with my Angel Baby Michael waiting for us.


This is the last picture I took of Toby. Hunter fell asleep holding his tail, and I couldn't resist the picture.

WHY?!?!?! :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

Why me? I just don't get it. I found my precious Toby kitty dead this morning. WHY?!?!?! I thought he was sleeping. When I called his name he didn't move. I pet his head, and he didn't wake up. I just don't know what to do. I can't stop crying. Why?!?! I just don't know what to do with him. I just want to hold him and not put him down. I just need my Toby to wake up.

Relaxation

My birthday was ok. My parents took me to the city for lunch at TGI Fridays. It was good, but we had to send the kids pizza back, it was still FROZEN, yuck. My mom bought two paintings for me from my aunt. Lighthouses of course! I will post pics later. My MIL made me an afghan, in my favorite colors of purple, green and blues. My best friend got me an entire bathroom set of lighthouse themes stuff. The soap pump bottle, toothbrush holder, cup, shower curtain, and shower curtain rings. I love them, they are awesome. Pics later, I need new batteries for my camera, it died last night during the party.

I bought myself a book at the bookstore yesterday. And I am getting ready to place a birthday order over at Amazon.com. Lots of books, and a couple DVDs.

Today, I am just going to sit and stitch. I am so exhausted, I don't want to do anything else. My allergies are acting up like crazy too, can't stop sneezing, eyes won't stop itching and watering. A good day to avoid going outdoors.

Will post more later.

Happy Birthday to ME

Today is my 29th birthday! Now, how to celebrate.....


Really, I hardly ever drink alcohol in my life, but that's a funny graphic, haha.

The Garden is Growing

The Tiny Rose Mandala Garden that is. Just zooming right along on this one. I think I will put it up for awhile now though. Maybe I will start RoS tonight, since I didn't start it yet, lol.

This picture shows the colors a little better. Still not 100% dead on, but very close.

I picked up my schedule and books yesterday. Books along with a few supplies cost me around $600. Thank goodness for financial aid! Tomorrow is my birthday. Em said he may take the day off, why I don't know, we don't have any money to do anything, lol. Oh well! School starts next week, I am excited to take my drawing class.

Well, that's all for today!

My Latest WIP

Ok, so I kinda started both after all, lol. I finally put away 4 project boxes worth of floss (returned the floss to the big boxes) and pulled all the floss for both the RoS, and Chatelaine. I got both fabrics ready to go, both working copies made and on my stand. So, which one did I stitch?



Tiny Rose Mandala Garden freebie from Chatelaine. The fabric is 28ct Lavender Sparkle from Silkweaver. This scan does not do this justice at all. The scan has washed the colors right out. The colors are much more vibrant, the fabric is much more purple, and sparkly. I will try to get a better picture for the next update. This is about 8 hours worth of stitching. I say about because I never keep track of how long I stitch. I stitched last night for awhile, and the same today.

Maybe I will start RoS tonight, who knows, lol. I have to go to school tomorrow to get my schedule and books, and Wednesday I have to apply for health insurance, and renew my driver's license, since my birthday is Thursday and my license expires that day, haha. Nothing like waiting until the last minute! I will be busy busy for the next few months, school resumes on the 26th! I am taking 18 credit hours, so I won't be stitching too much, but I will find time!

Debating

Which to start first?? Rose of Sharon, or Tiny Rose Mandala Garden. Decisions, decisions! I hate making decisions, haha. I didn't stitch yesterday, and probably won't get to stitch today either, mainly because I can't make up my mind, hahahahaha. Keep watching this space, I will decide sometime, lol.

Change in store address

In case anyone was wondering, lol. I changed my web address and deleted the old website. It would not upload for anything, and when it did, it was full of errors, but looks fine in my program before I upload it, go figure. Anyway, www.stitchesinheaven.bravehost.com is the new address. Hopefully I can find time soon to start upgrading it.

Violet is DONE!!

I am done with Violet! I just put the last beads on. Beading this one was a giant pain in the butt! The beads are too big, they don't lay right, they look all jumbled. I had to manipulate almost all of the to lay right so they didn't look so much like crap. But, she's done, I stuck to it (cursing the beads the whole while) and I finished her. I guess she turned out ok, but really, I am so unhappy with the beading. Maybe when I look at her again when I get her framed (another month or two) I will think differently, but I need a break from beading!!!

So, without further ado.......

"Violet"
From the Pixie Couture Collection
© Nora Corbett
32ct Everglade Lugana from Silkweaver
Skin stitched over one
Face added

Getting closer....

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Violet is almost complete! I just finished off her face, isn't she beautiful???? I have just a bit left on her chest, then the cross stitching is done. She will take her bath, then beads will be added. It will take awhile, I am moving pretty slowly. I have a bad back, and have been blessed to not have had any major problems over the last few months. However, Thursday night it decided to act up on me, and has steadily gotten worse. To the point yesterday I could not move. I have been hobbling around on my cane, but can't sit very long. It's best if I lay down on the couch, but I had feeling lazy. So, today I toughed it out and stitched. Now I am sitting at the computer, which I know when I go to get up, I will be in tears, but oh well, that's life.

ANYWAY, I digress, so here she is......