Hello friends,
I know it has been awfully long since I posted.  I have had a busy few months.  In August/September I got a diagnosis of DCIS.  (Ductal carcinoma insitu.)  Stage 0 breast cancer.  I kinda went numb for a bit.  Going through seeing a surgeon, having a biopsy and a lumpectomy.  My days were full.  After my surgery I started radiation therapy.  Driving a hour round trip every weekday.  It only lasted for about a month.  The doctor said it would take a couple of months to recoup from that.  Well, I don't have time for that. LOL  I start going to school to get my RN.  My first day is tomorrow and I am excited and scared at the same time.  There probably will not be much time for stitching but that's okay.  I have had a goal to get my RN for a while.  The cancer was just a small bump in the road.  Another lifes adventure starts tomorrow.
Here's happiness to all that read this.

Update with pictures

I know it has been a long time, but I have been busy.  These area a couple of my finishes.  The second one I had professionally framed.  I am not so sure about this first one.  I probably have that one framed also.  The first one is a La D Da from Laurie M.  My first attempt at using silk floss.  I think it turned out pretty good.  I am not sure the color of the fabric but it is a Weeks Dye linen.  It was the recommended one.

 This finished work is called "Bunny and Co.  It is a design of Brenda Gs.  I used all the recommened floss and fabric.  I got all the stuff a while back when I was in Tulsa at a retreat.  The retreat was held by Cindy of Stitch Works.  She does an awesome job.  She was my first and let me tell you it will not be the last.

 This is one of my WIPs.  Lizzie Kate ...Flip Its Green.  There will be two more boxes with "green" inspirations.  Like the one above I have used all the recommended floss WDW and CC, and fabric.

I have also been reading and listening to audio books.  Some murder mystery, fantasy, and revanmped fairy tales.
I am in a holding pattern for school.  Been put on the "wait" list.   Do not like that part, but cannot do nuttin about it.  Enjoying the beautiful days here.  Temps have gone into the 40s at night here.  Great sleepin weather.  I think I need a road trip to see the fall colors.

I think that's enough for now.
Smiles,
Brenda

What are you stitching?

This is the kit that Linda (Lizzie Kate) brought for us to stitch.

This is the needle book that Laurie (La D Da) brought for us to stitch.  Actually, we stitched on a piece of wool with waste canvas and then we stuck it to a already made pocket to slip the needle book inside. (right)  Never thought I would stitch with waste canvas again.

The piece that I won in one of many drawings.  Jan, host of the retreat, stitched it and it was the theme of the retreat.  It is sitting on a self in my kitchen.

I was lucky enough and Linda signed my piece. So nice of her.

This is an updated pic of my snowmen.

I have been busy over the last weeks.  I had an absolutely awesome time at the Retreat in Syracuse.  I met Linda of Lizzie Kate and Laurie of La D Da. I cannot forget to mention my new stitching buddy, Margie.  We hit it off immediately.  It was such a relaxing and exhilarating weekend in a long time.  Both of those ladies are very down to earth and someone you can relate to and they become your friend in the small amount of time you are with them.  Heard stories about the stitching biz.  How one designer started and the other taught us how to make this amazing needle book.  There were drawings all weekend long leading up to the big one to see who would get the stitched piece by Jan.  Store owner and host.  I usually never win at drawings.  I won 2 of the 12 extra drawings.  Wow.  Guess I am going back next year. 

Laurie and I.

Linda

Some of the "goodies".

I have also been reading away.  In the last couple of months I have read "11/22/63' by Stephen King, the newest trilogy from Tami Hoag, "Deeper than the Dead", "Secrets to the Grave", and "Down the Darkest Road".  I love Jodi Pioult.  Almost finished "House Rules".  All of them great reads.
School front --  Passed one test but have to take another one.  Working on the checking off the skills list.  Not sure if I will start in August or January.  Either one will be good.
Family -- Boys are doing well.
Happy Stitching Everyone

Update on 6 Fat Men

  I am really enjoying stitching this.  Hope everyone has a good week.

Happy Febuary

Finally an update.   Lots of stuff has been going on with me and sometimes I just cannot get the umph to ge online to tell ya about it.  Many decisions have been made.  I am not doing school through the College Network anymore.  I will be going back to Blackhawk Technical College and get my RN.  Chemistry really kicked my butt.  Being teacher and student with that class was not fun at all.  I am very excited about this.  I do not have a confirmed yes that I will be going in the fall but I have both fingers and toes crossed so that hopefully I will get in during the fall semester.  If not then spring.  I will be "testing out of " my mental health/community nursing class.  So all I will have the first semester will be clinicals and one lecture class.  I will have to check off on 3 of the 5 skills they  have given me to make sure my technique is acceptable.  I am very confident that I will be able to pass those two requirements in an appropriate time frame.
I have been stitching.  I joined a couple of exchanges and I will post those pics as soon as the people recieve them.  I am very excited, I will be going to Syracuse, New York for a stitching retreat when the designer/owner  for Lizzie Kate and La D Da will be there.

This is a picture from my partner in the Seasonal Exchange.  I love it.  It is sitting on my book case in the living room.

This is how far I have gotten on my "6 Fat Men" from Lizzie Kate.

Reading has been a passion also.  Either reading or listening to a book.  In October I sprained my ankle bone.  First crutches, then working in a wheel chair at work.  I am finally done with Physical therapy.  It seemed like my ankle was going to hurt forever.  It is much much better now.  My boys are doing very well.  One started back to school and he is staying in school.  Yeaaah.   My other son is happy working at his job and enjoys the group home where he lives.  Life is not too bad right now.  Just to get back in the swing of blogging again.

Memorial Day Celebration

I would like to thank all the service men and women who gave their life to secure our freedom.  Also the men and women who have and are currently part of our Armed Forces. 

Stitchin Update.

This is what I have been working on.  It is from Leisure Arts. I am using the recommend DMC colors. It is part of my WIP Challenge pieces.  Feels good to be doing these WIPs. I may get this done this week.  Maybe after this one is finished I will let myself start a new one. I have also started reading Breaking Dawn.  The last installment of the Twilight series.  I have had a productive weekend.  Got my mower fixed.  Mowed probably 1/4 of yard then ran out of gas.  Good excuse to stop and do some stitching or reading.  hehe.  I am going to get a small saw, work gloves, a gas container, and some dirt.  I am ready to work outside now.  I think I will move some of my perennials around.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Two new finishes and exchange pictures.

I have two finishes and a big happy dance.  I have been working on these pieces feels like forever.  The above sampler I started last year and it is a part of the WIP Challenge that I am a part of.  I almost put it back in the pile.  I am glad I didn't.  It feels good to get the darn thing done.  I had a head cold forever.  Finally got some antibiotics and I was feeling better but when I was almost done I broke out in hives all over.  Needless to say I did not want to stitch for quite a while. But now I am stitching like a storm now. 

I also was in a couple of exchanges.  My partners have recieved their pieces so I can show you.  I did not take a picture of my seasonal exchange  :(

This is my exhange from the seasonal one.  It is so cute.  A scissors fob that included a pair of scissors.  Wow.  It came in a pretty pink bag and she sent a card too.  Kathy always sends great exhanges.

This one is from the Lizzie Kate exchange.  Very very cute.  I love it.  Bonnie did a great job.  I love how she finished this.  Bright colors and even a carrot.  It will fit in well with the rest of my bunnies.

This is the piece that I sent to Bonnie for the Lizzie Kate exchange.  She said she liked it.  I am glad she did. 

Summer is here in Wisconsin.   Near 90s here.  We might not get a spring.
Brenda

It's about time for an update.

Here is a quick stitch that I picked up at my LNS.  My second finish for the  year.  The colors were so upbeat I could not pass it up.  I am going to frame it in the next couple of days.  It is an older Bent Creek Farms.

Here is a little of decorating that I did yesterday.  I repurposed it.  It was in my kitchen.  Made it way downstairs in storage.  I was cleaning and found it.  It looks perfect there. It is in my hallway.  The bench I got a while ago at a craft fair.

This is the second piece from the challenge that I joined called Up for the Challenge.  I am almost done.  I lost my mojo when I was working on this one and that is how the above two got started.  I know I have more to finish, but I am such a serial starter and my taste changes and I have to start something else to lift my spirts.  This piece is from a SAL from last year on the internet.

Another one that I purchased at the store at the same time.  As soon as I finish this one I bought a frame at the local St. Vincent dePaul Store.  It is similar to the one in the picture of the pattern.  I did not like this pattern when I first started it but I absolutely love it now.  Little House Needleworks is the designer.

This is the first piece that I started for the challenge.  It is a HAED.  It is called Auras Garden.  Beautiful teals, greens, and yellows.  It is stitched 25ct Linen.

For other things......School.
I am still working on Chemistry.  I have bought addtional study guides so the I can pass this bloomin class.  I know that you have to work for what you want.  Enjoy the journey.  My academic ability has had me question alot of abilities. Then I go to stitching then back to chemistry.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

My Valentine Gift Box Arrived

This is the wonderful giveaway that I received from Cat.  I worked a double shift yesterday and when I got home this was in the mailbox.  Thank you.  Thank you Cat.  I love it all.  I am a big pink and red fan. Smiles.

A Primitive Giveaway

http://myprimitivesaltbox.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-2-welcome-contests.html 
  She is having a wonderful giveaway.  I just found this blog tonight.  I will have fun following her and reading what she has to offer.
Thanks, me

A Stitching Day

 

A day off and I spent it working on one of my UFOs.  I got some done.  This is from a designer from the internet.  She has a blog and I printed it out probably last spring.  I love the flowers and the bunnies. 

This piece is my first finish of 2011.  I am part of an exchange with Lizzie Kate patterns.  I thought the saying was pretty cool.  I found the fabric at one of the JoAnns near my town.  I tried to mix it up a bit with the checker board ribbon.  I know she recieved it so I can post it here.  I had fun stitching this.  I used the Weeks Dye Works colors that were called for in the pattern.  My exchange partner said that she put it in her kitchen.

Birthday Giveaway

I have been surfing the web and guess what??  I found another giveaway.  It is a birthday celebration.  Go on over to her blog and take a peek.    
http://paclight53.blogspot.com/2011/02/let-birthday-giveaway-begin.html?showComment=1297907767245#c4315004080156773110

Another Valentine Giveaway.

Here is another Valentines Day giveaway.  Go to her blog and enter.  http://happinessiscrossstitching.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentine-giveaway.html#comment-form  Isn't it just precious?    Hope everyone has a wonderful valentines day.  Spend it with someone special.  I know I am.  Gonna spend some quiet time with myself.  :)

Cooking Cashew Chicken/ A Giveaway Winner

This is what I cooked tonight.  It was really easy to make.  It was kinda blah, but that's okay.  It looked really good on the cover of the box.  Maybe it will taste better tomorrow.  I love leftovers. 
About the giveaway.  I WON!!  I usually do not win.  It was the Valentine giveaway that I posted on my blog a couple of days ago.  I am psyched.  My beautiful cross stitch from the exchange and the giveaway.  Best valentine day in a looong time.

Lizzie Kate Exchange

I sent out my Lizzie Kate exchange piece today.  I hope my partner likes it.  It is my first finish of 2011.  I will post a picture as soon as it gets to its destination.

I have started a new book, "Swamplandia!"  So far it's pretty good.  I have started reading right before going to bed.  It seems to help me relax.  Hope everyone has a great weekend.  It's suppose to be in the middle 30s.  Woohoo.
Take care.

Happy Valentines Day to me.

I am in a Lizzie Kate Exchange group.  This is the wonderful piece that I recieved today.  This was stitched by Sharlene.  In her little note that she sent me  "This was hard to give up".  I can totally agree.  I am over the hill over this one. You cannot really see very well but the stitched piece is on another fabric piece.  It has dimension.  I have not seen a piece finished like this before.  Thank you so much.

Valentine Giveaway

http://kttycatcrossstitchblog.blogspot.com/  Check this out.  A valentime giveaway.

A HAED update

This is what I have been stitching on for the past three weeks.  The colors are great and I enjoy working on the linen.  I have finish reading my latest book.  Hold Tight by Harlan Coben.  It was a great mystery.  I loved how he put all the various pieces of the story in the end.  Made it a real "page turner".  I will be reading more of his work.  He has published like 15 books.  He would make a great writer for tv series.  I have been pretty much working and stitching.  Had my car in the shop for 5 days.  Had to take it in for a muffler and as always, turned into much more.  I cannot complain too much.  It has been a good car.  Not alot of repairs till now.  My son is moving out soon.  That is good for both of us. He found an apartment on his own.  He is in a production of  "Mame".  They started production on it.  He loves the theatre.  So glad he has found something that he can have passion. 

Take care.

A Day of Stitching

This is Auroas Garden after one day of stitching.  I am really enjoying how this is turning out so far.  I cannot tell you how many times I changed the color that I used, but it was well worth it. Take care