Survival of the fittest?

I've been thinking something few days. In fact I've wondered about it, and I think I've understood. It's like this:

In eyes of the majority (I don't count you who read my blog, as I think you know me better than majority does) I'm cold person who has no ability to feel, experience, real love.
Why? Because I'm not into mourning. I'm not jumping from balcony when I fail, when love fails. Why should I be? Look at old trees. How you think they've survived trough storms?

Yielding is the key. You don't fight against storms of life, you yield and accept things as they happen (sounds quite hypocritical maybe, but I'm living paradox - so I've heard and I agree). You let the rain fall, you let thunder struck as you know that some day that storm is over. And you know that you're still alive - unlike that tree next to you who fought back and broke.

In my opinion sensitivity is key to survival. Or more allowing yourself to be sensitive, be weak when you don't have strength. And if you ask from me, sometimes it's good just lay down in your bed if you don't feel like doing anything else. Just breathe.
In fact it has been joke of mine that sometimes it's good to focus on basics of life (like breathing), but come to think of those words... I think I've been wiser than I thought.

Look at old trees. Their bark is thick, but they're full of life under it. They're still beautiful.

What was my point? I have been thinking my past relationships and found a pattern: I never mourn when love fails. I don't even get depressed (maybe a bit confused though). Because I yield.

While gridding my MSAL fabric (I had to frog half-done grid once because I hadn't thought what I did, can you believe that?!) I read Christine's blog and from her latest entry opened this link.

That was a HUGE mistake! There are several good ones, but my favourites are these

Christmas at Bunyip Billabong (It's different. ^^)
Ezmeralda's House (Horrorish!)
Green Door (Not my style in general, but that's quite nice one.)
Messy... but mine! (Sounds so familiar for some reason...)
Spring & Summer Cats (I've Autumn of this series, that's why)

End of this advert, my coffee misses me.

Obstacles, take II

Apparently my monitor likes Candlemass as after my monitor got dark I listened CM while doing dishes... and when I came back: there was nothing wrong with this.
Which leads to conclusion that there really is something wrong, so it's good to get other monitor, even one with tiny screen. (Note to self: Change resolution)

Fortunately needlebook's pattern is more or less repetitive so I managed to do some stitching just by following back, and glancing actual pattern time to time.
Btw, I've decided to change this pattern a bit. There'll be text needles in front page stitched with greens, but I'll change them to pinks. I just think that it may work better with my fabric (in fact I've been thinking of changing font, but have to see).
Selina, I used 3852 as advised, but I've to admit that it does look a bit like metallic floss in that picture. (In fact I had this idea that it's center would look nice as ornament, just with changed colours: gold, deeper reds...)
And when it comes to my fabric choice, Rósa I've to confess that I'm positively surprised about it. But this gives me more confidence to use coloured fabrics instead of whites. (which is good as I dislike white - though ivory linen is always good choice ) You never lose anything (except few minutes) if you take your project's flosses and match them on few fabrics.

And in case you like the design, but weren't member of Dragonfly Stitches Yahoo Group during it's availability I've some good news: Romance in Bloom chart pack will be on sale in Down Sunshine Lane in(/from) the end of this week. You can find Kristine's designs under this link. (Most of them are in my wish list. )

Obstacles

My beloved monitor has decided to break-up with me. Therefore I've some serious bumps on my SO road: as I don't have a printer I follow patterns from my screen while stitching.
My current view is very, very dark (dark enough to cause migraine symptoms) and I can't get replacement monitor before Wednesday evening. And in Wednesday it'll be downgrade from 20" to 14".

Lovely...

Misc. links

Hibernating bear

Webcam image. ^^ (I don't their refresh frequency, but I think it's few minutes)

Dear Santa...

There's one cross stitch book I'd like to have, just out of respect for her achievement (and as I'm bibliophile):

Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel Ceiling in Cross-stitch

Smoking needles; Romance in Bloom

(Created with Acme Labelmaker)

For starters Stitching Olympics Gazette; Issue II . (Note: we already have some medals!)

When it comes to my performance today... regardless of lurking migraine attack (which was taken care of without doping (even we don't have urine tests, I hope) with help of some rice cakes and litres of coffee) I've been stitching like mad for my medals. It has been good day for needlebook stitching and even I had TDFA (The Dreaded Frog Attack) yesterday it was only for some tens of stitches and we're strongly back in business and Romance in Bloom is coming out nicely (In fact I've certain plans considering this design). Here's first part (back page) of it:

This needlebook

• is limited time only freebie by Kristine Herber (It'll come on sale later as part of a chart pack)
• stitched on 28 count Deep Teal Green Jazlyn (by Zweigart)
• two over two, with two strands (of DMC)

---

Edit 23:06:

I just heard that my Adopt-A-Stitcher adoptée Sabine received her Valentine's parcel.
Ah, I just love giving gifts. I think that in some sense it feels better to send surprise parcels than receive them (even I love receiving too).

24 hour challenge

Satyr is finished

• 28 count Pewter Lugana
• Two over two, with two strands
• Changes:
  1. Lighter pink in his face is not what it should be - some close shade anyway (used old leftovers)
  2. Snow is stitched with 1+1 of DMC's white and white metallic
  3. Scarf and mittens are made with Stranded by the Sea's Flame Scallop

All together it took five hours and ten minutes.

Now to bed, and in the morning it's time for SAL needlebook (I did a bit of it yesterday (Friday)). Pictures of it will follow after I get first part stitched.

Btw

I requested for yarn sample in Wednesday evening, and yesterday (Friday) it was in my letter box... Just perfect for something which comes next to my skin (as I've may mentioned about million times I've sensitive skin), very soft 100% merino wool.
So, I placed an order for joint warmer yarns yesterday (she sends items with IOUs (lovely feature)). Click for an image; ball in the middle of upper row. Lovely, isn't it?

Stash and Stitching Olympics

Ah, I just got my Silkweaver parcel from mail box, and now I have a problem:

Which first? Needlebook or topiaries?

And then there's 24 hour challenge to fit in (I'll stitch Satyr from Dragon Dreams' Christmyth series), even it's very small design (Though I think that I'll stitch it Friday-Saturday and take it as final warming session). And I also should grid MSAL, as that Zweigart's 28 count Light Amaretto Jazlyn looks good enough with those flosses used to it.

Needlebook will be worked in Zweigart's 28 count Deep Teal Green Jazlyn. In fact I'm surprised how good those colours (flosses+fabric) look together as I don't like teal (I don't like muted shades that much) but thought that it'd work... sometimes it's good to have textile artisan's degree. (I'm used to "pimp" colours)

Silkweaver discount coupon...

They temp me, they'll ruin me. I got discount coupon for FOTM (15% off first three months), and even I try to prevent myself I think I've to join... I think you all have heard this:

"It's so cheap!"

Have to see about it anyway.

SBQ; The Perfect Project

Today's

Stitching Bloggers Question

was suggested by Nancy and is:

"Describe your "perfect" project. (Include the designer or specific pattern, the fabric, the floss, and anything else that would make that project "perfect" for you."

Today I'd say that my prefect project would be

• Any Châtelaine's mandala, for example Taj. (I've some mania for India, don't ask me why)
• Completely free for me (as those silks etc. make those quite pricey)
• Stitched on fabric (28/ 32 count) which would fit perfectly to design in question
• Would be completely cat-hair free
• Process would be tangle-free
• I'd have all the time I want to stitch it (which means that I'd need a household slave and a rich supporter)
• I could send it to be framed right away when it's finished
• And framing would be perfect success - of course

HD aka. end of SAL

6th, and final, part of Best Friends is now finished, isn't "he" cute?

BF was one of my first SALs ever (participated in so many during last 7 months that I can't say what was first one) and now it's byebye time. It feels kind of sad, even it's also a happy feeling. And in fact it's not completely finished yet. I've to re-do part of it's border as I had some counting error with one of the first patterns and I had to frog 1/4 of all hearts(/border). But that'll happen after Stitching Olympics (this was a non-sponsored advert).

Anyway, 1st:

2nd:

3rd:

4th:

5th:

6th:

Knitting

Selina: in fact I ordered yarn sample (red merino wool) last night. And Annette, thanks for that link. I've saved that. (It's bit like stitching stash, you never have too many instructions - and in the end I may end to make my own...)

Cats

Cats are interesting animals. Neko (one of my boys) doesn't vomit on floors anymore. Last year (or so) he has used litter box almost every time he has had need to remove fur balls.
Every cat slave's dream cat, isn't he? (Though he drools excessively when he's enjoying his life... but he's cute. ^^)

And I have no idea where he has learned that from.

Btw

chanda_m, drooling over beautiful exchange items is allowed in this blog so there's no need to control your drooling.

SEBE

I just found out that last part of Short Extended Bookmark Exchange has reached it's new home, so it's time for pictures. This cherry bookmark went to U.S.A. and lives with Allison from now on:

General info:

• 14 count white aida (I think), victim of my dyeing experiments (nettles), so in fact it's not completely white
• From A Treasury of Jewish Cross Stitch booklet
• Designed by Barbara Ann Richter
• It's bit modified though. Original pattern has Shalom written (with alephbets) under cherry blossoms, but after some thinking I decided to leave it off.

But the important thing is that she liked it. Because it has cherry blossoms.

Stitching and cold hands = search of knitting patterns

I've been suffering minor pains and stiffness in my left hand's fingers lately (because of the cold weather) and while stitching I got an idea: I know how to knit, so why wouldn't I knit fingerless gloves to keep my joints warm during winter? I even found one beautiful pattern, though it's not exactly what I was looking for.

Mikado Ribbon Fingerless Gloves

I think I need to buy "thin" knitting needles and some yarn (I thought about alpaca, but I've to see).

Few others:

Del Mar
Fingerless gloves These I was looking for
Work of Art
Someone-Stole-the-Fingers-from-my-Gloves (Hmm... I could consider these...)

'Valentine Exchange' received!

As we were allowed to open our parcels before 14th I opened mine when it arrived. And look what I got from Annette!

Gorgeous little pillow with hardanger and beads and everything so wow! (For reference: The Victoria Sampler's Love Blooms; modified)
Backing fabric is absolutely gorgeous also, burgundy and black. I know I should remember name of that fabric type, but I can't. And I can't get clear picture of it. Unfortunately.

Then to goodies:

   

V. Clayton silks (hand-dyed) Black Poppy and Garnet. (I've never used silks so guess how thrilled I am? Good way to get new stash-related addiction.)
Then she sent me musical heart (little heart made of jingle bells), which is now hanging in my front door window. And decorative hearts - in fact my living room floor is filled with little hearts because I had minor heart attack.
She also sent me sweethearts, but... unfortunately there's corn in them so I've to give them to someone else. But she didn't knew, and now she spreads joy to other people too!

I learned my lesson: Always inform your exchange partners about your allergies.

Stitching Olympics

Even chanda_m's idea of Stitching Olympics was just self-motivational, it was warmly welcomed in Livejournal's cross_stitch community and now we have our own Olympic team - and own newsletter:

Stiching Olympics Gazette, Issue 1

Who said that stitchers are crazy? We're just social - and love our hobby.

Still no sign of Angela's parcel, nor Silkweaver order. Which is interesting as my Valentine Exchange came from States and was sent on 30th of January.
I just have to hope that postal services haven't lost that pattern parcel. It'd be dreadful lost to society.

Soon I begin to doubt that there's some cross stitching postal service worker somewhere....

Stitching Olympics

chanda_m was looking for participants for Stitching Olympics, and after some thinking I set my goals (all as one event (those are quite small projects)):

Bobsleighing

• Bronze: finish stitching 2½ topiaries (Autumn is finished, Winter is about half done) of Topiary Sampler by Passione Ricamo.
• Silver: TS + needlebook SAL finished (stitching wise)
• Gold: TS + needlebook SAL (stitched and finished)+ every published (I think there wont be more than one before Olympics end anyway) MSAL part stitched.

Anything more is new world record.

More quotes

In fact I've been looking for this one:

"Whoever destroys a single life is as guilty as though he had destroyed the entire world; and whoever rescues a single life earns as much merit as though he had rescued the entire world."
The Talmud, Mishna. Sanhedrin 37a

Monday Madness; True or False?

Ok, it's Tuesday in this part of the world and I was just going to bed... Anyway, it's time for

Monday Madness

True or False (and feel free to elaborate)

Questions :

1. I consider myself to be very organized.
2. I tend to get more done when I'm pressed for time.
3. Multi-tasking is something I do often.
4. I might be a perfectionist.
5. I enjoy Mondays as much as I enjoy Fridays.
6. If I didn't make a list (or hang a post-it note) I'd forget what it is I need to do.
7. I have no problem asking for help when I don't understand something.

Answers:

1. False. It'd big, stinking lie if I'd say anything else.
2. Mostly true. Depends.
3. True.
4. True and false. It's not may be, it's I am.
5. True. Day is a day is a day.
6. True and false. As I don't keep lists I forget most things I should do in certain time, or before certain deadline.
7. True.

Note from editor: as I'm a person who possibly has ADD (adult AD/HD) these responses weren't surprising.

Quote

"It's ok to fail. Failing does not shape your personality; it's how you react upon your failure. Do you dust yourself off and mope, or do you dust yourself off and come back stronger the next time? Eventually you will win. It may not happen the next time, it may take a little time, but you will win in the end."
Tiger Woods

HD without pictures

As I said that needleroll came out beautiful!
I've just finished it and packed it to wait to be posted in 1st of March.

It was my first one, and I can definitely say it wont be the last one. Now I really understand you needleroll addicts out there... (I'll join the gang, I think.)

Waiting...

Time goes on so slowly when you wait for something. At this moment there's three parcels to come, and I wait news from three others (exchange items sent few days back to their destinations).
Then we should figure out with bits_2_whole how to manage getting one parcel from my local PO as it contains one mass order from our cosmetics (atopic skin runs in the family) dealer. And after I get it from there I've one parcel to send, and I can only hope that it'll be on it's destination before Valentine's day.
What bothers me with that (cosmetics) parcel is that it was supposed to be carried to my door, but someone has messed something up. It wasn't me, surprisingly.

But...

I finished stitching that needleroll yesterday, few minutes before midnight. It's washed, pressed and my goal is to finish it today.

Even I say so myself... it's going to be beautiful.

And once again Thank You for comments considering my latest finish.

Icy HD!

Icy is finished! /me dances all around

And needleroll will be (stitching wise) happy dance today or tomorrow.

Hair-do

As Jenna asked and I'm nice person () here are the pictures... In theory it's still like this:

...so I decided to take picture only from other side:

No new pictures as my hair type (glass-like, grows like crazy (3-4 cm/ month), in theory I've never splitted ends even if I don't cut my hair...get the picture?) doesn't like conditioners and therefore it looks crappy next days (I dyed my hair yesterday which is only reason for using conditioner).