Whiter shade of snow

31st of October, first snow which stays in the ground without melting straight away (For curious minds: Last year first snow fell in 26th of October).

Observation 31st of October, 2006 @ Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
Sunrise: 7:41
Sunset: 16:26
Length of day: 8 h 45 min
(Source: Finnish Meteorological Institute.)

And this is how it looked like when there was enough light to take pictures...

            

At the same time not so far away...

      

Cats are hibernating (3 out of 4 at least), but my chili plants aren't.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled stitching: second angel is having almost half of its gown already. (No Panda today as I don't think I'm fit enough to hold the frame...)

Goals for November

To keep it less stressful for me I try to keep this short:

1. Finish Panda.
2. Stitch another SOLAK square for Mary.
3. Stitch (about 40% done), finish and mail mini biscornu for Linda.
4. Finish first part of Alter Echo (no ambition here as it's almost finished).
5. Finish The Greatest Treasure.
6. Finish Small Needlebook, at least stitching wise.
7. Stitch and finish SAL biscornu.

It's scary how many finishes I plan to have during this month.

P.S. I've a confession to make... I tried to stay away, but they called my name... I purchased two Small Odds and Ends Treat Bags from Silkweaver's Halloween Sale.
Bad, bad me. I should be spanked... (Though I wonder did it still go trough as nowadays they ask for CVV2 and I didn't gave it as it'd have lead to instant bounce with Electron. Though, you could think it worked as I've my merchant manager link...)

Goals for October: what I did?

Could someone tell me where my eyes have been? I have never noticed one complimentary design in Teresa Wentzler's site: Renaissance Bookmark
That is something I'll do some day (like every other free design by her for that matter).

I've been too tired and crappy (my maxillary sinuses ache (could this be the beginning of my first ever inflammation in that area? Hopefully not)) to actually follow any instructions, but I've stitched... out of my head. No brains, or anything similar, but I've been playing around with one design which popped into my head couple of nights ago. Actually just its corners and I've tried to build from it... it's not finished so no pictures (but it is charted... *coughs*). *grin*

Anyway, as it's last day of the month we have goals to check:

1. Work with Panda.
2. At least half of Jaffa done in the end of the month. (This will depend on the amount of daylight.)
3. Finish and send OE item.
4. Finish 1st and 2nd part of Alter Echo.
5. Finish The Greatest Treasure.
6. Finish Small Needlebook.
7. Finish at least one ornament.
8. Stitch-A-Thon at The Robin's Nest.

And what I actually did?

1. Been working with it.
2. Nothing done on Jaffa. (Well, it's in Saturdays anyway)
3. Gah. I intended to finish it last Thursday, but then I got sick... and I can't mail it anyway before I get well enough to visit PO.
4. Nah.
5. Nah.
6. Nah.
7. Nah.
8. It was busy weekend so no.
9. Stitched, finished and sent biscornu for Jenna.
10. Finished and sent SFE.
11. Stitched one angel for Mary's quilt.

Goals for November to follow...

What Color is Your Brain?

GOLD:

At work or in school: I like set routines and organized ways of doing things, rules and directions are a great help to me.
I prefer to stay on one topic at a time. I need to know what is expected of me, and I always want to know if I am on the right track.
I like subjects that are useful and traditional, such as business, accounting, history and government.

With friends: I prefer people who are careful with their money and who make plans ahead of time. I like my friends to be loyal, dependable and on time.
I am serious about love and show it in many practical ways.

With family: I like stability and security and enjoy traditions and frequent celebrations. I like to spend holidays with family members, and I plan ahead for such gatherings.

And with different, but as suitable, answers...

What Color is Your Brain?

BLUE:

At work or in school: I like to be with people, sharing with them, inspiring them, and helping them.
I work and learn best when I can take into consideration people and the human element.
I flourish in an atmosphere of cooperation.

With friends: I always look for perfect love. I am very romantic, and I enjoy doing thoughtful things for others.
I am affectionate, supportive and a good listener.

With family: I like to be happy and loving. I am very sensitive to rejection from my family and to family conflicts.
I really like to be well thought of and need frequent reassurance.
I love intimate talks and warm feelings.

Take this quiz!

(Cross posted to ...testing, testing...)

Brains For Zombies Ltd.

Ten hours worth of sleep is a good thing, though I'd have spent few more hours in soothing warmth of my bed... How so I'm not well?

But, got kind-of-tagged by Christine and Ash. Here we go...

1. One book that changed your life:-
   

2. One book that you'd read more than once:
   Anything from Stephen King, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy "trilogy", almost anything from Agatha Christie.

3. One book you'd want on a deserted island:
   Just one?!

4. One book that made you laugh:
   Anything from Douglas Adams.

5. One book that made you cry:
   Unemphatic b*stard doesn't cry when reading books.

6. One book you wish you'd written:
   Once again.... just one?! Anything from Stephen King.

7. One book you wish had never been written:
   Hmmm, there are few... in general any book which has been excuse for genocide.

8. One book you're currently reading:
   I try to reread Transplanted Man.

9. One book you've been meaning to read:
   Lord of the Rings, as I'm about only person on the face of Earth who hasn't.

10. Tags:
    • asilverdragon
    • bits_2_whole
    • chanda_m
    • Rósa
    • Angela
    • Selina
    • ... anyone actually.

P.S. Note to self: first snowfall while writing this. Short though and already melted away, but snow.

I was bad, bad person today.
No, I didn't stole neighbour's car or nail their front door shut... Sick, ole /me met N., for the first time in three weeks (two weekends) and I'm, once again, glad that I defied this bug of mine. I had great time, as usual (it seems to be more of a rule than exception with him). Intelligent conversation, dinner and *ermh* other activities.... I actually forgot my pains for few hours.

Now the pain is back, and in nasty mood... but it was worth it.

I think I'll drown myself into that ice cream I've in my fridge. It should help...

Unconscious Mutterings

Week 195

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Costume :: Cosplay
2. Beg :: Annoying
3. Hottie :: Idiot...
4. Celebrity :: So?
5. Saturday :: Yesterday
6. Buckle :: Belt
7. Doorbell :: Naah
8. Rude :: Me
9. Absence :: Encounter
10. Hyper :: Initial D

And now off to drink my morning coffee, shower and... having a life.

Mary's Angels; part I

Well, I wasn't able to sleep last night before 4 o'clock so I stitched. And in addition of sleeping, being sick and idling around in net I've been... stitching. Stitching enough to have a happy dance here and now. Therefore, may I introduce you, first of Mary's angels:

Now, does she look better with my conversion or does she look better with my conversion?

On fingernails

Have problems with your fingernails? Ditch every single low-fat dairy product from your diet and enjoy them with their natural fat. Wait for a week or three and voilá, you have strong fingernails!

My nails got very strong while I was in Bangkok and I thought it was the iodine in those deep fried seaweed chips we ate almost every night. It may one reason, but fact is that part of my daily diet was yoghurt which surely had normal amount of fat (no thickening additives as I never got anything from eating them) in it.
When I came back my nails begun to soften after month or so, and I thought it was lack of iodine... apparently it wasn't, as after I begun to buy my curd milk (believe or not, but it is actually good) as greasy you can find it (3,5 grams of fat in 100g) my nails have grew stronger again.

And before someone asks: I haven't gain any weight. I'm exactly in same weight I was in last winter (which is two kilos more than during summer).

Shameless advertising, fabrics and appointments

Word from our blogger before she gets back to bed... First of all I got bed at 21, which is not normal. Secondly I knew I'll wake up after four hours of sleep, thirdly my lungs want to come out, and fourthly I'm off to bed after I post this entry.

Anyway, some shameless advertising:

Solarium Sublime, a gathering of artisans, mainly needleworkers focused on cross stitch,that are interested in pursuing the craft of needlework and pushing personal limits to become artisans of the craft, creating pieces of art with needle and thread.

This forum is geared towards those who approach needlework as a personal form of art, and as such are interested in refining and furthering their skills and growing as artists. Folks who enjoy stitching simple, small, easy, or anything in the “primitive” /“prairie sampler” genre, are not banned. Just leave the discussion of those types of stitching to other forums/blogs.

Art is a highly personal and individual appreciation, so if this isn't something you'd like, no worries. If you know of anyone who might be interested, feel free to copy this notice and post/email it.

I'm in there too. *grin*

Dragons, once again

I've been maturing idea of dyeing the fabric for possible Seasonal Dragons RR by myself (thanks to Angela, our professional enabler) and I realised that I'd actually try to dye suitable fabric for Loy Krathong while at it, as I see them both in quite similar shades.
And I've to admit that I was actually thinking of best method to do it while I was having my shower in the morning... You got to use your time effectively.
Anyway, I've to plan it a bit as I'm planning to dye it/them in two phases (I think two colours is enough).

Btw, I got date and time for my allergy tests, and, what actually surprised me, after that I'll have dermatologist's appointment. Which is good, but guess who got symptoms from that da*ned letter? Send in the allergy medication... And honestly I dread that hospital visit already.
On the other hand, when I'm there I can tell them that I can't breathe, for Heaven's sake, because of the latex. I think that saying that may also be quick way to get Epi-pen prescription...

Fob attack!

I received my SFE item today from Mylene. Actually not an item, but two! She told in her letter that she remembered only cats from my likes and stitched a kitty fob on aida. Then she read my likes again and decided to stitch another for on me on evenweave.
Am I spoiled? Oh yes!

In addition to pampering me with two fobs she sent me two skeins of SSS and a card of her hometown. Thank you Mylene for making my day!

Hold on, I'm coming...

Snatched from Angela:

You Belong in Winter



Quiet, calm, and totally at peace...

You're happy to be at home, wrapped in a blanket, completely snowed in.
Whether you're lighting a fire or having a snowball fight, you always feel best in the winter.

What Season Are You?

Now, why am I not surprised?

(Cross posted to ...testing, testing...)

WIP, exchanges (once more) and cats

I'm sick () and therefore I've empty head full of odd thoughts. For example I wonder why quite many of the people I know find clowns eerie (myself included).
My excuse is overdose of It, though I have been intimidated by clowns as long as I remember (admittedly I read It for the first time when I was ten..).

And as my regular victims^Wreaders know I stitch even when I am sick... a progress picture! (Though I spent some good stitching time by sleeping (4 h) with cats.)

Yes, no biscornu as it's too detailed project to work with when feeling like this...

Talking of biscornus... I seem to moderate one exchange at The Robin's Nest in coming year. It'll be first I organise, but I think I'll manage, and I take it as a learning experience (and in case of panic I can always harass Renée).
And I signed up for Birthday Exchange at TRN. I think it was I who said that she'll cut exchanges in coming year...

Like master, like slave...

This happened today... one hooked, three to go.

Just because I don't have anything to say: Little moments from today... (Step)brotherly love and hibernating.

      

SBQ; All things creepy and gore

Today's

Stitching Bloggers' Question

was suggested by Carol and is:

If you were to come across a sampler chart that caught your eye and appealed to you, would you or would you not stitch it if it had a morbid or "creepy" saying on it? If not, why?

I've to echo Renée in this: that saying has probably been the reason, or part of it, why I bought that chart. And if it wasn't I'd always leave the saying off and add something else.

I think...

...that in subconscious level I just hate white. There's about 200 white (white as DMC's blanc) stitches in back of Panda's head and in that same second I took white skein out of the floss bag I lost all interest for stitching.
But fear not, your courageous stitcher stitched some white stitches despite her dislike for colour in question - but not enough to give you any pictures.

Fortunately I can do something interesting today... like stitch my (or rather Linda's) little biscornu! (I may have mentioned that I love to stitch over one?)

Scissor fob...

Was sent today and is flying to $COUNTRY. It should be there in about four days according to my previous experiences. (Can't wait, I want to post pictures! )

Our furry little friend and bad case of bibliophilia

It seems to me that dawning HD has give me new inspiration when it comes to stitching Panda. It looks like a panda nowadays, and it's possible that estimation I gave to my mother (I said that P. should be finished in 15th of November) is quite accurate.

Last update and how it looks like now:

      

Libraries!

Click.

Note to self: Candida Höfer - Libraries.

Back in this phase...

I kind of miss last winter. I miss being so intimidated by even a thought of having a relationship that I was unable to miss one. I miss that fear which protected me.

Now... I'm between rock and the hard place in a way. I want to have a relationship, as I really do miss companionship, but I don't want to settle for just someone. And since I was single last time I've become even pickier than I was.
But in the end I'm not even that picky. My problem just seems to be that I've chose to be picky over traits which are difficult enough to find as themselves and even more when combined.
You'd think that when you don't emphasise looks that much (they do matter, but not that much), but the personality you'd find one you're looking for easier. You'd think that when you're intelligent and open you'd be good catch. You'd think that you'd be even better catch because you've the looks - or at least good self-esteem...

I know. It hasn't been long since last time, I shouldn't worry or feel miserable. But I do. It was easier when I was healing my wounded heart. It was much easier to be too afraid than have a heart which has realised that it'd be nice to have someone special to have and to hold.

Dragons, robins, biscornu and new stash

Renée announced that she's setting up new Round Robins in coming year (at The Robin's Nest), and it seems that we might actually have all Seasonal Dragons RR, as there's four of us who are interested of having RR with that particular design.

And I think I've found a fabric for it. Ares by Sugar Maple Fabrics. What do you think?

            

I'd love to have these stitched in a horizontal row, but I can't think of any logical order where they'd look good. I think I've to settle with vertical layout (Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn).

There's also one problem. I need to figure out how to do the name+country part because, no matter how mean I am, I don't want them to be attached to the dragons (though little monogram from stitcher of that particular square would look great in about right lower corner).
As we see, I've decided that it'll happen... *grin*

Biscornu

This is the secret over one project I had:

      

As you can see from my comparison it's humongous (Nokia's 3100 is not a big phone (Yes, it really is pink)), about 5x5 cm/ 2''x2'', stitched on hand-dyed (by me) 28 count opalescent Lugana with Love and Laughter Dragon Floss by Polstitches Designs.
And it lives happily with Jenna nowadays. (And thank you for Rósa who kindly provided me Jenna's address so I was able to send her birthday gift on time.)

Stash!

"...Santa Claus is coming to town..." *humming*

Here's my haul from Jayne's Attic. (A Quaker Gameboard is in BO, but it'll follow.)

(I've become a complete picture ho. )

*drools all over*

Ermh... Those skinny skeins are Rajmahal Art Silks (#25 and #115), and let me tell you they are smooth. (I can't stop fondling them...) Other ones are from Carrie's Creations: Fantasm, Shockwave, Tie Dye, Verde (which "surprisingly" happens to be green), Wildfire, Autumn, Aubergine (Limited Edition) and Bittersweet.
When it comes to fabrics they're both 9''x12'' cuts of 32 count hand-dyed Jobelan from Polstitches Designs: Cheerful Cherry and Warm Embers (which would make wonderful needleroll, if you ask from me).

Pretty in pink

My honest, and humble, opinion is that my conversion looks better on her than those original greens.

Noticing that I was on the go whole weekend I got quite much done, don't you think?
Anyway, I'll give her few day's rest as I've other deadline projects to work with. She'll be back in... weekend, and I'll keep her as a stitchy snack during the week.

You may remember this guy from Olympics?

My mother asked me to make birthday card for her sister, and couple of days ago it dawned to me that satyr would be just perfect choice.

Unconcscious Mutterings

Week 194

I say ... and you think ...?

1. Stuff :: Needful things
2. Block :: Neighbourhood
3. Ingredient :: Particle
4. Flagrant :: Annoying
5. Dandruff :: Yuck.
6. Betty :: Boop
7. Tide :: Yule-
8. Judges :: Life of Brian
9. Take it easy :: Bobby McFerrin
10. Chef :: Chocolate Salty Balls

No time to stop

Just got to my mother's place from a skirts only party and bits_2_whole and I should be around noon at our father's place celebrating his 60th birthday.

I have been worrying over Sabine, and the parcel I sent, and today I heard that my parcel has arrived, but I also found out that she has sorrow in her life and I feel quite sad for her.
And I feel a bit indifferent because I worried over little parcel when she has had much bigger things to cope with.

Don't know what to say... off to stitch a bit (I got first angels with me) and then to bed.

Angels for Mary

It has been almost a year since I stitched for SOLAK and I've been thinking of it again lately (now when my life is so balanced and all ). And yesterday I read their mailing list and noticed that there's request coming for a quilt for a friend of a friend (World really is small place nowadays).
So, I promised to stitch a square - and after we got the theme, and I found design I'll use, I ended up signing in for two squares.

I'm making two of four angels (you guessed right, its theme is angels) from Marie Barber's Glad Tidings ornament series (JCS, Dec. 2002), though I'll convert their dresses to different shades of pink, and I've to tweak the wing colours as I don't have suitable blending filaments etc..

This is how they're (Life and Hope, others are Love and Joy) supposed to look like...

And this is what we have now.

I've to say that they seem look much better stitched.

VIP (Very Important Project) and pictures

I've new project which should be finished before 24th of December, but according to receiver of the gift she won't mind if it's a bit late...

My mother is a frantic knitter and since I first saw Margaret Sherry's 12 days of Christmas design I knew that one of the patterns would do magnificent knitting bag for my mother. Let me introduce you: Turtle Dove. (No matter how silly it sounds it actually reminds our mother...)
I was thinking of using that red fabric I used bits_2_whole's Hello Kitty apron as there should be enough of it left, and as it's already in my stash it'd actually mean that whole bag wouldn't cost a cent to me. (Btw, I intended to fill that bag up with yarn. I've about one kilo of yarn which I won't use to anything and it's great for socks and mittens - which our mother knits like crazy.)

Now I just need to decide which project wants to have a short holiday in WIP drawer...

It's picture time!

Latest of our furry friend:

Biscornu SAL by Alchemy Stitchcraft:

And last, but not least... teaser from a fob:

Knitty things

I bought my first knitting pattern online: Scarlet Woman Sleeveless Tank.
It was way too gorgeous to miss, and what's best, it has sizes to 54'' which is nice for someone whose bust is *cough* ~50''.

And when it comes to knitting how about some pumpkins? Cute, don't you think?

Friday's Feast

Stitchers, what a wonderful breed

I just found a way to get flosses to Ezmeralda's House, Dragon Soul QS and Loy Krathong without thinking about money, and get rid of pile of 22 count hardanger (which I learnt to despise today (I'm stitching I [heart] zombies on Royal Blue, and I don't like to stitch on that fabric as it seems to disagree with me, even when stitching with small needle)).
I'll send them to Angela, and she sends floss to me. All this was organised in about two minutes (got to love IMing) and everyone's happy.

Btw, I got my parcel from Violarium, and my brand spanking new frame (23x23 cm/ 9''x9'') has been tested already. I love it, got to get more of those.
And I'll surely order from her again.

It's peaceful in stitching front. I started with mini biscornu to Linda, noticed that overdyed I intended to use was too pale to be used with my choice of fabric and changed it to DMC Variations.
At first I was bit indifferent with the colour, but in the end I think it'll suit well for her.

SFE HD

I just finished my fob for Scissor Fob Exchange (at The Robin's Nest) and it's so beautiful!

ETA: Psst... If you want to see what I sent to CatherineMichéle in Recipe Exchange do pop by at her blog.

SBQ and being tagged

Today's

Stitching Bloggers Question

was suggested by Vash and is:

Which way do you stitch, i.e. do you stitch /// followed by \\\ on top, or the other way around \\\ followed by ///? Are you left- or right-handed and do you think that this affects the way that you stitch?

I'm officially right handed, but I'd say I'm more or less ambidextrous (right hand is still dominating as I'm used to use it (in a different world I might be lefty)), and either I'm closet lefty or or just prove that how your legs go has nothing to do with your dominating hand... as I stitch \\\ and ///. In my eyes stitches are supposed to go like that, and /// + \\\ would just look wrong - though I think I should stitch one piece like that, just for practise's sake.

Tag

Ash tagged me so here it comes...

The rules; List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether or not they have words, or even if they're not any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they're listening to

First, what is definition of right now? This week, this month? Now let me consult my Last.Fm account... Winners for week ending 15th of October are:

1. Queen – I'm Going Slightly Mad (played 6 times)
2. t.A.T.u. – 30 Minutes (played 5 times)
3. Julie Andrews – A Spoonful of Sugar (played 5 times)
4. Sarah McLachlan – When She Loved Me (played 4 times)
5. Candy Dulfer – I Can't Make You Love Me (played 4 times)
6. Initial D – Love & Money (played 4 times)
7. t.A.T.u. – Loves Me Not (played 4 times)

But, I'd also like to throw highly improvised list of what I'm into right now:

• Carlinhos Brown - Argila
• The Crüxshadows - Even Angels Fall
• Nightwish - Angels Fall First
• Morcheeba - Public Displays Of Affection
• Chico Buarque - Olha Maria
• Ofra Haza - Trains Of No Return
• Peter Gabriel - I Grieve

Fact is that with seven songs you can't even scratch the surface of my taste, or even current musical habits.
If you want to know more about my listening habits click this link.

If you read this and haven't done it yet, you're tagged.

My two cents, off to make some coffee.

They should come and take me away, ha-ha (once again)...

In bad news: I have to make something to protect my left palm not to be exposed to staples in my frame while stitching. That darned nickel allergy reminds me of itself again.... try to hold a frame when your hand is itching like h**l.
And no pictures of our furry, little friend as I've no batteries in my camera (once again).

But on more brighter note: I see forecoming stash. Got an email from Violarium that my order has been shipped, so, with some luck it's in here tomorrow! (And if not tomorrow, it should arrive in Friday, as it's coming only from other side of Finland.)
This means that I'll order again from there (good service equals one happy /me)(actually I have a reason to do it... Check Leena's latest entry, there's La Maison Douce to which, even it's not "my style", I got fond of. This means that I've ("have") to buy certain issue of De fil en aiguille... some day).

Did someone say gore?

I have to do this... I [heart] zombies! How can I defend myself? I love zombies, I am gore (Just call me Tipper) and I love to play with words.
If I could just remember did I order any crimson red floss today...

Ah, it was fun

Bye bye money, welcome stash.
As you may guess I changed Cross Stitcher to stash money, and at the moment... there's almost none left. I ordered plastic snap frame, and some goodies for my scissor fob exchange partner yesterday and today I blew the bank ("I'm just doing some window shopping") at the Jayne's Attic.
Actually I surprised myself. I've never got the idea of quakers, but guess what I bought? A Quaker Gameboard by Papillon Creations.
My twisted little mind is quite fond of the text in its outer border: "All Work and no Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy..." (I can't help it, but it reminds me of The Shining. )

In addition to AQG I bought two small pieces of hand-dyed fabrics (by Polstitches Designs), some hand-dyed floss (by Carrie's Creations) and two skeins of Rajmahal Art Silks (100% viscose *grin*). Just out of curiosity, I've heard only good things of CC and RMAS so I had to try them, and as I don't recall anyone saying anything about Polstitches' fabrics I had to try.

...in other words...

Quote for , Oct 17

"The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think."
-Horace Walpole

And to those of us who do both it is a tragicomedy.
That is how I see life, and how I've always seen it. Its cruelty hurts, it's insanely illogical and most of the time you really don't know should you cry, laugh or do both at the same time.

Sometimes even losing your mind feels like an option...

[Insert brain here]

See it? Panda has an ear! (I've had migraine so I've been bit slow today.)

Those cream white stitches don't show up very well, but what can you expect on light coloured fabric?

And then...

Facts of life:

1. You can get a hangover from drinking too much coffee.
2. Local birds appreciate my little buffet (tallow balls with seeds).
3. Most movies in theatres at the moment seem to be lousy or otherwise not interesting.
4. My skin gets thinner in winter (you should see my elbows... or maybe not, it's not a pretty sight).
5. Migraines and Siameses aren't good combination.

Silhouette of a great tit (just one as they have tendency to fly away when I want to take a picture...) and a picture of a cat (who does cuteness extremely well) drooling after them...