Goals

As I am coughing my lungs out and have been awake last two hours because of that I probably can just as well look at my December goals and set some new ones for January...
The spiel goes, as usual, like this:

strike and green equal a success. Orange is for "put some work to said piece, but not enough for a success", and red goes, as you guess, for a failure.

The goals for December were:

1. Participate Stitch-A-Thon with Loy Krathong. Participated, though not with Loy.
2. Work on models. Done, one stitched, another one will be almost done when the year changes.
3. Stitch and finish the Cross Stitch Lottery piece. Done.

   Additional:

   • Winter Dragon on Christine's RR - it will be mailed out in the beginning of January to reduce the risk for it to get lost while flying over the Atlantic Ocean.

And the goals for January, 2008:

1. Work on models.
2. Participate Stitch-A-Thon with Loy Krathong.

I keep it short and sweet, just to give me less space to stitch what I really want to.

Stitch-A-Thon epilogue - finally!

Now that I am well enough to claim that I am not sick anymore (excluding the cough) it's time to introduce my SAT failure...

I only stitched this in Sunday, because I used Saturday to trim and grid the fabric by hand, before I had to call it quits because my muscles and joints began to ache too much to be allowed.

Unconscious Mutterings

Happy Dance #48

...even though this is only a stitching happy dance (finishing will follow when I remember to take some fabric with me from home):

But, as it is Linda's bourse and an unpublished design I give you only a teaser...

2008 Stitching Goals and 2007 recap

2007 Recap

1. Collect as many Teresa Wentzler designs as possible.
   Bought both Fantasy Collections, three booklets and got one as an exchange goodie: altogether 30-something new TW designs.

2. Start and finish Egyptian Sampler.
   Started, not finished.

3. Stitch at least one hardanger design.
   Started, not finished.

4. No more than two ongoing exchanges (which include stitching) at one time.
   I think I managed this.

5. Stitch at least one of my own creations per month.
   I published 27(!) designs: two in The Gift of Stitching, five complimentary designs, three exclusive complimentary designs and 17 "regular" designs.

6. Finish Alter Echo.
   No.

7. Keep list of all finishes.
   Managed.

Goals for 2008

1. Finish Egyptian Sampler.
2. Finish Loy Krathong.
3. Finish Flashes of Gold.
4. Stitch at least one of my own small designs per month.
5. Keep list of all finishes.

Better to keep it short, don't you think?

Happy Dance for the Cross Stitchers' Lottery

Beautiful, isn't it?!
This is my entry for Cross Stitchers' Lottery.

Tidbits:

• Design: Autumn
• Designer: Linda Chacewater
• Fabric: 36 count Summer Khaki Newcastle linen
• Other: The colour scheme is by me

This gorgeous design is designed by a dear friend, Linda, who has a talent for designing, but is not (yet!) a selling designer, though I am one of those persons who try to encourage her to take the plunge as she surely could give so much to the stitching community with her designs.

Autumn has been real fun to stitch and I am already thinking of different colour schemes for it...
I think I sense another addictive design.

(Cross posted to Cross Stitchers' Lottery blog.)

SBQ: Gifties

Behold, I am still on the face of the Earth, in case anyone has missed me, but I have been, and still am, sick with a nasty case of cold. Nasty enough to keep me in bed either sleeping or blowing my sinuses out and eating tons of logenzes to ease my throat - and it makes me spend my nights watching silly B class documents...

This week's

Stitching Bloggers' Question

is:

Did you receive any stitching-related gifts for the holidays?

No, but my father gave me some money which I spent mostly on some Teresa Wentzler patterns.

Unconscious Mutterings

Week 255

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

1. Health :: Not in the office right now (my throat is sore...)
2. Tacky :: Tactless
3. Heels :: High
4. Yay! :: Eh?
5. Model :: Airplane
6. Gather :: Collect
7. Best gift ever :: -
8. Clients :: Oh my...
9. Stomp :: Foot
10. Clothing :: Fabric

SAT: a goal

Before I abandon my little blog for a while... SAT goal as posted on Stitch-A-Thon:

I won’t stitch Loy Krathong this month (*sigh*), but I will start Flashes of Gold, which is my RR piece at Solarium Sublime’s Virtual RR#1 - and I will be SATting with it because my start is well overdue.
And this is how it will look like when it grows up:

 
(Click the pictures to see it bigger.)

Though, the fabric I use is, once again, hand-dyed so there will bea difference as it’s more muted, lighter and marbled shade of navy. (Iwould provide pictures if I hadn’t already packed my cameras and stash.)
My goal is to stitch half of the first section (cunningly numbered 1.).

I am planning to get back to Loy In January, but who knows… I have models to be stitched so there may be more delay.

And now, I'm off to pack my stuff. Until next time... be good.

A Translated Meme

Snatched from Adelheid, and as it is a Finnish blog this meme is translated:

1. How did you choose your blog's name and your blogging name?
   Ah well, my blog's name has changed so many times that it's probably best just to tell about the first and the current:

   1st: My Therapist...and the greatest one is Love.
   What can I say? This blog was started when I was separating from my ex-husband. I believed in love, but not to the love we once shared.

   Current: Just thinking aloud... Life would be easier if it was simple
   I changed the name to Just thinking aloud... when I returned from Bangkok in summer 2006, because I was in a state of shock and knew nothing about anything... and only thing I was good at was thinking aloud.
   Life would be easier if it was simple came in around last winter when I was pondering over relationships - because life really would be easier if it was simple, duh.

   ETA: The ID... oh my, Sol used to call me Snow Queen and as that nick was taken when I registered the name I went with princess.

2. Why you started a blog?
   See the question one. Having a blog was cheaper than seeing a shrink.

3. What's the best thing you have experienced through blogging? And what has been the worst?
   Good: I have met great folks all around the world and made friends. ^^
   Worst: -

4. What will happen to your blog in 2008?
   It will have its 2000th entry... hopefully the content will improve in quality. *grin*

While packing up I came to think of something I always say about my cats: they teach me to how the life will be with children...
First thing I took care of was their food, second their travel box and thirdly I packed those cross stitch projects I decided to need with me. All the less important stuff (like laptop and clothes....) will be packed during the evening and tomorrow morning.

You could say something about my priorities...

Another interesting thing I noticed was that Her Highness is waiting for the lift-off: she was trying to get into their travel box and seemed to be disappointed that it was closed.

Facebook

Now I know why people say it is addictive... I was going to bed, but decided to check on few people and ended up sending loads of friend requests to people from past and messaging with a former school mate of mine.
I was planning to get to bed about two hours ago...

Life's a fairy tale: mondaysabitch

Once Upon A Time?

1. You are sent to live your life in a fairytale land. What is the name of this land far far away?
   Periphaeria *grin*

2. Considering your personality, what standard fairytale persona would you be?
   Hmm... the evil stepmother?

3. What or who would be your nemesis?
   Probably someone ignorant enough.

4. What is the moral to your tale?
   Life would be easier if it was simple...

5. Describe what would be your happily ever after?
   "...and the relatively kind, nicely perverted and intelligent voluptous fairy got her King, had half a dozen beautiful children with the man and they all lived relatively happily ever after."

^^

I had an appointment with my GP in Friday and he left me kind of baffled.
Why he left me bafled probably tells quite much about the quality of the public healthcare: he simply asked how I am doing.

When a GP shows concern you really should draw a cross into a wall (this is how we say it), because that just does not happen.
I am beginning to think that part of my recovery is just having a GP like that: it helps to have a doctor who actually shows concern towards the patient. It makes you feel like a sane person when you have a illness which does not show, and in a culture where being (sick is being weak and being) weak is a big no-no it feels good to actually notice that the one person who takes care of your health really wants to do so.
I could SO marry that man (even his wife would oppose it).

The recovery? I can happily announce you that I have got my physical endurance back. Yesterday, when going to bits_2_whole's birthday (it's actually today: Happy birthday sis!) I decided to be lazy and instead of waiting a bus X took a bus Y which took me 1½ kilometres from our mother's place and walk the rest of it - as a test of my current condition.
It was a chilly and humid day, but yet I managed to walk 1½ kms in my normal, preasthma, speed (which meant that I was there earlier than I had been if I had been a lazy ass and waited for the bus). My breathing was a bit faster than usually when I arrived, but there was no need for bronchodilator spite of the walk in cold.
The G-d is in the details, as certain someone once said to me, and in this case just a notion of becoming what you once were feels good - opposed to that 4 kms/ 2 hours and few days of bed rest speed I encaged during summer.

And first time in long time I had hope that some day I can actually lower my cortisone dosage as the inflammation is getting under control.

I also find it interesting that my physical fitness apparently hasn't suffered from immobility of six months...

Unconscious Mutterings

Week 254

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

1. Interview :: Job
2. Army :: War
3. Unwrap :: Wrap
4. Evolve :: Get better
5. Bus :: "Take this bus to Cuba!"
6. The real thing ::
7. Streak :: Line
8. Gorge :: Desire
9. Spicy :: Chili
10. Course :: Inter-

Winter Dragon

It finally started to snow today in the Dragon Realm:

One of the reasons why it took so long to get the backstitching done was plainly the fact that when I started with it last time it was misplaced and I hated to unpick the cotton/ filament blend.

The snowflakes... how would I put it ... were tediously boring to stitch for whatever reason, but fortunately they do make the difference and that kept me going - in addition to the fact that I want to get this RR finally out of the door and to Canada. I'm sure that Christine is eagerly awaiting for her dragons.

And now, my first ever Round Robin is officially done and it's time to start with the Flashes of Gold.

(Cross posted to Solarium Sublime.)

About the job

For some reason I have a good feeling about the job I applied for at the $COMPANY.
Maybe it's a premonition, maybe it comes from that I know that I would be more qualified than most (because of the practical experience), or maybe because I am quite sure that if it is asked from the department head I have good standings because I work hard and learn fast (not to mention that I have become a walking English dictionary in the department) - and still have some time for office gossip.
And even though I know that I have a good intuition I never believe it and now I just try to calm myself down...

Now... I am off to sleep.

Yes, I am still alive

It has been long time since I last had sleeping problems, but they seem to be back. Night before last I slept barely 1½ hours, last night 5+ hours (woke up at midnight, tried to fall asleep until 3 am when I decided to give up... fortunately I had a good chatting companion on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean). If this continues even one more night I will be feeling so hot...

And I feel bad for not being able to work on Christine's dragon and get it sent to her, but I haven't done any stitching during the weekend (I was unable to sit longer than 15 minutes without resting after it) and only a bit of it during the week - and that was something I don't need to concentrate on too much (a model, and it will actually look fabulous when done).

After tomorrow I have only five days left in the $COMPANY, during which I hope to be interviewed for the position I applied for... and maybe get some good news.
That money would be good, though having a steady job would mean waiting until May to take the jet plane (but collecting the money will take at least three months anyway, so it's not that much more - just difficult for someone as impatient as I am in this kind of situations).

It's also decided that my parents won't get the ornaments this year. I simply don't have time and I know they will understand - though I still feel bad about it (maybe I give the Paper-cut Snowflake to my mother and stitch the santa for next year).

Lady Periphaeria cross posts

"For the understandable reason of having health problems (and then I got a trainee position which has meant even less time for designing or stitching) new designs have been nowhere to be seen.
I DO miss launching the new designs and therefore I decided to leave the current Design-In-Progresses be in the DIP pile and concentrate on a completely new set.

That seemed to be a good idea as the urge has come back and I am eagerly awaiting to be able to launch new designs during the first months of the coming year. (One reason for this urge is that I have been inspired by someone and my creative juices are slowly starting to flow.)

And to give myself yet another incentive to reach my goal I will thereby announce a competition!

The spiel goes like this....

1. How to join?:
   The only thing you have to do is to join Periphaeria Designs' mailing list and have your hopes high! If you already subscribe to the newsletter you don't have to do absolutely anything. It won't get easier than that!
2. The Prize:
   One of each of the designs to be published in the next launch. (In *.pdf format.)
3. The competition runs...:
   From now to February 1st and the lucky winner will be announced in Valentine's Day, 14th of February, when I will send the winner an email.
   IF I don't receive a reply from the winner within one week new name will be drawn, so use such an email address you read frequently to ensure to get your possible winnings in due course.

It is THAT simple and everyone has as good probability to win than the other stitcher as I will use an impartial Lady Fortuna, Random.Org, to choose the number of the winner (all the newsletter subscribers have a subscriber number and that will be used as your lottery ticket).

Feel free to spread the word (with link to this entry) to your stitching friends, in blogs and on forums.
I keep my thumbs up for every one of you! "

Travel bug

I have found a great reason to have a job, not to buy any more stash for a while and to launch a buttload of new designs...
I want to take the jet plane and go to have a cup of coffee with someone. (And make his phone bills a bit smaller... )

Once again I am sure that this is an insane idea to many, but I need to do it, no matter the outcome, because it feels like the right thing to do.

Have yourself a merry, little sick leave

The word of the day is Ouch.

Unconscious Mutterings

Week 253

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

1. Master:: ...of Puppets
2. Tour :: Journey
3. Input :: Opinion
4. Downtown :: Centre
5. Pricey :: Expensive
6. Acceptable :: Safe
7. Terrace ::Winter
8. Sunday :: Today
9. Payoff :: Money
10. Jack and Jill :: Jack & Jill

Cozy...

A Low Impact Woodland Home

And the quote

"When a habit begins to cost money, it's called a hobby."
- Jewish Proverb -

Didn't I say something?

I got the flu shot Friday morning, and as usual felt quite woozy about an hour after it, but then I felt better than in ages so I was in hopes that this time my body wouldn't react too strongly with the viruses (ref: Hepatitis A vaccination)... Saturday morning I woke up with an aching head (which was temporarily cured by someone ^^) and when the morning turned to late afternoon I wasn't fit enough to sit for longer than 15 minutes at one time and had a fever. I also feel like quite wobbly, which probably means that I have to take a day off in Monday.

That also meant no stitching for yesterday, but I did manage to convert quite a few of my pre-PCStitch designs to *.pat format - once they are all converted I can get some more room onto my hard drive as I can just burn them on a CD and then delete the files.

Time makes the memories golden

Or then I really am too good for my own good.
I had a chat with N. yesterday and the in fact, thinking of it I wouldn't change anything in you bothers me as it means that I am plain scary.
Even it is nice to know that he thinks that highly of me I find it a bit paradoxic.

Though, I have noticed that my way to try to actually get, relationship wise, attached to the people I find imperfectly perfect isn't a common one and I would like to know why it is so.

Happy public holiday and SBQ

i.e. our Lady, Finland (Finland is always referred as Maiden because ot its shape - though since we lost Petsamo to Russia our lady has had only one arm), has reached mature age of 90 as an independent country and I have a day off.

Therefore.... Today's

Stitching Bloggers' Question

was suggested by Nancy and is:

What tips would you give to a new stitcher to help her stitch faster and neater while still keeping it enjoyable?

1. Choose a design you really like, not something which is said to be easy and suitable for an unexperienced stitcher (though, if I were you, I'd leave TWs and Châtelaines for next year). But, I recommend that you start with smallish design so you can get the gratification from finishing it soon - it's important in this phase, even more than it will be in future.
2. Choose a fabric you like, it doesn't always have to be white aida. (I got really hooked when I stitched on linen for the first time.)
3. Don't knot your ends, but start with a loop whenever you can and always weave the end of the floss under few stitches (three is usually sufficient).
   Though, knotting the ends is a good idea if you use blending filament with cotton, that way they won't slip and are very easy to stitch with. In that situation attach the knotted end by weaving under few stitches and after you have made few stitches with cut the knot off.
4. Bottom legs go always to same direction, top legs go always to the same, yet other direction.
5. There is no right way to place your bottom and top legs, as long as they form a cross.
6. Keep your tension. If you can't keep it while stitching on hand buy a good snap frame (as they are easiest to use).
7. Invest on some good quality materials and tools: scissors (preferably 2-3 pairs; one for metallics, one for cotton, one for silk), medium sized or small frame, some 26 needles (platinum is the best) and a good working light. (Doesn't need to be a daylight lamp, I use regular bulb in one of Ikea's lamps and it works wonders - apparently because the inside of the sphere is white.)
8. Practise makes perfect.
9. Send the family out, close the computer, turn off the cell, take the phone off... turn on your favourite music or movie and have fun!

Stash! And the Siamese Fold

Oh my, I have been at home for three hours and only now I have time to drool over my new stash! (I have kind of spent whole time I have been at home by chatting with a male of human species - cute and intelligent too... shocking. O_o)

Firstly, Pamela Kellogg designs came (and kitty was photoshooting with me, harhar)!

Pamela actually sent the Garden Jewels file to me right after I made the purchase, but as she knew that some of her designs act up oddly on my machine she promised to print it with the others if the backstitching didn't show properly - and it didn't, so she kindly printed it out for me and sent it wth the other designs.
That is what I call service!

And then... my haul from One Star's Light Needlework Supplies came too! Once again wrapped beautifully and sealed with a real wax seal.

(Note the complimentary design under the flosses, my absolute favourite - though Jenna added some lovely snowmen freebies on my package too. ^^)

Note the orage silk? It's Crescent Colours' "Carrot Cake" and it really looks *delicious* enough to eat!

Six months later: Her Highness The Floppy

 

The vets said that her ear will become ugly, and I wonder when that will happen as she's still cute as a button.

1. I think I have otitis-in-the-making. (My ear doesn't hurt yet, but when one blows one's nose it *hurts*.)
2. My local pharmacy has ran out of the flu shot - and their wholesale distributor has ran out of it also. In a country this size it probably will mean that I won't get the shot this year... even it would be beneficiary for my health. The pharmacist tries to find is it available in anywhere.
   If that I fails I try to lure my doctor to get the nurses at the health centre to give me it free - if they have it.
3. Wet snow is not a nice thing, though it's better than sleet...
4. The Company is looking for a new employee for the department where I am I as a trainee - my supervisor supported my idea to apply (hey, I know the company better than someone who comes out of the blue). Now all I need is to write the application.

Unconscious Mutterings

Unconscious Mutterings

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

1. Music :: Life
2. Insanity :: Normal
3. Curtain :: Theathre
4. Nickname :: ID
5. Container :: Jar
6. Roast :: Beef
7. Thong :: Nameless
8. Purple :: Friends
9. Holidays :: Coming and going
10. Christmas tree :: Not for me

The Gift of Stitching, December 2007 issue, page 17

I am there! Or rather my little Artichoke Lace is so get the magazine while the stocks last!

Homing dragons

Ladies, gentlemen, goats and lifeforms from another planets, let me to introduce you a herd of homing dragons!

Just BEAUTIFUL!

Now the RR just needs few beads and the framing stitches around the dragons and it's ready to be finished.

Tidbits:

• Design: Seasonal Dragons
• Designer: Sherrie Stepp-Aweau
• Fabric: hand-dyed (by me) 32 count Jobelan
• Special bits: a Round Robin. The stitching order for this was:
  • Spring (yellow): me
  • Summer (green): Christine
  • Fall (copper): Jenna
  • Winter (lilac): Leslie

Ladies, I want to thank you for making such a good work even you had to stitch on wrong direction (except Jenna, who cunningly found a way to stitch on her way, but achieve the result which looks like it is stitched on my way )!

I am working on the backstitching of the Winter dragon on Christine's piece and there may be a happy dance later this evening, so, stay tuned! (Unless I obey my insane thought to clean up the bedroom...)

I was bad...

...and paid the $8 to participate Pamela Kellogg's 2008 Valentine Mystery Stitch-A-Long - not that I have anything else to do...