Bits o' Things

(I am actually surprised... I noticed yesterday that I can still easily (leisurely) read 125 pages/ hour even though I haven't read actively since... erm... eh... I can't even remember.)

BUT...

I am organizing a biscornu exchange at the FlossMoms forum, so, if you are as addicted to biscorni as I am hop over (register,) and join the fun! (Note that I have the tendency to stitch models as exchange items... *hint hint*)

For Pete's sake!

It's neverending...

• Mystified & Saluki Regicide
• Saluki Regicide
• Mystified

I know I should be in bed, but I re-found my online chess addiction and one of my opponents seems to have too much free time (or maybe it is me).

The "You Make My Day" Award

I got a comment in my comment section ages ago that Angela has awarded me with the "You Make My Day" award. I should award her again for that. *grin*

The Rules:

"Give the award to up to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel so happy about blogland! Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so that they can pass it on. Beware! You may get the award several times!"

I thereby give this award to these ten bloggers:

1. Leena, a gifted stitcher, wonderful finisher, great friend and inspirating blogger who blogs in three languages. Her posts are always a joy to read.

2. Jenna: tremendously gifted stitcher and crafter. What Jenna doesn't know how to do is not worth knowing. Wonderful, deep-thinking person and one of the first friends I made in Blogosphere.

3. Barbara: who manages to run a household with four kids (one of the a small baby) and still has time to stitch! Her posts are always a reading and usually have instant lift-up effect.

4. Renée, a stitcher and a crazy cat lady who has a good, opinionated head on her shoulders.

5. Ternezia, TW enabler of the worst/ best kind. Analytic stitcher who strives to improve herself continuously.

6. Teresa Wentzler: doens't blog often, but I enjoy tremendously her posts as she talks quite often about creativity.

7. Punctuality Rules: my anal retentive self enjoys the posts regarding grammar and manners as a positive force in the Universe.

8. Svenja: Châtelaine enabler and a talented quilter who's always up to something beautiful.
9. chanda_m, whose blog updates Bloglines hasn't noticed in last year or so. Talented, thinking, stitching person who also has some yummy sounding recipes in her blog now and then.
10. The rest of you! Cross stitching addicted stash-a-holics who share your stitching, and maybe life, through your blog and let the rest of us to see a bit of life in somewhere else.

Stashy give away!

Stitch Pink has a giveaway of Little House Needleworks' "Where there's life, there's hope" chart, Crescent Colours floss needed for it and a piece of Zweigart's 28 count Belfast to stitch it on! Only thing you need to do to is to go and leave a comment. How's that for easy?

I saw the employement counsellor (not the one I usually meet) and my GP today.

For the first time in 1½ years I hated the session with the counsellor... My regular one is very encouraging and doesn't treat you as a piece of $*it. I was very, very discouraged when I left her room and I felt like lowest little creature - just because I dare to be chronically ill and financially less well-to-do. (I try to change the situation, but... sometimes it takes time, right?)

Fortunately my GP always saves the day, he even adviced me to contact employement service center, just in case if not for any other reason, because they have the knowledge of both employement and education, but also of the health related side (and they have access to health records).
Surprisingly he didn't freak out after he found out that I have cats. He just asked do I get symptoms and could I try to live in cat-free environment for a while just to prove my point (of not getting any).

And I wonder what the innocent bystanders thought about our little conversation over the corridor - flirting with handsome men is always refreshing, even if they were your doctor.
(I get to see him again in next month: He wanted one more week of peak flow metering with cortisone and bronchodilator to be able to write the "B- statement".)

Designers and designs

I seem to have become my favourite designer: out of those ten finishes I have managed this year only one is designed by someone else.

When it comes to loving my designs.... I may have mentioned I have got some of my creativity back and in addition of sketching/ designing new designs I have imported few old designs to new format: I am already madly in love with one old design of mine - I am certain it will be a good seller when it's published - because of the colour scheme and how versatile the design itself is.

More free Indian....

• Malkit Singh.
• Pardesi
• Shaktee
• Shazia Manzoor (Pakistani?)
• Ravi Bal
• Ajuba
• Partners in Rhyme

I have had it with Bloglines!

Continuous server errors, feeds not updating... the list goes on.

Does anyone know a good similar service or, preferably, a good stand-alone software for Windows? Google's reader isn't really an option (even though it is apparently quite good) for practical reasons (i.e. I am usually logged in to some other Google account than the one I'd use it with).

Now, what I have forgot?

I think I have forgot to mention that Liz received her biscornu from me quite a while ago:

Information:

• Design: "Alegría", exclusively complimentary design. Available through One Star's Light Needlework Supplies.
• Designer: Lady Periphaeria of Periphaeria Designs. (I am getting good at this split personality thing...)
• Fabric: 28 count sky blue Belfast linen.
• Fiber: Atalie's Jais.
• Other:
  1. Stitched two over two.
  2. The button is snatched from my mother's button box (she let me raid it while I was there over holidays).
  3. The theme was blue.

I have also received mine from Alexia (U.S., TX (I see a recurring theme here)), but I need to take a picture of it in decent daylight. Alexia also sent some lovely buttons to me, and some of them have already found their use (when I finish those biscornus).

Shortly put...

21st:

• I had a dream that I was about to get married. My wedding dress was sky blue satin... I woke up before it happened.
• I am hibernating: my basal body temperature was 35,2° C.
• And, I was zombified so long that I never made it to health centre.

22nd:

• I don't get the idea of HC closing at 2 pm in Fridays... I went there, was too late. *shrug*
• My heart is showing signs of physical exhaustion: it's wobbles.
• My digestion could manage wheat, but my asthma doesn't.

24th:

• I am beginning to think that I have sinusitis - though without pain. It is also possible that I have got the sinusitis from decluttering the living room bookshelf and I also have other underlying condition which started this all...
• The assumed sinusitis may be heading to my lungs.
• My basal temperature has risen, but now I suffer from hypersomnia.

During my absence I also heard that my brother and his wife have filed for a divorce - maybe he now understands that being a divorcee doesn't make me any less worthy than he is... hope springs eternally.

An interruption in our regularly scheduled insanity...

I am alive, but that's about all I am able to be or do at this moment.
I sleep at odd hours, am awake at odd hours, get tired by just checking my email, suffer bouts of hypothermia etc.. I haven't even had energy to stitch a single stitch in three days, instead I have been decluttering my living room and all the tiny bits of memories haven't been very good to my general mood. Fortunately the moodiness seems to be passing thing, the rest... I don't know.
Regardless of my condition tomorrow I will head to book an appointment with my GP (I have to visit the HMO as I have to take my peak flow chart there) and if I am still wasted when I have the appointment I complain my heart's content.

This can be simply a bad case of anemia, or an underlying infection (infants, elderly folks and "frail" individuals can suffer from hypothermia when they have infections), or something completely different... maybe it's nothing, maybe it is the dust - as asthmatics shouldn't clean (or do laundry, or nothing much in general, in that matter) - maybe it's hypothyroidism or just plain hypochondria...

The truth sets you free?

That is commonly used phrase, and most of times I agree with it. Sometimes I disagree with strongly.

I had a theory, which I proved right. The truth made me sad even I had the feeling of success because I had been able to interpret the signs right. Though, eventually it made me reveal something I had forgot.
Eventually it made me tell one truth which set me free, a truth which I would want to cause me becoming free in a completely different manner.
That truth proves that I am ready to fight for what I believe in, because revealing it had its risks - but I believe when I am told that my opinion is valued and respected.

I hope you do see my point, no matter how obsessed I might have sounded. I just believe in that meaningful things in our lives are fire resistant and that some birds do home...

My heart has become able
to take on all forms.

It is a pasture for gazelles,
for monks, an abbey.
It is a temple for idols,
and for whoever walks around it, the Kaaba.
It is the tablets of the Torah,
and also the leaves of the Qur’an!

I believe in the religion of Love,
whatever direction its caravans may take,
for Love is my religion and my faith.

-- Ibn Arabi

"This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness."
-- The Dalai Lama

"It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell."
-- Shakyamuni Buddha

Stitch-A-Thon

Well, I didn't manage my goal as I had a nasty migraine Friday/ Saturday and I spent half of the Sunday chatting with the dear Wolf (it doesn't happen too often so I let stitching suffer when it does - and I got to verify one theory of mine, which wasn't actually too good for my mood even I was right and the theory itself was a rather positive one... blah, life... men! ) and the other half nodding, but at least I got something done.

 

Terri's ornament is actually completely stitched, but just in case she follows my blog I give only a sneak peek.

And as you haven't seen kitties for a while *grin*....

Clean laundry is so nice, don't you think?

And the list goes on...

• Phillip Wilkerson
• Mooma
• Pixieguts
• Renato Ventura
• Pangea
• Kitaro
• Lost Balance
• Liquid Mind
• Hyperborea
• Solar-Wind
• Justin Robert
• Aaron Marshall
• Remergence
• Herrera
• Guy David
• The True Wheel
• Dreamlin
• Koordinate of Wonders
• Planet Bliss
• Jdvoid
• Djinnestan
• Sleepy Town Manufacture
• Jukeen
• FOWL
• Gilles Mathieu
• Deepspace

SBQ: Repetitio est mater studiorum

This week's

Stitching Bloggers' Question

was suggested by Loretta and is:

Do you have any projects that you have scrapped and started over? What made you start over from scratch?

I can recall only one: the 'Quaker Medallion Strawberry Pinkeep' I stitched for Simone in SBEBB's monochrome exchange last year.
I was about half done when I noticed that I had started the design from wrong part of the fabric and the design would have fit, but I couldn't have finished it as a strawberry emery if I hadn't restarted it completely.

Other than that I can't recall doing that to any other design.

/me tired... New designs!

Also known as: What I have been up to.

Violarium Collection

A new series of stitcher's tools. White/violet is model stitched by Leena so I am only the evil mastermind behind that one.
I stitched the white/red one and enjoyed all those confetti stitches on it tremendously. Maybe I am sick? *grin*

 

New parts will follow each other every few months - the series is exclusively available through Violarium.

And the six others

  
  

And the seventh other....

Periphaeria's birthday is soon!
It was 1st of March, 2007 when Periphaeria Designs' first site went officially live... As much I would loved to invite you all over for coffee and cookies (those chocolate chip cookies are ALL mine! ) it's a logistic impossibility so I came up with another good idea, and this one has zero calories: "Heartfelt".

Available for limited time from the "old place". *grin*

Now... my cookies await me.

*faints*

Free modern Indian music. O_O
Bally Sagoo, try yourself.

Valentine's Exchange has landed!

I just heard that Michelle has received her Valentine's Exchange item, and as there's only couple of days until the launch pictures will follow right about... now!

Info:

Design: 'Bumblehearts', will be available 14th of February.
Designer: Lady Periphaeria, Periphaeria Designs
Fabric: 30 count black linen
Floss: As charted
Bead: Generic transparent red heart bead

The picture does not show the colours very well, as it had to be taken in artificial light. Nevertheless I am totally in love with this design, and it was a sheer pleasure to stitch so I wouldn't be surprised if this was one of those designs I will stitch several times in future.
I sent some goodies, but didn't take a picture of them - in the end this was the important thing.

Kiss the cook!

I decided to participate the challenge (at HDF's forum) to stitch 12 strands to some old WIP over the weekend (6 in Saturday, 6 in Sunday) and chose Ezzy. Due the deadline blackout (I think I should actually get back to bed for a while, I am tired...) I only managed ten, but that is ten more than there was!

 

Damn, I'm fine!

Launch related happy dance!

Designs are ready and emailed. Now I just have to model stitch the complimentary design and write the new design pages.

Just a quickie

Hop at the Periphaeria Designs' Community and read about the Spanish Sampler Mystery Stitch-A-Long I am organizing - for free!
It starts officially 15th of March, but project info and the gridding line chart has been posted so you have enough time to grid the blocks to their rightful places.

See you there!

You'd think that shoes are made for walking...

Wouldn't you?

Well, those army boots I bought less than two years ago have come to the end of their life for the oddest reason: their inner and outer soles are so worn off that there are minor cracks in their soles, which, as you can imagine, leak. (And leaking shoes are not actually something you want to have in February, even less in February like this: WET.)
Only reason I can imagine is that I walk a lot. Apparently.

This also tells something of the state of so called Finnish quality nowadays... My previous army boots were my main shoes for 12 months of every year and they lasted for TEN years and still the soles were crackless and not too worn when the heel broke down. Lesson learnt: if you want to walk, buy what army buys, even if it is more expensive, as it will save you loads.

Then, I found these from one Finnish online store:

They fill the most important criterias:

1. Not too expensive (39€).
2. Moisture and cold resistant (up to -20° C) coating.
3. Big enough size and as they are Finnish they may be wide enough for my feet.
4. Black.
5. Shiny.
6. Simple and stylish design.
7. Some heel (I can't use shoes without any heel).
8. They go over the ankle.

Now I just need to hope that my old shoes behave for those two weeks it takes before I get the new ones and that the new ones fit. (And, while at it I also bought myself new spring shoes - loud mouths claim those are for men... naah, they should fit (being measured for male foot), they look reasonable and weren't too expensive.)
I should probably also buy new sneakers... for walking, to spare the good shoes.

Stash saves the day!

(Firstly: Angela, I am working on the YMMD, but neither of my brain cells function properly at the moment.)

My first order from Hand-dyedfibers.com came!

The timing couldn't have been better: my asthma has been behaving badly last days - today it decided to freak out completely - and I needed a lift-up.

The colours look just what I anticipated, so I can say right now that the DMC-HDF conversion table Vikki has created is very accurate - but DMC can never look this pretty...

And some stitchy content with SBQ

Happy dance №7

And as shocking it is I may have the designs ready to be emailed to Jenna day after tomorrow latest... O_o (Remember, the next launch is in Valentine's Day!)

And I still suffer from insomnia caused by creative activity, no matter how much I wanted to sleep - and it shows in my peak flows, last two mornings have been bad in comparison to the previous week. I wouldn't wonder if the doctor would want to check my medication and either up the dosage or change the cortisone completely.
Though, last night's streak was quite a pleasant one (started from one tiny motif I had in my head and evolved to a pile of sketches).

But to the regularly scheduled memesy: this week's

Stitching Bloggers' Question

was suggested by Kathryn and is:

Are there other crafts that you have tried and abandoned? Why do you like stitching better?

I used to be a knitter in my teens and I actually wanted to become a knitted garment designer when I was young. (Well, I became an artisan of textile designing and manufacturing, but majored in weaves and weaving techniques, and ten years later begun to use my skills for good in form of cross stitch designing...)
Nowadays my issue with knitting is that... I have became very easily bored and I always had issues with not being able to make anything too detailed with knitting needles, no matter how small.
In theory I do still like knitting and would like to do it more often, but those tiny crosses just seem to be more suitable to my anal character...

For bits_2_whole: More free music! (aka. snowprincipessa browsed Last.FM)

Albumloads of music directly from the artists....

1. POA
2. SK123
3. Senn
4. Sicilian AV Project
5. Sal Boca
6. Metricks
7. Eberhard Glowatzky
8. Sevish
9. Various Artists (Hidden Shoal Recordings)

Do I love Last.FM or do I love it?

Go nuts...

... eatMacadamia.
I like musicians who share their music under Creative Commons.

The insanity of creative mind

... also known as flow. Some would call it mania.

My luck is that my mania doesn't end with depression. My mania ended when I had an asthma attack while I slept. It was yesterday and now, even I slept last night quite well, I am exhausted to put it mildly.
All of me is exhausted, not just my mind, though it's no wonder... My mind was seven days in state which could be described as Energizer bunny on amphetamine.

I loved every second of it, now all I want to do is to drown into bowl of run chocolate/ rum raisin ice cream... which I am intending to do right about.... now.

(Well, it is a healthy sign, having enough energy to have creative mania.)

Dragon Dreams' Valentine Dragon!

Ok, it is a relaunch, but I don't have it as it is from time when I wasn't even aware that Dragon Dreams exists. So, click your way to Dragon Dreams and fetch the 2003 Valentine Dragon while it is up!

Noticing that it is cute as heck I may have to stitch it some of these days... ^^

Unconscious Mutterings

A day late.

Week 261

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

1. What women want :: Generalisation
2. Epidemic :: Illness
3. Taxes :: Money
4. Hello :: Kitty
5. Confidential :: Secret-y
6. Lights :: Northern
7. Summation :: Equals
8. Hard feelings :: Pain
9. Electric :: Eclectic (hmm....)
10. Fresh start :: Second life

And she had S.E.X.!

But, I didn't fail my goal of not buying more stash as this stash is for a new project, a Mystery SAL to-be, organized by Lady Periphaeria... (More about it later, but quite soon.)
I have been hanging around at Hand-dyedfibers.com's forum for a while and drooled after all the lovely VC silks in the store... then I went and designed something just to try certain style and it ended up to be a project which demanded silks - and as I don't have that much experience on Vikki's silks I decided to give them a try.

"To try" may not be an approriate term for the whole purchase: I bought 31 five yard skeins of six stranded silks. (The order has already been shipped!)

Family can shock you

When I left to grocery store yesterday I turned lights off... and when I came home I saw a light in my bedroom window.
I can say that I was a bit "WTH!", but as I wanted to know why the light was on I went home and what did I found? bits_2_whole had popped by to fix my desktop computer.

Lesson learnt: giving your key to your family members can lead to confusion.

Another thing I have learnt during last two days is that scripts which are claimed to be easy by their developers rarely are so - but it seems to me that I eventually found a suitable (easy enough, clear enough and has all the basics I need) online community script.

A tease, aren't I? *grin*

Happy Dance № 6

Fifth model done! (This time a nice foggy teaser...) And I can say that it was done in January as I am still living in January.

While stitching it came to remind me of one person on my P-I-F list (I am so behind....) and therefore it will be moving out right after I get it done, photographed and stitched a tiny something to accompany it.