Exchanges and stuff

I had decided to have an exchange break, but, as usual, my big mouth got me into trouble and I went and suggested to my co-staff members at EMS that it would be nice to have a staff exchange - as there hasn't been any during the time I have been on the Dark Side (that's from September 27th, 2006).
Of course it was organized as we don't have anything better to do with our time.

I was thinking of the item I am going to stitch to my partner and changed my original idea and went with something completely different, which was actually inspired by Leena... I am not going to reveal any details, Leena may guess it though.

Talking of EMS forum... one of the factors that have limited my stitching etc. time lately has been the fact that I was having a quick course of vBulletin features and administration and during that month I actually did two jobs on the forum (the promotion was kept secret from everyone until my training period was over): Super Moderator's and Administrator's.

Sometimes I am not quite sure how sane I actually am, but apparently I am sucker for power... Ok, not really. That forum has given me quite much during the three years I have been hanging there and in its way this is being able to give it back.
And in a way I enjoy that tech support/ customer service role we admins have. It's also very likely that my work load hasn't increased in general as many of my former duties were transferred to others when my promotion became official - occasional board upgrades are another story altogether regarding work load, but they are not that frequent.

Elliptical

I have used it almost a week now and even though my weight hasn't decreased (that may be starvation, I haven't been eating much lately) my biceps have grown ridiculously (if they stay that big I can soon go and brag to bodybuilders ), my arms have lost some fat and I am losing my butt (the muscles are becoming rounder, but the fat is currently slowly flowing downwards, which is not a pretty sight *grin*)! O_o

Well, it has been only six days and I have only used it about 20 minutes per day in the easiest tension. Now that I am used to it, I will lengthen the sessions and start interval training. Let's see how that affects.

Virtual RR#1

Sometimes you get the best of ideas when you are in fever delirium... like this one:

"Solarium Sublime's Virtual RR!
Brought to you by the brainstorm of Succubus. (Editor's note: Which is me, as many of you know.)

Many stitchers have been hesitant to participate in RRs due to concerns about many issues- ranging from the piece disappearing (mail service, participants quitting, etc) to objections over quality of stitching or the themes/designs chosen.

The solution - a Virtual Round Robin!

• You pick the theme. (Your theme could be, for example TW corner motifs/ borders/ etc., Châtelaine borders/tiles/etc. or something along such lines)
• You introduce your theme and list of acceptable designs (most likely ones you already have, or seek an excuse to purchase ;) ) It is best if they come from the same designer, or have a similar style, though blending 2 or 3 is possible.
• Every two months or so, the next person in the RR will choose the next part for you. The moderators will be assigning the RR participant rotation order when the sign-up period closes.

If this sounds like fun, sign up in the current Virtual RR, and then post a new topic on that board introducing your theme, stitching parameters, motifs and so on.

Welcome, and Enjoy!

If you have any questions, please ask.

The thread.

Solarium Sublime has a focus on artisanry in needlework and may sound that we are bunch of toffee noses, but we aren't. Really.
If you strive to improve your skills and have a knack for analyzing your art pop by, read this thread and join the fun.

We are no many yet, but I can say that we have a cozy atmosphere at Solarium, the coffee is always hot, comfy chairs are really cozy and the discussion is great. ^^

Peek-A-Boo

I should pat myself on the back: I have studied 16 pages of Hebrew today. And I really am able to read it, I just need some serious vocabulary rehearsal - and I still need to study the rest eight pages (to get where we are starting from (approximately)) - but you can't (or maybe you can) imagine the sense of relief I had when I sat on the train on my way home and realised that I can read Hebrew, I really can, and that I do still remember the vocabulary rather well.

I have actually surprised myself today. In addition of studying I managed to tidy up my bedroom (it was a mess when I started with it), take two hour nap and I planned to do a pile of laundry... but my knee has been acting today which has lead to back pain (because I try to protect the knee) which meant that I decided that it's better to leave it to some other day.
What worries me with the pain is that I don't have the slightest idea of its origin - one possibility is that the cold I had has developed to something way bigger, uglier and meaner.

And, I got a promotion... not such you may imagine, but I became higher level moderator on one forum - less than a year after they "hired" me.
But then, I am a sucker for that kind of stuff.

I should get to bed, but I think that I can stitch few stitches to the Halloween Exchange thingy before I call it off for the day.

Ornament SAL@TRN

We had a little ornamental Stitch-A-Long at The Robin's Nest and I thought I might share my result in here too.

I intended to stitch one, and ended up stitching three, finishing two of those and additional ornament I had stitched earlier this year.
(Click thumbnails for bigger pictures - as usual)

Woodland Snowfall by Little House Needleworks:

(Info and finished)

Santa's Trimmings by Mosey 'n Me:

(info and finish)

Giant, 1998 Christmyth by Dragon Dreams:

(info and finish)

Wyvren, 2006 Christmyth (and last one in the series) by DD:

(info)

It was fun.

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...

It's raining frogs, oy vey...

Any guesses on who had to frog almost half of the upper border of Alter Echo?

Yes, it was me. I had miscounted and then repeated my mistake in every single repeat I had stitched... *sigh*
I just love frogging red floss as it leaves visible lint - fortunately we have sticky tape.

Other life-related notions

1. I haven't slept since I woke up yesterday (~2:30 pm, those antihistamines...), and my plan is to keep myself going next 11- 12 hours... I've to, in order to get my sleeping back in order again. (It seems to normalize when ever I've company while sleeping - curious, don't you think?)
2. I got surprising promotion in certain forum... Not complaining: power to me^Wthe people!

Here be dragons

As said MW will have to give its day to TGT because TGT has a deadline. And even design changed Monday seems to be day of Dragon Dreams.

Baby dragon had an arm when I begun to stitch this today and here's how it looks like now (I've had busy night because we had/have problems with one forum user... ended up being banned, and I'd really love to see that report of an offence she promised to make (there's no base for it, just one's paranoid illusions)):

I've to say that I'm quite happy with my conversion from greens to purples. (Angela, I can hear you drooling. )

In other news

CCLE is mailed, as is one leaflet from my unwanted list. It'll immigrate to live with Cindy as she is/was in dire need of Christmas ornament designs and as I want to give loving homes to stash I don't want to live with...
And Sabine should get something from me in one of these days. (I really love to make those parcels, even my finances limit them quite a bit, but IMO I can still make it quite well.)

And my chilis really could use some therapy. It's end of September and they look like this:

Bye bye biscornu

And there it went. My first born left home and is on it's way to it's new home far away from mommy.

In other news I did some cleaning up in Various Links yesterday, now all blogs I follow (those ones which allow 'feeding' that is) are under one link - I found finally good use for my Bloglines account.

And 'vaccination flu' is almost gone, which is great thing (though it seems to me that Wolfie got it - which is not great thing at all... *sighs*). I hate to feel/ be sick.

Recipe Exchange@The Robin's Nest

Another new forum! Another exchange!
Some time ago I silently promised myself to stay away from exchanges, but this one was way too good to miss.

And unfortunate, though very understandable, fact is that SBEBB (and FG) will be closed so my exchange activity will be reduced anyway.
At least for the time being, as I don't actually have willingness to have several commitments with deadlines at this phase of my life.

Anyway, what's the idea behind RE? This is direct quote from exchange directions:

"Participants should stitch something that belongs in the kitchen - a tea towel, heat pad, tea cozy, recipe book cover, napkin rings... etc.---
Along with your stitched piece, please send a recipe that either represents your country, or your heritage (since they may sometimes differ). Don't worry about the exoticness of the recipe - that is part of the fun.---"

I've about gazillion faint ideas, but I've to wait like nice person to get my partner's info. But I think that I'll try something new in finishing sense, as there's thing or two I've wanted to try, and now I've great opportunity to do so.
Actually I'm thinking of the possibilities which lay in those linen stitch bands I purchased...

Floss problem; help!

So, chanda_m's and my Alter Echo SAL will begin in 9th of June.
I know what fabric I'm going to use. I got this lovely piece of natural 36 count Edinburgh linen from chanda_m when we did this little trade last year.

Now, what floss to use? Really?
I'd love to use some overdyed and basic DMC, and I've been thinking of some burgundy, but I haven't found anything I'd like.
Actually I think I found that DMC. Right in front of me is one skein of 309 and it's really delicious shade of red... But then, which overdyed would go with it? Anyone?!

Ah well, at least I've just decided that DMC (and if I don't find that overdyed I'll go with two shades of DMC).

Good night my faithful readers

Let me introduce you...

Inspirational (available for active members, like chatty /me) freebie from Linabear BB. Quite cute. ^^

In fact it reminds me of these two

Ronja and Neko have somewhat perfect relationship, and it's going strong as ever after four years of sheer bliss. ^^ (In their case it's really 'til death do us apart situation)

To be honest I tried to sleep, but something (or someone to be honest... and not actually person in question, but my mind kept me awake... you know....) kept me awake so I decided to use my time in productive way and finished those kitties.
Maybe I should try again... sleeping, I mean.

(Partially cross posted to lb_bb_gallery.)

Whining

I give you all one good advice: never ever become forum admin.

Ok, it's not bad hobby, and mostly it's more or less rewarding in certain sense, but one person just made me feel so angry.... I do not approve that someone blames me on something I do not do. It pisses me off that when I try to keep things running smoothly some idiot claims that I'm on crusade against him.

I know I shouldn't take it personally, but I can't help feeling frigging miserable at this moment. I just don't need false claims from anyone...

Cunning plans

Friends Gather BB has monthly 24 hour challenge (you choose a design which you could stitch in 24 hours and see can you do it) and I think that I'll participate those coming ones with... ornaments. Not to-be kept ones, but those which I'll send in the end of the year to misc. persons. It's a bit early maybe, but at least I can force myself to do those - even 24 hour challenge is not a competition, it's motivational thing. But as I'm procrastinator I'll need that.

And one more SAL in sight

Kristine from Dragonfly Stitches will have needlebook SAL in the end of February, and as I've participated two of her previous SALs and have loved both designs I'm participating no matter what. (This coming design will be only available for a week, and never again (as a freebie) after it so real once in a lifetime opportunity.)
And in case someone is interested, here's link to some of her designs - there's couple I'll add to my wish list.

Otherwise

I'm going to start with 5th pattern of Best Friends today (SAL at Linabear BB), as I've been delaying it far too long because of those ongoing projects. I'll have a mini rotation and I stitch this dalmatian and Silhouettes in turns.

One of these days...

In fact it begun last night when I accidentally poured water over my keyboard. In the morning I realized that some symbols with Ctrl+ Alt command just don't work. Arrow keys don't work that well either... and to someone who tries to use keys to operate (instead of mouse) this is bad situation. What makes is worse is that I really don't want to spend my few euros to get a new keyboard (bus fares will take as much as new keyboard costs)...
Not to mention that square brackets don't work either and to someone who uses BB code boards as much as I do it's just plain catastrophe (In our family's BB I've no worries as it allows HTML code also).

And if that weren't enough: I woke up with my back hurting like hell. In fact it hurted so much that I felt it in my dream. It hurted so much that I cried of pain in that dream. (It was an interesting dream btw. A. was moving back to India and he wanted to meet me for the last time. We talked about interesting things... in a way it was quite odd dream - and every time when I have saw a dream about him he has contacted me, so have to see.)

But something good: my latest cycle was 52 days, but at least my body works a bit. Yes, just plain crazy: "Whippee, I'm menstruating."

SECE and sleeping.

Last SECE card is ready. And next exchange in sight is SBEBB's 'Valentine's Day Exchange' and I'll get info about that in December so now I can focus on my things - which means that I'll continue with Devil Bear.

Though I've an idea what I could do for my secret pal in VDE so I just can't wait.

Sleeping.

My rhythm is completely insane once again, and I can feel it. ...so: 20+ 7+ 16+ 3+ 7+ 1+ 7+ 4+ 8+ 4. If that amount of sleep were divided to three it'd be enough, but as it's not... I feel quite much like a zombie. And of course I don't feel like eating, because I'm tired and I'm tired because I don't eat enough.

Lovely.

About natural dyes.

I thought it'd be wise to save this post of mine (from this thread at EMS BB) about my dye experiments, as you can never know when it'll be victim of pruning:

"Greetings from my kitchen.

You can have beautiful, natural colours with spices. I tried paprika (curry powder and turmeric would be great too, I think) last night and got beautiful results. (Pics in here.)

I had small piece of (soft, I don't know why it is that soft...) ecru aida and bigger piece of regular pure white aida.

Results were:

• Ecru = peach
• white = light latte.

How?

• some excess time
• kettle
• 1 litre of water
• ½ dl of salt
• 2 ts bicarbonate (that thing used in baking)
• 4 ts paprika.

Add salt, bicarbonate (It'll foam a bit. ) and paprika to boiling water. Add moist fabric pieces (I had about
10x 40 cms (~4/ ~16 inches) all together) and let it simmer about an hour. Remember to stir(?) them frequently.
After an hour put 1 part of vinegar and 2 parts of water to suitable container and move fabric piece(s) to it and let them be a while.
Rinse.

This colour stands washing. I tried it yesterday. Though I don't know
will it take machine washing, but I made instant washing machine from jam jar (jar, hot water and washing powder) and spent some time shaking it.

Fabrics lost some colour but at least they should be more or less colourfast now.

It was so fun, I want to do more of that.

Btw, some may ask why I used bicarbonate? I'm used to as when I studied we used professional dyes and used bicarbonate (or some it's derivative) among salt. I don't remember how it should affect to colours. - - -"

Solution.

I know what I do. Maybe not wisest act, but... I take my current big WIP off from my scroll frame. 'Topiary Sampler's fabric is way too big to be held in hand. It's difficult to even make grid lines to it without any frame.

I just hope that I get what I need as Yule gifts: money. I really need more frames.

Board.

4700 posts in four weeks. (Ok, it lacks two hours still so there'll be more.)

G'day.

As we all see, I kind of flooded my blog with test results yesterday and today. So, now it's time for some 'decen't blogging again.

Metallics.

I've found new love: DMC's white metallic floss.

I bought one skein of it from my LNS and last night I stitched few snowflakes with it to SEBE 'Winter' bookmark. It looks great.

Little tip: When you've divided your lenght of floss to six parts, take one divided strand of that floss, divide it (as it's made of two filaments) again. First of all it's easier to stitch as it's more flexible, and it looks great. IMO it may look even better than if you were stitching with one complete strand.
In fact I think it'd be good bleding filament replacement stitched with regular mouline. I have to try that some day.

SAL.

Well, in a way it has been suggested that I'd organize one SAL (Stitch-a-long) at EMS Cross Stitch Board. I suggested one design (serie in fact) in one thread which has to do with SALs and it seems that there might be people who're interested of doing this particular pattern.

Design is a freebie and still available, and I checked yesterday that it isn't even very big. One part of design in 45x60 stitches so 2700 stitches per part (minus corners which are unstitched in pattern (though I think I'll stitch them too)), and on 14 count finished design is about 8,2x10,9 cms (~3.2x4.3 inches).

There isn't even that many colours needed, so it's almost perfect. Even beginners could participate.

Looks good? I think so. Anyway, I've to think this a bit (as I'm not sure when I've time, after DBF moves I don't have free time that much as there's piles of bureucracy related stuff to take care of.) and if I think I could organize it I think I should contact to that boards staff and ask what is their opinion of organizing and what would be 'wisest' way to handle it.

Freaky, part II.

And when I woke up from my 'short' nap (migraine, lack of sleep and 800mg of ibuprofen did the trick. Slept 4 hours) there was new user who has my sis' name as a nick. Ok, once again name which isn't very rare globally, but anyway.

Forum statistics.

~2100 messages in two weeks.

General.

You just got to love this body. Migraine which don't want to leave me completely, and now my ovaries are killing me. Not to mention that I'm so blue that I'd just like to be miserable and eat piles of chocolate.
'Fortunately' there's soy lecithin in chocolates so I can't eat it very much at one time. Maybe I should drink coffee 'til I explode...

I hate this kind of days.

Complaining and other things.

It's really freaky: I'm idling in my regular cross stitching forum and I just noticed that there's new user with nickname which is also name of Sonnenschein's (In fact his first name.). Ok, it's quite common name, but it's freaky anyway. At least in this time of night. (Maybe I've to tease him about that? )

Home page.

It's back online about 10th day of October. Which is great as I miss my link list, and it's horrible to use my HTML editor when it can't find background pics etc., which makes it awfully slow. It seems to make check-outs every frigging time I change mode from writing to preview and vice versa.
I'm just bit annoyed as HTML coding would have been great way to spend night. I can't sleep because of migraine, and I need something to do.

Migraine.

Still having migraine attack. I haven't got headache every day; day before yesterday I almost vomited (I don't vomit unless I'm very sick or I've terrible hangover - but I haven't drank any alcohol since August. (And I can't even remember when I've been intoxicated.)) suddenly and yesterday my stomach had it's opinion about things. But mainly I've had headache more or less.
At this moment I've 800mgs of ibuprofen in my system and it doesn't really help very much. It makes sharpest parts of pain duller(?), but still there's this aching in right side of my brains.

I think that this came because I ate all those carbohydrates earlier in this week. I don't know. It may be excess cheese consuming too, or drinking too much coffee or... There's millions of possibilities, unfortunately.

Bookmarks, part gazillion.

Yes, more about bookmarks.

I had this idea today when I made that Halloween bookmark. At first it sounded bit odd to me, but then I tried... and yes, beads do go to bookmarks if they're small ones (In this case Mill Hill's petite glass beads). I wont tell what was their actual use before that bookmark is in it's destination, but I'm quite happy with that solution. In fact it was great that I decided to spend 1,8 €s to those. Only thing I miss is that blending filament as I really could use it now...

Signs of lunacy.

It's 1:40 (EEST) and I'm stitching a bookmark to forthcoming Short Extended Bookmark Exchange (Once again at EMS Cross Stitch Board.). This one's easy as there are themes and no user preferences.

I'm working on winter one now, and will do autumn themed when I get my goodies from my LNS. In fact I can't even finish that winter one (even it's almost done already) before I get that blending filament I ordered.
It seems that only tricky one will be spring themed, as I don't want to walk that easy way and stitch flowers. Fortunately it's last one and due in end of January so I've time.

Mental exhibitionism.

Well, you shouldn't provoke lunatic... So, I 'had' to try Yahoo's 360° and added my blog feeds to there...

Then I found Feedburner while fighting with too easy feed addings:

That is what followed from it...

Crazy? Maybe, who knows?

Household activities.

It seems that laundry is only thing in my done list today, nothing else will be done today as I haven't been eating today and I'm tired.
Yes, I should eat but what to do if you're not hungry or you don't feel like eating? I haven't even made any coffee today.

Though I really should try to do that barley based pizza... been planning trying it for some days already.

Forum statistics.

Over 1300 posts in first 7 days. 45 users. And most of them are quite silent.

And the rest of us blabber more than it's wise.