Blog life. And what happens when a crazy stitcher travels.

I haven't actively read blogs in a couple of years (yikes!), I think that more or less after spring 2008, that spring when I first realized that there is something wrong with me and got lost in my brain fog.

2008.

Three years ago.

I met Darling Husband that same year, even it feels like yesterday.

Anyway, today I started, out of the blue, collect all my feeds from Bloglines to Google Reader as I decided it would probably be better in the end as I have my calendar at Google too and this way I can get most of my necessary stuff on my iGoogle.

There was abandoned and hijacked blogs, which I just skipped, but many of those blogs I used to read are still going strong so do not wonder if a new, yet familiar sounding name starts commenting. It's just me coming back.

My first anniversary with thyroid meds is on Wednesday and I am still surprised how much the whole thing has affected to my life. And how much it still affects. But life must go on and with time things will get easier, I hope.

Travels

My mom and I went to Tallinn earlier this month: ate like horses in an medieval restaurant (see the virtual tour here. In addition to great surroundings (this time we at at Krusensterni Saal) they serve great food), bought Estonian cheeses, dark roasted coffee and... I found craft magazines.

In other words: Estonian beading magazine and Russian Susanna and Cross Stitcher.

And we are going to Tallinn again soon as we, or rather my mother, got two free ferry tickets from tax free (this company gives free cruises after using certain amount of money in their tax free store). We are going to hit one shopping mall... there is a craft store too. Guess where I am going?

Stash blogging: The Beginning

I know I should be sleeping, but... for some reason I am not too attracted to that idea, so it's time for some stashy pictures.

I am not too fond of Mirabilia's seasonal/ festive fairies (firstly I am not very firm believer of the goodness of limited editions and secondly they just seem to lack some zest), but when I saw this one I knew I had to find it, no matter how much I had to pay for it!

Google told me that it was published in September issue of Cross Stitch & Needlework and I only needed to find it from somewhere: luckily Nordic Needle had it!

She is a beauty and I hope I actually have time someday to stitch her.

Cross posting: This the Season to Be Jolly

The Gift of Stitching's ornament number was published earlier than normal this year and I can't say anything else, but WOW!
It is filled with beautiful designs from several designers one of them being Frosty Pinecones from Periphaeria Designs!

I have loved the design since I designed it ages ago and when I was looking for ornament design for TGOS' ornament issue it was an obvious choice.
The design style is generally very traditionally Slavic (the name comes from the "pinecone" motif within the whole design), but I wanted to give it a special twist and make it suitable also for those stitchers who don't live in Northern Hemisphere and decided to go with shades of raspberry and rose to make an example of how varying the design is.

It was originally planned to be stitched with only one colour, but my household gnomes hid not one, but two skeins while I was model stitching the design and it ended to have three colours - very succesfully, if you ask my opinion. :)
The design can, of course, be stitched with just one colour or three colours of your own preference.

Feel free to play with the colours and I hope you enjoy stitching the design! I did.

(Originally posted to Tales from Periphaeria.)

37,3° C

Nggh. I hurt. Now I finally feel like sick.

But on a happier note: I went to the interview and noticed that one of the people doing it was my old boss. I put my hope on her remembering me and wanting to hire me.

Another happy note is that I was tempted to buy all 2006 issues of The Gift of Stitching. The whole package was only 11,40€ so decided to go for it, give yet another birthday gift for myself.
When I got home I got an order confrimation from Julie's X Stitch that my order has been shipped AND she took $5 off of the shipping costs because my order was so light weight! English Roses is coming to mommy!

When it comes for tomorrow I have planned to serve myself breakfast in bed: coffee, tiramisu, nectarines...and open those birthday cards with lovely floss inside of them... and stitch the whole day as a birthday gift for myself.
Now I am hoping that few of my orders would arrive tomorrow and I would have a stash filled birthday. *dreamy*

Things really change...

While doing a slight inventory of stuff to get rid of I had a thought to browse through all my cross stitch magazines and sell the ones which have nothing of interest in them... I think I am sick.
But then, I see no point in having loads of useless magazines hanging around if I could make some money and acquire some more free space by selling them...

I think I finally found some use for my eBay account...

Tidbits and two happy dances

It snowed!

TGOS

Oh my, where this world is going to... there is nothing of interest in the latest The Gift of Stitching - though I can promise you that there is something of interest in the next issue...

And

As I guessed I was asked about what happened in Thursday after we left. And I knew there'd be those knowing "who knows where it may lead... " (Admittedly everything leads to something, but still...) comments from my course mates.

Happy Dance #1

Fang was finished in Friday.

Informative tidbits:

• Designer: Jennifer Aikman- Smith from Dragon Dreams
• Design: 'Fang', a limited time Halloween treat freebie
• Fabric: Elegance, 32 count hand-dyed Belfast linen by Silkweaver
• Floss: Misc. leftovers
• Additions: I replaced the French knots in Fang's eyes with red petite glass beads.

Happy Dance #2

And The Secret Gift was finally finished today and will be mailed out to its new home in Monday(-ish).
Pictures will follow when I heard that it is received, but I can say that it is simply gorgeous!

Friends know...

... how to cheer you up.
I came back home cranky because I had lost my travel card, which still has 16 days unused, prepaid, period left (fortunately the driver knows me (by face, you know) and let me take the bus home without paying).

I knew that Leena was to send little something to me, but this load of beautiful, new stash was totally unexpected!

As the image ia not very good I am evil and advertise a bit (as you know that I never do that *coughs innocently*)... Leena sent me Mains & Merveilles' issue 60 (it has two jazz related patterns, which are must do for someone like me (I have always loved jazz)), Sampler & Antique Needlework Quarterly's Summer 2007 issue (the project on the cover is a must do too), three Atalie's silks (Beaune, Grenade and Vancouver) and one skein of Atalie's cotton (Passion).

Based on the floss colours you could almost imagine that she knows something about my colour preferences... (ETA: Ok, she has a red phase, according to her. But, isn't that a sign of a great artist? All those phases with certain shades? *grin)

Fang

Jenn L., you are welcome. That is why I posted about the Fang as I knew some people may miss it otherwise - I have been waiting for this design since she launched her new site so I was well prepared.

SAT

My goals (even I forgot to post them) were:

1. Stitch remaining few motifs on a model and finish it.
2. Stitch rest of Loy's page four.

Well... I managed to stitch the model, but decided to concentrate on finishing it in Sunday. That kind of failed as I was busy with other things whole Sunday - and I can't finish it because I don't have suitable ribbon... before tomorrow.
That also means that I didn't made that many stitches on Loy... though I started a new complimentary design for Periphaeria Designs in Saturday, but as it's not done yet no pictures of it either.
...so, Loy it is. Those few stitches I managed...

(Click for Before picture...)

Disappointing progress, but still closer to the ultimate finish.

Stash!

My order from One Star's Light arrived - accompanied with three four complimentary designs from various designers! (OMG! I got to get this! ... and I will, right after Lady has paid the hosting for next 14 months. *evil grin*)

After reading from several blogs that latest JCS Ornament Issue was a flop I was even more curious to see it... and I don't get the disappointment. There are several designs I could stitch and my absolute favourite is The Victoria Sampler's Sugar and Lace Ornament, but in addition I loved, as usual, Dragon Dreams' Checking It Twice, The Sweetheart Tree™'s Noel Christmas Bellpull, Julia Lucas Designs' Deck of The Halls, SamSarah Design Studio's Winter Love and Val's Stuff's A Merry Kitty Klaws.
So, at least six loved, few more liked very much... not bad for a magazine costing mere $6.99 - noticing that I don't celebrate the said holiday.

What else is new?

How evil are you?

Human beings are egocentric mammals. We strive for our own good and survival. So?

Ok, I know that some people think that Finland = Russia, but this is a bit too much... being in Bulgaria in WP's opinion.

...and the kids in this neighbourhood

...are still brats without no sense of manners. (I can name one of my neigbours whose kids have never been a problem to me. Or rather to whom I am not problem to... I know I am not like their parents, so? I don't have four arms nor I am have green skin... I really don't get it. Maybe I just have an invisible Oddball tattoo in my forehead. )

And to make it even more fun my new Hebrew book (Masa had an accident *ahem* with the old one) hasn't arrived to the bookstore yet even its delivery estimation was 1-2 weeks and it's almost three weeks since I ordered (and paid) it.

But The Best Thing today was...

I got mail from Leena (who had cunningly mentioned last week that she had sent something - that is so evil, don't you think? *grin*)!

She sent me one of the JCS issues I was drooling over and two Cross Stitchers (they contain Violarium's ads with image of some PD's design (admittedly it feels good to see my designs in an ad in a magazine such well known)), which, surprisingly, actually have couple of designs I might even stitch - there's a design from Ink Circles in JCS and that is a must-do.

Off to do the laundry, prepare my dinner and refresh my Hebrew skills...

6th of December, 89th take

"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it."
-- George Bernard Shaw

Ezzy v 2.0.

I like this version much more.

Latest CSC came yesterday... and once again: nothing of interest (ok, that John Clayton design isn't that bad). Blah. And next issue seems to be as interesting... Blah^2.

Latest issue of The Gift Of Stitching is out, and I've to say that it's well worth that ~80 cents which it's per issue. Even it's filled with Christmas designs... Now, this is a magazine I might like in the long run (this was second issue from my subscription): it's cheap (10€/year), lacks most of that unnecessary yadda-yadda most paper versions have and has designs I might even stitch some day. Shocking, absolute scandal even. O_o

/me likes.

And I think that Futurecast has a name: Pihka. (Resin in English and came from the fact that our little dragon will be in shades of orange, red and brown. It reminds me of amber, but Amber is too girlish. So, I thought of Meripihka (literally sea resin), but it was a bit long, so I decided to shorten it a bit.)
Ok, Pihka seems to be considered as a female name in here, but if you ask from me it's neutral enough (as we don't determine sex of word with last vowel (actually we don't sex words), otherwise I'd be triple neutral with minor twist of femininity (three of my four names end up with i, one ends up with a (which is interesting as my planed name change would/will change the order: 3 as and 1 i))).

I've try to remember to check its colours in daylight (when ever that little thing wants to get over the horizon (ah, 43 minutes to sunrise (at 8:17 am)) as I may end up adding some blends...

/me wants Monday!

Blaaaaaaaaaah

1. I'm quite pleased that I ditched Cross Stitcher. I got the latest issue yesterday and there's nothing which strikes my fancy nor there will be in next issue - like that'd be much of an issue, as this one was last in my subscription.

2. Despite my migraine I've made some progress with Dovey (though I've spent most of the day sleeping and/or entertaining cats in bed):

This is very quick stitch, and I'd almost swear that I'll have HD within next three weeks. (Yes, that is waste canvas. Last piece of that one I bought over two years ago, that one which made me realise that I'm more severely allergic than I thought. I can use it because it has been washed and because my allergy behaves better than it used to (there's still traces of starch in that fabric, deducing from the fact that I get minor symptoms from handling it)).

3. Futurecast is kitted and I've written its conversion up. Its main colour will be orange, and if I'm happy with the result its colourway may be available for curious souls (Teresa Wentzler is known to give AOKs for publishing conversions - and this particular design is designed as a conversion practise piece).
Coming soon to a blog near you!

Now this was interesting...

Snatched from Ami.

Your EQ is 140

50 or less: Thanks for answering honestly. Now get yourself a shrink, quick!
51-70: When it comes to understanding human emotions, you'd have better luck understanding Chinese.

71-90: You've got more emotional intelligence than the average frat boy. Barely.
91-110: You're average. It's easy to predict how you'll react to things. But anyone could have guessed that.
111-130: You usually have it going on emotionally, but roadblocks tend to land you on your butt.
131-150: You are remarkable when it comes to relating with others. Only the biggest losers get under your skin.
150+: Two possibilities - you've either out "Dr. Phil-ed" Dr. Phil... or you're a dirty liar.

What's Your EQ (Emotional Intelligence Quotient)?

Now, that is lower than my claimed IQ, but surprisingly high noticing how problematic I find social interaction, so even they say that IQ and EQ aren't comparable I might disagree.
And yes, I know this was just a time killer. So? *g*

And now... I'll probably doze off any time soon...

They used to be good...

I noticed something today: general quality of Future Publishing's magazines is degrading. Cross Stitcher went down the drain some time ago, and now it seems to me that Cross Stitch Collection may follow... I wasn't happy at all with the latest issue. Very simple designs, barely no backstitching, not that many colours, naïve designs. Nothing to strike my fancy in any sense.

Though, admittedly, this time of the year is general PITA for me as every single place is Christmas this, Christmas that, but what about stitchers who do not celebrate Christmas?
There's nothing for us, so at least three out of twelve issues are more or less useless.

I do Yuletide stitching, and from what I've noticed JCS' ornament issues are more than enough to fill my Yule stitching needs. (And I don't do it for myself anyway.)
This year my count is two or three small pieces, depending do I've time to stitch ornament to my father - I've my eyes on Mosey 'n Me's Santa's Trimmings (from JCS OI 2004) for my mother, and that I'll stitch for sure.

So, I am re-evaluating my view towards CSC, and I plan to send them an email from a worried reader. If their quality doesn't get better I'll ditch CSC's subscription in summer and get it as money for new stash. (And if so I'd justify buying Sacred Connection as a birthday gift.)

Has anyone seen my flame thrower?

As mentioned, I'm not very organized person even it may look like it. Or then I've mean house elf... I know I've one skein of Dancing Flame somewhere, but I can't find it. It's not where I keep the fabric, it's not where I keep my overdyeds, it's not laying around...
This means that needlebook is out of rotation until I get more of DF

Cross Stitcher

It's time to renew my subscription, but for the first time in five years I'm not sure do I want it to be renewed. During last year or so their quality has degraded, or I have gotten pickier, and there's rarely anything which catches my fancy.
Therefore I asked from my mother, who pays CS to me as a Yule gift, would it be ok for her if I don't renew the order, but load same amount of money from her Visa to my virtual Visa. As with that £55 (~81€) I'd get what I really need, like fabrics and floss. And it'd still be gift from her, and very easy solution for her, as usual.

If she says it's ok I'm sure I won't think twice...

Back to stitchy issues.
'Guess That Theme' parcel is on its way to [Country]. And new Cross Stitcher came, finally - though it actually had nothing interesting in it, in addition to Astrocats calendar. (Or maybe it's just this sleep deprivation...)

Mr. Warhol said it...

Echevette found me trough trackback (that's my guess) and asked can she post picture of my version of kitty on her blog... and here's my fifteen minutes in fame. (Nothing beats some self praise.)
And as an example how much fabric (and lighting) affects: click. Exactly the same floss, just different fabric.

Model stitching?

I just heard that one cross stitch designer (ok, she converts artwork, anyway) is looking for model stitchers.
I've to say that I am tempted to email to her... I'm a bit unsure as her designs are rather big compared to my normal scale, but I think I've to email her anyway. It doesn't hurt to send just an enquiry, does it?

/me is *so* bored

This one seems to be one of those migraines which actually try to get me spend time in my bed... Dizziness is not fun, and in addition to that my head begun to hurt as I, well, laughed my hiney off because of certain mail I got.
Nothing against that though - laughing (nor that mail, very much opposite to be honest). Anything which lifts up my mood in day like this is always very welcomed.

While laying in bed I read latest Cross Stitcher (came today; and btw, Angela: Silkweaver parcel came too. Now I just need to get those dyes, and maybe I'll send something some day... ) and I found something I can agree with:

"Dear Lord, so far today I'm doing ok.
I haven't gossiped, lost my temper, been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or self-indulgent.
I haven't whined, complained, cursed or eaten any chocolate.
But I'll be getting out of bed in a minute, I think I'll really need your help then!"

And while laying in bed getting bored I noticed something which I dislike: as I've lost weight (/me cheers) my arms are getting visibly muscular (at least my biceps have gotten smaller, they were problem last spring)...
I know they'll fade away sooner or later (at least I hope so), but I really dislike it anyway.

So, anyone in desperate need of some muscles? But then... it makes it easier, to actually have relatively good share of muscles in your body as

1. I wont look saggy
2. It means that part of that weight I have is actually weight of these 'Arnolds' of mine
3. And they'll get smaller during time -> decreases weight even more.

But then... I sense need to get new clothes soon. I also sense being even more "too femininely build" for designers (My waist is at least 6cms too narrow to "fit" with my hip, according to "fittings", even at this point. What will it be..?) which causes sense of panic.

Btw, three months from this moment I'm 27 years young/ old. Scary.

Stash!

My Silkweavers came finally!

Lugana Stash-Pak #3 didn't contain that Victorian red which was the main reason for me to order it, but this one contained some nice (little) pieces to keep and to send (for example to my adoptée - in fact I've theme-of-a-kind for her parcels).

• 32 count Belfast
  • Angel Blush
  • Lavender Bliss
  • Raw linen
• Lugana 28/ 32 count Stash-Pak #3
  • platinum
  • pewter
  • lavender bliss
  • white
  • new khaki
• Absolutely adorable limited edition 32 count Lugana (brown, but Wow!)
• 22 count hardanger fabrics
  • mocha
  • celadon
  • deep royal

Have I ever mentioned that I love their Odds and Ends?

And to make this day even better... Cross Stitch Collection came. There's three projects which I could do without even considering twice, and I've to admit that those nursery rhyme designs (series of four, second part was in this issue) are also something I could do... but first I need few things, like suitable father and successful pregnancy.

Devilish cutesy ^^

She's finished!

(Once again the quality of picture isn't best one, but I can't help it.)

And as repeat is mother of learning (or something like that)... Technical info:

• Designed by Sarah Bengry
• Pattern from 'Quick and Easy Cross Stitch' March 2004, issue 111
• Stitched on black denim with help of 32 count ("waste") linen.
• DMC
• 2 strands

And when ever I'm in the mood I'll finish her into a bag, but now I'll concentrate on celebrating.

Cross posted into cross_stitch.

'Cross Stitch Collection', issue 127; odd thoughts about a saying

I was reading CSC's issue 126 today, and of course checked what will be in next issue. There'll be this sampler which has an odd saying. At least it's odd in my opinion - odd enough to blog about it - as I see it that is quite depressing thought...

"Love is like a butterfly..."

In what way it's like a butterfly? Butterflies have a short life span, so does that indicate that love doesn't last? Or is designer's idea to indicate that love is fragile as a butterfly? Or maybe that love is as beautiful as butterfly? Love is an insect maybe?

Anyway, what's the meaning in that? As if it indicates to a beauty of a butterfly it's quite lame way to express it. Weary way. There's nothing new in it so what's the point?
If it indicates fragility of a butterfly, it gets IMO so depressing thought that I couldn't keep something like that in my wall - or spend my money to buy flosses and fabric to do it.
Same thing with it's life span.

I know I'm naive, but love isn't something which just dies or fades away. Though I know this is not only opinion in this world.

And while blogging about cross stitch magazines I just got latest issue of Cross Stitcher and I'm already waiting for the next one. Why? There'll be this "When I am an old cat" sampler which would be great gift to my mother as I've already done one Margaret Sherry's cat sampler ("If I had 9 lives...") for her. (Not to mention that next issue of CS has already good looking card designs, lovely giraffe design and it's cover kit is must for me as it's Eeyore - whose personality is so like mine)
(And next issue of CSC has couple of great designs - again - which will get into my possible 2-dos list...)

Rósa's card.

I just got better pic from her, so may I proudly present:

^^

And I just came home. Sent CS to chanda_m and did some shopping for Valentine Exchange...

It has been a good day today.

~Names.

About peris... I did this today. Kind of funny I'd say.

And it seems that I will change my first names (first time is always free ) as I can't write my first name anymore. It's bit cumbersome when you're used to pay with 'plastic'... Apparently reason to that is that I finally found suitable candidate as a first name. Have to see about it anyway. At least I've to think a bit still.