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).

It's that tickling sensation...

You know, it feels great to receive encouragement from several people according to that little dream of mine.

I've spent whole day thinking of little things like website design (I think I'll go with very ascetic HTML based, as I can do it by myself - and I dislike cluttery sites), worrying over losing my creative streak again and all sort of silly stuff like that.
But I know that I want to try it.
At the moment only possible barrier in my way is the opinion of employement officials as you never know what they think. I will still be able to get a day job so it shouldn't be an issue, and I present it as a way to prevent me losing my mind - and if they think it in long run it may also get me out of their statistics...

If it is just a hobby...

TAST

Stitch of the week is buttonhole stitch. It should be easy, and I am sure it is... I just doubt that it is too easy. I have piles of ideas, but for some reason those stitches don't want to co-operate with me.

I think I'll see about it again over the weekend and spend my time stitching, dreaming and trying to get my design ideas to work in suitable medias.

Take-A-Stitch

Actually Take-A-Stitch Tuesday, but as I managed to completely forget the whole thing (I'm a worrywart and get easily distracted by little things like tomorrow, you know) mine will be Take-A-Stitch $WEEKDAY.

Anyway, our first stitch is herringbone (Can you cut tree down with it? *grin*).
I have few ideas maturing in my head, but first I need to decide... 32 count Clay Lugana (43cm x 70cm/ ~16.9'' x ~31.3'') or 28 count 'tea-dyed' linen (50 cm x 60cm/ ~19.7'' x ~23.6'')? (As I'm, at this moment, planning to make it as a sampler of a kind and, therefore, I'd love to use only one fabric. Though, taking that this is a long project I may have to change my plan later.)
I'll very likely work this mostly with GASTs (Loose Threads ), as I prefer to use my current stash as much as I can, so colour-wise either one would go.

Though that Lugana would give me a possibility to work on an idea I have... think of a garden. Panorama shoot of-a-kind from a garden of stitches...

Any thoughts on the fabric issue?

I give up!

I'll restart Ezzy, over two. Base of that house is a bit too... dense to be stitched over one.

At least I was crazy enough to try.

Dilemma

Now, as I'll have happy dance in 20th of November I've been pondering on something... I know I should finish Morning Wizard, and it's almost done anyway (as I'll leave some parts out of it), but I want to start Ezzy!
Now, do I want to be a good stitcher or a bad stitcher?

I think I may decide to be possessed by Ezmeralda's relatives and let MW be for some time.

Cravings...

...first it was raw onion, then blue cheese as such, chicken, excessive amounts of cranberry- raspberry milk chocolate, now pickled cucumbers...
Question is What the heck?
First one who says You're pregnant will be whacked with a halibut... I can't be pregnant (likelihood of such is about same than Dubya suddenly growing a brain) - reasons for it being my PCOS, using contraceptives, fact that I just menstruated (ok, my mother had one menses after she got pregnant with my brother, but that's not likely anyway as you know) - and I'm not comfort eating.

So, do all those contain some secret vitamin which I'm not aware of?

Anyway, entry out, some more coffee in to my mug, some laundry and having my weekly fight with Panda.

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

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

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

Did someone say gore?

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

Promised update

For reason or another blackwork didn't want to play with me today. No matter the fabric or floss it just doesn't look good. But then, time away from blackwork is time for things I should be doing... Like stitching Panda.

It doesn't look much of a progress when compared to previous picture, but it has to do with the fact that I've been filling those little areas it has at this point. It takes time to change colour all the time.

I did window shopping, once again....

I can explain! I was looking for fabric for Loy Krathong!
Anyway, it seems to me that even I don't celebrate Halloween (not Finnish thing until lately) I've gotten Halloweenitis when it comes to designs in my wishlist:

• Autumn Shadows
• Bad To The Bones
• Bats HallowBeauty And A Bat
• Cool Cat
• Fall Black Cat
• Halloween Wishes
• Trick or Treat Cat

And when it comes to my reason to window shop I think I'll end up ordering one of these

            

Midnight in the middle is my personal favourite at the moment, but I've time to reconsider it.

Well?

Which one is better, or could they go as a pair?
I don't think they could, and in my opinion I should stitch another one with variegated floss.

Hmph

I had plans for today, but now I'm not sure is it wise to go sightseeing... because my dear menses seem to be in town, week late though (Ok, since when my menses have been 'on time'? You learn bad habits quite fast, it seems. ), but I think I could blame on jet lag.

It's not that I were in pain (yet), but menses strain me even in Finland where climate is cooler and I tend avoid all sorts of physical strain as default when they begin... and as Thailand is quite much warmer country than Finland is...
The thing is that I'd like to go, but there's risk of being in pain and getting annoyed and irritated because of the lousy feeling and the heat. I'd lose the pleasure of exploring - and I don't want that.

Gawd, what to do? It doesn't look very promising...

Hourly Details

Friday Evening, June 23

11am Noon 1pm 2pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm RealFeel® 43° C 45° C 46° C 45° C 45° C 43° C 43° C 43° C Dewpoint 25° C 25° C 25° C 25° C 25° C 25° C 25° C 26° C Humidity 73% 71% 70% 68% 67% 66% 65% 65% Wind Direction NNW NW NW NW NW NW NW NW Wind Speed 0 kph 0 kph 0 kph 0 kph 0 kph 0 kph 0 kph 0 kph Precip Type -- -- -- -- Rain -- -- Rain

No wind, and RealFeel is quite high. Yesterday we at least had some wind to make it feel cooler. (Someone strolled around the vicinity to be able to locate herself on map. Six kilometres in 34°C/ RF 42°C. Crazy?)

Reason and Want are fighting at this moment.
Though I know I shouldn't strain myself just to avoid migraines (I've had one or two short ones, and I prefer to keep them away).

(Great, we have a power outage... Laptops can be a blessing sometimes, though router doesn't have any power... Ah, back again.)

Anyway, what I planned for today?
Jim Thompson's House. Clickety on link, and voilá. Doesn't it look quite nice place to visit? Because of the surroundings (though according to wild rumours the nearby khlong is on a bit smelly side) and the art collection. Not to mention the mystery behind J.T.'s disappearing.
And it'll also mean getting to know BST, as I need to get taxi to Chong Nonsi and get my little hiney moved with BST to National Stadium station.

[*Blogger moves on sofa suffering from menstruation cramps...*]

..So, no need to think anymore as I can't walk. "Yippee."

More later... nghh.

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).

Obstacles, take II

Apparently my monitor likes Candlemass as after my monitor got dark I listened CM while doing dishes... and when I came back: there was nothing wrong with this.
Which leads to conclusion that there really is something wrong, so it's good to get other monitor, even one with tiny screen. (Note to self: Change resolution)

Fortunately needlebook's pattern is more or less repetitive so I managed to do some stitching just by following back, and glancing actual pattern time to time.
Btw, I've decided to change this pattern a bit. There'll be text needles in front page stitched with greens, but I'll change them to pinks. I just think that it may work better with my fabric (in fact I've been thinking of changing font, but have to see).
Selina, I used 3852 as advised, but I've to admit that it does look a bit like metallic floss in that picture. (In fact I had this idea that it's center would look nice as ornament, just with changed colours: gold, deeper reds...)
And when it comes to my fabric choice, Rósa I've to confess that I'm positively surprised about it. But this gives me more confidence to use coloured fabrics instead of whites. (which is good as I dislike white - though ivory linen is always good choice ) You never lose anything (except few minutes) if you take your project's flosses and match them on few fabrics.

And in case you like the design, but weren't member of Dragonfly Stitches Yahoo Group during it's availability I've some good news: Romance in Bloom chart pack will be on sale in Down Sunshine Lane in(/from) the end of this week. You can find Kristine's designs under this link. (Most of them are in my wish list. )

Obstacles

My beloved monitor has decided to break-up with me. Therefore I've some serious bumps on my SO road: as I don't have a printer I follow patterns from my screen while stitching.
My current view is very, very dark (dark enough to cause migraine symptoms) and I can't get replacement monitor before Wednesday evening. And in Wednesday it'll be downgrade from 20" to 14".

Lovely...

Gnomes

Mr. Gnome is coming out nicely. As we see he is proper, well-behaving gnome and therefore he has clothes and shoes - even he lacks head and other unimportant parts (he'll get those tomorrow, I think).

I've one problem though: I don't have any 841 which should go to those light spots on his shoes and therefore I used 842. Difference between them is that 841 is beige brown - lt and 842 is beige brown - vy lt. In given picture 841 looks more like grey, at least with my monitor, so I can't say exactly, but according to my eyes there's not enough difference between 840 (med. beige brown) and 841, so maybe 842 is better solution in the end anyway?
I could use some opinions about this... as I can still frog those few stitches if I've done something stupid here.

'Alter Echo'

Stitching is also good time for thinking and during shoemaking (shoes for gnome) I got it: I use that fabric I got from chanda_m. (So, I'll have a SAL with her on fabric which is originally from her stash. )

Anyway, this makes my life easier as I only need to decide what flosses to use. I've been thinking something burgundish, maybe from GAST, with corresponding DMC. (Any suggestions anyone?)