It appears "Spring has Sprung" at long last and we are through another cold and harsh winter ( it is May after all). Our azalea (see pic) blooms early and improves each year which is usually our personal goal. In many ways I appreciate this time for renewal and growth, what better way to celebrate spring than to return to "the" blog

I have missed blogging and sharing. Facebook took over from some of that but just seems so cold, automated and impersonal.So here I am revisiting and enjoying reading through past blogs. I have just realized that I have been on a journey and achieved a lot of my goals.  I am now an accomplished Real Estate Agent, Interior Decorator and I teach Interior Decorating ( Floor Plans, Space Planning and Presentations) at the local college - all of that since 2013. My love for cross stitch, knitting, water colours, etc., etc., remains and I am now putting all my "eggs" in one basket to create the "whole" package. My real estate work intertwined with my interior decorating is a no brainier. It allows me to include staging and interior decorating (colour and furniture placement ) for my Sellers and Buyers. I have also designed a cross stitch to gift for my clients with their house, address and move in date included ( I will post pic of the next one). I would like to knit up some amazing blankets in intricate patterns so this is a W.I.P. and I am looking to perfect something that is gift worthy and special to the specific client. These take much longer and more thought - so it is not a quick sale/buy. I was thinking several addresses that the client has occupied over the years - more like a genealogy of abodes in a lifetime, childhood home, first home and whatever else - cottage maybe. As I said a W.I.P.

I have also completed some amazing sections of my family tree during this time and connected with a 2nd cousin - flesh and blood. How great is that!

Today I am off to show two houses to some very special young clients. Yes, it is Mothers Day, but as you know the world doesn't stop and I love my job! A great start with breakfast and some amazing offspring (there is that word again) was special with some home made Scottish square sausage and beautiful roses ( not for eating lol) and dinner with out with my special family - I do feel celebrated and special.

My posts will include Interior Decorating and Real Estate information, tips, how to's and what is trending  as well as spontaneous information that makes the world go around. Life is beautiful!

FINISHED PIECES...

As I promised the minute I was able to download the pics I would post the photos of the finished cross stitch pieces. 

WIP - Clara Ellen

Blackbird Designs Clara Ellen ( #1 onto #2 now) in it's finishing stages in the photo left was completed and will be gifted to my Interior Decorator teacher at the college.  She has just lost her Mother ( February 2013) and in prior postings I explained how hard she worked at the college, what a great teacher she was to me and is to others and how she was dedicated to the care of her elderly mother (and father).  It seemed it was no coincidence that I was working on this piece when we got the news that her Mother had passed away. So four of us ( her students) got together and agreed this cross stitch was appropriate and I mounted and framed it rather quickly and it will be presented to her on the last night of her Advanced class on Monday, March 25th, 2013.  The finished piece in the picture below turned out very nicely with a store bought frame and custom mat.



Clara Ellen
Anniversaries of the Heart
Blackbird Designs

Please excuse Maggieo for being absent...

 ...do I have an excuse for not blogging for so long...not really?  Just the busyness of life itself and I must say it has been wonderful. But I have missed blogging and all it entails.

First of all my fall ID class was cancelled which left me quite annoyed to say the least.  No teacher available. My life has been organized around the schedule which means holidays were in the peak season which not only costs more but there are so much more tourists ( just like us) that are around at that time.  Even our winter holiday was planned and paid for as the thought was that I would be in class until December but wanted to ensure our spot.  So what to do?  At first I looked for other classes to no avail...I only have antiques to complete and the final... once I had warmed up to it the plan is to enjoy this time to the hilt, get a few things done around the house and accept all invitations no matter what.  So far it has worked out nicely.  We have also celebrated a special anniversary and taken a few trips.

I delivered the Lanarte Cherries cross stitch which was well received by the recipient and now hangs on her  wall...how nice! This meant a trip across the pond to Scotland where...


For a special person on a milestone birthday

We visited many places of interest including the Blackie residence in Helensburgh, designed by Charles Rennie MacIntosh.  Had we been a few days earlier we may have met the Pitts (Brad etc) as they were staying in Ayrshire and filming in Glasgow.  I found out that Brad is a big fan of Charles Rennie MacIntosh...who knew...and they visited Hill House a few days previous. The house is magnificent and his wife, Mary MacDonald's gesso pieces above the fireplace are a must to see in person.  The interiors and furniture were designed by Rennie MacIntosh and his wife Margaret McDonald.  I want to see much more of his work.

"Hill House" Helensburgh,Scotland



Ross Priory 1693

I love this Gothic building and the grounds of Ross Priory which houses a great little golf course and magnificent views of Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond  A great place for a wedding or tea and scones on Sundays. Lunches and dinners are served and accommodation is available.  The trees on this property are very old and amazing.

We came across this hedge driving over the hill homeward.  It was on a narrow farm road and I couldn't resist stopping and taking a picture...out in the middle of nowhere you might say.  I would love to know who is responsible for this work of art.  It sure brought a smile to my face.



Polllokshaws house situated in Pollokshaws country park is the ancestral home of the Maxwell family.  This 18th century house is full of history and art. Pollokshaws house and gardens were fabulous and as a bonus the Burrell collection is also located in the park in a different more modern building which houses the magnificent collection of art and artifacts ( approx 8000 pieces) collected in the travels of shipping magnate Sir William Burrell and donated to the City. 

We actually started our trip in Argyle.  One of our favourite places in all of the world. When you visit the same place again and again the surroundings are familiar and you settle in quickly


Cottage at Walled Garden

View from the cottage



Moody view of Loch Melfort



Of course the drive in and out of Melfort Village is filled with amazing views across
the loch and the one lane road means you drive slower and take it all in.



Daily trips to Oban to pick up fresh fish



Lunch from the Shellfish shack eaten right on the pier

On our trip back we took advantage of the scenery stopping
for a light lunch in Ardliu Here is a beautiful view of Loch Lomond

The hotel will serve lunch loch side...on a nice day it can't be beaten

From this point we took in Glasgow and the surrounding area.  I must say Glasgow needs much more time as the city is just full of art and architecture that just cannot be beaten. From the hum of the city to it's people whether shoppers or soccer fans or families out for the day...it was truly spectacular as were it's entertainers.

  

Charles Rennie MacIntosh's Willow Tearooms on Buchanan Street



Piper buskers on Buchanan Street



The Merchant City 18th century architecture is amazing as are the restaurants
and bars in this area...shopping is great too.

Next time I want to see Charles Rennie MacIntosh's Scotland Street School and House for an Art Lover. As I said I couldn't get enough of Glasgow on this trip...until next time Scotland.

It's a beautiful life when your heart is home!!

OMG,OMG,OMG ( or Tribute to "our" friend Valerie)

...well that was my response with the tears tripping down my face and finding it hard to breath. Not in grief per se but warmth and eventually true joy. Long story.

It started with my DH warming up the car for my trip out to meet a friend for dinner last night...he decided he would also take a walk along the street and check for mail (we have mail boxes at the corner of the street) whist he was out there. Our mail has been arriving after 4 p.m. these days so we either check in the morning or sometimes Esme checks in the evening as she is waiting for a pet shop Jaguar that she sent away some stickers for in early January. In any event he came into the house and handed me a brown envelope with a Royal Mail (UK) stamp for postage paid on it and I could tell it was from the Starry Eyed Stitcher as there was a label with her name and address on the upper left corner. How exciting, what could it be? A stitchy thing for me maybe...Ihad no idea what was to come. I cut the top off the envelope and took out the contents. There was a letter, a beautiful needle case that I was so taken with, turning it over and examining it...not really taking in "what" the stitching on it portrayed but acknowledging as you do how lovely it was and how well stitched by an experienced stitcher. Thinking at the time that is how it is supposed to look. Not really looking for anything else after this beautiful work...pulling out a gold bangle...thinking furrow on my forehead...opened the letter...started to gasp as I read what it all meant...OMG,OMG,OMG, it took my breath away.

Contents of the package

The connecting thread, as Starry Eyed Stitcher so poetically put it is "our" friend Valerie.
The needle case has three initials on it...what a treasure...MOB (mine) VB (Valerie’s) and IH (The Starry Eyed Stitcher). Isn't she a very clever and thoughtful stitcher. All will be revealed.

Our mutual friend…the connecting thread.

My first recollection of Valerie was when she had just arrived in Canada from England and visited out place with her husband (who worked with my husband - that was the connection then). Our son born in June, '74 was only weeks old and she was expecting her first child in November of the same year so we had some things in common and the friendship grew. Valerie was the friend you could get legless with one night and go to the most exquisite art collections/ galleries etc., the next day and the fit was still perfect. She was a great cook (her younger son is a chef) and after her move to Charlotte N.C. she had studied under a woman (baker) that had studied under Julia Child. She had an autographed photo of Julia on the wall in her kitchen right next to the stove (no pressure) way before Julia's fame in the movie. It said "To Valerie". Every time I looked at it I understood her passion for good, no great, breads, trying new recipes and adjusting them to her own taste whicih was fabulous, it warmed my heart. Valerie would not have pointed out this treasure unless someone noticed it and never sought any type of recognition of her accomplishments which were many.

Our lives went in different directions as the kids grew up. I worked on my career and she stayed home to raise her two boys, but we were always in touch. At one point we were gong to open a resturant together and went to look at some local premises...gave it up after some more thought. She was intelligent, thoughtful, and beautiful. Her handwriting was exquisite and she used to hand write the pricing labels for the items in the local Jewelers store window. Pre Canada and mummy, she worked in drafting and was very artistic and creative (as is her elder son) and was part of the team that worked on the drawings for the Forth Road Bridge (her name is there somewhere).


Later the family moved to North Carolina, and a few years after that move my work took me to South Carolina. Without hesitation a visit was arranged. I can still remember my excitement. I drove up from Columbia to Charlotte on the weekend and when my car drove into the drive way out she came to welcome me...of course...that was Valerie...and for many, many years to come whether it was Charlotte or here in Cambridge we welcomed each other with open arms. We cried together, laughed together, sang together (we did try Andre Boccelli music but needed short of a full bottle of wine each to pull that off). We went to Italy together and she recommended pre reading of Under the Tuscan Sun & Bella Tuscany by Frances Mayes...the reading was usually accomplished on a plane as my life was work consumed at that time but she was so right. It set us up for what was to come. It was a wonderful time and it was when I worked on my first real cross stitch…the one that turned me on to cross stitch. She had the Lanarte Cherries in a Bowl chart enlarged on a printing machine and sent to me including the colour chart and extra threads she had from her project etc. It was one of those exciting times where I ran out and bought the supplies and started it almost immediately. I worked on it on the plane to London to meet her at Heathrow for the trip to Bologna, I worked on it on the patio after breakfast, before dinner etc., and she cheered me on. It was finished when I got back to Canada.

The Original

I have completed and shared five of these as it has great memories and is one of my favourite finishes.

I had always admired Valerie’s amazing samplers that hung on the walls of her home, beautifully framed. She was an amazing cross stitcher and also so encouraging.  She would send me books on cross stitch and patterns of poppies (which we both loved). Now I had (on her direction) went out and bought a little cheap kit and completed "The Flower Shop" pre cherries. I had used a single thread when a double thread was called for. As you know if you read this blog I’m not one for reading instructions. I tend to jump in first and get started. On a visit here she was very nice about it and said it looked just as good in the single thread…also got her husband to give his approval (I am sure she kicked him under the table) of this first piece of work.

THE FLOWER SHOP

Our family holiday destination is Hilton Head Island which is about 3-4 hours from Charlotte. First trip down there to scope it out we flew into Charlotte airport where Valerie met us with a packed lunch of delicious food and drinks, and some M&M’s to give us sugar energy for the trip. We picked up a rental car and they drove ahead of us. That was trip to remember with many talks over glasses of wine.  Great dinners cooked at the condo and high end resturant food.  Magical times.

She threw a surprise birthday party for her DH’s 60th and Jim and I travelled down on the Friday night and surprised him at a local restaurant under the guise that was the ultimate surprise. The men went golfing the next day and she was all prepared with lists and routes and schedules for a surprise party of their friends and his work colleagues in the evening. We picked up dishes (dinner and hot serving) at the rental party place and some last minute herbs etc., although she was very well organized with the rest and then back to her well equipped kitchen to make a feast fit for a king. She gave me instruction on some small cooking tasks and had the utmost faith in me that I could pull it off. She made it all look easy. I tried my best but she did an amazing job. Just before the golfers returned we got into our party clothes and awaited their arrival and the arrival of about 35- 50 guests right behind them. She handled it like we had gone out and bought fish and chips for all rather than her making many complicated dishes from scratch never mind organizing a special birthday cake, drinks and coffee.

It was a shock when the news of Valerie’s illness hit and although she was mostly positive about her life she succumbed to it in a short time frame.  At that time I was going through some serious back problems pre surgery and could not get out of bed let alone travel. I did talk to her by phone but that is not the same. Tears flowed, anger kicked in, sadness remains. It is like she is hiding somewhere and it is up to me to find her. So when this parcel arrived it opened up the flood gates you may say. During this time when Valerie was very ill an email was sent to her friend in England (connecting the threads) and had my email address attached in error (or something like that). Her friend in England (the Starry Eyed Stitcher) eventually emailed me as we were both confused about what was happening and what to do at that dreadful time all unbeknownst to Valerie. It was really great to have someone to talk to that understood the situation and was able to talk through it. Irene was Valerie’s friend before she even thought of coming to Canada and she was the one that introduced Valerie to cross stitch. In turn Valerie introduced me to cross stitch. The Lanarte Cherries in a Bowl came from Irene to Valerie and then passed along to me, my most favourite cross stitch of all time. Irene has also been instrumental in introducing me to blogging…I would not have done this blogging thing but I followed hers in the early days and thought it was a great blog and still is. http://starry-eyed-stitcher.blogspot/. My idea of blogging was to organize myself and focus better after surgery and serious painkillers interrupted my life and brain flow…and then it grew into something bigger. My cross stitch revival was championed on by Irene and my first linen piece was with her utmost encouragement…I just couldn’t disappoint her. The bangle that Irene passed along belonged to and was worn by Valerie. She liked jewelry and she liked old jewelry. She had some lovely pieces. In the past few years I have taken to wearing a bracelet/ bangle almost every day. I have fancy stuff and everyday wearable bracelets. When the parcel came in I was on my way to have dinner with a friend in “Preston” a place I rarely go but was Valerie’s old stomping ground. No coincidences.

I dried my tears smiled a little to myself looking at the bangle remembering my friend that is always close to my heart and how I miss her so much. I popped the bangle on, hopped in the car and off I went with my “friend” on my arm. She is no longer hiding…I have found her and she will accompany me to many things. She lives on in my heart and now visible on my wrist.

Life is beautiful when you experience true friendship and connecting these threads it is truly magical. Thank you Valerie for including Irene in my life however that was accomplished.  Thank you Irene for sending me this special gift. How could you have known what this would mean to me? The cross stitch is priceless and will be treasured by me…from you …and the bangle, well I don’t have the words to express what that means to me. Life goes on as we know but wonderful memories of those we love live on in a special place in our hearts. Thank you special friend.

Back to the Future!!

FEBRUARY 2011!
So it is onwards and upwards and I do not recall another year where it seems January did not exist...it has been so busy and at times overwhelming (not a word I use), busy beyond insanity.  The calender is full and then there are those daily things that crop up on all of us.  The phone is ringing off the hook and February is starting to look like January. Hello 2011!

INTERIOR DECORATING!! ( 6th class of 11)


Break Time - ID colleagues catching up


I started my 2nd elective ( I only need two) a few weeks back, Introduction to Autocad.  I had difficulty downloading any of the software and as yet only have a trial copy for 30 days and as each day goes by it reminds that there are now 20,19, ETC.,  days left...no pressure there.  I do not find their site, email or representatives, very user friendly and really had to fend for myself and sort it out hence the temporary situation. The class is very fast paced so if you miss something or the system does not work as quickly as you would like it to it is hard to catch up...like to be honest, you are truly lost.  The good news is that it is over at the end of February and the pain will be short lived.  I am trying my best and giving it all I have so although feeling a bit "out of it" I am hoping it comes together in this week;s class. We will see.

The board!!

 I am missing the "creative" side of this course and glad the electives will soon be over.  The next ID class will be Fabrics and Window treatments and that will be a breath of fresh air after this "technical" hit.


Floral Gifts


CROSS STITCH!!
I have finished Blackbird Designs Floral Gifts on linen.  This was my first linen cross stitch and I almost gave up. I kicked and screamed on the start up but slowly but surely I warmed up to it and I really think this is the way to go. I did get some much needed support/ instruction from Starry Eyed Stitcher and that spurred me on. I need to finish this as an ornament or something so that will be my next "little" challenge.  Watch this space.

I have been so taken on with cross stitch bloggers choices on their threads...not the DMC or run of the mill threads. When reading the blogs there is much more, so much more to learn and enjoy about threads. So I am planning a trip (10 minutes away) to the Cross Stitch store (only opened on Saturdays- that might be a good thing) to see what I can find.  I just hope I don't actually drool over their stuff, that would be embarrassing.  I may pick out another linen project and pick my very own threads...or maybe I will be thoroughly confused and not do anything.  Like a deer caught in the headlights.

KNITTING!!
Okay, the scarf in linen stitch (it does seem that I am trying to conquer linen of one type or another) is causing me great grief.  I have unravelled it a few times. 

• There are 450 stitches on a circular needle.  I hate, hate circular needles.
• I followed the instructions/ patterns and I had a great idea.  I would mark every 50th stitch to keep track of the number of stitches when casting on.  Then when I had all the stitches on the needle and nicely marked I started to read the pattern and it said "use a stitch marker every 50 stitches to keep track of the number of stitches" ( I thought that was my bright idea) in addition "also note that each 50th stitch will be a slip stitch" helping you keep track of your pattern. 
•  I hate, hate circular needles, but I went ahead and tried it...got ticked off with the process and then transferred the stitches to 14" straight needles...all squished up.  I liked this better for knitting but could not keep the pattern straight as I could not see each individual stitch.  Hence the reason the pattern calls for a circular needle. Out it came, unravelled the lot. 
• Back to casting onto the circular knitting needle, I hate circular knitting needles, and placing the stitch markers each 50th stitch.  I managed the first row, not too, too bad.  Kicked off the 2nd row for about 100 stitches (I know this because of the stitch markers every 50th stitch) and did not realize I should have "turned " my work and proceeded on a  "WS" (wrong side row).  I had continued on the "right side" of the work which is easy to do with those circular needles that I so hate.
• I wrapped it up and put it away.  Now I really don't like that circular needle...so I tried the pattern on straight needles over 50 stitches for a quick fix on how it should look.  It is really nice and exactly what I wanted to knit.  So, I took the project and ripped it back to the beginning of the 2nd row and turned the work around ready to start on the "WS".  You must give me credit for trying and keeping going on this task regardless of my frustration level but I am determined to learn something new. 
• Here I come circular needle...hate is such a strong word, but a scarf in linen stitch will be produced whether or not you and I have to wrestle each stitch to the finish. Brace yourself o' round one!

DESIGN SHOW 2011 ( TORONTO , CANADA)

Maggie O, Brian Gluckstein & Margaret T
@ Design show Toronto January 2011

New Patio furniture in a tartan
pattern and it looks great.

I attended the Design Show last weekend and I really enjoyed it.  I did not sign up for any seminars as I was disappointed on the seminars that were presented this year.

Met Brian Gluckstein and saw Sarah Richardson with her brother an her sidekick Tommy.  Tommy is so cute.

Alfred Sung has some new and different patio furniture out in a dark green tartan pattern. Sorry picture of the chairs didn't turn out too well but they were chunky and although basket weave effect they were probably resin or plastic but outdoorsy and durable looking.  In fact I saw a few tartan patterned items and lots of Union Jacks in designs this year.

Designer Sarah Richardson & brother

LEISURE TIME!!

There hasn’t been much leisure time this month, however I am enjoying the new BBC series on PBS on Sunday evenings called “Downton Abbey”. Maggie Smith is one of my favourites and she plays a crusty old soul who is sarcastic and funny at times. I came across this on Gareth Malone’s Facebook as one of his followers mentioned it….I thought it was about Gareth’s work with the choirs, however thanks Teresa for letting me know about this series I am really enjoying it.

I do have a new venture (don’t I always). I am taking singing lessons. I asked for these for my Christmas and got them for my birthday in early January. I have taken one class already and I am “luvin” it. I don’t know that I have a voice and haven’t done any singing since the primary school choir so I wanted to find out. I have the best teacher and she believes the voice is an instrument regardless of age etc. We took it from there. Sooo, here I am practicing on an Italian language piece so that I will not put forth any preconceived ideas of how the piece should sound musically, be sung or pronounced, I guess. With the breathing and posturing required this will also be an asset to improving my back problems (hallelujah that there is such a thing)…it all helps and I am really excited about the challenge, yet again.

I haven’t attended a yoga class this month either and I need to straighten that out. Getting into a new schedule is difficult…it is getting the first one out of the way and the rest will follow. I received 10 classes as a birthday gift so there is no excuse and it is sooooo good for my back. I am told that I am a different person when I practice yoga…walking and attitude. I have done it now for almost 3 years so there are some positives there. You tend to forget the benefits you are receiving until you stop.

It is a beautiful life. Look around you and enjoy every moment with your family, your hobbies and whatever makes you happy.

So much to do - So little time!

Check "GIFTING" label under CONTENTS on side bar for giveaway information

No I didn't sleep in this morning.  In fact I was up early and had a lovely breakfast...that is because someone else made it!  My DH whisked me off to one of Ontario's Finest Inns yesterday.  Well, maybe not exactly whisked me away...we had talked about it and planned to go maybe Friday, but then when we thought it through Thursday was ideal in the timing of things and I packed (warm sweater, socks... knitting) and headed out after yoga class. It rained a little on the way up...but on the way back we saw the "snow" ( yes, it was that white stuff) lying on the rooftops as we passed through a few small towns.  We hit the beach this morning too but it was so cold and windy that we didn't hang about.

I just had to stop at the Spinrite Factory Outlet store in Listowel which meant a slight detour...there was not much there that held my interest.  They had the "Click" yarn on for $3.99 and a decent variety of bamboo yarn (baby, mohair etc).  The place was rather empty when we arrived but by the time we left you couldn't swing a cat in there...that may have put my concentration level off a bit and I was not prepared either...no list.  I do have a stash that I am supposed to be working on. 

I took a new start with me (Christmas gift) to cast on and I just couldn't get that thing right ( must be the drugs or the whiskey or the gin, LOL).  Finally I had the right amount of stitches and completed the very short rib.  I will post when more to see.  The blue sweater "Iggy" I have been working on has given me no end of trouble.  The yarn, which is Berroco Weekender, is splitting terribly, so when I have done a few inches I take a look and there are pieces that look like "pulls"  So out it comes and now the yarn is weaker and off we go again.  I am not producing this sweater with "pulls" on it.  I am irritated with it...but will get back to it.

Now my lovely Floral Gift cross stitch is coming along .  My first time working with linen (thanks Irene for your much needed support) but not as fast as I would like....I am persevering and singing "Perfect" by "Fairground Attraction" as I stitch..."not settling for anything less " (as the words go). 

This weekend is the big push for the Interior Decorating Class assignments for warm colours and then another one for cooler colours.  I need to catch up with my homework also in preparation for upcoming exam and final project.  I  just found out that Kimberly Seldon ( famous Designer) has several events coming to the area up to Christmas that I can probably attend and I am trying to get tickets for one of those events.  How exciting is MY life!

There is so much going on in our family life that I want to do all that too, but realize I will have to be careful with my time and ensure I am not doing my assignments or my cross stitch when tired and can't see any longer.  I can knit in that condition though, I can knit with my eyes shut...well, maybe not shut!

Leave a comment- win a prize! Mention it on your blog and I will add a "secret prize" if you win.

Tomorrow I draw for the prize with only three contestants ( Hazel, Cheryl and Chris).  How can that be?  The JCS Christmas Ornament book is awesome....someone must be giving away free copies on every street corner and I missed it, or like Starry Eyed Stitcher ordered way ahead of time. I am not that much in the know or organized for that matter.

It is a beautiful life with great people in it, great seasons and fall is my favourite.

Blog a day until giveaway!!

October 23rd, 2010

My Life is in threads right now!

Check "GIFTING" label under CONTENTS on side bar for giveaway information

Blog a day until giveaway!!

October 23rd, 2010

Thank you Irene for pointing me in the right direction through yesterday's post comments.  Your guidance is much appreciated and I do hope you have amazing patience. I did read the "Cross Stitch with Linen" bit that I picked up on-line but it was gobbly de goop to me. I read it and said it three times and then I tried it three times whilst I said it - I shone a light through the back of the fabric so that I could see the make up and direction of the cloth...the magnifying glass did help tons and off I went in a straight line. I do miss the ring to hold onto and need to figure out the "hold" you suggested.

 Soooo, I have tried it again with some sort of sensibility and I think it looks more uniform...I have measured it and it appears I am on the right track ( finished measurements should be 3 7/8 x 3 1/3) but please let me know if you think something is off here...that would be my preference rather than carry on...

This picture is of the Interior Decorating  "homework" I have been doing whilst trying to work out the cross stitch on linen...I looked at my projects lying there and realized they were all in similar colours.  I am thinking the cross stitch has influenced my dining room colours.  This was another fiasco as I am to use a cheap watercolour paper and add the colours with acrylic folk paint using three primary colours and black and white...start mixing. When you apply the mix to the cheap paper the colour goes on streaky and I am going over it several times to make it even...then it starts to lift off...so I thought I would be smart (always costly and a bad sign) and got the 40lb Arches paper out.  Now step one is to copy the drawing from regular letter size paper onto the water colour paper...first disaster.  I cut it to size with my wee blade (works like a charm), put it into the printer and it got caught in the printer and I was 15 minutes clearing a paper jam without damaging my newish ( I love it)  printer. So that idea was binned.  I got a lighter weight, much smoother, Strathmore watercolour paper, did the same thing and it worked beautifully.  I took the paints, mixed the colours and applied it and it was even more streaky than the cheap paper.  Sooo, I won't be beaten...I tried the water colour paints and better brushes and proceeded once more through the process...my findings- the watercolour paints were better on the cheap paper for this project as it was  more even, but still not great.  So back I went to the cheap paper, folk art acrylic paints and the better brushes and it looked "not too bad".  I messed around with it to get a better feel and I think I can do a good job on it.  So back to basics and sticking with it. I will post the finished assignment that is due next Wednesday. I do think the colours were influenced by the threads even though I had picked the red in my head and thought green for accessories as a complimetary colour...or maybe the other way around  -  I picked Blackbird's Floral Gift cross stitch design because I had the interior colours in my head.  Who knew? Be careful out there!

Leave a comment- win a prize! Mention it on your blog and I will add a "secret prize" if you win.

It's a beatiful life in colour and especially the fall colours that are warm reds and oranges.  How influenced are we by nature and the everyday colour schemes out there that are invisible to us in our busy, busy lives? Never mind the ad "What's in your wallet" - when picking threads or yarn " What's in your head". I hope you are seeing very pretty colours out there and stitching or knitting accordingly.

Falling Leaves...(or "leafing" it behind)



The leaves have started to fall, the lentil soup is warming on the stove, the gas fire has been fired up a few times already ( thank God it is not coal) and warmer clothing is required in the mornings. The knitting needles have been clicking along and queues of projects are now stacked high. Did I mention my talent ( or stupidity) was multi tasking - well the projects include the knitting garments that I have started and the queued up items which are all organized and just ready to pick up...mmmmm.  I have the "Ravelry" site ( http://www.ravelry.com/) to thank for some of this as that is how I started to get organized and took off from there.



Bowl of Cherries
My Favourite





$2.99 at Liquidation place for
organizing my cross stitich projects

 The Cross Stitch items are also organized - I bought these little bags (See pic below) for $2.99 each at the liquidation place and they hold my unfinished or new projects. The side pockets hold your pattern/ picture, scissors, magnifying glass etc. I think they were meant for scrapbooking but seem to fit with my cross stitch needs and beats the plastic bags that I keep rummaging through. Over the years I have spent an inordinate amount of time and energy hunting things down that I have bought/ picked up to start when I am ready and then trying to pull it together later the time goes by before I have done anything productive. This time I have it sorted, you might say. A few threads need to be replaced for items that I just love to stitch and seem to make it into the queue often.  Of course like the knitting projects of old ( which started this whole thing) my cross stitch items are ones that have been hibernating and I want to finish ( I will post them to give me some motivation to get them going again) maybe "The Starry Eyed Stitcher" will give me a bit of a push to keep going...or tell me to dump them. Just looking at her finished projects (which she does all the time) makes me want to stitch 24/7. Check out her blog at the right and you will know what I mean.

In all of this clean up and organization ( it does look nice now) I also found a rug hooking project that I had started at a course and is not quite finished as I lost the material to complete it.  I am now reconsidering this as I would like to include my genealogy ( another project of old) into a rug that "says something".  I also found a magnet business card with the information that I need to get in touch with the teacher /business and follow this through ( are you dizzy yet...I am).

I went to the Knitting Show at Bingemans in Kitchener on Saturday with a knitty friend which makes it so much more enjoyable and after a full afternoon at the show we went in search of yarn that we couldn't find there. At the show my friend bought a fingerless glove pattern with cables on it that looked really interesting.  I bought yarn and pattern for Lanaknits "Little Cutie Twist Hat" ( http://lanaknitsdesigns.blogspot.com/ )also on Ravelry - which I thought I could knit up quickly on the weekend.  However there was a mistake in the pattern and I couldn't find the 4.25mm double edged needles it required (I used 4mm). I emailed regarding the problem I had encountered and got a quick answer but once you go through that it sort of throws you off and you are less interested in getting it done.  I will pick it up again. It is a lovely little hat and the yarn is beautiful in Esme's favourite green colour.  I loved the linen yarn that was displayed at several stalls at the show and the scarf/shawls that were knitted up in this soft linen in beautiful colours an dinteresting patterns. Although I have knitted very few items for myself ( maybe 2 in my lifetime) I am thinking this may be something I want to do for myself.  Also, there were many women ( read knitters) there sporting their finished projects like sweaters and wraps and I think that is fabulous.  People were also very friendly and eager to share.  All in all a good show.

I am 75% through Euans green aran sweater...it should be finished but I keep tearing it out as I am not concentrating fully on it.  I watch T.V. talk to the kids etc., then realize I am too far ahead of the pattern or have included a stitch that shouldn't be there.  I have the pattern down in my head now and that is not always a good thing.

I started my Colour Theory class for Interior Decorating this week and so far so good, as they say.  We have an amazing teacher and I had such a good time I forgot to pick up my homework...oh well!  this looks like a great class and only one sample board required for the final project- we had 4-6 boards for the last class....but I loved it! This will be my fifth course out of 11 courses.  They have changed the electives and now include Autocad ( I am in) and you only need two electives now instead of three....so this was all good news...what a pleasure.

...oh and did I tell you I am  now taking an interest in photography, but I will need a better camera. Check out the blog "A friend to knit with" at the right ...I liked the 365 project where you take a picture a day for 365 days (one year) but I need to focus on the story here....I do get complicated as I think it must be more...I must give more.

Iris

Time to get down to business and leave all of that dysfunctional behaviour behind and become more productive...multitasking - knitting, cross stitch, rug hooking, interior decorating...photography maybe and of course not to forget my botanical watercolours.  I am missin gsome in teresting classes/ work and great people there...hope to get back soonest...after the leaves have fallen.