Annette's Acre

The last two weeks of work have been…well….there are no words that accurately describe the pressure cooker I’m in right now.  I’m just doing what I can as fast as I can and letting the politics take care of themselves (not always to my credit).

All I know is that God (and certain upper management) believes I can handle far more than *I* think I can handle….or they wouldn’t keep giving me more

In the interest of stress relief, I indulged in a bit of retail therapy yesterday:

What you see:

• Blackbird Designs Willow House
• Blackbird Designs Autumn Song (Loose Feathers) – kitted w/40 ct fabric and Weeks
• The Prairie Schooler Pumpkin Patch
• JBW Designs – French Country ABC’s

I also picked up some silks for a friend, but didn’t catch them in the pic   Oh, and Barnes & Noble (online) got a visit to the tune of three new books for me and an SAT guide for DD.

I spent over an hour knitting last night.  I am making up a blanket for a certain little one and my original pattern choice just wasn’t making me happy…..so of course, I ripped and started something new.  It’s going to be thicker and softer (and take probably twice as much yarn…but so be it) but I’m much happier with my selection.  I alway worry when I make something for a crafty friend as I know they will look with a more knowledgeable eye as to my work.  Do I think they’ll appreciate the work less if my picked up stitches are not as neat as they could be?  No, I know the deeper understanding of the effort involved will far outweigh any technique “challenges” obvious to them….. but it still creeps into my thoughts.

As for the stitched pieces, there’s a finish in the very very near future.  I’d say I’ve got 10 hours left on one of the pieces   Once it’s complete I’ll dive in to the October TW SAL with Noah’s Ark.

If you live on multiple IM systems (as I do), I highly recommend using Meebo.  Today it has the added advantage of translating to Pirate Speak when you use them.

Argh…swab the decks and fire the cannons!

or…”Stuff I’m Working On”

First, my Autumn Queen.  She’s on 32-ct white jobelan (camera decided to give it a green cast…).  Progress is being made….

Next, the headless mermaid.  Emerald Mermaid, to be more precise.  She’s on Belfast DaVinci from Picture This Plus:

Next, this piece just kind of jumped into my hands as a bit of break.  Santa’s Midnight Ride from Dutch Treat.  I’m officially half complete (not taking into account the border finishing).

Last, the Blackbird Designs SAL started this weekend and I managed a few stitches.  I’ve never worked on 40-ct fabric before…..I like the effect but not the squinting.

One of these will be my next finish…..which one?   I do hope to finish them all by year end…..it would be a major come back after not stitching much for the first six months.

I can’t believe the Finish-itis has continued this long.

Michael Powells Venice Street Scene (from CrossStitch Gold magazine August 05)

A cute pumpkin hat (ok, this required a start)

This is destined for a coworker’s almost-six-month-old baby girl.  I just couldn’t resist the opportunity to do a little pumpkin

I’ve also finished a Pay It Forward item which will go out in Monday’s mail (I hope).

With all these finishes, I thought it time for a start.  I dug thru my stash for something appropriate and decided on Moonlit Garden from Blackbird Designs.  Pulled out fabric, put the Weeks in their little bags and had found the center of the chart…

And I just couldn’t do it.

I pulled out Emerald Mermaid instead (this pic is a bit old.  New one this weekend.  I promise).  I’ll alternate between her and Autumn Queen for awhile.  Or at least until the SAL starts for Beneath the Sunlit Sky (another Blackbird Designs) on the 15th.  Hopefully I’ll be able to convince myself to start it.