Annette's Acre

Vacation does wonders for stitching time!  I’ve got these two complete and I believe a third is well possible.

Stitched on 40-ct LNS-dyed linen with GAST and WDW threads.

Completed November 17, 2007.

Lynne Nicoletti’s Neptune/Poseidon

Stitched on 32-ct Wyvern Wing Lugana from Sugar Maple Fabrics

Completed November 19, 2007.

I have to say this past weekend was the most relaxing I’ve had in awhile. I shopped, I stitched, I watched movies and some great football, and just enjoyed the family.

Friday was a trip to the LNS for a few odds and ends that I can’t show and I happened to pick up this:

(Cross-Stitch & Needlework January 08)

I also got a few Needle Necessities, but they were put away before I got the camera out. I only picked five, so you aren’t missing much.

As I was leafing thru the magazine, I not only found the ornaments pictured on the cover (which I rather like) but something else that is now whispering to me.

(yes, it’s blurry on purpose)

Anyone else tempted to start this holiday piece….like right NOW? K pulled most of the floss for me last night (hey, if *I* don’t do it, I’m not actually starting anything, right?) and a few pieces of fabric suitable for floss-tossing might fall out of my fabric buckets later today.

Why is this an issue, you ask? Because I’m currently sitting at 19 WIPs and am on track to be at 16 by year end if I don’t start anything new. New Year’s Day always gets a new start and I’m mulling over a couple options yet (Desiderata, Tuscany Garden Mandala, Moonlit Garden, Daisy/Lily/Violet/Fern, etc). I *really* want to be closer to 10 or 12 by the end of next year but to do that I must retain my “finish-itis” for another year…..and I need to have a spot ready for Illuminata.

Anyway, my goal for this weekend was twofold: complete Part IV of the Sunlit Sky SAL and work on Emerald Mermaid. I achieved both. Here’s the proof:

The fifth and final part is a vine-y/flower-y thing down the right side. That part is to start on Friday so this baby will be complete this coming weekend!

Em now has arms, a face and the metallic braid in her tail. Neck and hair are next on the list. As I’m off work *all* next week, I’m hoping to finish the stitching and get started on the beading. I won’t go so far as to say I’m going to finish her……because then I would be doomed to fail.

Of course all this stitching was made possible by DVDs and Sunday football. We watched the Cardinals/Lions game (a very good…and unexpected result! The Cardinals have been thoroughly entertaining this year, if unpredictable) and the Colts/Chargers Sunday night (another entertaining and unpredictable game…..and as a Patriots fan, I can’t help but be *thrilled* with the outcome LOL).

Here’s the DVD rundown:

Spiderman 3 – A worthy installment but definitely with a “this is the end” feel. Whether the end of a story arc or of the franchise, I’m not sure.

Sense & Sensibility – I’ve seen bits and pieces of this 1995 version but never actually sat to watch the entire movie. K and I loved it (DH was relegated to his “cocoon of masculinity” while us girls had a late movie night). Part of the charm was seeing now familiar faces in unfamiliar roles (Snape, Umbridge & House specifically). This is now on the Christmas gift list and I’ve ordered the book from Amazon.

Pride & Prejudice – Let me say first that I’ve never seen the A&E version. This one was quite entertaining but I suspect that I’d like the longer mini-series version a bit better given there was a whole lot going on and a slower pace seems more appropriate. Another one for the “Need to read the book” list.

Last night, K, Mom and I went to a book signing for:

Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson were signing at The Poisoned Pen, a local independent bookstore. As the intended audience is “young adult” there were a number of kids in the audience (many dressed as pirates).

This is the third book in the series and as you might notice on my “currently reading” list on the left, I’m still on Book #1 Peter and the Starcatchers. Both kids and my mother are ready for this newest release, which is the final installment in the trilogy.

Dave & Ridley read from the new book, cracked a *lot* of jokes (both for kids and adults) and sped through the signing line in an amazingly short time. We had signing number 23, but that was *after* all the families, and we still only stood in line about 25 minutes.

It was nice to get away…..

This is what happens when I start thinking about starting something new:

Shepherd’s Bush Happy Pumpkin Fob – completed 11/1

I didn’t do the finishing suggested in the kit – instead used my standard scissor fob finishing with the ribbon for the loop.

My car is in bad (read: expensive) condition.  After daily conversations with the dealer, DH and I came to the conclusion they have us exactly where they want us (read: paying thru the nose).  A lesson for all:  Keep ALL receipts for vehicle maintenance, no matter how trivial you think they may be.   So, another week or two and a new engine later….I’ll have my car back in working order with a new warranty.

The changes I referred to earlier?  They are in the works.  Since I’m working at home I’m finding it *far* easier to shut the laptop off at 6 and spend the evening with the family.  I’ve had discussion with my boss and after my planned Thanksgiving vacation (which he said I must take regardless..and will communicate such to the PM I’m working with) my “loan” to The Project is going to be curtailed to no more than 10 hours per week for the duration of  this year (though I’m off after December 14th).  We’ll see how the PM reacts…..I’m a free resource to him and he’s under tremendous pressure to cut costs now that we’re almost done….