Annette's Acre

Good: Finished the crocheted baby afghan over the weekend!

Not So Good: Learned there are two more babies on the way (both due in April) that I’ll be stitching for.

Good: Made progress on Autumn’s Mirabilia RR!

Not So Good: Would have made more but I’m missing two colors! I must have stolen them from my pulled floss for the project (Bluebeard’s Princess floss was pulled in January to go fabric shopping)

I am making an announcement.

I am absolutely hopeless for any challenge that requires I stop spending money.

Therefore, I’m converting them to”spend less” money challenges

That I seem to be fairly successful in doing!

Relatively speaking, of course.

Today, for example, I kinda bought these….. (totally Melissa’s fault)

My Lady’s Quaker:

Gentlemen Quaker:

Normal Quaker:

All from Jardin Prive

This also spookily arrived today

(Just Nan’s Spooky Witch Hat)

Other than a couple of pre-ordered items (JCS Christmas Issue and Blackbird Design’s new Halloween Stockings), I’m done until October.  You hear that??  Done!!

Why October?

Because I’m headed to Houston for the Quilt Festival on October 15th – 18th.

Ummm…no, I don’t *technically* quilt.

However, I do love fabric for finishing.  And beads.  And interesting threads and notions.  And I admit to having a kit for a Halloween-themed table runner.

Take a look at the vendor list: Exhibitor List

There are a few familiar names there…..

And I can’t miss a chance to hang out with the fabulous Missy Ann!!!

Anyone else planning to attend the Festival?

Not sure I agree with this one!  I would classify myself as more Logical.  I enjoy music, but cannot see myself in it as a career!

The statement “work best with music in the background” is totally accurate, though

Your result for Howard Gardner’s Eight Types of Intelligence Test…

Musical

57% Logical, 31% Spatial, 41% Linguistic, 8% Intrapersonal, 25% Interpersonal, 61% Musical, 6% Bodily-Kinesthetic and 6% Naturalistic!

Take Howard Gardner’s Eight Types of Intelligence Test at HelloQuizzy

Twelve years ago you rescued me from a very bad place.

You are my best friend, my true companion and the love of my life.

Lvoe you muches, baby.

Are you a Joss Whedon fan?

How about Firefly?  Serenity?  Nathan Fillion?

No?  Umm…then move along.

I am a huge fan of all of the above.  And as such, I highly recommend spending the next 42 minutes of your life catching up with Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog:

I recently stumbled across this website: JetPens.  It was a blog… but I didn’t save which one of the 100+ I follow…

This is the result (click to biggify as always):

L-to-R:

• Eraseable Highlighters…. how cool is that?!?!
• Pilot Multiball Liquid Ink Markers - blue & black, fine!
• Pilot Spotlighter Highlighters - Twin tips – one fine and one broad
• Tombow Precision Eraser – We call these type of “stick” erasers “Click-y Erasers” in my house.  Kids love them for school, but his one is mine, mine, mine.
• Zebra Technoline Ballpoint Pen - such a gorgeous fine point!

Yes, I have a pen habit.

Next is the progress on the baby blanket…it’s at the halfway point.

I’m making slow progress on Autumns Mirabilia RR.  This is stitched on opalescent linen and needs natural light.  As I don’t usually sit down to stitch until 8pm or later, I have to reserve my weekend hours for this:

You can see the whole piece here: Autumn’s RR

I’m done tweaking for now. 

I am having Category issues, so if anyone can give me a hint as to how to hide the “Uncategorized” label below, I’d appreciate it mightily.   Next question will be how to display the tags, instead, but  one step at a time.

Still need to do some tinkering, but I was yearning for something a little simpler….

And there’s a daisy on this template, which is always a plus. I do have another option to look at (no daisy). I’m giving this look a chance to “grow” on me… LOL

[UPDATE]

No, you aren’t missing something.  This is the no-daisy template.  The sidebar is behaving a bit better, so this will probably be the final choice.

Maybe.

(Not sure what happened on the layout here.  I’m planning to upgrade WordPress and change the theme next weekend, so it’ll get sorted then!)

Two more finishes this week (click to biggify as usual):

Socks for my SIL:

Baby Slippers for my expected niece (sooo cute and quick!):

Start of an afghan for same niece (bigger pic is grainy…ugh)

I’m being picture lazy today.

Imagine the sock picture below as a completed sock living happily with its mate…  voila!  Another finish for me

I’ve picked up yet another pair to finish for my SIL.  I was about halfway down the foot on the first sock and have since finished it and started the second.  I’m using worsted weight and they are going *much* faster.

I promise to display both pairs when the second is complete.

If I could just figure out what triggers this finish-itis, I’d make a mint with stitchers worldwide, eh?

Melissa had a question…..

Do you like the Harmony needles? I’ve been debating ordering a set but I’m not a serious knitter, it’s just something I do sometimes, but those needles are so pretty.

I love the Harmony needles.  The wood is easy to hold and they are highly polished so the stitches slip right off.  I have several DPNs in sock sizes (1-3), a couple of the circs and have a set of straights on the way for baby projects (#6).   I haven’t bought the tip set…. yet.  I have the Options set and love–haha kylie has kidnapped one of her mama’s knitting needles and now she cannot knit MWAHAHAHAHAHA-- (ahem) the convenience of having whatever size I need whenever I need it.Providing it’s not in a project already, of course.Anyway…  I’d recommend getting a few needles in sizes you use commonly to give them a try.  I will caution that the cable on the circular needles takes a bit of convincing to loosen up (a dip in hot water does wonders).

Speaking of Melissa…. here are my answers to questions from a recent post of hers:1) Why do you stitch?Because I love the creative process without having to be all that creative.  I can’t draw or paint worth anything.  This satisfies my creative need but in a lovely detailed, controlled way.2) On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being least important and 10 being most important what is your cross stitch passion level?The level fluctuates.  Right now, probably around 6-7.  I haven’t picked up a tiny needle for a couple weeks, but haven’t moved my projects out of my stitching corner and don’t plan to.   I did go thru a 1 period (had stash but no stitching was happening) and I’m usually upwards of 8-10. (Stitch every day and when I’m not stitching, I’m stashing or thinking about it)3) If you’re only option for cross stitch supplies and patterns happened to be the major chain craft stores would you just walk away from the little X? Kiss it goodbye?Heaven knows I have enough stash to last me well into my twilight years.  I probably wouldn’t walk away, but my purchasing would drop drastically.This might actually be a good thing….. nah.4) Also are you so passionate about cross stitch that if indeed your only option was the major chain craft stores, would that inspire you to create your own cross stitch pieces because you have to stitch and you’ve stitched your way through the whole of Dimensions catalog–because you must stitch and the thought of life without a relationship with the little X leaves you feeling empty?I have designed a few pieces but given the lack of artistic talent (as noted above).  I would have appreciative family members, but wouldn’t inflict my visions outside of that circle.  So yes, I’d design and stitch, but on a very limited basis.5) Finally what do the cross stitch magazines on the market offer you? Do they relate to you as a cross stitcher? Do you look at them and think to yourself, who do they think buys this magazine? I guess what I’m asking, when you see the current cross stitch magazines do they make you feel like they know their readers or do you find it’s more of the same? What could they do to be ambassadors for the art of cross stitch other than putting a sampler on the cover with “F-U” on it? What are we missing on a PR level that could change the opinion of cross stitch itself?The only time I buy a magazine is if there is a design by a favorite designer included.  Mirabilia, Cottage Garden Needleworks, Little House Needleworks, Blackbird Designs, TW, etc.    While the magazines in the US seem to be maturing – offering designs with new materials for example, they still have to appeal to a wide variety of stitchers at various levels of experience and access to those lovely new materials.All that said, I think the JCS Christmas Ornament issue is far and away the best available.  I love that they’ve now done a Halloween version.  Why do I say that?  It has a *great* variety of designers, materials and styles all in one package.  I always find a few ornaments I want to stitch and now that they’ve included DMC conversions I can determine exactly how much I want to spend doing it.I wish the magazines took their role more as ambassadors of the craft for stitchers at all levels and wide interests.  Everything seems to be written for the rookies.6) And finally, finally, do you do other crafts and if so what are they and why do they pull you away from cross stitch?Knitting is the biggest competition.  Reading as well since reading while cross stitching is a challenge (I’m not a big fan of audiobooks).  I can, however, read and knit thanks to my Kindle which makes knitting an even bigger draw when I’ve got an unputdownable book.   I do sew a little, but most of it is for finishing a stitched piece, so I don’t count it as pulling me away.P.S. The scarf was very well received.  In fact, it’s going on vacation next week to Sydney, Australia.   At least my handiwork goes places I want to go even if I don’t….  someday!