Dec 28, 2015

End of Year Catch Up

WEATHER
Our first snowfall of winter occurred on November 23rd. Ten inches of heavy, heavy (Did I mention "HEAVY"?) snow fell. Starting out, I was able to clear the backyard with the snowblower.


While trying to clear the driveway, I fell backward into the snow. Landed on my rear end and jammed my knee into a screw on the snowblower. It's almost healed. I can't believe how long it's taking!


Then the shear pin broke on one of the augers. Since I couldn't get out of the driveway, I couldn't go get another one. This meant shoveling by hand... for the rest of the day! Because of this, I'm now suffering from tendonitis in my elbow. Thankfully, a passerby offered to help me clear out the remaining third by the street. Who says there aren't good samaritans?


Once I was able to get out, I went out to get new shear pins and promptly repaired the snowblower.




Up until today, my area only saw one other snowfall... a light dusting. Today... oh today... brought sleet and freezing rain. All day! Most of us at work left early. There's about 3" of sleet on my driveway. I don't know how I'm going to get it cleared.

WORK
December 14th marked the 90-day anniversary at my "new" job. So far, it's been going pretty well. I have three project managers I work under. One is in another state so I've never met him. A second is very good at explaining in depth everything I need to know... and then some. The third forgets that I'm new and doesn't take the time to explain unless I ask for clarification on how things should be done. The first month was spent training in other offices near Chicago. I went to a seminar in near Chicago to learn the basics of construction industry accounting. The trainers gave out candy for anyone who answered questions.


At the back of the training room, this sign covered a good two-thirds of the wall. I really liked it. It's so true!


FAMILY
A couple weeks ago, I became a great auntie for the third time. Let me introduce you to Annyia Rose. She is so tiny and adorable.


COLOR CRAZE
You may or may not know about the adult coloring craze that's been going on the past several years. I decided to download a coloring page and dig out my art supplies from years past. I started this floral design a few days ago.

I'm really enjoying working on this. I've used cheapo Rose Art and Cra-Z-Art colored pencils since they're what I had. On each flower, 13-15 colors were used.


STITCHY STUFF
I participated in one Christmas ornament exchange this year. The person I sent to was not the person I received from. You may recall from a while back, the flat snowman ornament I did. It went to Jenn in TX.
Design: Heads Up
Designer: Cherrywood Design Studio
Cherrywood Design Studio
Magazine: 2012 Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue
Fabric: 28ct White Linen
Fibers: DMC
Embellishments: Handmade cording,
DMC memory thread arms, fabric scarf

I received the cutest ornament from Char in PA. Thank you, Char!


I also participated in a card exchange. Marina in Canada sent me an adorable angel ornament. Thank you, Marina!


CHRISTMAS
I really wasn't in the mood to decorate for Christmas this year so all I can show is the many cards I received from friends and family.


For Christmas dinner, I made Italian Roasted Chicken, Roasted Mixed Vegetables, and Mashed Potatoes with Mushroom Gravy.  It was soooooo delish!


In my next post, I will be showing my two finishes.  Stay tuned!
 

Happy Dances!!

First up is a piece called "So Happy" by Bent Creek.  Apparently, this is a hard-to-find chart pack.  I was lucky enough to know someone who had it.  Thank you, SM!


I picked up the frame at a thrift store and then mixed a paint color to coordinate with the stitching.  It turned out beautifully.


It took me about a week to stitch this up.  The photos really don't do it justice!  I stitched this on a beautiful 28ct Opalescent Cashel Linen in a color called Shimmering Romance.  This was a Silkweaver fabric.  I used GAST and DMC threads. Embellished with buttons that came with the chart.

My second finish... a big one... is "A Marriage Is".  This was stitched for my niece's one year anniversary (that was in September... okay... so I'm a little late!).





This was a Janlynn kit (023-0564) designed by Nancy Rossi at Kooler Design Studio. I swapped out the aida for 25ct Sal-Em cream linen stitched over-two with cotton threads from the kit. It took longer than I thought it would, but turned out beautifully.

I'm hoping to have another small finish by the end of the year. Wish me luck!