Ka-Ching!

Not much time but..

I saw this on lots of blogs today, so had to have a try :)

You Are: 30% Dog, 70% Cat

You and cats have a lot in common. You're both smart and in charge - with a good amount of attitude. However, you do have a very playful side that occasionally comes out!

Are You More Cat or Dog?

and this weeks SBQ suggested by Von

Many of us have a few pairs of embroidery scissors and some even have
a "collection". How many pairs of scissors do you have?

Ummm I actually only have two pairs of scissors at the moment. One of which my sister bought me when I first started cross stitching, and the other I just bought recently only because at the time I couldnt find the others.

I tend to spend more time on buying charts and threads right now, but I must admit have been thinking of buying some Dinky Dye scissors as they look so cute!

Back at school, so back to Stitching!

Ahhhh (can you hear my sighs of relief?) the kiddies are back at school - thank goodness! Its lovely to start back into a routine and get things settled down again.

If you hadnt guessed from reading my previous entries.. I really didnt cope well these school holidays LOL! I love them dearly and they mean the world to me, but boy was I ever so thankful to send them back to school.

In the last week I didnt get hardly any stitching done at all! and Im really itching to get back to Watergarden. Actually, just checking my little diary I have only done 13 hours and 40 minutes - so the last couple of weeks during the school holidays - I have only mangaed to stitch for just over 4 hours which really is pitiful! I've set myself a goal with WG and that is to complete it within 3 months. "The Sanctuary" is most definitely taking a back seat whilst I feed my Chatelaine addiction.

Speaking of Chatelaines, I did something that I have never done before - I signed up for a chart without seeing a picture! I was browsing the Chatelaine EZ Board and found Mystery X "Secret Victorian Garden"and the description sucked me right in - so whilst our Aussie dollar was good, I paid for it LOL! I then had the misfortune (my DH would say - I would say fortune!) to see that a "St Petersburg" chart will also be coming in the near future - again, my fingers felt itchy - but thank goodness nothing up on this one as yet so my funds were safe.

Some Stash news;

I did receive my kits for both Japanese and Persian Iris Garden from European Cross Stitch - Happy Days!

The silks and beads are so pretty and sparkly that I think I get them out at least twice a day to just touch and look! For the above two kits, all I have left to choose is some fabric and then I am set to go!

Enough from me today - tomorrow as I am kid free I am going to try and get some good pics of my WG progress and will post an update as well as some stash photos!

A Change is as good as a Holiday..

and I definitely need one!

The kids are running me ragged, and I cant wait for them to go back to school next Tuesday!

I think the problem is, that usually we plan some outings so they are reasonable occupied. However, having five of them in total for four days a week, means we are housebound. To make matters a tiny bit worse, it has rained the last couple of days so of course they have been inside and underfoot.

Today is the first day this week that I havent had five kids to look after, and I feel wiped out. It was all drone work today, with the vaccuming, moping the floors, washing clothers and god forbid ironing! I also usually try and get my cleaning job done Friday nights (I clean factory units for STASH) but I can already tell, that its going to be Sunday before I get there - thank goodness I have the flexibility to do the cleaning when I want too.

I did manage to get a couple of more hours of Watergarden and I have to admit that I am loving it. It really *is* an enjoyable stitch.

I am loving the way the mandala keeps popping out at me - its like its nearly lifting of the fabric. I have been doing my best to get a good picture of it, but somehow it still eludes me! What I have read that others have been doing is scanning the fabric - Mmmm I might give it a go!

On another note some more photos - one old and one new. Brainwave - I thought it might be nice to actually post a picture of myself, so those who comment on my blog could have some idea what I actually look like - and because I dont have a pic of me in my profile pic, I thought why not. Not to mention my youngest DD asked me to, because she took this picture :) I think she is better on the camera than me! Anyhow here is a pic she took of me the other night whilst I was trying to grab some free time on the pc.

This is the old one (it was still on my picture card) that I hadnt been able to upload until this week. My favourite picture of Sphinx that I took whilst on holidays in Egypt in 2004.

And on that note, I think Im off to have a glass of red, do some stitching and generally veg out in front of the tv.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Some more Pics!

Took my camera into Jerry Gibbs Camera Place in Cannington yesterday - and yeppers just as I thought it is well and truly knackered. The cost of replacing parts basically entails buying a new camera - so as I was in the area I headed on over to Carousel and had a look in Myer. (Huge stock take sale happening there right now). I picked up an Olympus 6 megapixel camera for less than what I bought the 3 megapixel camera two to three years ago!

So another picture of my WG wip... I dont know if its the fabbie or if I just havent worked out the nuances of the new camera, but its amazing how many different colours the fabric changes too when taking happy snaps.

Anyhow below new pic - this time looking more blue!

I think the colors of the silks however are more true this time around, and just picture it on start sparkly white!

As I am finally able to upload pictures to my PC I thought I would include one of my two girls. Isabella with her hair in a bun (6 years old) and my Sophie-Maree with the pigtails (5 years old). The Thursday before the school holidays started they had their concert at Johnny Young Talent Time. Both the girls take singing and dancing lessons, and at the end of each term they put together a little concert so the parents can see what they have learnt. The song they learnt was from "The Seekers" "Georgie Girl" and I think my DH and I also know all the words by now too!

The dance they did - which was so gorgeous! All these kids doing hip hop and only 5 - 8 years of age was absolutely adorable! was to "Michael Jackson's" "Blame it on the Boogie" Honestly I have never smiled so much in my entire life as I did that night!

Last night (and because it was the school holidays) we took them to see Ashtons Circus at Maddington Metro. The girls were in awe especially of the performing miniature horses and dogs! I had thought that the trapeze act would have been what they talked about the most, but nope it was the animals. The Ashtons are asking for support from local councils to be able to perform. Right now in Western Australia some of the local councils will not allow them to have their circus because of the ponies and dogs - I personally think its unfortunate, because every year they come to Maddington and have done for probably the last three years, and there is never any mess or animal left overs that I have seen.

And just because I can - one pic of my DH that has been on my camera since Easter! Now isnt he the most gorgeous Easter Bunny you have ever seen?

Watergarden & School Holidays

Hi all! Firstly I know its been a week since updating my blog - so apologies to all :)

School holidays started last Friday, and boy oh boy I have had my hands full! My sister works four days a week, so as well as having my two girls at home, I've had my three nephews to look after as well. Five under seven - I'm sure you can imagine how its been.... I feel as though I have been blown over by a mini tornado I tell ya! Its been quite hard entertaining them, and they are at the age when they demand it LOL!

Needless to say its stopped my stitching goals in its tracks.

To date I've only put in 10 hours on Watergarden (actually just under) and have been religiously logging into a little notepad I have to keep track of how many hours this will actually take me. It is such an enjoyable stitch and the picture I have posted doesnt do it any justice at all.

Speaking of pictures - I apologise once more for the lack of quality - it is so much prettier in person! I did take some pics on my supposedly now fixed camera - went to upload to the pc and all I got was a grinding noise. I'm just not having any luck with the darn thing. Actually I am seriously considering updating it now, as all it is giving me is grief. Not to mention the fact that it is nearly five years old and only 3 mega pixels. I had to laugh - the picture I took was with my DH's mobile phone and it is actually 4.3 mega pixels! on a mobile!!!

Sharon re: blogger template.. What I've done with mine is cruised through some blogs, picked one I liked the look of and diddled with the html. Pannasmontata also has some great templates that are easy to change. If you do need some help, feel free to give a yell :) I have a graphics program that I play with consistently so if you want any type of background or header I would be happy to help out. Like I said just give a holler.

Tonight, for the next couple of hours at least.. Im going to read everyones blogs - head over to the Chatelaine EZ Board and catch up on all the gossip, and put in at least two hours of stitching whilst I watch House!

Im around home for the next couple of days, so I promise to update!

Whooo Hoooo!

I sent the email to Martina, and within two hours was accepted into the yahoo groups! Im one happy little camper right now :)

Gill, read your blog so know you have been trying to post :) no problems!

Unfortunately I didnt get to start my WG yesterday evening... my little Sophie decided it was a night to power hurl and I didnt get any peace until 1.00am Kept her home today from school and she is being a touch antsy right now. I did pull out my threads and all she wanted to do was touch them *sighs*

Thanks to all who have been posting on my blog and reading my vents. Its kept me quite sane - or as much as I can be *grins*

On some more good news I now have my new battery for my camera - so no more excuses not to post pics! As soon as I have something substantial to show with WG I promise to be snap happy.

Which leads me to a question..

I've been wondering how many people keep stitching diaries - recording your hours you've worked on a certain piece? I havent in the past, but I am most definitely going to do so with WG and would be interested to hear if others keep a log of the time the put in to their patterns.

Hope your all having great days :)

Fabric Delivered!

Good news! First thing this morning I received my 28ct opalescence lugana from Countrystitch. Its so pretty and sparkly! I then manged to do a quick run to my local LNS Stitchers Corner and picked up the rest of the DMC I needed for Watergarden - I had gone through my stash last night, kitting up what I had so I only had to purchase seven skeins. Im ready to stitch!

I feel so excited!! How many others get feelings of europhoria from buying Stash?!? or looking at a Chatelaine Design?? I cant be the only one surely?

Whilst there, I just couldnt resist a few extras. I didnt go overboard mind you, but I couldnt help myself either. I got a needle organizer - which Ive been meaning to grab for ages! and the "Valentine Folio" by Shepherds Bush. Two things I wasnt able to purchase which I need for Strawberries so Faire by "With my Needle" were .. Thread Gatherers Silk n Colors - Camoflauge Green as well as Gloriana Silk - Poisenttia. Oh well you win some and you lose some. Another excuse for online shopping I guess *evil chuckle*

In regards to Martina Weber - mmmn ok.... well nothing heard about the orders. Its a bit weird as I also have had no notification in regards to the yahoo groups either, which I joined on the same day as the monies were debited from my account. I do feel a tiny bit apprehensive, but maybe the emails have just gotten lost in cyberspace somewhere. So an email has been sent and hopefully I will know sooner rather than later.

The kids are calling, and I am going to try and get dinner ready early so I can start my WG!

Should I be concerned?

I havent received any notification from Martina Weber in regards to downloading the charts I ordered last Tuesday. I checked my credit card statement and payment was taken out via Paypal on the Wednesday (28.06.06).

I'm trying not to fret, and know that she is really busy so have hesitated in contacting her just yet.

For my own peace of mind I did look up some info on the Chatelaine EZ Board and from there confirmed that she processes paypal on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays... Mmmmn I will bite my nails and grit my teeth, but give it till tomorrow morning - if I dont have any type of notification then, I will email her and post on the Chatelaine EZ Board. Can you tell I'm trying hard not to panic?

In regards to my other goodies I had ordered (Watergarden, 28ct opal lugana and q-snaps) with the hope of receiving them by the weekend - I ended up with nothing *grins* Oh well good things come to those who wait right? I kept telling myself that over and over during the weekend! Today I received everything bar the fabric I ordered from Country Stitch. DHL Express tried to tell me they came to my door but nobody was home. Seeing as I have been home *all* day due to the fact the darling hubby has my car (his was being serviced today) - I wasnt impressed. Lucky for me I have "The Sanctuary" to fall back on - I really am enjoying it very much!