Pre Teen blues

OMG I can't believe how long it's been since I've written in my blog. But this has really been such a trying year with DD. We are going through so many emotional and physical issues. And of course my DD knows EVERYTHING!!! Yes we have started developing and changing into a young woman. But thank God no menses yet. And we are dealing with severe peer pressure. OMG are kids (especially the girls) so mean these days!!! My DD is dealing with it so bad that she is going from a straight "A" student to "D" and "F" student. So today I called her teacher and told her about her behavorial problems at home and how worried I am about her grades. And her teacher knows what I am going through. Evidently there are others having the same problems. So together we are going to work on teaching my DD how to deal with this "Peer Pressure" and get her tuned back into doing better in school.

You know I remeber when I was in school and all of this did not start until Middle School and towards the end. I was known as the school Liesbian for 4 years just because I was caught putting in a tampon. OMG!!!! I can only imagine what these girls are doing now in Elementary School. Which my DD is only in 5th grade. I don't remember girls having boobs and thier menses so young. Heck I was only 14 when I developed. Not that anyone really cares. But it's so heart wrenching to see that your own DD is having the same problems you had when you were thier age. But now it's starting much younger!!! And all I can do is cry during the day for my DD and try to show her how to deal with it. I really don't want her to grow up with no self confidence and feel lonely like I did growing up. As an only child, it's even harder. She's lucky to have a little sister to play with. I'm sure when they get older they will be best of friends.

Sorry for my rant, but had to get this all off my chest. Parenting isn't what it use to be. Now I feel like I need to go back to school and get a PHD in Psychology.

"Circe the Sorceress" Model Finished

Well she is finally done and what a gorgeous witch she is. Now I can't wait to see what our next new Passione Ricamo design will be. Maybe Spring Beauty Princess??? I hope so. I am always excited to stitch every new design.

My Stash from CATS 2007

As my last post was long winded I thought that I would post what I actually got at CATS here. So here we go:

From Angi
Sampler Cove ~ Bordeaux

Lorri Birmingham Designs
2005 Commemorative Sampler
Crystal Needle Roll/floss pack

DebBee's Designs
Hot Stuff
Sring Fantasy

Dinky Dyes
Medley
Charmed Dreams
Summer Breeze
OOPs Floss Bag

Jar Designs
Rosetta Red Dark Hand Dyed Floss
Rosetta Red Medium Hand Dyed Floss
Box with 4 compartments (great for beading)

Just Nan
Crystal Roses

Brenda Kocher
Flying Geese and Chicken Feet (signed)

Kreink
Winter Patchwork Heart

Liz Turner Diehl
Commemorative Box

Michelle Inck Needlework DesignsHaunted Hardanger

Nancy's Needle
Desert Star/floss pack
Evening Star/floss pack
Trip Around the World/floss pack

Picture This Plus
Pansy
Crystal Glacier
Crystal French Lilac
Fathom
Crystal DaVinci

Raise the RoofWitchy-Washy

Stoney Creek
2003 Commemorative Sampler
2002 Commemorative Box
Sandstone Hand Dyed Fabric

Sweetheart Tree
Pretty Posies Sampler
Simply Romantic
The Love Sampler
Weeping Violets
Find the Cure!
Enchantment
Rhodes Butterfly Fob
Don't Bug Me (my favorite)
Pirouette In Purple
Cherry Blossoms Fob
Renaissance Romance
Teenie Welcome
Tudor Rose
Blackberry Heart
Rosebuds & Hardanger
Lavender Luminescence
Lavender Radiance
Sparkling Shamrocks
Tranquility

Victoria Sampler
Heart to Heart Sampler/floss pack

Waxing Moon Designs
If I Stitch Fast

Who Knew
Ocean Treasure
Ocean Daughter/floss pack

Also got:
Mouse Pads to Stitch
Mesh Bags (2 sizes)
Mono Canvas
Stretcher Bars
Q-Snaps
Stitching Festival Mouse Pads
Box to put stitching on top off
Stitcher's Lotion in Blackberry & Vanilla, Cinnamon Stick
Tapestry Needles
Gingher Scissors
Old CATS show pins
Scrap Book and Papers to document my trip
Choc-Bar Soap (Chocolate Scened)
Hot Choc Bath Salts
Cocoa Body Butter
Cocoa Bean Bath Bars
Cocoa Bean Body Scrub
Chocolate Fudge Body Cream
Chocolate Truffles Candle
Hershy Syrup Candle
Hershy Jar Candle
Carmel Brownie Delights Candle
Chocolate Muffin Candles in a muffin tin
And of course stolen soaps, shampoo, conditioner, lotions, cocoa, jams and ketchup.

So as you can see, I had lots of fun shopping and enlarging my stash. LOL!!!!!

CATS 2007

Well I'm back from the last CATS show. And boy did we all have a blast!!! I flew out to Harrisburg, PA on Wednesday Sept 26th. When I got to Harrisburg I fell and broke my nose and sprained my right leg again at the airport. What a way to be welcomed to PA, LOL!!!! But I am okay and walking. I checked into the Sheraton and had a wonderful dinner, Chicken Quesadillas and a Hugs & Kisses Cake. YUMMMMMMMMM!!!!!

That night I went to sleep and was woken up by dear friend Angi and her DD Tori.

It was so nice to finally meet my wonderful friend that I met online last year!!!!!
On Thursday, Angi and I checked out of the Sheraton. I checked into the Hershey Lodge while Angi went to see her family. Our room was not ready, so I had them hold my luggage for me while I waited for my other friend Jamie.
Isn't she cute with the York Peppermint Pattie???
Jamie showed up and we sat and talked for some time until Angi got there. We all got our registrations for the CATS show and did a little shopping. Once our room was ready we all went up and relaxed for a little while. Then we went to Applebee's for dinner. After dinner we went back to our hotel and did some stitching. Here's Jamie concentrating.

Thursday was our big shopping day and I bought so much. But there's never enougt stash for anyone IMO. LOL!!!!!
I met the owner and designer of the SweetHeart Tree and of course lots of their patterns. I also met Marilyn and Patty from Picture this Plus.

They were both so nice and fun to talk with. I'm sure that they wanted to kick me out, as I was talking with them everyday of the show. I also talked with Marilyn about sending our dear Laura a swatch book of her lugana fabics including their new colors for next year. I hope that Laura loves them as much as I do. Of course I got some and patterns. I also met Liz Turner Diehl and her designs are amazing!!!! Angi got some of her designs. I met Brenda Kocher and she signed my pattern that I bought from her. She is such a nice lady and I love her designs. I also saw Nan of Just Nan and Jo from Dinky Dyes. Lots of shops were their too. I also met our dear Wendy from the PR board. She was wonderful to talk with.
All the displays were so lovely and they definetly encourage stash buying. Here are some pics from the show:




Oh I also met Angi's best friend Crystal and her Godson Christopher.

Isn't he a cutie!!!! Crystal is such a sweetie too. We all got along so well for none of us ever meeting each other. We also went to the Hershey Bears hockey game. I had a blast!!!!!!!!!! I haven't been to an actual hockey game for over 10 years and boy do I miss it. Of course there were some punches thrown as you can see.

The Hershey Bears won and everyone in Hershey was so excited!!!!
I left Sunday afternoon and got back around 8:30pm my time. I was so tired that my DH had to help me into the car and the house. I'm doing much better now and relaxing to let my right leg heal. I also started yesterday a new PR model for "The Gift of Stitching" magazine. It will be released next year when they do a designer exclusive on Laura. It's really cute and not a typical Passione Ricamo. I'll let you all know which month it will be in later. LOL!!!!

Thank you to all my wonderful friends that read this long post. Happy Stitching!!!!!

Been Busy

Sorry I haven't blogged in awhile. I have been so busy this summer with my girls. We did a lot of cross stitching together and a lot of crafts. They both went back to school on July 17th and both of their first report cards were straight A's. I'm so proud of them!!!!

Last week I sprained my ankle really bad and have been in a air splint ever since. Today I go back to the doctor's to see if I can take it off. I doubt it as it still hurts a lot. But we will see.

CATS is only 2 weeks away and I can't wait!!!! This will be my first time and I'm going to meet my dear friend Angie. This was part of her birthday gift this year. I'm also hoping to meet everyone that knows me. I'm hoping to plan a lunch or dinner together. Or even just meeting in the stitcher's lounge and stitching with all my friends. So how many of my lovely readers are going? Can't wait to find out.

Hope you all have a beautiful day and lot's of stitching!!!!

Galetea PR Model Done :)

Just got done finishing her today. She is so sparkly and takes my breath away when I see her. I'm really amazed that she only took me 10 days to finish her. This is the fastest that I have ever done a model, OMG!!! Kudos to Laura for this beautiful design!!!!

New PR Model

Today Laura released the new PR design. Her name is Galatea and is such a sparkly mermaid. I've only been working on her for 5 days and already have her half way done. Hopefully next week sometime I will have her done.

I'll write more later. Lot's of things have gone on this summer. But back to stitching on this beauty.

Queen of the Fairies - Model Finished

Well she's all done and GORGEOUS!!!!!


Everything around here is starting to settle down. And I'm feeling better living with my Mom. It's been an adjustment, but we are getting through it all. I even got my Mom stitching again since her accident 2 years ago. She's not as fast as she use to be. I'm having to teach her how to stitch. It's funny that I'm having to do this for her, as she's the one that taught me. It's true that when they say we have to re-teach our parents when they get older. I just never thought that I would have to do it so soon. But I'm thankful that I can help my Mom.

Lot's going on...

Moving has really taken alot out of me. But for now, we are on hold until we can get the new room addition put on. Our house looks like a storage unit in the dining room and I can't get to my cross stitch stash. So I guess that gives me a good reason to buy more stash. LOL!!! My girls only have 3 weeks of school left and my little Sierra is graduating Kindergarten. I'm so excited for both of my girls, but not looking towards summer vacation. At least they start back in July and they will both be in all day. Hmmmm, wonder what I will do with all that free time? Oh I know, STITCH!!!!

I have been working on my model for Laura and all I can say is that it's better than the last design. She's taking me a little longer than I thought she would, but she's so rewarding to stitch.

Moving / Queen of the Fairies Model Wip

Well we are moving this weekend into my Mom's house. She's not been doing very well on her own. Lots of panic attacks and anxiety. So we decided to move a month and a half early. I'm really dreading this packing and unpacking. But I know once we get over there, everything will be much better for all of us. Of course, that's going to give me more $$$ for craft supplies. hehehehe

Here are my wip's for the new PR model. The first one is done on SMF's Waterloo Sunset Lugana for Laura. And the second one is the fabric I started on, SW's Elengance Reflections Luana. Hope that you all enjoy both of them. This is really becoming my absolute favorite!!!

Busy Times

Sorry I haven't blogged in awhile. I am really busy with PR models. I'm working on the new RL25 model which should be unveiled on April 12th. She is very beautiful and I think Laura's best!!!!!! I have also been working on some projects of my own. I'm doing PR's Moon Fairy Spirit for myself on SW's Midnight Fantasy Reflections and Mira's Stargazer on SW's Mytical Mountain Reflections.
























I've also been busy over at my Mom's house. We have gotten the two back bedrooms all cleaned out and ready to be painted for the girls. It was such a chore just getting them cleaned out. My father was such a pack rat. And the junk that we threw out was just amazing. We still have one more room to get all cleaned out and I am not looking forward to it. It is piled all the way up to the ceiling with boxes. I hope that it's easy to get through as this will be our bedroom until we put on an addition to the house. But we have 2 more months to get it all ready for us to move in with my mom.

The girls only have 2 more months of school. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. It seems like yesterday that they just started. My oldest will be going to 4th grade. And my youngest will be going to 1st grade. They are just growing up too fast for me. The next thing I know they will be graduating high school and then get married. OMG!!!!!!

MLOTS done :)

I got her done on 3/11/07 and how gorgeous she is all done. Another beautiful design Laura!!!! No I am working on my "Make a Wish" model and hope to be done with her in a couple of weeks. Of course I have had a sneek peek at the new design and I'm sure that you will all love her. She has taken my breath away.

I also worked on my Cirque des Circles for our Sunday PR BB SAL.

I'm so amazed at how fast this is stitching up. Can't wait to get more done.

My Mom's house is coming along and we are just about done getting rid of all the trash and things that she no longer needs. I'm glad that we are going to be moving in with her as it will helps us all out in the long run. Still have to paint and clean the carpets before we move in. But at least we have time before the girls get out of school in May. My Dad's death was traggic, but also in some sense heaven sent. I know that God does things in mysterious ways, and this has definetly brought me and my family closer than we ever have before. I now treasure everything and take one day at a time. My Dad will always be with us in our heart and soul. And everytime I see a wolf, I will know that it is him watching over us.

Things are getting better :)

Since my father's death, things are getting better. We still have a few things to finalize and try to get back to as normal as we can be.

I did have a finish on Friday, Hinzeit's "Wine" done on SW's Mountain Mist.


I have also started my Monochrome SAL on the PR BB. I decided to do Ink Circles "Cirque des Circles"

I'm doing it on SW's Ice Blue Reflections (picture does not do it justice, it's actually more purple) with VC "Grapevine" premium silk. I am absolutely loving the way it is coming out. And I have to say this is my very first pattern using nothing but silks.

Sad Times

It has been five really tough days for me. On Feb 21st I lost my Dad. He died just 6 days after his 61st birthday in his sleep. The worst part is not knowing why he died. We did not know of any major health problems. I am very thankful that he went peacefully in his sleep and did not have to suffer. It's really hard for me as I am an only child and all that I ever had was my Dad, Mom and my family. Now my Mom has lost her true love, and I have lost my best friend. I will be making a lot of adjustments in the next few months. My Mom is unable to drive and do some things on her own since her accident 2 years ago, when she broke her neck. My family and I will be moving in with my Mom, so that I can help take care of her. I'm not sure how it will all work out, but I know deep in my heart that everything will be okay.

I want to thank all of my friends for all thier prayers, thoughts and condolences. It has helped me very much during a sad time in my life. I wish that I could hug you all personally, but an internet hug will have to do. Thank You!!!!!!!!

Now I am starting to stitch again on my MLOTS and that is helping me heal. I am also taking one day at a time. I am treasuring everything with my family, every moment and everyone special in my life. It's hard to say when your time is going to be, so treasure each and every moment in your life!

MLOTS Model - 3 Weeks

She is getting more and more beatiful with each and every stitch. I can't wait to see her done and in her full beauty.

Finally, get to relax :)

My girls have both been sick for almost 2 weeks with a nasty viral infection, fever and hives. Today they finally went back to school and I was so happy!!! Don't get me wrong, I love my girls very much. But sometimes mommy needs her time to herself.

Being that today is Valentine's Day, I had a great surprise. My husband called me and told me that he was going to be late because of the rain. But to my surprise, he walked in with a beautiful pink frosted vase full of white roses and pink flowers. I should have known he was up to something, but it just never clicked. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful caring husband.

Secret Model Revealed

Here she is:

A lot of you have seen this in Laura's beautiful drawings and requested that Summer Lady to be done in full version. So as a gift to you from Laura and I, this will be featured in the UK magazine The World of Cross Stitching issue 125. We hope that you enjoy her.

Enabling Friends

I have always been known to enable PR designs to all my friends. But recently I found out that I was enabling a dear friend with "Cirque des Cirles" by Ink Circles. I have the design and waiting for my fabric to get it started. Of course my friend was looking at all the SAL's of this beautiful design on the HAED BB. Then she called me and told me that she just ordered it and we have to do an SAL. I knew that I was good, but not that good. Of course we were talking yesterday and she enabled me to start new wip. So who's the enabling one here???

I'm so EXCITED!!!!!!

First of all, the Colts WON!!!!!!!!!! *dancin'* I said they were going to win and they did. I should have placed a bet on them. Oh well, at least Dungey finally got his Super Bowl.

And on top of that, I just saw that I was a finalist in the Silkweaver Showcase 2006. I actually made 2 catagories and can't believe it. Maybe next year will be more lucky.

An Interesting Week

Sunday we got a little puppy. His name is Nugget
and is a Japanese Chin. He is so quiet and just too cute. Of course training him to go potty in a litter box is a real challenge as he was not paper trained at all. But we are making some progress and not having as many accidents. Nugget and our 14 yr old cat Bailey

are finally becoming friends. They are now playing with each other and it's so funny to watch.

I had to go to the girls school on Wednesday for thier parent/teacher conference. I was so glad that both of the girls are doing very well and are having no problems. We were having problems with my youngest. But she is now back on track and that makes me very happy.

I started stitching on my MLOTS model on SW Enchantment.
She is so beautiful!!!! I can't put her down as she just get's more and more beautiful with every stitch.
I've also started LW02 "Make a Wish" model on SW Ice Blue Reflections.
Her face is so angelic and peaceful.