Cards, Gifts & Shopping Oh My

Well seems like Christmas just sneaked up on me. I have like hardly any cards sent out. Still have most of my shopping to do, and seems like not enough time to do it in. Got some cards done up this morning, and they will go out today. So if y'all are expecting cards from me they will be late....lol. Not sure what happened with Jeremy's school pictures, but they were dragging their a$$es so I'll have to send out more cards or what not with pictures when I finally get those. Shopping Bill and I will get done Saturday. Good news he'll at least be home over Christmas. He'll probably be gone just after Christmas just in time for the out-laws to make it our way. Bill did talk to his Dad, and suggest they change their trip spend Christmas Day at our place as Bill will for sure be here, and THEN go to Sharon's (Bill's sister), but all he got was excuses. We already booked the hotel. Sharon is expecting us. Our plans are already made. What they are really saying with all that is seeing Sharon is more important than seeing Bill. Nice huh. Last year they didn't even bother to come by even though they were in Saskatchewan. Bill even suggested that Sharon and her family come out to our place, but nope that's not going to happen. I felt bad for him, and I feel worse for me now I'll be stuck with his parents, and he won't even be here.....grrrrrrr. He knows what he has to buy me to make up for it.....lol

Stitching News
So close to being done the model I can taste it. Two motifs left, and the border.

I'm going to try an interesting challenge in 2008 called the Take Further Challenge. It's a designing challenge, she gives a theme and then you have a month to develop it into a design. I'm not expecting miracles, but I might get a couple usable ornie charts or small charts. At least use my creative brain try something new. Take It Further Challenge After reading the instructions again you can either work the idea on paper or your choice of needle art. I'm thinking right now any ideas I come up with will stay on paper until I have the time to stitch it....lol

Godard Show

Well it was brought to my attention that I hadn't posted about the Michael Godard Art show I went to like over a week ago. I had a good time. He was very nice and friendly. I drank some really yummy wine had some goodies to eat, and even got hit on by two guys....lol. Here are some pics





Work is going well, but pretty busy. I'm sure things will slow down now that it is getting closer to Christmas. Or at least I hope so. I miss posting to my blog.

Taking the lazy way out when buying some Christmas gifts this year. I've done about five gifts on-line, and have them ship them for me....lol. Actually turns out a lot cheaper for me the shipping part anyways.

Stitching News
Still plugging away on the model, and still so close to being done....lol. Hope to post a Happy Dance by the weekend.

Come on Come On Admit It Ya Missed Me

Oh my poor neglected blog how I have let you down.....lol. Well my new job which was to have been easy peasy....lol....oh wow this week has been so busy. The phone rings off the hook, I'm constantly being interrupted from people walking in off the street and I don't feel there's enough time in the day to finish everything. Or at least there wasn't Friday. My boss was talking to her boss saying their Dept is way more busy now that we've moved to the new location, and FCSS (Family Community Social Services) and By Law are all in the same building. I don't mind it being busy as my stress level is still waaaaayyyyy lower than it was at the bank. Bill is home from New Zealand, and brought goodies some decent wine, a little map, and an All Blacks (their Rugby team) jersey which is really nice I wore it Friday to work.

Stitching News
Still working on the model. The last two weeks I haven't gotten much done in it, and I need to get it done ASAP.

Okay Interesting Exercise

Take a look in your closet, or on your floor, laundry hamper or where ever you stash you clothes....lol. The other day I was actually hanging laundry into my closet, and noticed all the colours or should I say lack of colours. There was lots of black, red, maroon, hot pink, some white, and some blue. I then noticed in my living room that my couch and love seat are a deep red, my area rug is mostly black and the carpet is a deep teal (yes our plan is to change the carpet), and the kitchen is mostly White. The new art that we just bought mine is mostly primary colours with lots of black, and Bill's is blue. I thought that was interesting how the colours I like the wear have spilled over to the rest of the house. It has sort of spilled into my stitching as well. I do like strong bold colours. I also find that I grab a lot of blues and purples. So have the colours from your closet spilled over to the rest of your house?

Stitching News
I've done jack squat it seems this week. I need to get my act in gear and get stitching. Some one kick me in the behind to get going.

Yeah I'm Probably Nuts

So the first day of the job went okay I think. The people seem okay. Other than parking in someone's spot first thing in the morning. I think I did all right. I'm basically an Accounts Receivable Clerk that answers the phone. The building is so cool it's the old Wetaskiwin Court house that the restored the original building then added on glass sections to each end. The original building is from 1907 I got the full tour yesterday, and that includes the old jail cells along with the judges chambers. They've done such a nice job restoring it.
Here is a before pic:

Here is the after pic:


It looks really good from the inside. So yesterday after work I treated myself to a new top, new pants (nice warm ones), a new toque and new gloves. My plan is to walk to work as long as the temperature is above -20 C. Yikes, yeah I'm probably nuts, but the walk will be good for me. We are talking about 10 to 15 minutes at the most. I have a good coat and good boots to wear so I won't totally freeze just feel like I'm freezing.

Stitcing News
Well with working all day, errands after work, grabbing Jeremy, and doing Hockey last night by the time I sat down I was to tired to work on anything. Seeing as I'm walking to work today I'll take lunch in the lunch room so I took the model with me I'll probably work on that there.

New Job Starts Today

I'm pretty excited start the new job today....woo hoo. Have to be there at 8:15am yikes that like 2 hours before the bank....lol. Well guess I'll get used to that pretty darn quick. Timed the drive yesterday, and it will take me like four minutes to drive there, and that's going through a Play Ground Zone. Mind you that was Sunday so this morning might take longer more people heading out to work. Sill what a long horrible commute I have...lol.

Stitching News
Got bunch done on the RR finished a section just started the next one. I will take pics later.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like.....

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in my household. Or at least as much like Christmas as I can handle.....lol. The tree is up, and looks well.....acceptable. Here are some pics. Some might be a little dark sorry :( Yeah lots of pics today. So if it takes forever to load I'm sorry.



Stitchy News
It's a models life. Ok here after much anticipation, and waiting...yeah right, but here it is anyways the model I'm working on. I'm really enjoying stitching it. Stitched on a tan linen using Waterlilies Floss 025 Holiday.

Great Now What

Okay guess I'll need to start posting on my Bitchy Blog more....lol.

Started putting the Christmas Tree up yesterday, and will finish that today. Jeremy and I went to see the movie Enchanted yesterday it was so good. I really enjoyed it. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

So brings me to the question how many blogs does all the 3 people who read my blog have? I know Loretta has a lot...lol. So how about the rest of you? I'll start:

Me I have three this one, Finishing Techniques, and my Bitchy one link held to protect the innocent. So why three blogs? I've always wondered why people had multiple Blogs, and now I'm writing in three. This one, and Finishing Techniques I update regular, but the Bitchy One has maybe one entry in it....lol.

Stitchy News
Did loads on the RR I hope to take pics later. Dang plus I promised a pic of the model so I hope to do that today. So I guess I need to get going on that.

I'm going to blow my own horn again

I just took this off another person who did the blogging challenge for November.


Stitching News
First weekend of the month is UFO SAL. Good excuse to get some work done on the RR I'm in, and then tonight I'll post a pic of the model I'm working on woo hoo I'll get to share it.

Last Day of Challenge

Well today is the last day of the blogging challenge. I made it posted something once a day. I probably bored a lot of people sorry....lol. Guess we will find out who the winners are.

Well here is kiddo this morning. He always wants his pic taken when I'm taking updates of stitching....lol. Do you think he's cold?


Stitching News
Other than finishing an ornie I did no stitching last night. Here is the pic of the ornie. Please don't look to closely at the finishing as it isn't perfect, but I think it's acceptable. It's a free pattern from Stitching The Night Away I used the May 2005 ornie, but I changed it a little. I did the beads differently than they were charted. I also did just regular x's around the outside of it instead of the stem stitch. The bead border inside the x's is my touch too. I like beads and sparkly....lol. You can find the finishing instructions I used here Basic Flat Ornie

Long Day

Wow it's been a long day worked all day then home, do dinner, tidy up, grab some stuff to try and finish a Christmas Ornie. It didn't turn out perfect, but I think it should turn out ok. I also hope to get some stitching done on the model. Got an email from a friend. They lost a civil case so had to pay some money to the court, and then the court gives it to the other paty in 30 days. Well the guy that sued my friend is harassing my friend. It's within the 30 days so he's thinking he's not going to get his money, and went out and slashed my friends tires. Nice huh. Okay enough boring stuff....lol.

Using What I have

I love to stitch small designs and just limit myself to what I have on hand. So Bill left today to go back to New Zealand for work he'll be gone for a seven to ten days, and tonight I'm going to stitch an ornie. I haven't made any for myself for awhile, and I love hand made ornies. It's something I should do more often. So I selected an Ornie from
STNA Free Ornie Patterns I figure I should have some sort of finish on Finishing Techniques Going to try one of the finishes that I have put up there.

Stacey Shut The F***K Up

So for the past three weeks I've been having to listen to my co-worker belly ache about her hours. There is one full-time teller, and the rest of us are to be there about 18 hours. Now in a perfect world where no one takes vacations, get sick or needs operations that would happen. I've been working 18+ hours at the bank since summer, and this b*tch who has been with the bank for less than three months is complaining about HER hours. So you can imagine how happy she was with me when I gave my two weeks notice. So all of last week she was saying to me 'Stacey have you SEEN what you did to me in December?' She's all bitchy, because with me gone she has to work even more hours. I said no I hadn't seen the December schedule. She asks if I wanted to see it. I said nope and walked away. Sorry but bite me. I'm not going to stay at a place where the stress of working there gives me hives, I have bad dreams about it and the customers treat us horribly. I'm not going to put up with that sh*t, because she thinks she's getting more hours than she wants. So Friday night just before closing (we stay open until 6pm on Fridays) she starts belly aching AGAIN. Now she's moved on to how she's the ONLY one that works until 6:15pm every Friday. Going on and on about it. Our boss leaves at 5:30pm, and she's yapping at her as she walks out the door 'why do you get to leave early?' She then turns to me, and says it's not fair. My response was 'I don't feel sorry for you, we've all been there.' So she left pretty pissed Friday as she didn't get the oh poor you sympathy she felt she deserved. So I just brushed it off until Sunday night. I'm looking at the November schedule and started counting. Um guess who worked until 6:15pm the most in November that would be me. Guess who worked the most until closing in general in November? Again that would be me. I didn't keep the October schedule, but I have my hours written down, and yes in October I only worked until 6:15pm on Fridays twice, but my boss would have done that as I would have worked until 6:15pm most of August, and all of September as we were short staffed. So yeah my boss would have been trying to make things fair for me. Like I was telling this B*tch suck it up as one month you'll work more late shifts and then the next month not as many. So yeah I agree with the B*tch it should be fair. I wish I had as many days off as she has, as many short shifts as she has, oh yeah and long weekends she needs to share having the Monday off after the long weekend too. Now I wish I said those things to her Friday, but I didn't. All I did say is I didn't feel sorry for her. Honestly I don't, and not sure what she wanted me to do about it. I don't control the schedule. So I wasn't very surprised when I went to work yesterday, and she didn't show up. What did surprise me was to hear she probably won't be there today, and may not be there next week. So a teeny tiny part of me wonders if I faked sympathy for her oh so horrible plight (scarasam) would she have been there yesterday? I do feel a tad bit of guilt as they would be short staffed when I leave to begin with, and if I had any doing for this B*tch bailing on them I'd feel really bad as I like the people I work with. The job itself just wasn't for me. Maybe in future I just need to keep my big mouth shut.

Stitching News
Worked on RR Chatelaine yesterday. Thinking I should stitch a little something as a Christmas Ornie for myself.

Excellent Outcome

So we took the Godard piece back to the shop yesterday, and the guy who we bought the stuff from was actually the owner, and he happened to be there yesterday. He barely even looked at the piece, and said no problem I'll send it back and we will get you a brand new one. Woo Hoo. Have to admit Bill and I were expecting the worst. We were expecting the shop to give us a hard time, and to blame us for the damage. It wasn't even an issue. So Bill will call the shop today as they will know if they have one at one of their other shops and if so we will get the replacement this week, and if not and they have to order it in then we wait about two weeks. which is fine with me.

Stitching News
Working away on the RR this round I get to work on a Chatelaine. This is what it looks like right now I'm pretty sure I should be able to finish that bottom section minus the beads, and start Section 6. It's all stitched in silks and sparkly floss which I love. The colours don't thrill me as I'm not into the earthy tones, but it is going to look fabulous when it's done.

Michael Godard Meets Wayne Gretzky

Yeah long post read if you dare ;)

Well the great shopping spree of 2007 has come and gone. Seems like once a year Bill and I spend a whack load of cash. Okay not every year, but last year we did when we bought the couch and love seat. So yesterday we head out, and I was totally not thinking I'd see any coffee tables that I'd like I found four that would work (darn), and one that I really liked (double darn). So we are heading back to Edmonton today, and when we do we will grab that coffee table. So the BIG spending spree Bill has always admired Wayne Gretzky, and for years has been looking at memorabilia collector pieces. So yesterday we were in an Art store just looking around. They had two pieces that Bill was really interested in 1) was a Gretzky photo on canvas & he's holding the Stanley Cup and 2) was an Oilers Gretzky Jersey framed. Both signed by the Great One himself....hehehehehe. So the guys working at the store can tell that Bill likes them so they start the barter dance. I hate the barter dance I find it dull, boring and a waste of my time, but whatever. Finally Bill comes up and says he could have both for price X I say okay if you want them go for it. He's like huh? You want them get them. For what he was getting the price didn't seem bad. What Bill didn't know is I had been searching stuff on Google for Christmas.....hehehehehehe. So he's still debating when he sees me looking at the Michael Godard's, and asks which one I'd pick. I said well the Hockey one. He's like yeah the Hockey one? Yup that one. Bill then points out that how they have it framed it wouldn't fit where we would put it. I said I know but that's my favorite my second favorite is the Lava Lounge. Next thing I know Bill turns around, and asks if we can get the Hockey one any where else in the Mall. Nope, but they might have one in their stock room unopened in the smaller black frame. Bill told them to go get it. He then turns to me kisses my neck and says Merry Christmas. I was like no way. Okay then. So they bring up my canvas, and Bill pays. Now the other exciting thing is Michael Godard is coming to West Edmonton Mall on Dec 8th. This Art Gallery is having a by invitation only party that evening. Get who scored an invitation ME. Yup I'm going it's the same night as Bill's Christmas Party, and both are held at the West Edmonton Mall so I'm going to be a partying fool, okay probably by myself but that's okay.

Now for the drama. So I look over all three pieces very carefully. We then say okay we are going for lunch then we have to get a truck and we'll be back. When we left the store all three were out of the boxes. We come back with a truck. All three pieces are now boxed up. The two Gretzky pieces are put in a box the one with the jersey has plexiglass on it the canvas one is wrapped and in a box. Mine the Godard looks like it is just wrapped in cardboard and tape over the ends. Bill asks if they packed that one good enough, and they are like oh yeah it's fine. So we take them and leave. Pack them carefully in the truck and drive home. We get home get in the house, and we unpack Gretzky holding the cup and hang it in the living room. It's actually a really nice piece, and looks great on the canvas. We then unpack mine, and before we get the cardboard off I say what the hell is that? Just along the bottom just off center is about a 6 inch very thin but very noticeable cut or crack in the canvas. I was like UG. Here Bill does this really nice thing to get me something he knows I'd really like and enjoy for years, and we get it home, and it's damaged. First he called the store back, but the staff we were dealing with were gone for the day. Next he called VISA, but we don't have purchase insurance on our card. So we are heading back to their store today with it. I keep going over in my mind was it something we could have done, but no. For someone to have cut it like that while it was boxed the cardboard would have to have been damaged, but the cardboard is in perfect condition. I don't know. I'm not even sure what the store will do if anything. I know what I'd like them to do as I don't believe the piece was damaged in our possession. The other two are fine. I think something happened when they were packaging it up. That will teach me not to leave while they package my sutff up ever again.

I Don't Want A Coffee Table

Okay so I just found out this past week that my in laws are heading out to Saskatchewan for Christmas. Now to get TO Saskatchewan one must drive through Alberta. So this year we are deemed worthy enough for them to stop and spend a few days with. Not sure why this year they feel the need they didn't last year, and I was fine with that really. So anyways last year for Christmas Bill, and I bought some really nice leather furniture a couch and a love seat. We knew we were going to be buying furniture and had been looking for a long time as these are not small ticket items and wanted something we liked. So now we have a deep red leather couch and love seat, we bought an area rug, and have one picture along with our stereo in the living room. So yeah the living room is a little bare. We watch TV and such downstairs. So Bill was complaining that we don't have a coffee table. OMG we've been looking forever for the right coffee table. It has to be large enough as the room is large, and so is the furniture so it has to be the right scale. It also has to be the right style right now our stuff has a rustic yet classy feel to it. Think high end hunting lodge definitely NOT country kitchen. You'd think that would be pretty easy big piece of wood coffee table, but nope not easy they are either to country looking, or to small. Not to mention the price tag. I can't justify giving $800 for a small table. That's more than what we paid for our kitchen table and chairs. So now Bill wants to go out and look for a coffee table and more art for the living room. I don't want to just buy stuff so that he can impress his parents. We've lived almost a year without a coffee table up there and it hasn't hurt us. Now we HAVE to seriously look today. Um okay I have been seriously looking for a year. I want something I like, I want something different, I don't want to spend a fortune and I want something that matches the picture and furniture already there. Not to mention I don't want to feel I have to buy something just because Bill's Dad and Crazy Lady are going to spend a couple of days with us.

As far as art goes I know what I want. I want two Michael Godard's yeah I don't dream big, but I love his stuff. It's so bright, colourful and funny. Here's my favorite:

We Olive To Hockey

It's Some What Depressing

Ok do you ever just scan though your blog just checking things out. I do so once in awhile just to make sure that everything looks in order. That colours still work in older posts since I've updated the blog that sort of thing. Well I did so today, and wow the number of zeros in the comment section is almost depressing. No wonder I start bouncing off my chair when I actually get one....roflmao.

Stitching News
Model coming along nicely. Almost ready to start a new page. I'm over half way. Can't wait about a week and then I can show it off to the world.

Why Don't People Make Things?

I've been wondering this for awhile. Why don't more people make stuff themselves? Growing up my Mom always sewed some of our clothes, most of our meals were from scratch, heck there was a time when money was really tight when Mom was actually making shampoo for the household. Don't ask me how she did I just know that she did. So now a days why are more people not making it their own damn selves? I figure I have the answer. Which wouldn't surprise Bill he figures I think I know everything, and he's right about that.....lol. It think it comes down to two things:

1) Cost. When we were kids, and my Mom would sew us clothes as it was cheaper for her to make us clothes than to buy them new. Now a days omg have you seen the price of fabric, and patterns? Even at Wal-Mart. I can find Jeremy a pair of pants new for $5 - $7 no way I can make it at that price.

2) Time. There are more couples where both people are working outside or inside the house. Even working inside the house you have certain hours that you have to be doing whatever your job is, and that leaves less time to do other things.

It's kind of sad as there was a time when knowing how to sew, knit, quilt and basic cooking were essential parts of knowing how to care for your family. I'm not even talking about Women HAVING to know this stuff at least someone had to....lol. If you didn't know those things your family could have been in pretty dire straights. Now with all the modern conveniences that essential knowledge has turned into a luxury of if I had enough time to do it, and the money to spare I would.

For those of us that for example cross stitch we don't see it as a luxury, but an intricate part of our sanity. I know how grumpy and out of sorts I can become if I go to many days without my needle. Just my way of having control over a teeny tiny part of the universe...hmmmmm....could be. At least on the piece of fabric I'm working on everything is in order, all the cross lay the same way, a part of my house is neat (the backs of my fabric) and I can shut out anything I don't want to think about except what colour I'm going to use next, and do I have enough floss left to finish that row.

Wow pretty deep for a Thursday morning.....lol.

New Blog Launched

I started posting on the new blog yesterday Finishing Techniques. If you have any great Finishing Techniques you'd like to share please let me know.

Hide It Under A Bushel Yes......

Ok I'm a crafty lady. I like to make things. I like to take needle and thread to fabric, and watch a beautiful picture appear. I like to make Christmas Ornaments for my tree as well as for exchanges. I get excited when I 'get mail.' We are not talking about electronic mail either. I mean slow snail mail as it usually has goodies for me. I love to go to LNS Shops heck even Michaels can be exciting at times. As much of this stuff is a part of my life, and who I am. I mean many an even I pass with needle in hand creating stuff. My co-workers don't know that I do that stuff. Now I wonder why that is. Am I embarrassed? If so why? Embarrassed to have a hobby that's silly. Well some of my craftiness is showing as we are starting to put the wreath together for the Silent Auction, and I got them as far as attaching the feathers to the wreath, and I'm thinking they can find their way from there. It's just a matter of gluing pretty things on. I'm hearing a lot of comments oh I could never do that. I'm not creative/crafty to figure it out. So I'm like wow if they think this is difficult guess I won't show them my HAED or the Chatelaine I'm working on for the UFO RR.....lol. I've never taken my stitching to the Bank, and I ponder this. Maybe it's because I'm modest, and I just don't want to deal with the how can you do that? Oh you are so talented. How can you see the little holes? Anyone else do this hide their creative/craft side under a Bushel?