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?

From Walking To Striding

Well Jeremy had his second week of Hockey. It's amazing what two weeks, and seven hours of Public Skating can accomplish. Ok he's not a skating genius out there now, but he's doing a heck of a lot more than just marching feet on the ice now....lol. Bill had a week where he didn't have to go into the office so every day after school he took Jeremy to the ice rink to practice. Our Rink offers free public skating every day so we have been taking advantage of that. It has totally paid off. Jeremy actually touched the puck last night, and even had a shot on goal. I do plan on going to the rink today to see about Power Skating Lessons. I have to say I'm very impressed with Jeremy's no give up attitude.

Stitching News
Well I got the next round in the UFO RR it's Chatelaine's Mystery VIII. Will be interesting to stitch as I've been considering a Chatelaine. Well the new blog is all created I just need to start posting....lol. I hope to get something in there today. Trying to figure out how I want to organize everything....lol. Oh what fun.

A Stitching I Will Go.....

Woo hoo a day off. Bill has to be in the office today, Jeremy has school today and Mamma get's to stitch today. Ok Ok I do have some errands to run sign Jeremy up for a Day Camp, Jeremy has a Dr.'s Apt and I need to go to the Post Office, but other than that a stitching I will go.

Western Finals

Well today Saskatchewan plays BC for the Western Finals. In my house this is a big game as Bill is from Saskatchewan. So he's going to be plugged into the TV all day watching that. Then after there is some sort of Wrestling Pay Preview that with the dish we now get. Ask me how excited I am about that.....lol. The Football is one thing, but I totally can't stand wrestling. So I'm heading up to Edmonton to Michaels when the Football game starts. Hmmmm do I have to come back? LOL I guess so.

Oh my goodness good news Jeremy got his report card on Friday. He got mostly 3's which is basically doing average work, some 2's and even a few 1's, but the break down for these marks is really high for Grade One, to get a 1 (1 like an A) he'd basically have to get everything right 100%. Keep in mind that tests Jeremy has brought home he has only gotten one or two questions wrong and that's if he has gotten any wrong at all. He was still given an average mark. If he was in Grade Three giving the same effort his average mark would have been all 1's. So this is the break down for Grade One:
Work meets standard of excellence 96 - 100% 1 passing
Work exceeds acceptable standard 90 - 95% 2 passing
Work meets acceptable standard 80 - 89% 3 passing
Work is below acceptable standard 65 - 79% 4 approaching but not passing
Work is significantly below standard 64% & less 5 below passing mark

Yes I was very thrilled with Jeremy's report card as last year in Grade One he was 4's and 5's that this is a huge improvement. That 3 mark that he's given is a high 3 as if he gets anything wrong on a test he still ends up with an 88 - 89% mark.

Now in Grades 3 - 6 here is there breakdown:
80 - 100% 1
70 - 79% 2
60 - 69% 3
50 - 59% 4
less than 50% 5


Stitching News
I got some work done on both the model and the UFO RR. Today I'm going to work on the RR and then mail it out tomorrow. I'm off tomorrow so I vision a lot of work done on the model. Which reminds me I need to take a pic of it to show the designer. Just killing me that I can't post pics of it...sniff sniff.

I'm getting excited about the new Blog. Guess the first things I'll need to start posting about are Christmas Ornies, because it's right around the corner. So if anyone has any kewl Christmas Ornie finishes that you'd like me to see please let me know. I'm looking for the all over the board from elaborate to fast and quick......hmmmm sounds like another part of my life, but that more often fast and quick and less often eleobrate.....roflmao

Thank You Hockey Night In Canada

So Bill came home last night with Hockey tickets for the Edmonton vs Calgary game. At first I was like woo hoo as I haven't been to an NHL Hockey game in years, but omg the look on Jeremy's face when he saw them. 'Daddy can I go?' Bill was like it was up to me, and I'm like yeah Jeremy you can go with Dad. You would have thought it was Christmas morning he was jumping up and down saying thank you, thank you, thank you. So now BOTH my men are going to be out of the house at the same time. What is a girl to do? Hmmmmm just to much fun.....lol.

So I gave my notice yesterday, and those things are never as hard as we build them up to be. They are not happy to see me go which I guess is a good thing. My boss did ask if there was anything she could say to make me stay, and I was like no. Bill thought I should have said yeah pay me $17.50/hour, move me off the front line, and give me full-time hours. Now I knew that scenario was impossible so I didn't say anything. I said no, because I knew what I wanted from her she couldn't give me. She did say if I needed to come back that I could so that is good I guess. I hope I don't have to go back. It's nice to know that they are not happy that I'm leaving.

Stitching News
Got some more work on the model. In two weeks I'll be able to start showing it off. I can't wait as it is looking so pretty. My mail date is Monday for the UFO RR so I'm posting a pic of what it looks like now. I may post another pic Monday if Bill hasn't flown out by then, and take the camera with him.


Also the new blog seems to be starting to take shape. It's going to be under the domain of I already have sites I want to link to, and even ideas of stuff to write myself. I'm thinking that right now I want to focus on finishing techniques that don't require framing. Other more creative ideas. I may eventually link to some good framing instructions, but at first that won't be the focus. So some of you people out there like for example Emily at The Floss Box be prepared that I may be asking permission to link to some of your finishes, and maybe the occasional gentle nudge to write up a tutorial on how the heck you did that....lol.

It's Not You It's Me

Well the good news is I got the job with the city yesterday. It's offical and everything I went in, and signed papers. I can't believe the pay difference right now I make like $13.50/hour at a bank where there is a lot more to know, a lot more to learn (we have to take classes etc), and a lot of stress/pressure. For the city I'll START at $17.50/hour, and after probation I'll go up to $18.50/hour. Not as much to learn I'll be answering the phones, first contact to the public, and selling Dog Licenses. I'm not saying it's not an important position that first contact always is. I'm pretty excited about this new job I start on Dec 3. This means I have to give my notice at the Bank which I'm feeling a little uneasy about as I like MOST of the people I work with there. Our Manager is brand new to that position. Now I know these things are not my problem, but like I said I like these people. I will go in a few mins early, and drop the bomb so to speak. Can't I just send Bill to do it for me....lol. I always get that uneasy feeling like when you have to break up with someone it's not you it's me....lol. I know this is a much better situation for me that I'm going to less stress and more money. It's also more hours like double the hours not sure how I feel about that, but I'll make it work. I'm just glad that someone in this clickly town gave me a chance.

Stitching News
I decided that I was bound and determined to learn the reversible stitch for blackwork. Imagine my surprise to find out how simple it is. I found that I had to keep really close attention to what I was doing when I tried it, but it does work. Not sure I'll do the rest of the model reversible as she doesn't require it stitched reversible, and right now doing the backstitching stitch works for me, and is faster. I will try the reversible stitch at points I'm sure.

Ok I have an idea for a stitchy blog. A blog that is about finishing, and has links on how to finish for example a flat fold or a biscornu. Not sure how popular it would be, but I'm always looking for neat new ways to finish ornies and other stuff. Going to have to give this some thought.

Oh Happy Day

I got a call back from the job I interviewed at last week. Woo hoo. I was at work all day so I didn't get the message until like 5pm last night. I don't know exactly why she called me back as she just asked me to call her at my earliest convenience. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it's good news. Oh I so hope they offer me the job. Yeah ok it's full-time, but it's more what my back ground is. Not to mention it's close enough that I could walk to work. I'm going to give her a call this morning before I have to run out to the bank. Oh good thoughts please my less than ten readers.....lol.

Stitching News
Well Tuesday I was out all night, last night I was recovering from Tuesday....lol.....soooooo tonight I'll be working on a model. Woo hoo.

Just Call Me Leopard

Yeah whatever the rash I have or hives or whatever is now moving up to my chest yikes. Last night was actually fun, and everyone looked great. The food was good, the drinks flowed the company was pretty much interesting. Got home late, but hey that's ok. Had to work all day today so I'm paying for that tonight as I'm pretty sleepy. So no stitching for me tonight and early to bed.

Busy Day

Well today is the Gala, and I have a bunch of stuff to do around the house this morning so I'm going to keep this short and sweet. I'll post more tomorrow.

Which Jane Austen Heroine Are You?

You are Elizabeth Bennet of Pride & Prejudice! You are intelligent, witty, and tremendously attractive. You have a good head on your shoulders, and oftentimes find yourself the lone beacon of reason in a sea of silliness. You take great pleasure in many things. You are proficient in nearly all of them, though you will never own it. Lest you seem too perfect, you have a tendency toward prejudgement that serves you very ill indeed.

Take the Quiz here!