21 Aug 2010

THREE MONTHS AND COUNTING!!

Has it ever been a long time since I posted anything on my blog. Some of you would know that I am still around by the comments that I have been leaving on your blogs.
Like everyone with children knows life can get very busy and some things just need to move down the priority list, and I am sorry but for me one of those things is posting to my blog. You see, I would much rather stitch or read your blogs that post to my blog. Strange, I know!!!
Things continue to be busy for us: Luke has venturers (scouts), plays soccer (the season has just finished) and is working part-time at McDonalds. He wants to go to Vietnam in November 2011 as part of the organisation called the World Challenge, hence the reason for the job. We told him that he would need to fund it himself and this is the desire of the organisers also and they in fact encourage the kids to come up with find raising ideas to cut down the cost which is approximately $6000.00. If he does have a short-fall we will of course help him but he has to make an effort. It will be a wonderful experience for him and I am excited that he is able to go. They go for four weeks, the first to acclimatise, they work in an orphanage or a school for a week, help out with a building project and they do a hike for a week. Joel has basketball once a week, cubs (scouts) and could also play in a modified soccer competition but unfortunately that clashes with basketball and since we have already paid for him to do that, that is what he will do! Caitlyn goes to Joeys, also a scout program, and will be playing soccer when it starts. She didn't do basketball as she in not old enough yet.
When I was younger, I played and loved tennis. I am pleased to say that DH and I have started playing on a Tuesday night and we are having the best time. We may not always win but we give it a good shot. Some nights the mist is so heavy that it makes the balls heavier, meaning that I can give the balls an extra hard whack knowing that they will go in for me HEHEHE!!
As for stitching I am concentrating on Faery Tales by HAED. I have completed 18 out of 60 pages. I would love to finish this 'one day' but I need the occasional break. So I'll do a little bit on one of my many other (sigh) wips or put some stitches into a smaller design just so I will have a finish in the not too distant future. The smaller design that I have on the go is My Needle's Work my LHN. So here are some wip pictures. I wish I could take better photos!!!










And here for your enjoyment, and full of cuteness is a photo of our Mr Puddles. I had left this ball of wool in our sitting room and I was in the rumpus room when he came trotting in with this hanging out of his mouth, all I could do was laugh at him.

I had some luck a while ago now. I won some wonderful HDF threads from Cathy. The threads are all in purple shades and here is a link to the post of Cathy showing her finish using these threads. Doesn't it look wonderful. I am seriously considering using one of these colors in a monochromatic design, don't know which thread or design yet!!! Thanks you so much Cathy for your generosity, I truly love the threads.
Suzanne had a bit of a de-stash and I put my hand up for a chart called Irises by Serendipity Designs. Irises were a favourite flower of my Mum's and she had many in her garden. Thank you too Suzanne for your generosity.
If I said that I will promise to update more regularly would you believe me? LOL. I will try!!!
This has turned into a long post, if you have made it to the end I thank you. I hope that you are all well and that you are getting lots of stitching done.

22 comments:

Pumpkin said...

Boy, you HAVE been busy! No wonder you're not Blogging ;o)

Your HAEDs are incredible! I can't believe how much you've done on all three.

What a cute picture of Mr. Puddles :o)

Lynn said...

Welcome back!Life can get hectic. When my boys were young I wouldn't have had any time for blogging. I was lucky if I found stitching time!
Your HAED is lovely. I can't believe the amount of detail in these designs. I love the colour of the floss you won. It will make a very pretty monochromatic design. I'd like to try one of Alessandra Adelaide's designs myself at some point.

Puddles is adorable! Don't you just love the temperament of the Ragdolls? We have so much fun playing fetch with Clarisse and her catnip mice.

Hazel said...

Glad to see you posting again! Love your wips they are truely amazing. Mr Puddles is one handsome guy. x

Cheryl said...

Great to hear from you again!

Rowyn said...

Nice to see you posting again.

I admire you for stitching an HAED. I think they are stunning, but I would never attempt one - because I just know I would never finish it.

Mr Puddles is a very handsome kitty! :-)

Stitchaholic said...

Nice to see you blogging again Jo! I've thought a lot about you since the retreat. It'd be good to meet up again one day - when you're not so busy, of course! No wonder you haven't had time for your blog. My Caitlyn is keeping me busy too - she's almost 15 months now!

Your stitching is looking fab, and there's nothing wrong with your picture taking either. ;)


Gayle xxx

cathymk said...

Jo! WOW Fairy Tales is looking just stunning! I love how it is stitching up!

Blu said...

Good to see you back! Amazing progress on the HAED.

Bee Jay said...

good to see you up in print again! BLessings!

Anonymous said...

I got tired just READING about all you are keeping busy with.

I want a Mr. Puddles of my own. He is adorable!

marylin & poussy said...

Oh my God! Which talent to realize such a project, you have a lot of patience and had to be a real passionate person, I like very much your blog
I wish you a pleasant day
Marylin

Siobhán said...

It's good to see you posting again! I love your stitching--lovely! Your cat is just adorable!

Dani - tkdchick said...

Wow you have been busy! Look at those WIPs you truly define the saying "go big or go home!"

Karoline said...

Goodness you have been busy, your wips look great. Cute photo of Mr Puddles

Marita said...

That is a huge project, you are doing an amazing job.

Congratulations on getting back into tennis. Will be lovely, especially with the spring weather.

demeter83 said...

Joanne, Faery Tales looks absolutely stunning so far, well done, I dread to think how long you've been working on that for. Best of luck with its continued growth

marylin & poussy said...

What a magnificent embroidery!
Bravo to you
Best regards marylin

Crossed Yarns said...

Hi, Joanne - good to hear from you! Love your Lo How a Rose... that design's really growing on me.
Pokua

Cindy F. said...

Oh girl!! You have been crazy busy and we understand:) I've been posting about every 3 months now, but you have better reasons than I do...lol!
BEAUTIFUL progress on your wips!!

Marylin /Poussy said...

A young hello to you in passing,
A good day
Best regards marylin

Bee Jay said...

I've just come back after 6 weeks away in NZ helping out with my mum so have been 'out of the loop' when it comes to cyberspace writings. Good to catch up on what you've been doing and seeing the great progress you've made on your stitching. Blessings!

Gina E. said...

Hi Joanne,
Thanks very much for your comment on my blog regarding my wins at the Whittlesea Show. I'll be on your back in 11 months time, nagging you to enter some of your stunning stitchworks!

An Aussie girl who loves to cross stitch