My Life In Stitches

Bad Blogger!!!

2009-04-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

My name is Trista and I am a bad blogger!!! A full month without a post!! All I can say is that I put off posting because of a lack of pictures. I fill I should put a few more up and more often to livin' up the place, but I must remember to not let that stop me from posting completely!! I have been working TW's Fantasy Sampler. A project that my mother picked out many years ago for me to do for her. Just a wee bit late but at least it's well on it's way. Hopefully I will have a picture of it and my progress on Taj Mahal to show soon. I have made the decision that I will not allow myself to start anything new or add to my stash until my current pieces are finished. This goes in hand with my current debt diet. This will not include floss I may need to complete said projects!! The only other exception will be a trip to a not so LNS in Brighton that Rebecca of Rebel in Ontario suggested we take at the last stitching get together at her house. Thank you again for having me Rebecca!! I can't wait for next weeks session!!! Of course onoce all my current projects are complete, I will have lots of fun with lots of new starts and maybe a rotation system set up to work on them. So many charts, so little time!!!

In some non-stitching news, last night was my first class of Belly Dancing!!! Lots of fun was had and I feel great today!! No sore muscles just a little stiff. Which is very surprising with how out of shape I am!! After one class though, I'm ready to sign up for the next class and I still have 11 more weeks to go!! That's all for now, be back soon!! I promise!!

Cross- Stitch, a Zen art form?

2009-03-06T09:53:00.000-08:00

Well, my stitching itch is back and in full force. Who knew that receiving a skein of silk and a packet of beads was enough to jump start my interest in Taj Mahal again!! It was the last bit of back ordered items for the peice, certainly not needed to continue but will be needed to complete the project. I plan on a stitch-a-thon weekend as the Pizza Man's kids are home and he is working all weekend. I will be sure to provide a before and after picture for this weekend's work.

In regards to the title of my post, many of my co-workers have ohhed and ahhed over the few projects I drag around with me and once and while bring out during breaks or lunchs. One in particular said something about my cross-stitching that has stuck. He called my cross-stitching a form of mediation. After pondering this idea, I have to agree. I know I can not be the only one who once in a stitching groove, losses myself completely within my work. Everything around me is blocked out and I completely lose track of the time. Such sessions are ended with a feeling of relaxation and a sense of accomplishment. No wonder we turn to our cross-stitch again and again!! Not only do we create beautiful pieces of artwork, that for me fulfills the frustrated artist in me, but we are allowing ourselves to relax and unwind, making for a healthier and happy us!!! Got to love a good hobby/obession!!!

Just a quick drop in!!

2009-02-25T11:30:00.000-08:00

Just a quick drop into my blog today. I'm on my last break for the day at work, and anxiously waiting for the clock to show home time!! Not much on the stitching front to report. Suddenly out of the blue, I have lost my stitching drive. I knew it was starting when working on Taj Mahal. I wasn't bored with it, but I couldn't decided where to go next when I finished a colour or section. I thought that after working on it for a 2 weeks straight, maybe I just needed a little break and pick up one of my HAED QS that has been lingering untouched for so very long. I stitched for all of 2 nights on it and haven't picked it up since. I am now on my 5 day with no stitching. Not that I need another project but maybe a new start is needed. I will have to dig through the stash to see what I have on hand. I'm on the stash wagon at the moment until I finish some of my WIPs and UFOs, but I certainly have enough stash that I can start something and not purchase a new chart or fabric!!

Finally some Pics

2009-02-21T14:56:00.000-08:00

I have finally gotten around to going to a hotspot to post some pics here!! This is a picture of Elliot the Hero, a Boyds Bear. This guy was done for my uncle who is a firefighter in Markham, just outside of Toronto. The helmet even sports my uncle's own helmet number. I will get him framed shortly and pass him onto to his new owner. I'm certain that my uncle will apreciate the piece. The top picture, thanks to blogger, is my heartache-happy dance from New Years. Taj Mahal Mandala Garden by Chatelaine. The fabric was 2 inches shorter then stated on the packaging, leading to me not being able to complete it at that time. I have since received the supplies to complete the project, and have been happily stitching on it for 2 weeks. The next picture is my current progress on The Three Graces, a Josephine Wall artwork from Heaven and Earth Designs. I was drawn to this chart by the amount of colours, over a hundred. It is a really pleasure to work on, but it will take me a great deal of time to complete. What you see is 8 pages of 36 completed and has taken me almost 2 years to complete that much!

On Wednesday I got to meet and stitch with Rebecca of Rebel in Ontario. I'd post a link but I haven't played with Blogger enough to do so yet!! It was great to finally meet Rebecca after almost 3 years of corresponding online!!! She has a wonderful family and a beautiful home and I can't wait for the next get together!! And it was great to finally have a stitching session!!! I have been stitching for 15 years or so and never found anyone to stitch with. Only one of my friends cross-stitch but unfortunately not often. She hasn't developed the same obsession the rest of us have I guess!!!

Dial Up Sucks!!!!!

2009-01-27T11:19:00.000-08:00

I have been putting off posting because I was determined to post pictures. My blog is looking a little bland because of the lack. But as you can see, no pictures!! I pulled out my trusty notebook computer last night, connected the necessary cables to connect to the internet, and expected the process to be long, it is dial up after all. What I did not expect that because said connection was so slow last night, that I was unable to upload my pictures. Or even email them to myself here at work where I could quickly post during break or lunch. So, unfortunately still no pictures. Needless to say, I will be hunting down a hotspot this weekend to load my pictures.
In the meantime, I expect my order from ABC Stitch Therapy to be waiting for me when I get home for work. This means I will be able to re-start Taj Mahal Mandala Garden and I am of course ansty for the workday to end!!
I have been busy working away on my 3 Graces, an HAED design by Josephine Wall. I love the colours and it is turning out so beautifully!! But no word of a lie, in some of those 10 x 10 blocks, I swear there is almost 100 colour changes!!! No wonder it's taken me almost 2 years and I've only completed 7 full pages. I am almost done page 8 so Taj may just have to wait until I have a mini happy dance. And I'm trying to figure out a rotation that will fit all my crafts. A day for Taj, and day for the ladies, and maybe one other cross-stitch project. Then a day for knitting, and one for crocheting. We'll see how it progresses, but it's the only way I can see me finishing anything at this point. I'm turning into a serial starter!!!

New Year Happy Dance and Heartbreak

2009-01-06T06:56:00.000-08:00

I hope all had a wonderful New Years!!! Mine was a mix as the title of this post states. I had a happy dance that was also a heartbreak!! I was happily stitching away on Taj Mahal New Years day when I looked closely at the fabric, and how large the stitching area was starting to take up. I had finished the center medallion and was starting to work on the first Taj Mahals, when something did not look right. Out came my measuring tape and sure enough, the fabric was not large enough. Now in all the years that I have been stitching, this is the absolute first time that I did not calculate correctly, or so I thought. With the measuring tape, I found that the evenweave that I had purchased at a Micheals store, was not the size that was indiciated on the packaging. I am throught disgusted that said fabric was actually almost a 2 full inches smaller then the 20 x 27 inches I thought I was purchasing. It would have been tight on the sides, but should have been large enough to complete the project. After a little bit of frogging, I have a very pretty center medallion completed. And with further disgust, I got online and order replacement crystals, beads and threads. I also purchased a piece of fabric that is well oversized for the project so that this horror does not occur again.
So for my New Year's resolution? I will only purchase my needed cross-stitch supplies from online sources. Micheals and other local craft store will only be used for emergency supplies, and DMC when on sale!!
Unfortunately, because of the heartache, and anger over the failed attempt at Taj, I do not have any pictures. It was even a few days before I could pick up any cross-stitch.

For now, I will post my Stitching Goals for 2009

* finish Tah Mahal Mandala
* finish TW Fantasy Sampler
* finish HAED Forest Light QS
* finish at least 2 UFOs
* work on HAED Unicorn and Foal, 3 Graces and Earth QS
* start stash for Egypt Garden Mandala
* start Firefly Faires
* start Bluebeard's Mermaid
* organize all charts, fabrics and fibers in stash
* finish 2 cross-stitch sweatshirts for Christmas presents

Of course with all other lists people make of this nature, I'm sure new items will be added!!
Tomorrow, my goals for January, and hopefully some pictures!!

Falling a little bit behind...

2008-12-30T09:36:00.000-08:00

Just a small slip from blogging, but that can best be explained by the holidays I guess. As everyone knows, this is a busy time of year. All things are progressing smoothly. The new relationship still grows steady stronger, if still at the same slow pace. This is frustrating at times as I have mentioned. But also strangely refreshing, and very reassurring. Because things are progressing slowly, we both know that this is want we want and that it's what the other wants as well. There is no second guessing or wondering and worrying if things are going well for us both.
Stitching is progressing as well!! A few weeks back I started my first Chatelaine design. I am totally in love with the silk threads and the beads add so much glitter and glam to the piece. My first is the Taj Mahal Mandala and I have the Egypt Mandala waiting in the works. I will not even start stashing for that one until the first is finished. Which I have to say will not take long!! I promise to have a picture of if shortly. Though I doubt a picture will be able to do it justice. I read the intructions for this piece very carefully, and I have to say that I just can't follow them exactly. Leaving the speciallity stitches and beading to the very end would be the same as leaving all the backstitching until the end. I would get all the cross-stitching done, and then it would get thrown into a corner during the beading process. But I don't feel too bad about beading as I go when I see from other examples on the internet that I'm not the only person doing so!!
So again, pictures soon!! I promise!!! And more frequent postings as well!!!

See Still Here!!

2008-11-27T08:54:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately no pictures yet. I'm being lazy when it comes to using my new camera. But I am still here. Still busy working on what will be a stocking for a friend's little girl. The project is taking much too long and I blame it on the colours. Although the colours are beautiful, there is a lack of variety. It is a large rose with grapes and cranberries. As one friend said, not very christmasy, but very pretty for the a baby girl's first stocking. I plan on making a stocking for each of the children as well as one large piece that can travel with them through their lives.
I've been doing a little bit of knitting as well. Some yummy wool socks for myself finally! Imagine!!!
I must say I am a little distracted by the new man in my life. I don't get to see him that often, but we talk daily. I'm surprised he has the time for that really. He owns his own business and has 4 children, all of whom he has custody of. A busy man to say the least. But things are going well, if slowly. Which is very good after the last few relationships I've been in. It's just extremely frustrating when all you want to do is spend time together, yet can't. Oh well, absence does make the heart grow fonder!!
Well, enough babbling for now!! Don't want to start getting sappy!! I will do my best to have pictures for my next post. It's always so much nicer with pictures!!

I'mmmm Back!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-19T05:16:00.000-08:00

Yes, after almost 2 years of not posting, I am Back!! So much has happened in so short a period of time really. Unfortunately, not much on the stitching front!! Since the last post, I have moved back in with my parents unfortunately. Gave the twitball that I was pining over a 2nd chance. Needless to say, he blew it again!! I have gotten a new car (well, newer) and a new job. I have even started dating someone that I can say holds much promising without jinxing things I think! As stated, not much on the stitching front has been completed. Lots of work put into my Heaven and Earth designs. A few small finishes. I will have pictures ready for my next post. I am gearing up for a Chatelaine design, Taj Mahal Mandal. Pardon any misspellings!! I'm also chomping at the bit to start a few new charts as well, but I have placed myself on a bandwagon. Not allowed to start any new projects until I have finished a number of the current ones. Many cross-stitches on the go, a few knitting projects and 3 or 4 crochet afghans on the go!! Let's just say I've been getting bored easily lately!

New Year means Resolution!!

2007-01-16T21:37:00.000-08:00

Which means I will be trying to post here more often. I hope all had a good Christmas and New Years. Mine was short and sweet. Bad memories from last's break up made the holidays a little hard to bare. Depression struck when the ex called and wanted to meet up for coffee. It was tough, but I survived and I'm better off for it.
I will have pictures shortly. I currently have all 4 of my HAED charts on the go...I'm being ambitious in trying to have one completed for a Christmas present. I finished my knitting, just barely in time...only to start 2 days after the holidays I started knitting again for next year. I have a new toy!! I got myself a new notebook computer on Friday. I went into Circiut City for a new mouse and came out with a computer...so much for my debt diet. Oh well, I was starting to look for a new one anyway. Obviously with my new toy, I will be doing lots more online stuff...maybe start getting creative with my site here....I think I need to add some links and blinkies.
We will be moving very shortly. My friends have bought a house, apparently much smaller than this one. They have invited me to go with them, and I will for now. We'll see if there is room for me or if I will be moving back in with my folks shortly.
Well enough for now...I'll pull out my camera tomorrow and take some pics and post them shortly!!!

Still No Pics

2006-10-09T20:48:00.000-07:00

So I splurged and bought good batteries for my camera....have not yet had a chance to to take any pictures. Life has been a little hectic the last week, what with being sick and the issues my roommates are going through. Will do my best to post some updated piccies soon..I promise!!! I was bad on Thursday...I started yet another of my HAED charts. I started the QS ACEO Earth. I plan on have all 4 elements on one piece of evenweave. I have broken down and followed the recommended method of parking. I have managed to get over 600 stitches into it so far. It seems to take a little longer at the moment, but the result is more satisifying. I may only have 6 10x10 squares completed, but I feel as if I have actually accomplished something. Looks like I will be using the same method on the other...If I don't break down again and start my 4th HAED chart :)) My Christmas knitting progresses slowly. I have one scarf knitted. I'm still struggling to find a children's sweater large enough for my "niece". I am half way finished another scarf but that does not count because that scarf is for me. Since I have gotten the itch back for cross-stitching, I have the desire but not the will to put down the cross-stitching and pick up the knitting needles.
I have also come to the conclusion that it is time to find another job. I have been saying it for months, even spread around a few resumes, but did not really push for getting out of my current position. The situation with the "ex" made it too stressful to contemplate added stress of switching jobs. As well, because of my RRSP contribution from my company, I was stuck there until June. Once we were well and truely separated, I couldn't afford to go to any other job unless it was a like wage. Now, I just want out. I can not take the politics of the upper and lower management. I can not take the unreasonable and outrageous antics of the customers. There is nothing more stressfully then trying to get some 80 year with a thick accent who has never even touched a computer before to do a simple task like clicking on the Start button. Ah well, hopefully I will be out of there soon.

Barely Breathing

2006-10-05T18:13:00.000-07:00

I am sick!!! I hate colds. The achey, fevery shivering. The hacking, choking coughs. Able to breathe one second, plugged up solid the next. With all that, not much stitching progress to report. It is kinda dropped on the way side while I work on my Christmas knitting. A couple sweaters, some scarves and socks and I will all set. If only I could find a sweater pattern for an eight year old girl. I have the perfect yarn, I have yet to find a pattern that would work. Something she would like, and something the right size. Still no pictures yet. Been having a few issues with my camera. First it decides not to work. Okay fine, I have an extended warranty on the thing. I take it back to the place for said warranty, and it decides to play nice again. Tomorrow I will take it out and give it a really good test. If it don't work, back it goes, this time whether it decides to work or not. So hopefully, Saturday I will have pics. Current cross-stitch projects and my knitting. WooHoo!!!!

An Update, but no pics this time

2006-09-08T20:41:00.000-07:00

Well, it is now September. I can not believe how fast things are moving around me. I feel like I'm standing still watching everything fly by me at times. I have been steadily working between my 2 HAEDs. I have set a 2 week rotation up currently. 2 weeks on one project, then 2 weeks on the next. I have ordered my next 2 patterns. One was meant to be a Christmas present, but there is no way it will be done in time. So, either a birthday present or for Christmas of next year. As I reminded myself this week, that time of year is approaching much too quickly for my liking. Since I will not have the cross-stitching I want done by December, I will be whipping out my knitting needles. I can knit up some sweaters quick enough for the kids. I certainly have enough yarn stashed at my parents' house. Now that I have broken down and put new batteries in my camera, I will soon have pictures of my current work. Maybe even a few pictures of my knitting project. Work has become nasty. Short staffed and the calls overflowing, the powers that be have decided on a 44 hour work week. Normally not an issue, but my shift is 1:00pmto 9:30pm. I can see adding 4 hours each week, only a hour on 4 shifts, but why, oh why put that hour at the end of my shift. Call volume is down and the extra help at that time it is not needed. If I wasn't still trying to dig myself out of the hole my ex has me buried in, I would be out of there in an instant. Ah well, soon enough I will be out of there. 6 years is too long as it is for a call center!! Anyway, just a quick update. Most likely tomorrow I will have a new update with pictures!!

Depression...A joy Ain't It!!!

2006-08-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

Wonderful depression, just when you figure you have it beat, it sneaks up on and knocks you on your @$$. Here I am, almost 2 months away from one of the worst days of my life and I feel at times as if no time at all has past. I break out in tears out of the blue. A brief passing of his vehicle one day has me in the deep blues for 4 days. How can someone have such power over another. It's been so long since I have been myself, that I have forgotten how to be myself. The one true bright spot in my life right now, is my friends' 2 year old son. With him, I can forget all that has happened. I can forget that I need to make plans for a future. I can live in the present and be myself, if only for a short time. I need to somehow get out and meet someone. Someone who I can have fun with, go out with once in a while. Nothing serious, just someone that help fill some empty time so I am not obsessing over HIM.
All well, on to better things and the other thing that is keeping me sane!! My newest obsession and love of my life is Heaven and Earth Designs. I can see my never doing any other kind of stitching. I received my charts almost 4 weeks ago. I will have been working on my Three Graces by Josephine Wall for 4 weeks on Friday. I am loving every tiny, solitary stitch I take. I will try to post a picture soon. I need to try to locate the battery charger for the batteries for my computer. I may just break down and buy a few batteries until then. I pack my charger away somewhere and have no idea where to look for it now. Almost 4 full weeks and I still have not completed a single full page of the chart. 36 pages, I can see this going on for a long, long time. Not that I'm complaining. But I can see me moving on to the other design shortly. As well as purchasing a few others. I'm thinking of setting a up a rotation, trying to work on just HAED charts for a short while. I figure that with all I have been through, I deserve to spoil myself a little. What better way then with a start of stash of HAED charts!!

WIPs At Last

2006-07-15T20:33:00.000-07:00

Finally, a few pictures to share of my currently WIPs and a few finished objects. This is Teresa Wentzler's Woodland Fairy. I started it last June and finished it in early October. I loved working on this piece. It is destined to become a keepsake pillow for my friend's daughter born in Feburary. The only thing I left out from the pattern was the frenchknots. I've been stitching for over 10 years and I still can't do a frenchknot to save my life. All well, maybe someday. As included in my post today, current pictures of Mirabila's The Dreamer, and Stoney Creek's Confetti Clown. I have made the promise to myself that I will finishe Confetti Clown before starting my HAED, once they arrive. I will be severly tempted to start as soon as it arrives, so I'm trying my best to finish it now.

Thank you for the kind comments!! I am so happy that some one is reading my posts. I truely do appreciate your kind words. I have come to the realization the last few days that I will be much better off. I will deserve so much more. And he certainly does not deserve this continued power over me! :)) I will survive as the song goes.

I am Still Breathing

2006-07-09T22:22:00.000-07:00

Last month was unbelieveable stress and chaotic for me, hence no blog update. I have now moved, staying with friends until/if my parents can renovate my old bedroom. I am painfully single. I still love him, I miss him desperately, but I have not heard from him at all in the week and half since we went our separate ways. His goodbye that days was less then half assed. Obviously my continued love is in vain. Hopefully I will be able to move on soon. I deserve better. I certainly do no want to be alone for the rest of my life. I definitely want at least one child and I'm not getting any younger.
Ah well, on too my stitching news. I have put The Dreamer aside for the moment to work on Confetei Clown from Stoney Creek. I have stitch in once before. It was my first large project on Aida which isn't saying much as it is only 7 by 11 inchs approximately. I am enjoying it as much this time as the last. I have also just purchased my first Heaven and Earth Designs patterns. They certainly will not be the last I purchase. I can see me going exclusively to these designs. The details and colours used these designs as well as the complexity seem to suit my stitching style completely. And the fact that they are all fantasy designs does not hurt at all either.
Well, I will post pictures as soon as I can. Updated pictures of my 3 current projects. I have promised myself to finish at least one of the 3 before I start one of my HAED designs.

Yes I am still Breathing

2006-05-31T20:05:00.000-07:00

And here I had thought 4 days was a stretch without posting on my blog. It's been what...3 weeks!?! I promise to try better. I don't think anyone is reading this yet, but I still promise. Rapunzel has fallen to the way side. I thought I would get bored with the grey of walls, turns out not. I got bored with the green of the curtain. I think green gets to me a little easier then it did before since I finished TW's Woodland Fairy last fall. I got real sick of green real quick with that project, though she turned out perfect. I have replaced Rapunzel for now with my first Mirabilia design, The Dreamer. The colours are beautiful and I plan on using that colour scheme to decorate my room when I'm finally able to move back home. I plan to have a Heaven and Earth desgin shortly. I will then start a rotation and see how that goes. I'll have to move quick, Christmas unfortunately, will be here before I know it. Lots of pressies to make this year!!
I have to make this quick, thunder is rumbling in the sky as I type this. Being a Computer Technical Support Agent, I should know better then to have my computer on during a thunder storm. It has been unusually hot for about a week. It feels more like then end of June then the end of May. It's suppose to be cooler tomorrow, so we'll see. As the thunder rumbles once again, I close for today!! Type at ya soon!!

Slacking Already

2006-05-02T21:47:00.000-07:00

So it would appear as the title of my post states. I started this blog on Friday, and here I am, waiting four days to add a post. Not something I hope to continue with for certain! Rapunzel progressing. I started Rapunzel approximately 5 weeks ago and she is approximately halfway finished. I am anxiously awaiting my income tax return in order for a bit of shopping. I have been drooling over Heaven and Earth Designs charts for several months now. They look right up my alley. Small, simple patterns do not normally appeal to me. I prefer the challenge of a large, many colour, multi-stitch design. This is likely why Teresa Wentzler is my favourite designer. All those blended colours, the large graphs with a few beads or complicated stitches.

Now for a little on the more later comment from my last post. As my brief description states, I am in the midst of a crisis. The man I love and live with sometime ago stated that because of the ghosts of his past, does not wish to be in any relationship right now. I asked him to take some time and think things through before he threw away what we had. As of Sunday, he states that he is happy with the way things are, with us just being friends, for now. I have yet to find out what the for now means, hopefully I will know by tomorrow. As it stands now, we will be moving at the end of June. I don't know where he will be going, likely moving in with his sister. I will be moving in with some friends. Not bad thing considering that they 2 of the sweetest boys ever. One 18 months and one only 5 weeks old :))

Welcome to My Blog!

2006-04-28T14:10:00.000-07:00

As the title of my post states...Welcome!! For just over a year now I have been reading other blogs about knitting and cross-stitching, two of my favourite pastimes. Finally, I am taking the plunge and starting my own. To post about my cross-stitching and the odd knitting or crochet projects for others to enjoy as I have enjoyed reading theirs. As with other bligs, I will also sharing parts of my life. What better way to vent then to have my own spot on the internet to do so! I am a 30 something, proud Canadian, currently single, computer technical support agent. The main reason I have started this blog now is because of my current position in life. More on that later. I have been knitting since I was five, and cross-stitching for just over 10 years. I taught myself how to cross-stitch from a simple kit my parents purchased for me. My first project after that was a pheasant/farm scene I stitched on a sweatshirt with waste canvas. I love fantasy patterns and of course my favourite designer is Teresa Wentzler. In fact, those are the only projects I have done in the last year or so are her designs. I'm a one at a timer, though having read other cross-stitch blogs recently, I am contemplating starting a rotation of more than one project. Especially with my now cemented plans for Christmas gifts. If I want to get them done in time for Christmas, I'm going to have to start more than one at a time.