Been Stitching to My Heart's Content!

Hello everyone! I have been busy stitching. Not every day, but trying to do something, even if an hour, here and there. I finished "Control Cat" a few days ago. I love how he turned out. This is the first one completed of the three patterns that I am being paid for. I am thinking of delivering all three at the same time. This pattern did not take me very long to complete, once I got started. The 'method of stitching' I used was what I have observed being done with the HAED that I have watched come together from fellow stitchers. I wanted to practice the technique, because I did buy my first HAED pattern a few weeks ago. I haven't been able to get started on it yet, but hopefully I can soon. I need to buy a new printer, because we got the scanner part of our printer running, but the printing part is uncooperative. Until I get a new printer, my HAED and any other pattern I want to print, is just going to have to wait.

I need to start on the second cat, "Creation Cat" and will in the next day or two but I wanted to stitch colors other than brown, blacks, greys for a few days.

I have been stitching a little bit on "Irises" since I finished "Control Cat". Can you tell that these are flowers? When I showed Jack last night, he said he couldn't tell that they were flowers. I think that the backstitching on this project is going to make these irises really pop out. I am so tempted to do some of the backstitching now so that the flowers are more noticeable.

I haven't touched my elephant pattern for quite awhile. I am not really happy with the way the half stitches are laying. Now I am wondering if I just stitch the bull elephant part of this pattern instead of the entire pattern, would that be alright? I am almost done with the Bull Elephant and that thought came to me. I just don't like the way this material is. I'll probably just keep plugging away at the pattern instead of giving up on it, but boy am I frustrated with this one! The elephant is a full 'X' but the scenery is half stitches. You may be able to see where I started some of the scenery at about tusk level on the right side of the elephant. Can you see what I am talking about in the way the half stitches are laying?

I forgot to mention in my last post that my cousin's wife sent me all of her cross stitching supplies at the end of last year. Thank you, Donna! She and my cousin David were the recipients of the first cat project I finished ("Nobody"). Donna sent me everything from DMC threads to hoops, a lap stand, pattern books and material. I am thinking of trying to do some sort of game with a prize or giveaway of some of the stuff because some of the stuff I just wouldn't use. I'd hate to have it just sit in my closet. Any ideas about how I should go about it? Donna use to cross stitch all the time but was forced to stop because of medical issues.

I have received several birthday cards and floss in the first couple weeks of January. Thank you, Everyone!

Both of my girls received their second quarter report cards. Well, actually Rachel was given hers and Sarah's was mailed because the high school takes finals and calculates them into the grade, where the middle school doesn't take finals. Rachel received A's in all but two classes. In those two classes, she received B's. She, once again, made either the Honor Roll or High Honor Roll. This has been the norm for Rachel her entire school life. Sarah, with her finals calculated in, received a couple of A's and the rest B's, if I remember right. Either way, we are proud of both girls and their grades.

The position I was hoping to get has been postponed. My heart kind of sank when I was told this. But, that just means I need to put my head high and keep looking. God will put me where He wants me, when He wants me there!

I bought some goggles and a swim cap with some of my birthday money. Last week I swam 32 laps for the first time ever! I have always had to get out of the pool before I reached that far because the chlorine was burning my eyes badly. I'd end up with blurry vision and sometimes my eyes would swell after my swim sessions because of the chlorine. Last week, when I swam I was using my goggles and swim cap and had no problems because of chlorine. The next time I swim (hopefully tomorrow) I hope to make it to 36 laps. Thirty-six laps at the YMCA pool (where I swim) is equal to one mile. I am not the fastest swimmer, but I get the job done. (Like my stitching!) What slows me with my swimming is my right side paralysis. I cannot kick as well with my right leg or make the motions with my right arm as big as with my left side. But, I can swim!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week and hope to give you another stitching update in the next week. Talk with you later!