tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60748492012-01-30T09:43:14.164-05:00<i>Home of a needlework artist</i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.comBlogger1971100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-6100382087730402732012-01-23T21:12:00.001-05:002012-01-23T21:12:32.574-05:00

Well, that about sums it up…..   It’s the first new moon of 2012 and that means time for the first TUSAL post of the year.  I dumped out my ORTs from 2011 so my jar is pretty empty:   It has a good amount of ORTs in it – but not because of excessive stitching – more excessive frogging…..  Remember my New Year’s start?  It looked like this a couple of weeks ago:   And I thought I was

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-35608295206419788262012-01-03T15:01:00.001-05:002012-01-03T15:01:17.473-05:00

Well, well, well, here it is 2012 and nary a post for the last month of 2011.  All I can say is that it got pretty busy over in my neck of the woods, and I got pretty lazy in the posting department.   I did know I needed to post my TUSAL update on Christmas Eve and I had good intentions.  However, DH conspired again to make things challenging.  Remember when I started posting TUSAL updates last

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-51896796799907041982011-11-27T12:45:00.001-05:002011-11-27T12:45:01.631-05:00

I seem to have missed the new moon by a couple of days.  I thought I entered the correct date in my todo list, but I guess I didn’t.  Oh well!  Better late than never, right?   Here’s the ORT jar as it stands today:   There haven’t been a ton of additions from last month as I really haven’t had much time to stitch.  Work has been crazy busy, to say the least.  I’ve worked every day in

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-43135572933436144942011-10-29T12:28:00.001-04:002011-10-29T12:28:57.332-04:00

Because I actually finished something!  Look:   Halloween Rules by Lizzie*Kate Stitched on 32-count Chestnut linen from Wichelt using recommended Crescent Colors, GAST & WDW   I liked this piece from the first moment I saw it online.  Something about the tombstones at the top caught my eye and hence my needle.  I still wish the skeleton looked like a mummy, but I’m learning to live with

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-7285305964558921392011-09-27T14:27:00.001-04:002011-09-27T14:27:50.999-04:00

Time has managed to escape from me again.  How does that keep happening?   My electronic to-do list told me that today was TUSAL day, so I hauled out the camera and managed a picture for this month:   Another good quantity of additions to the jar this month.   Here’s what I’ve been working on for the past month….   First up, an actual finish:   Season of Love by Country Cottage

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-69425105647941810752011-08-31T17:55:00.001-04:002011-08-31T17:55:40.490-04:00

First, I’d like to thank everyone for their expressions of sympathy on the loss of my furry friend.  It’s been hard adjusting to the change.  Callie’s illness came on so quickly and took me by complete surprise and left me deeply saddened in its wake.  Callie’s sister and littermate, Mojo doesn’t understand what has happened and still spends a portion of her day searching all her sister’s

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-85674944775724391662011-08-12T19:38:00.001-04:002011-08-12T19:38:26.650-04:00

Callie June 16, 1995 – August 12, 2011 I’ll love you and miss you forever.

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-41151029715286157582011-08-08T12:43:00.001-04:002011-08-08T12:43:55.511-04:00

We made it home from the camping trip, bug-bitten (I stopped counting bites after I got to 50) and tired (hard to sleep when the guy in the next campsite insisted on revving up his Harley at 7AM!), but home safe.  We had a really great time (Harley-revving aside) and the weather co-operated too (only rained once).   So, do you want to know who’s next to join the Stitcherhood?  Do you?  Do you?

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-44799455203381580552011-08-01T07:19:00.001-04:002011-08-01T07:19:58.956-04:00

Okay, so I’m a bit late.  This getting ready to go camping thing is consuming all my time!  We leave in just a couple of hours though (hopefully – still some packing to do!).    Here’s my jar:   I was actually surprised when I reached into my bag-thingy to pull out my ORTs – I didn’t think I’d been stitching that much – particularly in the last week or so.  But my little ORT jar took a

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-33713032163833401762011-07-30T16:40:00.001-04:002011-07-30T16:40:42.772-04:00

I guess the title is pretty straightforward, right?  Finally, I have gotten my act together and taken a picture of my finish of ‘Life’s A Stitch’.  I’m embarrassed to admit that it’s actually been finished for over a week but I do have a good excuse!!!!!   You see, DH and I (and the boys too) have been avoiding a task for years.  Many years.  Yes, it’s the dreaded toy and crapola purge.  We’ve

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-11760812360053124432011-07-20T17:38:00.001-04:002011-07-20T17:38:53.435-04:00

Last week we went up to the cottage for a week of R&R.  The weather co-operated wonderfully – only the slightest bit of rain the entire week.  My ‘boys’ spent most of the time playing in the boats or the water or just hanging out doing next to nothing.   Naturally, I stitched, when I wasn’t fending off the mosquitoes.  They were bad this year!  DS#1 and I could both be nicknamed mosquito-bait.

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-73629717218851142512011-07-02T16:23:00.001-04:002011-07-02T16:23:02.274-04:00

I’m a wee bit late on posting my July TUSAL, but yesterday was Canada Day (Happy 144th Birthday Canada!) and I spent the majority of the day running hither and yon.  DS#1 was attending a farewell party for a friend who is moving to Australia (!), DS#2 was going camping with his grandparents and DH was trying to get some work done….  Between laundry and packing and driving, TUSAL slipped my mind

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-21352339974510937452011-06-24T16:20:00.001-04:002011-06-24T16:20:59.904-04:00

I know, don’t fall off your chair – it’s a second post in a month.  Amazing, isn’t it?  Things are finally starting to calm down a bit and I’m catching up on things like toilet scrubbing… And blogging….   I had thought that I would be completely finished with work for this school year – I had even gone so far as to scrub my equipment and run things like lab coats through the wash…..  Clearly

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-8786544919299800432011-06-02T20:25:00.001-04:002011-06-02T20:25:25.261-04:00

Um, well, it’s been a while.  The merry month of May has been positively insane around here.  I’ve hardly managed the most basic of blog reading for the last month.  And commenting?  Um, no.   Work has been insane, but in a good way.  I’ve worked like mad and driven over what feels like 90% of the planet.  I work with schools in 5 different school boards, which has me driving as much as 100

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-73478372818805050572011-05-03T22:09:00.002-04:002011-06-02T17:53:03.686-04:00

A quick run around blog-land had me noticing that it’s TUSAL day. You’ll have to forgive the dark pictures – the Scientist was working all day today and couldn’t take a picture until it was dark out. Of course, even if I had taken a picture in daylight, it wouldn’t have been much better – all it seems to do around here is rain, rain and rain some more. Anyway, here’s the jar: There’s

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-57697882179414480952011-04-26T10:58:00.001-04:002011-04-26T10:58:39.220-04:00

No, I have not departed the planet.  I’m still here – just up to my eyeballs in stuff – work mostly, but other things as well.   My job has been unbelievably busy this past month and I’ve been traveling hither and yon with my van full of stuff.  I’ve managed to drop my worms twice (causing them to hide and be invisible for *days* – I thought I’d killed them!).  However, the octopus, squid and

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-45153161358300599362011-04-03T14:38:00.001-04:002011-04-03T14:38:14.486-04:00

Well, times does fly when you’re having fun, doesn’t it?  I have been having fun lately – just not with my needles, floss and fabric…  Work has gone completely insane and outside of weekends, I haven’t had a day off in 3 weeks.  After having had the entire month of January off and only working a few days in February, this has been quite the adjustment!  It’s hard to mind though – it’s fun playing

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-89500411383910328302011-03-04T09:33:00.001-05:002011-03-04T09:33:14.465-05:00

Well, a glance at the calendar reveals that today is the New Moon which equates to TUSAL day….  My ORT jar didn’t take a huge jump this month, as I predicted.  Besides working a lot, I’ve been working hard at revising a *huge* chart for a designer I work with.  It’s been a slow and steady slog to the finish – but it’s almost done now.  I’m mostly double-checking and formatting to make it pretty

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-85854172027871801542011-03-02T11:08:00.001-05:002011-03-02T11:08:45.872-05:00

I’ve been writing this post for the better part of two weeks now.  I’ve been working so much (at more than one of my jobs) that I’ve barely had time to do anything else.  This is a long, picture-heavy post – grab a cup of tea and a warm cat, it’ll take a while to get through it all!   A couple of weekends ago now, we packed up the kids and took them to Ottawa so they could experience Winterlude

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-88300389062546547142011-03-01T15:34:00.001-05:002011-03-01T15:34:47.292-05:00

I was saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Lisa, designer from The Primitive Needle in what can only be described as a tragic accident.  You can see the numbers of people she has touched with her work by the comments on the post Lisa’s daughter wrote early this morning.   While Lisa’s pieces don’t grace my stash, I do appreciate the time, care and talent it took to create them and I’m

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-59182846605688908592011-02-14T10:35:00.001-05:002011-02-14T10:35:09.127-05:00

Thanks to Random.org for their assistance this morning!  (I’m afraid sister-in-laws don’t get special consideration – sorry Em!  Hope you enjoy my blog anyway!)   I think I set a personal record for the most comments on a post!  Thanks to everyone for entering.  I’m really sorry I haven’t got a prize for everyone – I really wish I did!   And without further ado, the winner is:   Jessica @

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-35364529888038421712011-02-07T08:00:00.000-05:002011-02-07T08:00:02.582-05:00

  Just because I’m grateful to everyone who reads and comments on my little blog.  Especially in the last couple of months which have been so challenging for my family.   Just because I’m glad to know you.   Just because I feel like it…..   I’m having a little Valentine Giveaway!   Yes, that’s right.  A giveaway.   What will be in the giveaway?  Well, that’s going to be a surprise.

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-65600187835548883932011-02-03T11:41:00.001-05:002011-02-03T11:41:26.347-05:00

A glance at the calendar today caused me to realize that it’s the New Moon, which means that it’s time for my TUSAL update for this month.   I was surprised when I gathered all my orts up and dropped them into the jar.  I have a little pouch thing (yes, that’s the technical term) that sits on the arm of the couch for collecting my orts as I’m stitching but it’s not clear, so I have to haul my

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-2851226051757975512011-02-02T16:58:00.001-05:002011-02-02T16:58:54.650-05:00

But things just couldn’t last, could they?   My sister-in-law called this morning to tell me that my nephew and his wife had a little baby boy yesterday.  Normally, this is a cause for much rejoicing.  But my newest great-nephew was born at only 25 weeks.  He’s in the NICU at a great hospital and we’re all crossing our fingers and hoping he’ll be okay.  So, if you’ve got a minute or two, spare

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-61630244641493111652011-01-27T20:40:00.001-05:002011-01-27T20:40:18.745-05:00

My creativity has abandoned me for the moment hence the rather uninspiring title…..   Last night I went and picked up Rebecca and I took her off for a nice dinner and some stitching.  Another friend joined us (hi Christine!) and we had a lovely evening sitting and chatting and stitching….  I really, really enjoyed the evening and the company even more.  Thanks so much Rebecca and Christine!  I

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-31417979715001792342011-01-23T15:15:00.001-05:002011-01-23T15:15:04.265-05:00

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I will thank everyone again for all their kind words and thoughts.  You’ve all been a tremendous comfort to me.  I feel lucky to know you all.   On a happier note……   For Christmas this year, my in-laws gave DH and I a little bit of money and an admonishment to use it for something other than bills.  Taking her words to heart, I decided to plan a

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-56778259082450324542011-01-19T09:33:00.001-05:002011-01-19T09:33:39.624-05:00

The last week has been one of the worst ever.  I really, really appreciate all the kind words that I’ve received.  I was never so glad to get to the weekend as I was this past weekend.   Early Monday morning, my mother-in-law called to tell us that her mother had passed away.  Grandma Tice had been suffering from dementia for many years now and didn’t recognize any of us, so it really was the

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-50624020555151682412011-01-11T18:48:00.001-05:002011-01-11T18:48:55.024-05:00

Two funerals in two days.  Please stop.   Thanks. Me.

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-58816863719894632442011-01-06T17:01:00.001-05:002011-01-06T17:01:08.313-05:00

So now that the mailman has finally gotten back to work this week (I swear between Dec. 24 and Jan. 3 he only actually delivered mail twice), something pretty amazing appeared in my mailbox – a package from Silverlotus!   Look what was inside:   Aren’t they the most adorable little creatures?  I’m going to be sorry to pack them away with the Christmas decorations….  I just love them.  

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-58445402589950031822011-01-04T10:06:00.000-05:002011-01-04T10:08:49.669-05:00

So, since it’s fairly certain I’ll have lots more time on my hands for stitching this year, I decided to join a completely fun and a little bit silly SAL:   If you don’t know what the TUSAL is, basically you keep your ORTs and photograph them every new moon.  It’s being hosted by It’s Daffycat.  You can still sign up if you’re interested.  There’s even going to be prizes (talk about generous

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-29495864588965009662010-12-30T13:00:00.001-05:002010-12-30T13:00:14.649-05:00

Things have been pretty crazy around here since I last posted.  Getting ready for the holidays seems to steal all my free time for things like blogging, but I don’t really mind….   I had to work for a few days in December but once that was done, I chained myself to the stove and churned out a *ton* of baking.  This year I made 4 loaves of buttermilk bread, 4 loaves of multigrain bread, 4

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-57447942759067225002010-12-06T12:06:00.001-05:002010-12-06T12:06:39.469-05:00

I’m not quite sure how we managed it, but we wrangled an entire weekend at home this past weekend.  Usually this time of year it just doesn’t happen and DH and I were both a bit shocked to look at the calendar and see it devoid of things to do.   Not wanting to waste a golden opportunity, I spent the weekend doing a pile of things – working on our Christmas cards (not quite finished, but they’

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-79475898527597463142010-11-30T16:04:00.001-05:002010-11-30T16:04:47.098-05:00

When I was down at Stitching Jubilee this past October, I got introduced to the neatest, handiest tool for making cording:     I have one of the cording drill things from Kreinik and it works really well.  However, I personally have always struggled to make a cord with more than 2 colours with it and I was always rounding up volunteers (a.k.a. my kids) to help me make cords.  They don’t mind

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-19918938263280956752010-11-24T09:21:00.001-05:002010-11-24T09:21:08.276-05:00

Last night I decided to take the night off from the model (it’s *this* close to being finished) and I dug into my pile ‘o stash and came up with two ornaments that I felt like stitching.  These aren’t part of my ornament club – they’re just other patterns that were sitting around….   What amazed me is that in just a few hours, I actually managed to finish both of them.  That just never happens

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-52942093133369696252010-11-20T20:19:00.001-05:002010-11-20T20:19:20.946-05:00

Thanks for all the well wishes about my recent funk that I’ve been in.  I’m still in it, but have determined that I’m not going to inflict my bad mood upon others.  I’m sure I’ll pull out of this eventually.   In the meantime, I found this little Q&A over at Caring Stitcher who got it via Stitchitandie and apparently I’ve caught it too…..   1. What are you stitching at the moment?  

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-68612651435900814972010-11-13T12:51:00.001-05:002010-11-13T12:51:11.943-05:00

It’s rather amazing how if you get completely shaken up and uprooted in one area of your life (particularly when it is completely unexpected and through no fault of your own…), it shakes something loose in other areas…..   I’ve had a bad case of finish-itis:   Happy Halloween Whispered by the Wind Freebie Stitched on mystery 28-count linen with DMC and GAST   The pattern originally

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-71199853619528832322010-11-11T07:17:00.001-05:002010-11-11T07:17:52.028-05:00

    In Flanders fields the poppies blow       Between the crosses, row on row,    That mark our place; and in the sky    The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.   We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,    Loved and were loved, and now we lie,          In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-32033159677434154002010-11-08T09:13:00.001-05:002010-11-08T09:13:03.489-05:00

I’ve been terribly misbehaved since the CreativFestival.  All I’ve been stitching is projects from the Festival.  But, the break from models has done me good and I’m looking forward to returning to the models again – especially the one that is pretty close to being finished!   I was blissfully working away on the ‘Live Fully’ sampler from Dragon Dreams that Jen taught at the Festival.  I made

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-17464212389941126762010-11-02T12:07:00.001-04:002010-11-02T12:07:54.039-04:00

I tripped my way down to the mailbox today only to find it stuffed to the gills.  And for a change, it wasn’t bills!   I was lucky enough to win Day 20 of the 31 Days of Halloween Giveaway that Missy Ann and Annette hosted over at their respective blogs.  Today my package arrived (which I swear is a record – things from the US usually take months!)….  Here’s what I received:   A gorgeously

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-45945799240867343412010-10-31T12:19:00.001-04:002010-10-31T12:19:24.740-04:00

As I wander my home, there are certain signs to tell me that Samhain arrives tonight….   Broom Hilda and her companion Fat Cat are roosting on the stairs…   Spiders and bats have found temporary homes dangling from the ceiling… The local shopkeepers are open….    And the outside of the house is ready too!   First, we buried Cousin Jake and his friend, Lester Moore:   And

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-87858702782968583992010-10-26T22:32:00.001-04:002010-10-26T22:32:26.518-04:00

Yes, you read that right – finishes.  As in more than one.  Scary, isn’t it?   I spent this past weekend at the CreativFestival stitching my heart out.  It was wonderful to spend 4 days stitching and catching up with old friends.  I enjoyed every single class I took this year.   And believe it or not, I’ve already finished 3 projects from the Festival.  Granted, they’re small projects, but

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-3144788448526939232010-10-21T21:44:00.001-04:002010-10-21T21:44:24.489-04:00

I’m still stunned.  I’ve tried to enter the 31 Days of Halloween Giveaway over at Missy Ann and Annette’s blogs as often as I can (but I missed a whole pile of days while I was down in Lancaster at Stitching Jubilee).  I didn’t really think I’d win anything and it’s fun just to look at all the lovely things they’ve been making and giving away.  Isn’t it wonderful to see such generosity of time,

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-40218454015456919992010-10-04T17:26:00.001-04:002010-10-04T17:26:20.709-04:00

But been too afraid to know where to start?  Well, have I got a giveaway for you.  Go visit Jane over at The Chilly Hollow Needlepoint Adventure and leave a comment on this post.  Jane is giving away a canvas complete with stitch guide.  Hurry – your name needs to be in today.  (and yes, I should have posted this earlier – I forgot, ‘K?)   And don’t forget to go visit the 31 Days of Halloween

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-14000292381747486622010-10-02T15:02:00.001-04:002010-10-02T15:02:25.057-04:00

I don’t have a ton of time – we’re leaving soon to go to the in-laws to celebrate an early Thanksgiving (for Canadians, Thanksgiving is next Monday – Oct. 11).   I spent most of today cleaning carpets – we’re in the midst of re-doing DS#2’s room and since we had all his crap, um really important stuff dumped out of his room (and all over every other square inch of the house it seems), I decided

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-46696356761364670992010-10-01T12:26:00.001-04:002010-10-01T12:26:22.811-04:00

Um, so, would the person who stole September please give it back?  I’m not done with it yet.   October is going to be a crazy, crazy month.  I’m starting to wonder just what I’ve gotten myself into….  I’m going to Lancaster for Stitching Jubilee, albeit as an employee rather than a stitcher.  I’ll be working in Enchanting Lair’s booth.  I’m really looking forward to seeing an American-style

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-32419462412383073452010-09-16T15:26:00.001-04:002010-09-16T15:30:54.111-04:00

I’ve been thinking about what to blog about for a few days and I really couldn’t cobble together any one thing that was even marginally interesting – so we’re going the route of randomness.  It’s all I’ve got….   Random thing #1:  As I’ve been wandering through my house, I’ve been discovering things that we picked up while we were on holiday.  It’s been fun re-discovering some things….   I

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-35578449761575887752010-09-10T09:55:00.001-04:002010-09-10T09:55:22.105-04:00

Well, now that our trip is over, the kids are back in school and work hasn’t really started up for me just yet, I’m finally getting some time to get back to stitching.   I have actually finished something recently!  I actually started this while we were driving home from Seattle and then I finished it up shortly after we got home:     This is the Brittercrip ornament from the JCS ornament

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-11630246989455956202010-09-09T19:59:00.001-04:002010-09-09T19:59:01.889-04:00

Let’s see – I last left us in Victoria…..   After I got my turn to shop in the Needlework shop we found, it was time to continue on our journey.  We hopped on a (very, very rough) ferry to Port Angeles, crossing the US border into Washington.  We continued on to Seattle and stayed with another of DH’s cousins.  The next morning we were up early and after finding the mecca that is Starbucks (I

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-64564995803187956282010-08-25T19:05:00.001-04:002010-08-25T19:05:34.351-04:00

I’m playing with using Windows Live Write to post to the blog.  Excuse the test post.  I’ll be back soon with something far more interesting…..

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-11333686738572396332010-07-31T00:14:00.028-04:002010-07-31T01:47:04.179-04:00

Let's see... I think I'm in Montana.....It's been crazy since I last posted - we've been so busy! Many late nights and early mornings and some very spotty Internet connections.... I haven't been able to get on-line to do more than read my e-mail in quite a while. I did manage to get the proof for the Fall issue of ANPT and I actually did my proofing while we were driving to Whistler! How's

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-54079450722231112792010-07-21T01:24:00.026-04:002010-07-21T02:09:59.374-04:00

Pictures, pictures and pictures....Today we've made it to Merritt, BC. We spent most of the day driving along the Okanagan Valley and only really stopped for food and the odd bit of sightseeing....Since my Internet connection didn't permit me to upload many pictures yesterday, I'm going to try and upload a bunch of pictures today of our adventures over the last few days....Both DS' inside the

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-10266143388803609452010-07-20T01:31:00.012-04:002010-07-20T02:20:28.034-04:00

We're Golden....Or at least we're in Golden, BC...It's been a little while since I've posted - mostly because we've had no Internet connection. We have been busy though!After we left Dinosaur Provincial Park, we drove to our hotel and collapsed into bed. The next day we were up early and our first stop was here:This is the World's Largest Dinosaur statue. It's huge. We could actually climb up

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-87715292889313764162010-07-15T00:53:00.020-04:002010-07-21T02:10:32.750-04:00

DrumhellerNo, I'm not using bad language. It's where we are presently. Go check out the map here. How did we get here? We drove. Then we drove some more. Then, we drove some more. Then we drove. Then we crossed the border back into Canada. Then we drove some more. Then we drove some more. Then we drove some more. Then we slept. Then we woke up. Then we drove.So, do you think we've

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-17082098778020767532010-07-13T00:08:00.005-04:002010-07-21T02:10:32.750-04:00

Oh. My. Gosh.I've been to heaven.(Unfortunately, due to an incredibly slow Internet connection, that's all you get tonight - more the next time I've got Internet access.... Driving back to Canada tomorrow - 12 - 14 hours of driving....*bleck*)

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-87574531545206662552010-07-11T22:13:00.011-04:002010-07-11T22:51:14.568-04:00

Somewhere between here and there....Our holiday is finally underway and we have been BUSY! We left our home on Friday afternoon, amid rain and thundershowers and drove like mad for 5 or 6 hours to get to Sudbury. This may seem like an odd spot to stop, but we really did have a purpose.....Saturday morning had us up bright (well, maybe not *that* bright) and early and we headed off to the main

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-8185230919178135732010-07-06T09:24:00.018-04:002010-07-06T11:24:21.011-04:00

Busy, Busy, Busy.....Time just keeps flying on by - and even though school is now finished and my Scientist work has wrapped for the school year, I seem to be just as busy as before. How does that happen?There has been a little excitement here in this neck of the woods - both of my DS' graduated from their respective schools last week. DS#1 is off to highschool in September while DS#2 is

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-5379717666555422792010-06-22T17:56:00.007-04:002010-06-22T18:38:22.819-04:00

I haven't posted since March????It's been a very long time since I posted here but it hasn't been due to a lack of desire, but more due to a lack of time! Lots of things have been happening around here - with the usual mix of happy and sad that seems to occur in everyone's life...Gitta's Getaway went really well. You can reall all about it here. Folks were very happy and seem to have enjoyed

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-61750638802651661472010-03-22T10:19:00.009-04:002010-03-22T10:36:19.564-04:00

All work and no play........make me a *very* bad blogger and a very dull stitcher....I've spent most of the last 6 weeks working almost daily. It's been crazy. For the first time ever I had a couple of bookings over March Break as well. I have had the odd day off here and there, but for the most part it's been nose-to-the-grindstone working. I added another topic to my science roster - one

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-90764942991450520842010-02-27T12:49:00.007-05:002010-02-27T13:13:51.184-05:00

This, that and the other thing....Life continues to run at hyper-speed around here - and add in a whole lot of another trip down how-sick-can-she-get lane and I'm almost at the end of my rope. On the up side, things surely have to improve from here - I can't believe they're going to be much worse.There's not been a ton of stitching going on, but I realized today that I do have a couple of

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-54199810493734282442010-02-22T19:17:00.004-05:002010-02-22T19:34:07.320-05:00

Well.The last month seems to have dashed by at hyper-speed. I have been working as 'Scientist Erica' almost daily for the month and it's been exhausting to say the least. Add in all the kids evening activities plus the addition of a winter concert (DS#1), an application workshop for middle school (DS#2), teacher appreciation luncheon (DS#2's school), stuff for the Getaway...... I'm rather

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-50833303419768223872010-01-31T16:54:00.006-05:002010-01-31T17:05:06.807-05:00

IngredientsStart off with a cold, snowy Sunday with DH and both boys off snowboarding & skiing for the day.Rummage around in the stash cupboard and unearth this:A trip around web-world leads to this handy-dandy tutorial. Which leads me to wonder, could I do it?Next, drag the idiot, ancient, only-sews-when-its-in-the-mood sewing machine downstairs and set it up (back ache provided at no extra

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-40473616522202985072010-01-25T14:21:00.005-05:002010-01-25T14:35:17.727-05:00

First Finish of 2010I think I set a personal record - I don't believe I've ever actually finished something in January... Starting something? Sure. Finished it within January, not so much....Ebb Tide by Northern Pine DesignsStitched on recommended canvaswith recommended fibres (DMC, RG, ThreadworX, Leah's Overdyed, Kreinik Metallic)I really enjoyed this piece, but found a good number of errors

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-26943621965636961082010-01-05T09:31:00.009-05:002010-01-05T09:51:59.742-05:00

New Year, New Projects, New Finishes!Well, it seems everything is all shiny and new over here in my little corner of the planet.....We had a pretty busy Christmas and New Year - running between family get-togethers and whatnot. The few times we were home, I elected to spend my time with my boys and DH rather than the computer. We had some great days playing the new games that Santa brought.I

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-33153796256412082932009-12-19T12:44:00.006-05:002009-12-19T13:04:41.507-05:00

The Olympic Torch Comes to VisitWith the Vancouver Olympics fast approaching, the Olympic Torch is making its way westwards back to Vancouver. Last night it stopped in my hometown and naturally, we had to go check out all the action.We met up with two of the mascots (Miga - the black one who is an apparent snowboarder and Quatchi - the big brown furry one who is a hockey player!):There were some

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-65246468941568824592009-12-16T21:36:00.010-05:002009-12-16T22:05:25.227-05:00

Pretty things and some BIG news!I have been pretty busy trying to get ready for Christmas - the tree is up but is lacking decorations. DH managed to get the lights on last night, but nothing else has made it out of the bins just yet. I'm baking like a madwoman - so far I've made 4 batches of fudge (2 peppermint, 1 cookies 'n creme & 1 chocolate orange), 1 batch of pumpkin gingerbread (yielding

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-5613241464908532082009-12-09T09:19:00.005-05:002009-12-09T09:32:13.576-05:00

The Big 1-0!'Tis a happy day in my little part of the world. We're celebrating one of the most special days in our little family's life. Today, my miracle baby turns 10. I look back at what we were looking at 10 years ago today:I vividly remember looking at my little boy in his oxygen helmet and thinking 'You're alive, little one!' and being so full of joy and relief. I know the night after

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-38784756311709602822009-11-22T12:10:00.010-05:002009-11-22T12:45:53.795-05:00

Here, there and everywhere....I've been a terribly absent blogger, but not due to lack of desire - more due to a lack of time. My November working as Scientist Erica has been really, really busy. I've only had the odd day off here and there the whole month and on those rare days off, I've spent them catching up with all the stuff that just accumulates - laundry, groceries, cleaning, etc. All

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-21584424565764440462009-10-31T14:37:00.013-04:002009-10-31T15:08:37.502-04:00

Samhain ComethHappy Halloween to one and all!Time seems to just be galloping along and here I sit on Halloween finishing off my decorations, carving pumpkins and rejoicing in the coming of a New Year.The house is decorated:There's more to be added as we get closer to darkness, but most things are out now. I just need to add everything that lights up!Callie has found her favourite lap. She's

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-74042714030484279642009-10-24T13:16:00.008-04:002009-10-24T14:31:32.922-04:00

What a Festival!This past Festival was so eventful for me, I'm not entirely sure just where to begin! When I last posted here the day before the Festival was to begin, I envisioned 5 days of stitching, shopping, relaxing and catching up with friends.I should have known better.Did everyone hear that little explosion around 8am on Wednesday, October 14th? No? You didn't hear the screaming and

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-30319880776070472932009-10-13T16:28:00.005-04:002009-10-13T16:32:47.825-04:00

It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Festival...............The CreativFestival starts on Wednesday (for classes anyway, the retail portion of the Festival doesn't start until Friday)..... My living room presently looks like this:Why? Well let's see - 3 designers have shipped a variety of things to me and I drive them down to the Festival (since I'm going there anyway, I may as well make myself

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-78983358148808083582009-10-05T19:53:00.004-04:002009-10-05T19:58:12.173-04:00

Another Blog Giveaway...This time I'm posting about someone else's blog giveaway. There is a HUGE, over-the-top generous blog giveaway over at Annette's Acre. Do go see her and leave a comment. Below is just one picture of a small portion of the things she's giving away! Go check it out!

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-32605575846956561082009-10-01T09:01:00.002-04:002009-10-01T09:10:25.700-04:00

I Have A Confession To Make.....I hope everyone will forgive me for this. You see, I posted a little bit ago that I had a single copy of the JCS Halloween issue up for grabs. I'm afraid the jig is up, and I have to confess. I lied.I actually have 5 copies. :-)So, would the following people, please send me your snail mail address offline (e-mail me at e k i l l i n s @ r o g e r s . c o m -

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-86036250744686240362009-09-24T09:14:00.005-04:002009-09-24T09:24:13.056-04:00

Happy Dancing!Yes! Finally finished the model and just to celebrate, I finished stitching this too:Halloween by La-D-Dafrom the 2009 Halloween JCS IssueStitched on random linen using GAST Raven & Burnt OrangeShockingly, I didn't have any Belle Soie in my stash, so I just rummaged through the GAST pile and found those two colours. I'm very happy with how it turned out. It still needs ironing

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-17751409332865051612009-09-20T12:32:00.006-04:002009-09-20T12:38:09.656-04:00

Giveaway Alert, Giveaway Alert!Well, it appears my memory is post-stamp sized and I've found myself with a duplicate copy of this (I guess I really wanted it!):Since I really don't need two of them, my second copy is up for grabs. Just leave a comment on this post (and only this post) before Wednesday, September 30, 2009. I'll randomly draw a winner on October 1st. I'd appreciate it if you

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-83378412141434894902009-09-20T12:17:00.005-04:002009-09-20T12:32:02.747-04:00

Catching Up....As usual, I'm running behind and trying frantically to catch up. There's something about back-to-school that just makes it worse - and here we are at the end of the second week of school!We are all adjusting to having a regular schedule again after a very long summer - 10 weeks of summer vacation was just a little too long somehow. Neither of my boys were completely thrilled to

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-20891951078519787382009-08-25T11:46:00.012-04:002009-08-25T12:33:44.025-04:00

What Have I Been Up To?It's a question I frequently ask myself somedays......Things have been busy here since we got back from our camping trip. DS#1 left for Scout camp the day after we got back from the family camping trip. It was a challenge to unpack, do his laundry, re-pack the things he'd need for his week away and be out the door the next day, but we did manage. It's a bit of a blur,

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-4662923548717717902009-08-16T13:45:00.009-04:002009-08-16T14:16:54.084-04:00

Well, it wasn't much of an adventure....The Traveling Project has returned after another adventure out in the wild. Sadly, this trip didn't really agree with the project overly much. We departed home last Saturday and drove into rain. Lots and lots of rain. It alternately poured and sprinkled, poured and sprinkled the whole way to the campground. It let up for just long enough at the gate

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-20470202950387498352009-08-06T10:00:00.004-04:002009-08-06T10:12:35.156-04:00

13 years ago today.....This little person entered our world - with no little ceremony.....It's hard to contemplate just how much change has happened in the intervening years - but here's the proof:He's not so little anymore (as I noticed when I bought him Men's size 8 shoes just two days ago!), but he's still a sweetheart. It's so wonderful to watch the person he's becoming, to watch him find

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-31751700977466368372009-08-01T23:10:00.003-04:002009-08-01T23:44:06.613-04:00

Some questions to make you think....I found this over on Musings from a Three Bedroom Ranch. Definitely worth answering, if only so I try to verbalize my love of this art form....1)Why do you stitch?Because it is my craft, my art, my way of expressing my need to be creative, even if I'm only copying patterns someone else made. And maybe too, because I can't live happily without it.You see, I

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-88394812222808266562009-07-27T14:16:00.015-04:002009-07-27T15:26:30.697-04:00

On the road again.....(sorry for the bad Willie Nelson reference....)The project has had an exceptionally busy few days, going out and about in society, as it were.First off, last Thursday (I know, but I was busy getting ready to go!), the project had the chance to go to the drive in movie theater that's about a 1/2 hr. drive away. It really, really, really wanted to see the newest installment

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-64091710557265724862009-07-23T08:54:00.005-04:002009-07-23T09:14:34.103-04:00

It's me, I'm sure it's me.....The traveling project had a little adventure last weekend. We headed down to my in-laws house to go the rodeo:Because we went to the Saturday night show, the light went early, so the project chose to stay in the van rather than come up to the grandstand. The rodeo was lots of fun though. Well run and things moved quickly. Much fun was had all around. I didn't

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-59548316474217468232009-07-17T10:26:00.006-04:002009-07-17T10:47:15.366-04:00

The Traveling Project's First Adventure...We got kind of a late start heading to the cottage as it seemed to just take us *forever* to get packed and loaded. You'd think we were going away for years instead of just 1 week.... But anyway, we were finally off around 10:30 in the morning and I pulled out the Traveling Project. I got lots of curious looks from other drivers as we wove our way

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-71256626777603035942009-07-16T09:15:00.008-04:002009-07-16T09:45:23.612-04:00

Home again, home again, jiggity jog....Well, we made it home late last night after a relatively nice week at the cottage. The weather wasn't the greatest - I think there's something horribly wrong with wearing jeans and sweaters in the middle of July! - but we did manage to enjoy ourselves nonetheless.I noticed that Silverlotus received the blog giveaway prize that I sent her just before we

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-25536889890039226372009-07-09T09:00:00.001-04:002009-07-09T09:00:06.874-04:00

It's ready...It's on the Q-snap, it got a brand new pretty bag to carry it around, methinks my travelling project is ready for action!

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-3168912208106708732009-07-08T11:19:00.011-04:002009-07-08T11:59:18.293-04:00

In which much is accomplished in a short time....Since my last post, I really got down to business and I'm happily surprised at just how much I have managed to accomplish in the last week...First off, I finished the model I was doing for X's and Oh's. While this piece is not to my personal taste, I did find the fabric choice wonderful and it certainly stitched up quickly. I accepted this

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-44192689460679831862009-06-30T10:20:00.010-04:002009-06-30T11:08:34.394-04:00

So, we've been a little busy......Looking back over photographs we've taken in the last 18 months (um, we kinda forget to actually take the photographs somewhere to be printed on actual paper....), I realized that June has been quite busy in our little neck of the woods....First, my nephew got married (he's the dude in the tux and he's standing with my parents and his new wife):It was a day

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-86991016134036417742009-06-12T09:11:00.004-04:002009-06-12T09:20:31.192-04:00

Are we jinxed?I'm starting to wonder if there's some kind of finger-injury hex hanging over our house....DS#1 was picked up from school on Wednesday afternoon because he'd hurt his finger. Apparently, when in a group, 12-year-old boys act like idiots (not a real surprise, but anyway...). They were 'playing' (notice the quotes) tug-of-war with DS#1's hat (why, I'll never know). Somehow it

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-82306073863194966542009-06-01T09:40:00.003-04:002009-06-01T09:47:27.078-04:00

I filled out a very important form this morning....After waiting countless years for this, today I have applied to finally get my birth information. I have been waiting over 15 years to find this information. I have already found out most info through other means, but now I can get my original birth registration that will contain my birth parents names. This is a good day that is a long time

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-86846055858578337042009-05-31T20:14:00.004-04:002009-05-31T20:26:17.034-04:00

OwI've discovered the hard way that washing machines bite. Without provocation either. I was just asking it to wash some clothes. Look what it did to my pinky....It's going all black and hurts like heck. The lid slammed down unexpectedly when I reached into the laundry basket to grab some clothes for the washer to wash. I never would have dreamed something so minor could hurt so bloody much!

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-74144619290878525612009-05-26T19:45:00.006-04:002009-05-26T20:20:32.604-04:00

Yikes!Has it really been over a month since I last posted? I hadn't noticed how time has been speeding by me. Although, to be fair, I've spent most of the last month sicker than a dog, so my perception of time is likely off....May has been quite a busy month work-wise as I've been doing lots of workshops for Scientists in School. Just last week I finished the 9th workshop in a row of my newest

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-3580165837585747712009-04-23T14:08:00.008-04:002009-04-23T14:37:32.306-04:00

See what happens when one project frustrates me?5 dishcloths later (yes, I know, they need their ends sewn in and some washing and blocking) and I figured I was ready to get back to some stitching. My gift project was still glowering at me from a corner, so first I went off and finished this:Damsel's Dozen by Dragon DreamsStitched on stitchband with recommended fibresThis was a class piece from

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-4734973502509716872009-04-06T22:21:00.002-04:002009-04-06T22:25:24.324-04:00

AAARRRGGGHHH!Do you ever have one of *those* projects that no matter how nice to speak to it, or how nice you treat it, all it wants to do is play with the frogs? So far, I've started it. Three times. Three separate times. Over one. On 32-ct. Someone shoot me.It wouldn't be so bad, but I'm stitching a gift. The project won't listen. I fear this project may never get finished at this

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-31224728686851595322009-03-22T15:45:00.011-04:002009-03-22T17:02:26.935-04:00

March Break Madness....Well, okay, it's not going to be about basketball. I'm more of a hockey girl.But, it is going to be about needlework!!!!! (and there's lots of pictures, so my apologies in advance!)This past week our local historical site, called Black Creek Pioneer Village was open for the first time during March Break. Their season generally runs from May until December, so it was a

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-52068740599698984332009-03-14T19:36:00.002-04:002009-03-14T19:42:16.600-04:00

It's a sad day today.....Today we're all a bit sad around here for we woke this morning to find one of our furry family members had crossed over the rainbow bridge.Our little Joey (a.k.a. Joey-the-wonder-hamster) passed suddenly in the early hours this morning. He'd been with us for a year and a half and we will miss him dearly. He came to us as the result of a friend 'upgrading' to a guinea

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-37120605728103230852009-02-23T22:06:00.003-05:002009-02-23T22:10:41.060-05:00

I just wanna do this......because a much-favoured not-so-LNS is closing.....Read all the bad news here.I have shopped at this store for many, many years - never in person, but on-line. Their service was great, their attention to detail excellent and their overall kindness wonderful. I'm going to really, really, really miss this shop.What does this say about the industry I love so dearly? It

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-57702799978774339052009-02-13T18:55:00.012-05:002009-02-13T19:37:28.235-05:00

News and views on a Friday....(apologies in advance for the super-heavy picture load!)It has been a super busy week in this neck of the woods. Most notably I helped put on a Teacher Appreciation Luncheon at DS#2's school. This year we went Italian and had lasagna, a tomato cream pasta and a fettuccine alfredo. I made 3 lasagnas, a double batch of cookies (Teresa Wentzler's Frosted Lime Cookies

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-17491111114329103052009-02-07T11:15:00.006-05:002009-02-07T11:23:48.383-05:00

And the winner is................(Thanks to random.org for it's random help!)If you can't read who won, I'm happy to say the winner is Silverlotus! Go visit her blog. She's got the cutest little boy and some wonderful stitching and knitting too. I've even had the pleasure of meeting her in person. So, Heather, please e-mail me at (you'll need to remove spaces) e k i l l i n s @ r o g e r s .

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-44893006290103329342009-01-29T11:45:00.003-05:002009-01-29T11:53:13.839-05:00

100th Post Party!Never in a million years did I think this blogging thing would stick. And yet, here I am today writing my 100th post.First off - whether this is your first time here or your 5th, I want to say thank you for staying with me. I know I'm not the most exciting blogger on the planet. I appreciate you spending any time here at all. There are just so many great blogs out there. I

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-50892654134700362132009-01-19T10:02:00.005-05:002009-01-19T10:23:02.449-05:00

Am I a *real* Scientist?That seems to have been the top question I've been asked this past week. You might remember that I'm a presenter with Scientists in School - a company that brings science workshops to children in Kindergarten through Grade 8. I present a workshop on Force to Grade 3 students. I think last week set a record for how many times I was asked if I was a real Scientist. Then

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074849.post-49756844808926810802008-12-31T17:00:00.003-05:002008-12-31T17:22:03.543-05:00

Looking back and looking forwardI've done a little blog-surfing today and seem to have gotten caught up in the idea of a yearly review or recap. I've dug through my computer and realized, I've had a pretty busy year in the stitching world....Let's see, what did I finish?- 7 models stitched (5 for ANPT, 1 for Enchanting Lair & 1 for Dragon Dreams)- Christmas Biscornu (freebie from Aurelle)-

Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289230352149341542noreply@blogger.com0