It's been a while since I last wrote here, but it's been very busy. I've gradually reduced participation in groups to just a couple, and I've even hit the "delete" button for one more group last week. Some time ago I realized how much time I spend on the computer daily - partly because of work, partly because of cross stitch and other browsing, but I felt it was insane. I decided to keep a better contact with persons I like and want to keep contact with, be it just by reading their blogs, instead of reading xxxx messages without much content, and wow! It worked. I feel I've never feel inspired more by other people's finishes, I learn a lot, some blogs are inspiring in other ways, and I went back to other passions such as cooking. Ah yes, I checked descriptions of needle felting on the web. No, it doesn't sound like something I would like to master. The result is awesome, but the technique doesn't appeal very much to me, I mean, this is not something I would like to do all day LOL!
Anyway, work slowed down to zero yesterday so I have no excuse not to write :)
H. flew in from Norway last Wednesday and left Sunday evening. Relationship-wise, this was not the best stay. We kept mini-quarelling all the time. I was nervous during all his stay for reasons related to myself, something I haven't done and which was very important to me before he came. I know, what I write doesn't make sense but I won't say more in this blog ;-). The second reason was that my devil cat queen decided to show H. a small sample of her capacities. I can't count how many times he got scratched or bitten without any reason (seen from a human's side). What can I say, he continually moved his fingers in front of her head when he reached for things around, and that is a big no-no in Toska's life. She hates that and attacks. Well, she has changed a bit - she doesn't use nails anymore and her biting is not very serious, but once in a while, when she is very angry, she uses all her weapons in ways only cat have mastered :). I remember once H. was just sitting on the couch and working on his laptop and Toska attacked out of the blue. So, the conflict between us is about her. He said I didn't consult him when I took her from the shelter (not true, I did) and that she gives nothing out of herself. Well, yes, she doesn't. But for zillions reasons only real cat and dog lovers understand, I love her and she's not moving out, no way. He did not suggest that at all, but the problem we're facing is my 2 months summer stay in Norway this year. Last year I flew there only with Happy (our lovely dog), but this time Toska can't stay at my aunt because she's made a hard life to the other cats there, plus my aunt now has two more rescued young cats and she can't expose them to Toskas's bad behavior. I know she would take her if I ask, but I know how hard it was last summer and I don't want to expose her to that. One of her cats even stopped coming home for the period my devil cat was there. And no, I won't put her to pension for 2 months, that's much too long for a cat, and especially for her. Problem: so far H. says he doesn't want her at his home. He says he sees no good in her. And she really didn't make it easy for him to love her this time :). She even attacked his feet under the bed cover at night! LOL In one word, I am unsure what to do. Probably - I know my man, he has a golden heart and this is the first time he says a firm No to something, but that will pass - he will accept her. I did all the expensive blood tests for Happy last year so I don't have to repeat it this year, but I have to pay for Toska's. She is already chipped. However, bringing them both for just two months is a costly experience. I know I love animals too much. I often say I hope a poor homeless doggie doesn't cross my way in the streets, I would have to take care of her. I say "her", because Happy wouldn't accept any male dog in here, so at least that reduces possibilities by 50%.
Otherwise we did a lot while H. was here. At home we installed a new Microsoft ergonomic keyboard and it's taken me several days to get accustomed to the new model, and H. spent long hours changing things in my computer network and the configuration of my computers/laptop. He gave me a better videco card, new hard drives and external boxes, all that was a lot to do. We had a lovely Mexican dinner out in our favorite restaurant, two dinners in our fav' Chinese place, went twice shopping to the new center that's been opened downtown only last week, bought a card for the laptop so I can have a 3G/EDGE/GPRS connection while traveling, etc. On Sunday, just before lunch and leaving for the airport, we took Happy for a long walk in town and I showed H. some streets he hasn't seen before, of historical interest. It was an extremely lovely walk in winter sun. Snow has melted but it wasn't very cold and sunny at the same time.
I am planning to visit my father, not sure when exactly, possibly in a week or two. His wife will be away the first part of March, she loves to go to the mountains in Zakopane with a friend at this time of the year. I believe it's a tradition they both had since 30 years at least, or maybe more, since I remember they studied medicine together :). If I visit my father while she's away, he'll feel less lonely :) and we have a job to do: he found more family pictures we need to go through together (he describes them to me and I note it down) so he can add some of them to the memories book he's writing and I can take the photos. I'm sort of the family repository for photos. I usually scan a big part and send a CD with them to my brother and other interested persons.
No stitching news really. I haven't picked up my needle since a week. I couldn't resist and ordered several charts from the Market. Sorry, dear credit card, but you'll have to starve! LOL Especially when I saw the new Carriage House Samplings charts, I knew I have to stitch them right away. I won't receive my orders before 10 days at least because the store owners will only receive some charts later this week.
Tomorrow, I'll put the last stitches on the french Christmas sampler and start stitching the French Easter swap for my partner, maybe. Or something totally else! LOL because there is still time :)
I also spent time updating my wishlist. I took off dozens of older charts I'll maybe find cheap one day on ebay and uploaded newer ones. I don't think I'll ever be able to get all of them but at least I can dream away! :)
I've uploaded some pictures here from H's stay. Most show the new shopping center opened last week. It is an amazing structure which the photos don't show. The roof is made of millions of glass prisms and it looks like a moving wave seen from the exterior. I read this is the first structure of this type in the world. A similar one exists in the British museum but only consists of one dome, here there are seven interconnected. It looks amazing from the outside. I found two pictures here and here. Mine only show it from the inside and don't show the structure well anyway. And we were stopped by a guard who said it's forbidden to take photos (heavens know why!) so I can't show the funny, modern stairs and other parts of the place.
H. will be here next Wednesday night for four days, I can't wait :). Already planning how to use that time in a lovely way.
To the persons I haven't replied to - I spent a big part of the day in bed with a stomach bug (ouch!) which ruined my plans, I will do my best to reply to late emails this week-end.
In the world of cross-stitch, I finished my first Pay it Forward to a secret person (for the moment), but I can't show it before that person receives it. I *think* she will like it and I *think* she will be very surprised. Plus, the giftie is not cross-stitched but ------ed, and has been chosen so it matches her love for ---- :)
Second, I'm coming close to an idea about what to stitch for the French blogger's Easter exchange (Paquoswap) and I should start working on it this week-end. I still can't decide between two very different projects. I checked my partner's blog every days and it's not easy to know what might suit her tastes, really. I can't even see any cross-stitch on her blog, but a different craft (don't want to reveal more so she can't recognize herself - just in case, because I don't think she'll read this - the person we send to is not the person who sends to us).
Third, my French Christmas is almost, almost half way done but I was too sick today to take a good shot. Tomorrow is also a day ;-)
Fourth, the new spring exchanges in our Prairie Schooler group. We're working on them with Linda and I hope to announce them very soon. I look forward to participating myself!
And fifth, the Prairie Schooler stocking contest -one more person signed in the database, so maybe the contest will be organized, after all. I'll wait to know before I start designing the stocking myself, I have tons to stitch this spring!
Lastly, sixth, I decided to stitch a little Easter napkin for my aunt (I'll be spending Easter with them). She loves my work and I know it's in good hands each time I offer her a cross-stitched something :)
I read about yesterday's Japanese tradition, the Hariukuyo. Some sites call it the Festival of Broken Needles, others the Memorial for Used needles. What a lovely tradition! You can read more about it here . And here, you can see some pictures: http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/51,60153,3905918.html?i=1 and http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/51,60153,3905918.html?i=0
Still thinking about that... shouldn't we all feel thankful to our scissors, needles and other tools for all the work they delivered? Hah! :)
I felt for reorganizing my kitchen and deep cleaning (or spring cleaning or whatever we can call it LOL). Looks like new again! :)
I was just mentioning to someone that I need to get hold soon of a book about needle felting. I have no idea how hard or easy that technique is, but after seing the little jewels this French stitcher (yes!) makes, I can't resist it long.
See for yourself on her blog, and be sure to scroll back in time...
Wow is all I'll say!
I am a |
Here's what made my day today. I slept on the couch a couple of hours only last night because I had work to do. Then Toska-the-cat felt for playing and scratched down the cover from the couch. Then Happy went in between the cover sheets and got tangled, couldn't get out and I had to call him loud a couple of times: then he found his way out immediately! Pets... :)
Before the end of last year I signed up to receive a little smthg stitched by Mary Kathryn and I posted my own offer, alas noone answered, but then it was that busy period of the year, with Christmas glooming and all :) Not the best time to plan new projects, I know. By know the little game has become widely popular. I thought I'd repeat my offer again now, so if anyone is interested, let me know via the comments section!
The first five people to respond to this post -via the comments section- will get some form of needlework made by me. After you comment, please email me your regular mail address (to fjordgirl at gmail dot com). I’m setting a 365 day deadline but I'll certainly try to send your items much, much earlier ;-)
The rules? If you sign up to receive from me, you must post the same Pay it forward offer in your blog so the idea goes on! :)
If noone signs up, I've agreed with Mary K to just send to 5 persons of my choice (which would be limited to those I have the snail mail addy). But... is anyone interested in getting a little smthg from me and doing the same for 5 next persons on her blog? :)
I realized today I haven't blogged for several days, but the week was indeed busy, and I won't complain - work is money, and money is stash! :)
Some of you already know that someone forged his ID and other documents to try to get credits in many, many banks. It is not an identity theft per se, because only my address and all phone numbers are being used by this creature, but this 'only' still means I have to deal with the police and every 2-3 days, contact a new bank and repeat the whole story again. There are no direct consequences for me in that I didn't have my ID, passport, company stamp or anything else stolen and the whole story does not concern any person I know, but a total stranger BUT everything is fine as long as only banks are involved. Unfortunately the police seem to think that using the same forget documents, that person might have tried to 'borrow' (hmm....) money from the mafia or from some firms running on a more or legal basis. In which case these funny (not!) people might try to recover the money directly from me. All in all, I am involved in an affair I did nothing to start and it is *not* funny. Less stressing now that I now what I have to do daily, but who knows what the future will bring.
Except that, my brother's oldest and best friend, aged 44, died suddenly last Sunday so my brother flew in from Switzerland for the funeral for just 2,5 days and I will meet him tomorrow for a short moment before he flies back via Basel. There are some little things for my adorable nephew I want to deliver to him.
Then a far uncle had a stroke and it is not thought he will leave long now, and I got news confirming that an ex-good friend and neighbor, around 38 years old, is indeed in a mental care hospital since many months and the description of what she became in the last period she lived here in the same building as I was rather disturbing.
All in all nothing concerning me directly, but lots of different stories that have an impact on me in one or another way.
Thursday brought joy and happiness! Ela from France sent me the sampler magazine I so wanted to have and I can't thank her enough for that. There are at least 4 (four!) projects I HAVE TO STITCH - you know that immediate love when you see a project and you just know you can't resist... especially that one is a sampler with a bird!! And you know, samplers with birds, trees, houses, I do not resist those! LOL
So.... I already started the project above on a lovely piece of Silkweaver fabric, with Gloriana Luminescence silks (see left). Sadly enough, I had to use two strands and this will be an expensive sampler beacuse I need to order several skeins more. In that case I'll have to accept it with a smile because it is going to be a big fav' on my wall.
And I also finished a little sampler which designer I will update tomorrow. I got in as an extra in a recent PS exchange from Teresa and I immediately loved it. I plan to finish it as a small pillow hanging at the entrance door :)
And then tonight I started project # 2 from the French magazine, an amazingly beautiful Christmas wall hanging sampler. Watch this space tomorrow for an update with a picture!
It is again a freebie by Echevette, who had this great idea after reading that someone was afraid to admit to some people that she stitches. The idea is to stitch it so you can make new friends... Read more on Echevette's blog (the text about this freebie is here also in English, scroll down) and enjoy stitching it :)
Freebie: Opération je brode, et vous? by Echevette
Threads: DMC (I lost the color tag)
Fabric: 18ct Aida Rustic Oatmeal
Chart: Prairie Schooler, adapted from leaflet 'Garden Gloves'
Threads used: WDW Saffron, Emeral, Bluecoat blue, Sweet Potato and I can't remember the red one.
Shame on you, PS girls! ;-) The pattern was from PS leaflet Garden Gloves. I was itching to do a luggage tag since a long time, and this week I needed to find a one evening quickie to stitch, so here it is. I had to adapt the chart so it has the right shape in the luggage tag, and I think I managed to do it nicely. The other side has a ready-made address label where I wrote the relevant info. Mind you, I won't ever attach it onto a bag/suitcase that travels in the luggage compartment in a plane as I don't want to risk having it stolen. It'll be perfect for hand luggage!
Not sure if I ever mentioned it here but in December the central lock in my Samsonite suitcase was broken and someone stole an expensive perfume I had in it. Swiss (the airline) behaved great and reimbursed me 300 CHF for both, which maybe doesn't cover the full price of a new luggage and perfume, but quite a big part of it. I *was* lucky and it covers how great they are.
It was the first time I stitched on vinyl paper. I think I like it much more than regular perforated paper.
... ou plutôt au secours, à l'aide, il faut que je mette la main dessus! :) :)
J'explique : je viens de voir le nouveau Mains et merveilles No 13 Spécial Marquoirs sur le site de Isa V. et... bon, vous connaissez ces frémissements des doigts, cette impatience, cette nervosité, je le veux !!! :)
Pourriez-vous me dire s'il est possible de se le procurer en ligne ? Sinon, une gentille brodeuse (visualisez ce sourire timide...) accepterait-elle de me l'envoyer contre remboursement total des frais ? J'utilise Paypal. Merci d'avance !
Just celebrating the end of the working week :)
I'm pooped and a new job is coming in, so there's more work in perspective for the w/e, but so far it's the end of Friday, hah! I've only slept 2-3 hours last night but I've delivered everything in time.
This evening I've been invited by girl (a girl? she's over 40, I need to grow up fast! but she really is more a girl than a 'lady' to me!!) from my building to chat a bit about different stuff related to neighbors etc. She talks so much and so fast and is so uninterested in hearing what others have to say that I think I'll shorten my visit this time ;) She's nice though, really, and part of the administration of the building, so there's always something 'secret' I can learn about what's going on LOL!
It hasn't snowed since two days but the view is so nice when the sun settles down... Warning: I never said that Warsaw is beautiful. I always tell foreigners to skip the capital when visiting Poland, there are so many gorgeous, interesting towns. But you need to bear in mind that it was almost entirely rebuilt by our Big Brother from the East after the Germans burnt it and bombed it in 99%. Yes, really, 99%. As for the socialist style in architecture... see for yourself. The view I have from my flat is great, though, it was one of the reasons why I bought this flat and not others. The way the light changes during the day, when it rains, snows, I so enjoy the different ways the town looks.
Have you heard about the boy that screamed and killed hundreds of chickens?
For the first time ever, by Annette :)
The rules: Each player of this game starts with the "6 weird things about you." People who get tagged need to write in their blog of 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names.
Not an easy task! I do have some weird sides but to recall them immediately is not easy, so what I list won't necessarily be most characteristical of me ;-)
1. Over the years, I see I have developed a liking for pink color and a hatred for blue. I can't imagine what my reaction would be if I were given a blue hotel room, I think I would feel very unconfortable till the next morning LOL! Pink seems to have some soothing effect on me. I'm not talking about baby pink or paster pink, but intense shades, raspberry, etc. I also do like to wear such colors because I look nice in them :)
2. I was brought up till the age of 15 in North Africa; my partner is Norwegian. And despite longing from my childhood country, I much prefer snow and cold to warm and heat!!
3. I love washing up dishes in hand, how weird is that! LOL (but I hate dusting off)
4. I can get extremely anxious inside in the wild nature. That started after meeting mummy bear with cubs several years ago. Now when I'm alone or with just a couple of persons in a wild spot in the mountains, I have the feeling there's an angry moose or bear or whatever else waiting to chew me behind the next tree!
5. I have a genuine genius brother but my own math skills are much less famous, well... I know how much 2+2 is) LOL
6. I am the only one to have green eyes in both sides of the family. But I do have so much physical resemblance to my parents that I don't have weird thought because of that!
Now.... my turn to pick up some victims... You've been tagged, ladies!
- Linda McM (oh, I am sure I'll enjoy what you'll write!! LOL)
- Mylene
- Elisabeth
- Michele W.
- Irene
- Mary Kathryn
And here is princess Hélène for whom I stitched it (she is the most beautiful baby girl I've seen):
If you don't know them yet - have a look at the 2007 series (started last month with the January sewing bird) The Meri Wanderer is kindly offering to stitchers... Lovely :)
