This morning, when I put my foot outside the door, I slipped and gave a rendition of Swan Lake that would have made Darcy Bushell weep with jealousy. After I had picked myself up (well, got to my hands and knees) I crawled back inside to see what caused the slippage and subsequent free ballet recital, and I noticed the world as far as I could see it was covered in a thick layer of ice. Clear, freezing cold, dangerously slippery ice. And so we had a day off. We baked some bread, we had a little snooze on the couch, and we had a nice long walk in the woods when the ice had disappeared. You may have noticed the significant lack of anything stitch-related in this summary of our day, and you're right. Having Pelle at home is a lot of fun, but he won't allow me a minute's respite from my motherly duties, so I'm waiting until this blog post has written itself, so I can do some stitching.

In the course of the last couple of weeks my mailman brought goodies to fondle and drool over, sent by some sweet, generous friends, old and new, to brighten my days. And oh boy, were they brightened.
Firstly, I am now the very lucky owner of one of Jennifer's very own, very beautiful, useful and gorgeous quilted project bags. Here it is in action:

Jennifer, thank you so much for your thoughtful gift. I know this has not been an easy year for you, and it makes the bag even more special. I haven't tried the gluten-free chocolate cookie mix yet, but I will!

Secondly, look at what new friend Valie sent me!

Valie is one of those immensely talented French blogging ladies who always make me green with envy because of their amazing stitching and finishing skills. One of her beautiful projects was stitched with Stef Francis threads, which I had never heard of before, and she kindly offered to send me 'some'. Well, the threads are every bit as gorgeous as the picture implies and I can't wait to work with them. Maybe use them for Beatrix Potter? And will you look at that beautiful pinkeep she made for me? The stitching and finishing are so neat! Thank you, Valie, and thank you for your friendship and your support.

Now, on the stitching front there's not much to report. I'm still working on Kathy's RR, which should be finished some time soon. Only a sail, some clouds, and a palm tree left to stitch, and then I'm done!

After that, I'm going to finish Michelle's NRR and send it to her. And no, Christmas was not some fairytale deadline I had in mind: I'm actually going to make it. One of the many advantages of the floor stand is that you don't have the urge to grab another project while you should be working on the one in the frame. Or maybe the urge is there, but the piece in the floor stand just sits there all day, staring at you expectantly. Silently reproaching you for not finishing it. Very effective. You should all try it.

Off to stitch, then off to my electric-blanketed bed and read my book. Hope you have a wonderful couple of days, until next time!

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Soapy Twist; Part 4: The Bluff

Amy's court date goes better than expected. As soon as the judge starts, it is very obvious that by the end of it all visitation is going to take place, no matter what. The judge is not interested in mud-slinging, lies, tears, tantrums or any other form of emotional outbreak, so in the little time Amy has, she tries to think of a way to make an arrangement that will be maximally comfortable for Petey and minimally comfortable for Jane (aka Linda the Loathsome Liar) whilst pleasing the judge and showing her that Amy is as reasonable a person as she herself. It is decided that Jane is to pick up Petey every Saturday at eleven and she is to bring him back at five, accompanied by her mother, Margo, who is also to stay with Jane and Petey during the entire visitation time. Amy wants this in writing, and that is agreed on. Now, the reason why Amy wants this sort of arrangement is as follows: she does not trust Jane alone with Petey, because the former is entirely incapable of thinking of anyone but herself (in other words, Linda the Loathsome Liar is not only a loathsome liar, she is also a raging narcissist with the gift of the gab, who can sell subscriptions to Dutch highbrow newspapers to people who don't even speak the language) and she has threatened to kill herself and Petey if Amy was to leave them alone together. Also, Amy doubts whether Jane and Margo can keep up with the obligation of picking up Petey every week and taking care of him. Taking care of Petey is not what you might call a walk in the woods if you don't know how to deal with him, and she is secretly hoping it will prove too much of a challenge.
So, Amy is hugely relieved that the ruling was given on Thursday and she doesn't have to wait another two weeks in nail biting suspense for the judge's decision. Consequently, she spent a very enjoyable Sinterklaas, and she is currently suffering from a severe case of happy bunny syndrome.

This is going to be just a very quick update of what I have been up to lately. But first, let me say thank you to all of you lovely ladies who have been taking the time to drop me a line, asking me if I'm okay. I feel a total oaf for not replying to you at the moment, but I'm being a bit of a cyber recluse. Those of you who have known me a bit longer will know that in times of emotional turmoil, or in times of Post-Translatic Stress Disorder (which occurs in the days following the completion of a translation) I tend to shy away from the computer and just sit and stitch in silence. And since this is a time of both emotional rumblings (so much so that I couldn't even see the humor in my own soap opera for a couple of weeks, which is not a good sign, and certainly not a good basis to go blogging), and of a serious case of Post-Translatic Stress Disorder, please pardon me for not writing to you right now, but know that I am comforted to know that so many of you are thinking of me (and Amy).

So... sitting and stitching quietly. And what, pray tell, have you been stitching? I hear you ask. Well. This:

This is Katrina's Neighbourhood RR, with my addition at the bottom on the left. This is a design by Primitive Traditions, and some of you may recognize it as one of the ten samplers that formed A Most Noble Pursuit. This lovely neighbourhood is now on its way to Kathy, and then it heads back home!

I've also been working on this:

This is Kathy's Neighbourhood, the last one (officially) for me. After this, I have to finish Michele's Halloween Neighbourhood, but at the rate Kathy's is going, I wouldn't be suprised if I could finish both of them before Christmas! Honestly, I've never been so inspired to work on a neighbourhood as Kathy's, which boggles the mind (or at least it does mine), because I don't particularly like working with pastels (don't mind them, but they're not my fave) AND out of all of the four seasons, summer is my least favourite, while Kathy's is definitely a pastelly, summery kind of neighbourhood. And I can't wait to get back to it! This wee house in the middle block was the work of two evenings, and now I've started on the right hand side in the middle for the second block (I'm stitching two blocks for Kathy). The house in the middle is by Brightneedle, and it's a fragment from Summer Cottage on Blueberry Lane. The other one I'm doing is also by Brightneedle, and it's a smidgen of the Key West Sampler. Love it, love it, love it. All of it.

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Soapy Twist; Part 3: The Bollocking

Amy is due in court next Thursday. An unfortunate date, since it is the day before Amy's most favourite holidays, Sinterklaas. She's extremely miffed at Jane for ruining Sinterklaas for her and Petey, even though she isn't even around. Amy realizes it is a tad unfair blaming Jane for something like this, but doesn't give a rat's behind anyway. And which judge invites parents round for a nice bicker about the kids the day before Sinterklaas, for God's sake? Well. With a bit of luck, the ruling will be made known a couple of days before Christmas. Fa-la-la-la-laaaa, la-la-la-bollocks.

Just when I was playing around with Vinnie the Voodoo Boy (you all remember Vinnie, don't you? My close companion in this last year, wrought by none other than Harmien when Mr. Murphy just wouldn't budge from my side last year?), my father came in carrying a big yellow envelope. This is what it contained

Sigh...
And this is what was revealed when I removed the tissue paper:

Double sigh...

Now, Barbara asked me to assist her with something a couple of nights ago, and it so happened that I got to see this sweet, sweet angel before the rest of the world did, with the possible exception of her nearest and dearest. I informed her forthwith that I would not be able to live without such an angel and that I would purchase the design from her fantastic Etsy Shop as soon as I found that old sock I hid somewhere, containing my savings (amounting to a grand total of €1,32, I have since discovered). Then Barbara told me the angel had been calling my name and that it would be on its way the day after.

Barbara, I am so touched that you would have me adopt your baby angel, and she is more beautiful than the pictures promised. If I wasn't afraid of her halo coming loose and poking my eye out whilst sleeping, I would hold her in my arms all night. Instead, I've put her in my (Heidi's) project basket so I can look at her all day long. With Vinnie and Grunge Angel to watch over me, surely nothing can go too horribly wrong?

And now that we're on the subject of things that cannot go wrong: following Barbara's clever instructions on how to assemble this sweetie. I must admit I'm a bit challenged in the sewing department, and so I never dared order any primitive doll pattern, although I have been more than sorely tempted in the past. Even online I have never been able to find a decent description of how to go about it, until I read Barbara's. So if you want to surprise yourself or your stitching friends for Christmas with something crafty but not stitchy, something dolly but not Tilda, this is a perfect alternative! Go and give it a try!
And now on to Soapy Twist. For those of you interested: it contains some talk of stitching :o)

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Soapy Twist; Part 2: The Dawning

Amy has a blog. In it, she wants to share her divorce story as it unfolds, but something mysterious - goodness knows what - has kept her from going all bitchy on the erstwhile love of her life so far. After learning that she will have to face Jane in court again, and after reading the copy of Jane's appeal to the court and shouting 'Liar, liar, pants on fire' (or words to that effect) at the top of her voice for a minute or twenty, after calling best friend Hermione and discussing this prob with her, Amy has decided that she will, in fact, defy this mysterious something and try to be the bitchiest bitch she possibly can, both IRL, in court, and in her blog. After all, for years Jane censured Amy's writing and stitching in the most disgusting way imaginable: checking her e-mails and blog to see if nothing unmentionable was mentioned (unmentionable things like Jane's trans-sexuality; or the fact that Petey has a biological father [shock! Horror!]; or the fact that Petey is not like other kids his age and needs special education; or the fact that Amy is actually a raging heterosexual) and of course correcting her in a rather verbally forceful way whenever she saw signs of weakness in that department. Jane did not take kindly to Amy stitching designs that featured men and women, or any samplers referring to marriage between a man and a woman. Even The Sampler Girl's 'Mr. Darcy' was frowned upon.
After this realization hits her, Amy decides she can bloody well write whatever she wants, wherever she wants, and whenever she wants and she can stitch as many men as she wants. In fact, shortly after making her decision, she goes in search of a freaking huge picture of Colin Firth and runs it through her PCStitch 7 program to turn the pic into a chart, underneath which she simply adds the word, in DMC 321 and bold italics, 'YUM'.

For those of you who are sick of the un-stitchy nature of my posts, I will start by showing a finish. It's not a recent finish. In fact, it's an embarrassingly old finish, in the shape of a birthday gift for my good friend Maria - that I finished last year and only sent this year for her birthday. Ouch.

The little angel is a Casa Mia freebie. The wee sampler on the back is my design, if such humble work can be called a design.

I loved it so much I made one for me as well, in my favourite DMC 221.

You may remember I am a reluctant participant in one of the many neighbourhood RRs that do the rounds in stitchy world. Reluctant because I have no penchant for deadlines - otherwise I think the whole concept of a neighbourhood RR is completely charming. Anyway. This is what happened a couple of nights ago:

This is the lovely Katrina's lovely Neighbourhood. I'm stitching one of the samplers that make up A Most Noble Pursuit: the one by Primitive Traditions that I also stitched for my own neighbourhood (Katrina liked this design so much that she asked me to stitch it for her as well, and I'm very happy to oblige). I'm the first to admit that this is picture offers a rather alarming view. Not only am I tackling it sideways, the piece itself looks like a stitching experiment gone horribly wrong. The thing is: I'm a backward stitcher (which would explain the sideways approach), plus I'm trying to find ways of working in the ends without making an absolute mess of the back. When you stitch in hand, this is not a problem: you just turn your fabric around. Q-snap, hoop: ditto. Not so when you're using an otherwise perfectly serviceable floor stand. If you want to work the back of your stitching, you either need to get rid of the ends without turning the fabric to see what you're doing, or you have to unscrew screws and flip the frame every time you reach the end of your thread. I have discovered that neither of these options work for me. So what I do is, I bring the ends of my threads to the front and fasten off at the end of a stitching session. That's why it looks as if Katrina's neighbourhood has exploded, but it hasn't, really. Oh, and in case you were all wondering and worrying about the November 15 deadline? The house is nearly finished, and it will be ready for the mail on Monday. A round of applause please, for this arch-procrastinator...

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To my surprise, some of you have expressed an interest in the soap series that I have announced. I'm glad to hear that you're interested to read about my woes (also: a little concerned. What does that say about my friends? That they're gloaters?), but it took me a while to figure out a way to go about it. Let me start by saying that I will announce the commencement of my soapy updates with the term 'Soapy Twist'. As soon as you see this term, those of you only interested in my stitching know that they're free to move to another blog, because that's when the stitchy part of my post will be done.

Whence the term 'Soapy Twist'? Why, I stole it. Of course. Well, I stole a perfect idea and modified it. Let me explain. I'm sure by now, the entire world is familiar with a great British actor called Hugh Laurie, although I have to admit that he's famous in the US for all the wrong reasons, i.e. House. Every fibre of my body protests when I see him prancing about with a stick and an American accent, because that is not MY Hugh Laurie. THIS is my Hugh Laurie:

Soupy Twist. Soapy Twist. See what I did here?

So. Soapy Twist it is. Before you consult Soap Opera Digest to read about your favouritest soap, you need to know a bit about the characters, right? Well, a list of characters can be found in my sidebar, with a couple of facts about their lives and how they relate to each other. I've changed the names, but I think most of you will be able to figure out who is who :o) At present, there are only three characters, named Amy, Jane and Petey, but I'm sure there will be more as the story progresses.

This is not a work of fiction. Except for the names, characters, places and incidents are - alas - not the product of the author's imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales are entirely deliberate.

For now, I'm leaving you with this mother of a cliffhanger.

Amy has just heard from her lawyer that Jane wants to see her in court. Again.

A few days later than I had hoped, but here I am with a photographic report of my sippy stitchy birthday celebrations.

A wise man recently told me that the way you celebrate your birthday is a foreshadowing of what the entire year is going to be like. Well, if he's right - and I have no reason to doubt him, because it proved true in the last couple of years - then this year is going to be one happy year for me, filled with love, good health, fun and stitching.

Even though I told my guests that their presence was present enough for me, they all came bearing the most astonishing, thoughtful gifts. And here they are, in alphabetical order of the givers.

You all remember I had high hopes of winning the soul of my oldest friend, Annique? Well, look at what she brought with her and judge for yourself if she doesn't already have excellent taste:

She gave me a beautiful chart by Iris van den Heiligenberg, a lady whose work I have admired for years. With it, Annique gave me the gorgeous Gloriana silks the design calls for, and a small wooden hoop. I like to use these as frames as well.
Yes, yes, I hear you think, but what about the stitching? Did you do it? Or, more importantly, did she do it??? This is me teaching her:

And this is the picture she sent me two days later.

Ladies and gentlemen, a big round of applause please. I think we have a winner! Annique admitted she was sort of twiddling her thumbs the next evening when Santa was finished and she just sat there... doing nothing. Needle and thread beckoned, but she's still fighting the urge. Ah, we've all been there, haven't we? Thinking 'Surely I can't be enjoying this old ladies' hobby?' Annique, sweetheart, give up the fight now, because you will lose anyway :o) And thank you for being there. It really means a lot to me, and I hope you know that.

Next up: Barbara.
As if I didn't have enough reason to nominate the lovely Barbara with the The Blogger Who Makes You Green With Envy Because They Can Stitch, Design, Work, Keep House And Raise A Family Without Seemingly Losing Any Of Their Amiable Qualities Award a while back, it now turns out that she can work magic with wool felt as well. Look at this amazing needlebook she crafted for me!

I love the colours of the felt and I adore the antique lace on the inside. And look at the scissors' fob, including a froglet to ward off the frogs! Thank you, Barbara. As always, I'm amazed at your creativity and thoughtfulness.

Harmien really went out of her way to spoil me on all fronts:

This is a quilted coffee cup she found at an Etsy store, designed (I think) to carry my mobile phone, but really, too pretty to use. I just have it lying on the table beside me so I can touch it every now and then :o)

She also gifted me with some fabulous patchwork fabrics, so many that if I could bring myself to use the sewing machine, I could make an entire quilt! Also, she gave me a skein of Belle Soie silk called Old Crow, which I didn't think was very nice of her, but there you go (Old crow indeed. The woman's freaking five and a half months older than I am.)

And last but certainly not least, she knitted this dishcloth, with cotton Staci sent her only days before. I have a picture of the dishcloth in action (you know, as part of the promote Staci's dishcloths campaign) but I'm not sure Blogger would accept another picture in this post. Maybe next time.
Anyway, Harmien, you really outdid yourself here. You gave me all of my favourite things, and more, because you were there and you are always there for me. Thank you for everything.

Heidi was there too! I had wanted to meet her for the longest time because she has two of the most inspiring blogs you can find in stitchy Blogland, and she always seemed like such a sweet, special person to me. Well, I can now officially teel you that she is all that, and more. It was great fun to meet her husband as well. Heidi brought the most amazing gift: a project basket she made herself, with Blackbird Designs fabric. Look at the picture and weep, for it is beautiful:

Heidi also gave me some threads by Carrie's Creations, which I've used in the past and LOVE. Thank you, Heidi, it was a great pleasure to meet you, and I hope you will join our Sip 'n' Stitches more often!

Mady (who doesn't have a blog but who does have a beautiful gallery over at Cyberstitchers) was not at my birthday party in person, but she was there in spirit. And on Monday, this gift from her arrived:

I have not been able to take them off since. I LOVE Mady's handknitted socks. They're beautifully made and they're warm and comfy, and Mady has great taste in colour. Thank you, Mady, for thinking of me, and for being such a dear friend.

Last, because her name is last alphabetically, is Margaret's gift, which is so beautiful I can't get enough of it. It's here beside me on the table (next to Harmien's coffee cup), and I have to look at it up close every so often, because it is so neat and petite and heart-warming:

Stitched over-one in my favourite colours. And, as you can see, an addition for my sampler wall which I will cherish forever. Thank you Margaret! I can't wait until December 13th, when we have our next Sip 'n' Stitch over at her house.

I realize this is a ridiculously long post, but I wanted to show the world how generous and sweet our stitching community is. Of course, we all know that, but it doesn't hurt to emphasize it every now and then :o)
You must have been wondering about the outcome of my court case, which was due yesterday. Well, I got it on Tuesday, but rather than going into it right here and now, I've decided to go about it in a different way. I'm going to write a soap opera. Now I'm sure if I offered my storyline to any existing soap opera, the soap opera bosses would all be like 'Aww, honey, no. Even soap opera watchers aren't willing to suspend their disbeliefs THIS far.' So I will be offering my soap opera to you, in very small portions, at the end of every post, starting next time. It's going to be a wild rollercoaster ride, so be prepared...

On the eve of my 38th birthday, I've done three things I'm really proud of.

1. In the category 'culinary endeavours' (which don't feature often in this blog) (and for good reason) (I think cooking is best left to people who don't make a habit of burning their hair whilst dousing chicken with port wine) (which I have been known to do on occasion) (but since everyone's bound to be expecting pumpkin soup tomorrow and I couldn't find pumpkin soup in a tin I had to make my own): Pumpkin Soup a la Annemarie

With nothing but a little water, a whole lot of pumpkin, a bit of seasoning and some truffle oil. Hopefully none of this will prove fatal.

2. In the category 'selfish stitching is all good and well, but sometimes you have to make an exception': a gift for someone who's coming to my birthday/sip 'n' stitch party tomorrow. She's not a stitcher, but she's frightfully interested in every stitchy thing she's ever seen displayed in my house. My tactic will be to overwhelm her with stitching until she caves, just to get me to stop talking about stitching (which never works, but what does she know?). My success rate is quite high, and so are my hopes of succeeding this time. Anyway, if this gift doesn't do the trick, I don't know what will (she said humbly)


It's Winter Song by Blackbird Designs, taken from this year's JCS X-mas ornie issue. I used the fabric in the background for the backing.

3. In the category 'I don't know why the hay this took me a whole MONTH to finish, but finish it I did'

Fruitful Clusters by The Goode Huswife. Actually, I do know why it took me so long: I enjoyed it so much, I didn't want it to end!

Plans for November:
1. Finish Katrina's Neighbourhood RR
2. Finish Kathy's Neighbourhood RR
3. Work on my parents' 40th anniversary sampler

So you see, no selfish stitching for me for at least a month. Boo.

Hope you're enjoying a lovely, autumnal weekend!

I told you I'd be back soon!

Today is a pyjama day for Pelle and me. He had trouble breathing yesterday and throughout the night. He seems to be a little better today and maybe he could have gone to school, but I wouldn't want to have the teachers make him take his asthma medication. It's difficult enough for me to get it in there, but he can forgive me. Not so sure he would be willing to forgive people he has only known for a couple of weeks :o) So, as the title of this post suggests I will be blogging about things to play with. Apart from playing with Pelle, I've been playing with something else today. Behold, my new floor stand:

Purchased at the craft fair in Rotterdam last Friday, which I visited with Harmien. Thankfully, my parents remembered my visit there was a birthday gift from them to me, so I actually had some cash to spend, which makes shopping at a craft fair SO much more enjoyable. I specifically went to look for a floor stand, and just when I had given up hope of finding anything stitch-related at the fair (it was mostly knitting and quilt shops), I found this marvellous wooden floor stand. Girls, guys, dudes, honeybuns, this floor stand is just what the doctor ordered!!! I've gone from being a devout in-hand stitcher to an even more devout floor stand stitcher in a nano second. It's perfect. I can use both hands to stitch, without my fabric flopping all around my arms and without having to find ways to hold yards of fabric in one hand whilst trying to steer my needle in the direction of a tiny hole. Bliss, bliss, bliss. I love it. I'm in love. As you can see, Fruitful Clusters was still in the Q-snap at the time of picture taking, but you will be pleased to know, no doubt, that I finished that little sampler last evening. Pictures in my next post.

Of course, with a new floor stand comes a new frame to hold my larger pieces. I only possess this one, small Q-snap, so I thought a scroll frame would be in order to make my happiness complete. And here it is:

As you can see, the next project that needs to be finished (apart from Katrina's RR) is my gift for my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. I've given myself until the end of this year to finish it. It should have been finished in May, but... Well. You know me. And so do my parents. Their hopes aren't high.

Here's a pic of some of the things I got at the fair.

Notice the oversized pincushion (aka 'make do'), which I love. And please allow me to introduce you to another furry creature you haven't met before: Mr. Bean. He's been my loyal, warm and comforting companion for about eighteen years and he's called Mr. Bean because of his slouchy posture, reminiscent of the goofy character played by Rowan Atkinson. Plus, his tummy is filled with beans. I think he makes a very nice pincushion model.

Another thing I've been playing with is my ideas for my Me, Myself & I Neighbourhood. My original plan was to build a woodsy neighbourhood, but lately I've come across so many fabulous, non-woodsy (and, perhaps more worryingly, non-neighbourhoodly) charts, that my woodland fantasy has been replaced by dreams of a La-La-Land neighbourhood, featuring a lot of happy words, lots of big flowers and smiling people, and a pancake restaurant in the shape of a windmill. That's pretty much as far as I got, or will ever get until I actually put needle to fabric somewhere around December 31st. I can hardly wait!

My next post will feature some stitchy finishes, so stay tuned. In the meantime, I hope you find plenty of time to stitch and read and laugh and enjoy your families. In short, I hope you find yourself in La-La-Land.

Even though I have ZERO inspiration to write, I thought I'd spoil you with a little blog post. Of course I couldn't let another day go by without thanking you for all the positive vibes and good thoughts I felt hurtling my way during the whole of last week. I think they may have helped me enormously, though I can't be sure until the judge makes her decision on November 5th. So keep these good vibes coming.
I have three people to thank specifically in this post. That's the reason why I'm posting in the first place. I have so much to show and tell you that you may want to reserve some time in the next couple of days to spend with me, because I have at least two more blog posts planned. But I digress. In the last month or so I decided to try my luck and participate in some blog pressie give-aways. I have never won anything in my entire life (except for a photo shoot at the most horrendously old-fashioned photographer's studio you can imagine. I only entered the drawing because I pitied the poor photographer, thinking that he would surely not find any names to draw. His photos were that awful. Indeed, as I suspected, there must have been only one name to draw because I WON). But I digress. Again. Okay, I never win anything... except these blog pressie give-aways! Four of them! I think I know how this came about. You all felt sorry for me, didn't you, with me being ill and Pelle having the sneezles too, and then you ran your list of entries through the online randomizer and clicked the 'randomize again' button until my name was at the top of the list. That's how I did my list of 'Things to stitch in 2009', until I had an order of charts I could work with. Anyway, I digress. Randomized or not, I won 4 blog prizes, one of which (Rachel's) has not arrived yet, but the others have and so here is a list of my three favourite people at the moment:

1.) Anna, aka the Stitch Bitch (who is actually surprisingly un-bitchy, if you ask me. Sorry girlfriend!), sent me this to die for pumpkin fob for her monthly blogaversary give-away. Isn't it the niftiest? I love the green fabric Anna used for the backing. She must have skinned Kermit the Frog alive in order to achieve this look, and it was worth it. It totally rocks, Anna, thank you!

2.) KarenV, who gave away Ann Grimshaw on her blog a couple of weeks ago. She says she likes this chart, but it's so huge she can't see herself stitching it. Now that I've seen it, Karen, I'm not so sure I could start and finish this one myself in this lifetime, but once Beatrix Potter is finished (after I've started, obviously), this will be my next Quaker. Apparently Karen memorized my wish list, because she remembered that I coveted The Glory Sampler by La-D-Da, so she threw that one in as well. Thanks, Karen!

3.) Nancy, who sent La-D-Da's Zippity Do Da and included four fabulous Vikki Clayton silks. I love the chart (that's why I entered the drawing) and I'm in love with the silks, which I have never used, beheld or sniffed before. Thank you, Nancy! I'm thinking of a way to use Zippity for my Me, Myself & I Neighbourhood. The chart is surprisingly big, but I could stitch it over one...

But I digress, because that's a subject for one of my next blog posts. Until then, I hope you stay warm, dry and healthy.

Ah! I hear you shout. A blog post by Annemarie. That means she either has a finish to share, or some serious procrastinating to do. Well, you're right. I'm procrastinating. Isn't it wonderful, how predictable some people are :o)
I have no finish to share but an 'oooooooh, if I could just sit my butt down for one hour together, I would have a finish' to share. Fruitful Clusters by the Goode Huswife in a nearly finished state:

Whilst trying to improve my skills in the art of procrastination (and believe me, any more skilled and I could turn professional), I ran my 'to stitch list' through an online randomizer, and the result can be found in my sidebar. It's a bit of an ambitious list, seeing as I intend to spend the year 2009 finishing it...

...that's right, have a laugh. Are you okay there? Take care not to choke on your coffee!

...but this is the list that was put together by Rational Me. The list La-La Me made had 81items on it, and even I (er... I'm sorry, I don't know which Me that is. La-La Me, I think) thought that was probably a bit unrealistic. Still, I intend to stick to this Selfish Stitching thing in the year(s) to come, because nothing works as well for my stitching mojo as stitching for myself does, so who knows? Maybe I will be able to cross a couple of these projects off my list in the near future!

I will leave you with some family pics. The furry critters are my step doggies. My parents are on a mini break and I'm looking after them. It's so much fun having them around!

Pelle, patiently waiting for his pancake to arrive!

Lodewijk, basking in the sun after a long walk in the woods.

Poor Christoffel had some gnashers pulled, that's why his tongue sticks out.

Hopefully I'll be back soon with a real finish, and with some new plans to divulge re. my Me, Myself and I RR. In the meantime, could I trouble you for some positive thoughts and vibes? I'm seeing someone in court on Wednesday and to say that I'm nervous and scared would be the understatement of the year. Thanks!

Usually when I sit down to write a blog post, I don't sit down to write a blog post. Most of the time I sit down to work, but being the procrastinator that I am I search for better ways to entertain myself than writing something that has already been written (which is, of course, what translating basically is). Today though, I specifically sat down to write this post and you know what? My mind just went blank. I have pictures to share, and I'm sure I have news to share, but the inspiration is momentarily absent. Well, let's hope it's momentary, because I have to work tonight. Pelle is home today. His cold (which just goes on and on and ON) (like mine) (I have lost my voice) (I have no voice) is wearing him out, and frankly, yesterday his teachers gave me to understand that it's wearing them out as well, so I'm spending the day with the critter, trying to keep him busy and quiet at the same time, which is no mean feat. Especially when all you want to do is sleep. Or stitch. Or work. Anyway. I'm writing this blog post NOW, because I need something to distract me from my work tonight. So while I work, I can keep one eye on the text and one eye on my G-Mail inbox, to see the comments pouring (or more likely, trickling) in.

Errrrrrr, what is it I wanted to share with you? Oh yes! Pictures! Remember the Halloween floss tag ring tag ring ring exchange I did with Harmien? Remember she was dead on time with hers and I ... wasn't with mine? And that I managed to finish it sometime in the wee hours before I went to visit her, so that I it was too dark to take a decent picture of my part of the exchange and had to wait for her Royal Absentness to crawl out of her hole and take a picture for me (which, of course I did with the greatest patience, because, you know, I have absolutely no right to complain about anyone's absence from Blogland or the stitching world or anyone's lack of mojo)? Well. I have pictures.

I was totally inspired by some charts I bought, designed by the brilliant Stacy Nash. The witch is from A Haunting We Will go, as are the graveyard and the words on the fob. The other side of the floss ring tag shows an interpretation of a design by Ms Nash I saw on the internet. I studied the picture and this is what I came up with. I loved the idea of using words that were definitely Halloween, but didn't literally say 'Halloween'. The rest of the motifs were taken from Drawn Thread's It's Halloween: the broom and the batty border surrounding the witch. I was tickled pink because I managed to mix designs from two such different designers (Stacy's primitive look and DT's rather more elegant, classic look) and make them into a convincing whole. Well, I thought it was convincing. I'm pleased with the result and I hope Harmien is as well. Despite having to wait forever to behold it in its finished form.

This is, obviously, is a progress pic. Not much to look at yet, but I just want you to know that I'm loving this design, Fruitful Clusters by The Goode Huswife.

Now before I forget (and I forgot to mention this in my last four blog posts or so. La La Me is everywhere, ladies and gents): I have an open invitation for you. We had such a great time with our past Stitch 'n' Bitches -

Okay, as per Heidi's suggestion, I'm not going to call them Stitch 'n' Bitches anymore, but instead speak of Sip 'n' Stitches. You see, we never do any bitching, but we do do a lot of sipping. Mostly coffee, sometimes tea, and in Rachael's case, gallons of water :o)

- that we need one every month. Or so Harmien and I decided. As it so happens, November 2nd is my birthday, and I would really love it if I could make a sippy stitchy day of it. I wouldn't have mentioned it if Harmien hadn't convinced me that it is normal to invite people to your birthday (I always think it is rather rude to invite people to your birthday, thereby inviting them to give you presents, but it seems I am alone in that notion). So, what I'm trying to say, in my usual roundabout way, is that everyone is invited. Well, provided they come armed with needle and thread. Or have the intention to learn how to use needle and thread (for instance, if you have known me for, say, thirty years and would really like to learn how to stitch a Christmas ornie for your son or your new hubby).

Despite my frightening lack of inspiration to write, I seem to have outdone myself with the length of this here update. Surely I can't find anything else to write about in the next couple of days? Well, perhaps a new finish? Anything is possible...

Due to the fact that I'm suffering from a severe case of sneezles, wheezles and freezles, I will keep this post short and hopefully sweet. But I couldn't let another day go by without showing you my most recent finishes:

The Harvesters, by Little House Needleworks. The pumpkins were stitched using part of my Halloween Floss Tag Ring Tag Ring* Exchange from Harmien, i.e. Belle Soie Pumpkin Carriage.

And second, the Fremme Pincushion.

I don't know why I felt the urge to add that knotted stringy thingy to the upper right corner, but once it was finished, I discovered it was rather useful, because now I can use this pincushion as a floss tag ring tag ring tag tag. In fact, it's already in use, because after two finishes comes - you've guessed it - a start. I've chosen Fruitful Clusters by the Goode Huswife as part of my plan to adorn my future house's walls with samplers of all shapes and sizes. Pictures? Next time.
I will now only add Aaaaaaaaaatcheeeeoooooooo.

*) I never really know what these thing are called, floss tag rings or ring tag flosses or floss ring tags, but you know the sort of things I'm talking about.

...from Rational Me. Super Rational Me: don't get married, don't have kids, never say yes when you should say no. And don't agree to do Neighbourhood Round Robins. Which is, basically, an example of saying yes when you should have said no.Oh, you do understand, I hope, that when I said that one should never have kids I didn't mean any slight on my darling Pelle, but I just can't stand what he has to go through right now.

Onwards to stitchy pics:
My 'Do Not F*** With Me' replacement sampler (the original DNFWM has come to a sticky - if not pointy - end in that it got frogged. That ugly sampler is no more). This is a freebie (!!!!!!!!!!) from Atelier Imaginaire. I intend to work on it whenever I'm in need of therapy or meditation and the therapists and meditators are all asleep and, of course, when time and neighbourhoods allow.

I've finished part 2 (I thought it was part 4, but I checked the site and it turns out one band is one part. Drat it.). Having said that, this is such a wonderful sampler to work on. It's far from easy, even though there aren't any specialty stitches or anything. It's just that I decided to stitch this on floppy fabric with rather stiff linen threads from DMC, which makes for a lovely-looking sampler, but also for a rather novel experience in the contrasting feel of materials. I suppose the sampler isn't called 'Alter Echo' for nothing (and how appropriate for me, eh, considering the contents of my previous post?)

And I have a finish to celebrate! The Fremme birdy pincushion! I haven't finished-finished it yet, but shown on the picture are the materials which I will be using to make this into a very spiffy little pincushion. I will send the birds your way, Monique, in the course of this week!

I haven't finished Michelle's neighbourhood yet, but I did mail it to Kathy anyway, and I was in such a hurry to do so that I completely forgot to take a picture. I believe Kathy is the last person to work on this one apart from Michelle, so maybe you could send it back to me when you're done, oh Sweet and Patient One? And just so you know: Katrina's RR is in the Q-snaps as we speak.

On a(nother) personal note: today would have been my Opa's 100th birthday. He always said he wouldn't make it this far, but he came pretty close! Opa was a real wonder. He told the most fantastic stories, and the amazing thing about them was that they were all real! His pale blue eyes would light up and his laughter would fill the room (or the patio, because he was always outside, basking in the Spanish sunshine). I still miss him every day. I believe it was in my old blog that I told you a bit about him, but I was blogless at the time he died. He passed away on April 24th.

Short post, so sorry, lots on my mind and none of it involves stitching. Until next time, honeybuns!

Edited to add that the link to the Atelier Imaginaire freebie is not working, although the freebie is still there. Perhaps I can't link directly to the freebie. If you google alter echo atelier imaginaire, you should be directed to the freebie immediately. I'm doing the French version, but there's also an English version and a German one!

I don't know why I keep apologizing to you guys for becoming a selfish stitcher, I really don't. Honeybuns, I'm doing you a favour.

Today, I have discovered that I am physically or mentally (or mayhap bothly) incapable of sticking to deadlines. Even when all the evidence points to the fact that I have a deadline approaching, something inside me prevents me from making it. It really is not a conscious effort on my part to not make the deadlines. I'm just hopeless. I live in La-La-Land. In fact, I live in a special corner of La-La-Land, reserved for people whom even the regular residents of La-La-Land find a little too weird. A little too embarrassingly naive, air-headed, perhaps even a little dangerous. I think I may even be schizophrenic. And this is the sort of war of words that rages between Rational Me and La-La Me:

Rational Me: Say, An, you're in this Neighbourhood Round Robin, aren't you?
La-La Me: Really? Oh yeah... Now that you mention it.
Rational Me: Yeah. You do realise you have actually THREE of the neighbourhoods in this particular Round Robin in your possession?
La-La Me: Oh, that's what those large yellow envelopes are for? They contain Neighbourhood Round Robins? Ha! What do you know.
Rational Me: Yeah.
La-La Me: Hmm.
Rational Me: Yeah. Yeah. Listen, An, why do you think there are three of those lying around in your house, instead of just one or two?
La-La Me: What? I don't know. The person sending them to me must be a really quick stitcher.
Rational Me: Ya think?
La-La Me: Hm-mm.
Rational Me: You don't think maybe you may have missed a deadline?
La-La Me: Who? Me? Erm... no. You think?
Rational Me: Well, I did hear Kathy - the poor, dear lady who you are supposed to be sending to - mention November 15th as a deadline.
La-La Me: Well, of course. That's my deadline for this particular neighbourhood.
Rational Me: Are you quite sure, An?
La-La Me: Yep, I think so. Well, you know, since you're really starting to hassle me now, I'll drop a line to the nice lady who organizes this NRR, just to make sure, okay? Would that satisfy you?
Rational Me: That would certainly help.
La-La Me: Okay then, you nasty hassler.
[floats off to write an e-mail to said lady, probably forgetting to ask the all-important question]
[Some time later] Rational Me: So An, have you heard from the nice lady yet?
La-La Me: Which nice lady would that be? Every lady I know is nice. Except one. She's a very nasty lady. But maybe she meant well after all and I just completely misunderstood her motives and_ [is rudely interrupted]
Rational Me: AN! Get a grip, woman! She is a nasty lady, but we're not talking about her right now.
La-La Me: Well, there's no need to shout at me like this_ [is, again, interrupted]
Rational Me: I'm losing my patience here.
La-La Me: Really? You should take up cross stitching. It's very therapeutic_
Rational Me: DID. You. Get. An. E-mail. From. That. Lady?
La-La Me: No, but she's going through so much right now and I don't think I should_
Rational Me: DO you know when the next deadline is?
La-La Me: Well, I've thought about it because you keep nagging me, and I do think it actually might be September 15th.
Rational Me: That would be September 15th, 2008?
La-La Me: Yes. I'm pretty sure that's the right year... Oh no...
Rational Me: What?
La-La Me: Oh no... I... I think I may be a little late...
Rational Me: A LITTLE LATE?
La-La Me: Yes, but... I didn't know about the deadline.
Rational Me: You didn't know about the deadline? You have three Neighbourhoods from the same RR lying around, and you didn't know you had a deadline?
La-La Me: Well, not exactly...
Rational Me: You didn't hear any alarm bells ringing when you saw that pile of big yellow envelopes gathering dust on your dining room table?
La-La Me: Bells? There were bells? Did they play a nice tune? I'm afraid I missed that. I didn't hear any bells.
Rational Me: Are you deaf?
La-La Me: No, my ears are in perfect working order, actually. Only the other day, I_
Rational Me: AN!!!!! Could you, for once in your frigging life pay attention to the things that matter, instead of walking around with your head up in the clouds and thinking everything will turn out alright without actually ever doing something about anything???? Will you never learn? Will you_ Oh, bloody hell, sod it. I don't care. I give up. You just do what you like.

And so I do.
And I apologise.

No no, don't worry, don't flee. I'm not going to bother you with personal stuff this time. Not much, anyway :o)
As I mentioned in my previous post, last week was rather hard on the old nerves. It was actually quite dreadful and horrible. And it didn't really end with that nice dinner party with my friends. On Monday I had to conduct a telephone conversation with someone re. divorce negotiations and... well, to cut a long story short, after I had hung up I felt inspired to stitch up this:

Inspired as I was by the book Subversive Cross Stitch, which Harmien pointed out to me. After the pointing out, I remembered that I actually own this book. What I couldn't remember is why I couldn't remember, and then it dawned on me: I don't really like it. Believe you me, I have nothing against strong language. Actually, I have been known to swear like a dockhand, especially when I'm driving (but really, guys, there is so much to swear about when you're driving, don't you agree? I mean. Really. Horses on public roads or paths. Why? Why??? Have we no cars, no motorcycles, bicycles, mopeds, means to take us wherever we want to go without having to saddle up a bloody horse first? Are we stuck in the middle ages? And, and, and... what about organised groups of 60+ people taking HIKES or - heaven forbid - bicycle tours on public roads. You know: people dressed up in fluorescent jackets, armed with whistles to warn the rest of the group that traffic is coming. OF COURSE there's traffic coming. It's a PUBLIC ROAD, and it's there to help people in CARS get from A to B in the fastest, most efficient way possible. Or what about people (usually gray-haired and gray-vehicled) who seem to think that it's okay to enter a motorway going at a snail's pace. No, it is NOT okay to do that, especially when I'm behind you. Or people who insist on blocking the second (or third) lane by driving there at said snail's pace while there is no earthly reason for them to be there, because the first lane is going quite dangerously fast enough for them, thank you very much (and besides, they have no business on a motorway anyway, because they should be on a sidewalk somewhere WALKING)...

...I'm wondering now what the point is that I'm trying to make. Let me go back to see... Oh yes: nothing against strong language. Not at all. Using strong language is good for the soul and people who use it whilst driving are better drivers, as research has shown, because such drivers are always aware of what is going on around them (boy, am I ever).

Strong language, however, has no business in the lovely, sweet, sweet craft of cross stitching. I mean, not as far as I'm concerned. I started this sampler because I had to get something out of my system, but I should've taken the car for a spin instead, because the sampler didn't work. I felt bad about stitching words like these. It didn't feel right. If it works for you, good for you, but I think words on samplers should refer to all things floral, faunal, beautiful. And so I turned my attention to something very different, and yet and at the same time quite similar:

As you see, the colour scheme is the same as my intended 'Do not f*** with me' sampler, but the sentiments expressed on my linen are quite the reverse and more to my liking.

Also, I ordered a little Fremme kit a couple of weeks ago and it arrived yesterday. This is what happened:

Me likey.

And I can't leave you without showing you how big my little boy is getting. This pic was taken this morning, before he went to school:

Hope you're all well and in no way moved to stitch ugly words on lovely samplers :o)