Topic of the week for May 12th

Topic of the week: Which of these do you prefer to use when stitching? Why? Hoop frames, Q-snap frames, Laptop/Tabletop stand, Needlework Stand

This one is pretty easy for me as I've only used hoop frames and free hand. Currently, I have two projects sitting in hoop frames and one that I just started and am just holding in my hands. I've seen pictures of the Q-snap frames and would love to give them a try but don't want to spend a lot just to find out that I really am not comfortable using them. The Floor or laptop stands look like they would make it easier too but again..... I sit in my recliner with the foot rest up and have everything right next to me so I'm not sure if a laptop stand would be comfortable or not. I guess I should do a poll about these and see what everyone has to say.

On to stitching news.... I finally received the Astro's pattern in and was able to start it yesterday. Okay, here is a story about why you should NEVER assume anything. I was so excited to get the pattern that I quickly grabbed all the supplies and proceeded to cut my material to size. I didn't even think twice about cutting it; just added 4 inches to the total for the design size and started stitching. After a while I began to notice that I was going to be extremely close to my edge and thought uh oh did I read the design area wrong. No, I didn't but that is when I noticed that it didn't say what count of cloth was used. DUH! I should have picked up on that a little quicker but I have to chalk that up to being too excited to get Curtis' Father's Day present to stitch. I went back to this person's site and looked more carefully and sure enough it showed the stitch count and design size for several different count materials. The 14 count is what I am using and of course, that wasn't what they used. Oh well, I like the design so I can finish the part I started and keep it for myself. You know what they say about assuming right?! I think the only person looking like the derriere' here is me! Lesson learned.

Will attempt to take a picture of what I have done with the under the sea project and the new Astros' project and put it on here within the next day or so. (Notice I said attempt?!?!)

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day. The only thing that could have made mine better was if I could have actually gone to see my Mom. With Logan being so sick for most of the week, I couldn't take the chance that I may carry the germs to her so we decided that I'd come visit her the following weekend. (AS long as none of the other children catch this horrible bug!)

I received my first gift about a week ago. Curtis bought be the Bronte sisters book collection! I can't wait to sink my teeth into those books! On Friday afternoon I received some beautiful tulips and a box of chocolates. I was nice and shared the chocolates with him but the flowers had to be put up on the window ledge in the kitchen because the kids kept trying to grab them to smell. Once the buds started opening I started enjoying the beautiful fragrance of tulips in my kitchen. I received the final Gilmore Girls season on DVD - now I have them all. I do love that show and really have missed it this year. Hopefully they will do a movie in a year or two to update us on the lives of this funny group. I also received the newest James Patterson book last week and of course, I read it. I believe that I read it during those nights when Logan wanted me with him but didn't want me to lay down. At least I was able to enjoy reading even if I was extremely groggy and irritable the next day! Curtis brought dinner home on Saturday and made us dinner last night. All in all, I'd say I was pretty darn spoiled for Mother's Day, wouldn't you??

I took some time last night after most of the children were settled for the night and got some stitching done. I hope to post an updated picture sometime tomorrow. Oh and I received the Astro's pattern so I can now start Curtis' Father's Day gift. At least, that's what I'm hoping I can get it done for, if not it's going to have to be his birthday gift. After I ordered this pattern I saw that this person had several other patterns for the Astro's so I'm going to be ordering from them again very shortly.

Topic of the week for May 5th

Okay, our topic for this week is: How did you choose the name of your blog and is there a special reason for it?

Hmmm, the name of my blog is Shut up and stitch! I guess you can say that I was a little disgusted with myself at that time as I hadn't stitched in over 10 years. I'd been wanting to get back to it but hadn't made any time to just sit down and stitch. For a couple of months I had been looking at my stash and telling myself that I was going to get started on the Thomas Kinkade kit that I had purchased two years before. Two months later I hadn't started it or any other project so I got a little upset with myself and just said, "Shut up and stitch already!"

I still have weeks where I don't get time to sit down and stitch but I at least have it all out and a corner near my recliner where most of it sits waiting for me to sit down and put in a few stitches. I've been away from it for a couple of weeks due to illnesses. First I got sick then the little ones and then the oldest came home with the stomach bug last week so that was another week shot. I'm hoping to set aside some time tonight to put a few stitches into the under the sea project. I'd love to get that finished as I'm waiting to receive the Houston Astros kit/pattern that I purchased on e-bay this past weekend. I have to jump right on that one as I want it completed and framed for hubby for Father's Day from the kids. He just recently had his office at work refurbished with all new furniture so some of the decorations that were in there before had to come out as they didn't go with the new color scheme. I know that once this project is finished and I have it framed that it will have a place of honor on the wall. Now, if I can just find the time "shut up and stitch!"