Treasure Hunt

Back this fall I could not find a specific picture that I wanted to use in the Letters for Junior book.  I searched high and low...and my house is fairly organized. Tonight I came across a picture someone had given my husband of himself back in university all those years ago, tight jeans and puffy neon coats and all.  That got me thinking that one of his coworkers actually was in the same residence as some friends of mine so I new there were some dorky pictures to pass along here. 

I entered the craft room to go find these pictures and in the process I got a little sentimental and as usual I talk a little to a framed picture of Cathey that's down there.  I told her that there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her...and I opened a stray pack of photos and the missing picture was sitting there right on top.  

Pink party circa 2008:

I'd planned on posting my village to date tonight but I caught a case of the frogs, arghh!  I needed to redo the border on square 5 and it really cooled my stitching mojo :/. I'm coordinating a new project at work which cuts into my Stitchy time and having a set back in that time was simply frustrating!

Next time, I promise!

Katie

A Finish...or Two!

This weekend our region was literally iced in. There were people skating on the streets!  I could even skate in my driveway about now.  I've also been under the weather so I'm not on my normal work out schedule so I snuck more stitching in than usual.  I have two items to share, and while snapping some quick pics before I iron them tomorrow, I must concede that DH's Nokia 1020 takes much better photos than my beloved iPhone 4S :/

For example Stitchie Witchie on the iPhone 

And now on the Nokia 1020, which is more accurate color wise

And for the other finish...

2013 Dragon Dreams Facebook freebie, again much better on DH's phone/camera :oS

I also had some stash arrive today from the Brooke's Books Etsy shop, there should be some pretty angels added to my tree this year :). Until then I'll be dividing my time between Santas Village and Holly.     

Until Next Time,

Katie

2014 Stitching Goals Part 1

Here is the short list of stitching goals for 2014.  The hope of course is to do far more but every time we think we have things straightened out with DS's school something inevitably pops up. I can't even begin to express how ill equipped the school system in New Brunswick is to identify and accommodate fine motor disabilities...however that's a whole other post ;)

Without further adieu:

Santa's Village - Cottage Country Needleworks

Holly - Nora Corbett

Stitchie Witchie  - Brooke's Books

2013 Holiday Freebie - Dragon Dreams

6+ yet to be named ornaments

Short sweet and doable :)

Until next time,

Katie

Craft Room Time

I've had the past two weeks off of woke but it's only been since Wednesday after no that I've gotten some me time in the craft room.  Argh.  We rang in the new year with my inlaws so those days were shot. My new Cricut Expression arrived NYE so I was down there as soon as they left.  I have a new set up that works a little bit better when using that machine.  Although I dream of the day the garage is finished and I claim our current man storage area as my own. An L Shaped desk is a must.  

Now I would rather be stitching but my current perch has been occupies by my teen as he plays xbox with his father on 'his' holiday, it's so nice that they consider that I might need some me time, so Cricut and a little Downton Abbey it is!  Today I finished up this little project for Lily's door.  I made Alex something similar albeit with transfer stickers when scrap booking was more 'in'

Tomorrow marks my last day of vacation, I need to do a little studying for my Prince2 certification I have coming up but after that I plan on spending some time creating a stitching goals list, something I probably haven't done pre Lily!!  One thing I would like to do but am having trouble locating is Brooke's Book's Stitchy Witch freebie pattern. I came across it while going over old blog posts of Cathey's, it was apparently out during my stitching slowdown.  Does anyone know where I could find it??

Until next time,

Katie

Merry Stitchmas

Long time no blog.  Christmas was very hectic with snowstorms here on the east coast and while I put on the traditional Côté family a Christmas show, this year has been a rough one and as much as I love Christmas, I need 2013 to be over.  2013 was full of sickness and loss, anxiety and fight, none of which remotely are 'me, and really burnt out my resources.  So I spent the remainder of 2013 throwing myself into making as many memories as possible with my youngest. I even took the tree down on the 29th which is unheard of, in my defence it was a power outtage which at the time had an end date of NYE at 1!  We've had some major weather.  However, while taking stuff down I took some stitching pics I'd like to share, although I have no idea where the ornaments I did in 2013 are...I'm telling you, crappy year!  Without further adieu...

The Scott and Côté family stockings

Stitched back when I was in university...and you could buy cross stitch kits at Zellers!

Ornaments received from friends and exchanges

Ornaments before 2013' I need to finish ornamentifying a whole bunch more

Piece back from Elite Framing

Happy New Year,

Katie

Stocking #9

It is finally done!  Stocking number nine!  The family stockings started back around 2005-2006 and has been spreading ever since. My husband's family has knit stockings that they prefer to keep together as a set so I wanted to make him something personal, my son's followed, then my own,stockings for my parents then one of my brothers, his partner and now the final brother :). I should be off duty for a good ten years now which is good, sewing can induce some choice language. It's not a skill that I am particularly strong at!!

A Special Finish

I had a special finish last night. It marks the first of a group project that I'm pretty excited about.  For the last little while I've felt the need to do something positive.  Run for the cure was a given but I really wanted to do for Junior that was cancer free because Cathey was so much more than a fighter.  Members of our local stitching group have wanted to do something as well but being 6 hours away an involved role is just a no go.  

So welcome to Project Junior,  the goal of this project is to ensure that there is a stitched ornament every year until he is 20.  For the local group it also means attempting to use some of his mom's fabric and fibres to create these ornaments (where I will be coordinating sending the ornament out I will not be sending our supplies outside of the city). The goal is to hopefully create enough now to disperse throughout the years. However, one ornament a year in the event there isn't uptake from the group isn't a huge thing to take on.  Luckily there are a couple of people I know will help me make that happen ;). It is quite possible that there will be more than one a year, but with any child related project, it has to be has to be a full on commitment.  The response so far from our group has been overwhelmingly positive so here's to many years of keeping Cathey's stitching spirit alive.

Now on to this year's ornament that's popping in the mail tomorrow:

Until next time,

Katie

Trimming The Tree

Tonight was designated to trimming the tree.  Lily and I started before work this morning...

When we returned we were back at it and 3.5 hours later it was done. She was determined to have the best Christmas tree ever. However, we'll have to work on ornament 'clumps'. ;). I let her help with most of the less likely to break items with the exception of a pair of mittens that I received in 2007. Some of my favorite ornaments are those stitched by my friends.  Lily put up candles from Lucy, hardanger from

Shannon, a Santa from Tracy, but I put up my mittens from Cathey.

http://pumpkinpatchandco.blogspot.ca/2008/01/finish-fifty-two-from-2007.html?m=1

Needless to say, it was a little emotional. I look at my tree and it blows my mind that someday someone will be reacting similarly to what I've made over the years for my tree (or so I hope!).  Even this year Faith Ann posted her tree pics...and there was an ornament I'd made for her, side by side with her own set of mittens.  The sentiment was priceless 

Until next time, 

Katie

Still Kicking

What a crazy couple of weeks, after Sunday I should be able to breathe again. After getting back from retreat it was a crazy short week with stuff jamming the evenings....not what a working mom needs after taking a rare weekend off.  Holiday Monday, Wednesday Angela and I took our daughters to Dora Live! and Thursday it was OT for Alex.

Lily and Elizabeth

Mom also was down for a shopping trip which was nice.  Her visit happened to coincide with Christmas at the Market, IMO THE craft show of the holiday season. It was her first trip and I think she was hooked.  It is crazy how many vendors I know through various crafting circles. Mom graced us with an additional nights stay so we could finally get out to see Ender's Game, loved it!

No rest for the wicked.  I had a conference to go to in Moncton Monday and Tuesday, being the low chick on the totem pole this also meant renting the vehicle for our group and that fun juggling. However the conference was a really good two days for steering our branch back to a more functional model so the time away was justified. We hit up The Keg Monday night, then I made a quick run to David's Tea and had a nice visit with my friend Lisa.  Tuesday the guys let me stop at Mode Choc and I picked this up for Lily (even sparkler in person )

Friday was November Nonsense at Alex's school. It was his las shot at going so we finally went.  He's managed to be grounded every other year. There was a little cheap parental therapy involved...

Oh yes, might I add that during the past two weeks Lily has NOT been sleeping through the night?  To top all of this off we have a jammed weekend with a Christmas bazaar, community breakfast, Santa Claus parade on the opposite side of the river ( never fun traffic wise) AND an inlaw visits it have new dog, pass the rum and egg nog!!

However, there has been some stitch therapy on the go, although is missed our 15th anniversary Friends That Count get together due to scheduling :/.  Also an exciting little project that ill blog about later ;)

Until next time,

Katie

Retreat Recap

Retreat was a mixed bag this time around, not as much as it's organization or composition.  My head just hasn't been 'there' recently

Friday Angela and I hit the road at 9 with one packed Corolla!  We made it to Because You Count  to stock up on supplies. Pam made it up from Nova Scotia and tailed us where I knew where I was going. Stop #2-the delightful Cafe Archibald. 

Angela's Skor bit Dessert

Pam's cinnamon roll crepe ( which I indulged in as well)

Then it was time to visit the wonderful framers at Elite to frame some pieces for Angela and me. Then a little clothing shopping before heading to Wildwood.

It was hard acknowledging Cathey's passing for those that hadn't heard. It was reliving it all over again. There was a half a dozen times I just wanted to email her a 'you would not believe...' Or some other annoyance that we would have had in common.  I kept to myself a lot more than usual. In recent years that's my only kid free crafting time so I'm not as social as I used to be. Time is precious!  However I did enjoy watching some of the games, especially the girls attempt to make snowmen..

As usual there was the annual retreat exchange, which I just didn't have enough time to participate in.  However it was fun to watch the hand out :)

Then of course there was a table for finished pieces.  I finally had a piece to share in the
pile!
 

And with that  retreat was over in a flash.  We packed up the Corolla and headed back for a pit stop in Moncton to check ou the new Mode Choc store. Our girls have some nice fashion goodies coming this Christmas!

Until next time!

One more sleep....

This has to be the biggest mad dash I've done to prep for retreat in ages. I decided I too would frame something while we were in Moncton...I didn't realize I had so many unframed pieces to choose from. Very overwhelming.  Thank goodness I have an extra hour at the house tomorrow morning (most times I just leave from work). The basics are packed, it's my 'what if' emergency projects.  Like what if I make a major boo boo, no one wants to spend fun time frogging right?

I also learned that I for lack of better words suck at soldering...rings at least.  Thankfully my patient teacher is fixing my ring!  No finish there to show off. However I did get my memorial pendant drilled so I can wear something special next to my heart tomorrow (although this pic is a little blurry, I need natural light!). It's my Cathy pendant with pink crystal and pearl dangles, if it wasn't so blurry it could actually be read, sigh

Until next time!

Katie

Trick or treat...to retreat

2 more sleeps until retreat. I can barely contain my excitement. Tonight marks the official packing night.  A quick run to Walmart to pick up some decorations for my spot, a special picture of the tassel twins from the last retreat Cathey and I attended and a frame for said picture and I'm good to go.  Now don't all marvel at my incredibly 'organized' packing two nights ahead...it's out of our necessity!  When I was away last month I had a course that I was scheduled to take and that's rescheduled to tomorrow night. So maybe I'm kicking off some much needed me time early. Dinner out, class with Fauth Ann at Beadnik learning to make silver rings...yep definite kick off!

Speaking of kicking off,I'm practically dancing. My brother is moving home from Argentina next month and he's the last on the list for a Shepherd's Bush stocking. The stitching on that stocking finished today!  Now to wait for the charms to arrive and to find some time to sew between now and Christmas: (my apologies, the camera on the iPad is inferior to the iPhone IMO)

I'd meant to write a post sooner to show off the kid's trick or treating picture but I was getting so close to finishing, it became all consuming. Halloween was fun and the rain held off until we were finishing up with our last neighbour. Big kudos to our neighbors, my kids are usually the only ones that trick or treat on the street and they pull out all of the stops for them every year. This year Faith Ann and her son joined us again. It was so nice to be able to chat instead of being on full time ref mode. Lily kept up with the boys no problem, she'll be trick or treating deep into the subdivision in no time!

Until next time...

Katie

Parties, Visitors and Pictures

Today was the day the kids were looking forward to - Halloween Party Day!  They could barely contain their excitement which meant we were one step away from voluntary commitment ;). On days like today you'd think there was far less than the 10 years there are between them. However we managed to separate them by assigning chores for the other excitement of the day...a vist from Junior! I have accepted that I will probably never have little nieces or nephews so I get very excited when my friends have little ones...and where we're in our late 30's and 40's well, it just makes it extra special. Lily was so excited, I think she talked his ear off

Getting hugs and kisses!

After our visit we headed to DH's work.  Lily was very excited that there was just enough tulle left to make Baby a tutu as well

Dr Alex

A stop in at Faith Ann's office

Lily was going for a triple decker cupcake

The frosting on my day, when Faith Ann arrived at the party she was coming straight from Moncton...where she picked up my first canvas work piece I had dropped off to be framed after the funeral.  What a great way to end the day.