One Of My Presents

Look, what I got for Christmas.




No, not the Shih Tzu. The Chinese pincushion.

My mom had one of these when I was a kid. Actually, I think she had two of them because I remember a bigger one that had a lid that you could remove and there was a compartment in the middle where you could keep your sewing supplies. Every time I go to Sublime Stitching to buy one, they're sold out. (They're in stock now though.) So I was excited (it doesn't take much) to see Pier 1 had them. And, when my mom and sister went there for something else, they ended up getting me the pincushion. Yay! Unfortunately, mom doesn't know what happened to hers.

I just found a Chinese pincushion with lid on Cyber Import. It looks like they make them with different amounts of children/men/acrobats (I've seem them referred to as all three on different sites). Interesting.

I should start collecting them.

Finally. Another Pig Picture

I had my camera out Christmas morning to take pictures of us opening presents, and hardly took any, but I got one of this pig ornament that I've had for years. I think it came from a co-worker. I used to collect pigs and for awhile people were always giving them to me. If somebody knows you collect something, they really will think of you every time they see one, and often get it for you. This pig is made of some kind of stiff material -- maybe canvas -- but it's squeezeable too. It's always been one of my favorite ornaments.



I must link to this cute ATC. It was made for a weekly challenge and the theme this time was cross stitch. I just love Kewpies. Well, I don't love the actual dolls. I guess I should say that I love images of Kewpies. You can find a few free ones here. My personal favorite is the Kewpie with the hatchet. (WTF?)

That Kewpie with the axe reminds me how my foot is still swelling every day and I'm about ready to just have Kathy Bates come by and chop it off. This has been going on for over a month now and I am really sick of it. Some days it's just really uncomfortable, and other days, it really hurts. It's annoying and frustrating. And, many times, I can't even get a shoe on. I now completely understand why people go to rehab for an addiction to pain killers. If Percoset didn't make me dizzy and nauseous, I'd be popping them like I do butter mints.*

The orthopedic surgeon said if the swelling in my foot and leg wasn't being caused by a blood clot, he didn't know what else it could be from. Well, I don't have a blood clot, although the woman who performed the ultrasound to rule that out was in still in training and had no idea what she was doing so maybe I do have a blood clot and she was just too inexperienced to catch it. My diabetes doctor thinks the swelling is from the knee surgery, and I find it odd that the orthopedic guy wouldn't feel the same way. I wish I had said no to the surgery and just worn a cast for three months, I would have had really bad B.O. when it was time to remove it but at least I wouldn't have had all of these other issues. There is some good news though. I am able to move much better nowadays. I can use a step stool now and I'm able to sit on the floor with both legs bent at the knee and off to one side -- something I couldn't do two weeks ago. Last week, I went dancing. Ok, it was just me and my iPod, but it was so great to be able to do that without any pain, and to actually move around the room. I haven't been out dancing in a club for like eight years but it's nice to know I could go if I wanted. (Except I couldn't wear a shoe on my swollen foot.) The last time I tried dancing, my knee began to hurt within minutes and the pain lasted for days. I still can't jump and I will always feel the plate in my leg when I kneel on it, which creeps me out, but it's so good to be able to do some of this stuff again.

How did I get on that subject?? Oh yeah, it's that Kewpie with the hatchet's fault.

I added a header (thanks to the Blog Header Generator) and realized there are way too many dog pictures on this blog. Hello, there are four of them in the header alone! No, I'm not obsessed at all. Later, I will make a new collage to use for a header and will not include a single dog. And, then that pig ornament will take flight.

Maryse posted some details about her 2008 Stitch A Long and Frimousse has a free chart for another stuffed little building. It's a boulangerie. Speaking of Maryse's charts, last night I started this heart for a friend. It's going really quickly.


*the best butter mints ever

Hope You Have a Merry Christmas!

Do You Hear What I Hear?

I was at Niki's Ventures earlier this afternoon and there was holiday music playing. It was The Waitresses doing "Christmas Wrapping." And, it wasn't a crappy Muzak version. It was the real thing. So, I went to Project Playlist, created an account, and made my own playlist of some Xmas tunes. (Thanks, Niki!)

When I clicked on the entry later in the day, the playlist wasn't working. And, it still wasn't working now. So, I got the code for my lists again and added it to this entry. And, once again, I get a message from Blogger that a tag wasn't closed.

People, if you're going to generate code, and offer it to others for use on their websites or blogs, please make sure you write it correctly. It's really annoying when it's wrong.

I don't know if my playlist will work now. If it's not below this paragraph, it means I removed it because Project Playlist sucks. If it's showing up, that means it's working. I got it to work and I love it. I may not be much of a crafter but I have good taste in music.

P.S. RIP Patty Donahue

Charts From Les chroniques de Frimousse

I love French cross stitch blogs. They have some of the best freebies out there. I love the amazing 3D designs at Frimousse but it can take me forever to track down a specific chart on her blog so I'm making a list fi them in English. I'm doing this for myself but I'm sure someone else will find it helpful as well.

My list of house/pincushion/I'm-not-sure-what-to-call-them charts from Les chroniques de Frimousse (all names are mine):

house with red shutters

house with blue shutters

aquarium

little blue house

bee hive

mushroom

cat in basket

creche

school house

house with Santa

Halloween house

house with snow covered roof

house with snow and people with gifts

garage

cheese wedge with mouse

bed

dog house

bird house

chicken house

baby in basket

cow house

suitcase

bakery

owl

bus

windmill

church wedding

bus

flower shop

post office

cafe

merry-go-round

Printable Images

Ten Two Studios is having a countdown of 46 printable images through December 25th. To download them, you must link to the page with the printables on your website or blog, or to a message board. So far, there are some fantastic images of vintage postcards, ATC backgrounds and faux postage stamps. There's even a cool alphabet that looks like movie tickets.

Ok, I linked. Now I can download.

My Dog House

A couple of weeks ago, I made the dog house from Les chroniques de Frimousse.




I had read on her blog that she puts "canvas thermocollante" on the backs of the stitched pieces before sewing them together. Google translates that to "heatsealer" so I guess it's like a stabilizer. I didn't do that so no wonder mine sags on the side. Look at that roof line. My dog house should be condemned. In this entry (translated version) there's an explanation on how to put these little houses together.

No Elf Clogs Here

Amy over at Angry Chicken has a bunch of gift tags you can print out. My favorite one says "I made this, just so you know. So don't say anything mean about it." I need to print that one out for future use.

There are some very nice free embroidery patterns at Down To Earth. [link via Craft N Cutie] I love the "Monday Is Washing Day" one (scroll down). There's some really interesting stuff at Down To Earth. I had no idea where luffas (or is it loofa?) came from or if they were made or what, and did not know you could eat them, until I read this. I think I finally found a subject Martha Stewart has not tackled yet.

I made an elf clog last week and my blanket stitch around the edges scared me. So I took it apart and last night I just whip stitched it together. I swear my stitching looks like a 2 yr old did it. I'm not sure if I'm going to dismantle it and sew it together one more time or what. Looking at all the pictures in the Flickr Elf Clog pool inspires me to keep at it. Some of them are freaking gorgeous and so cute. Maybe after I make a few dozen more, one will look halfway decent. (Proof I know how to do a blanket stitch.)

Here's a nifty idea for recycling leftover Xmas wrapping paper: weave it into new stuff. I think even I could do this one.

Picasa Collage

I just made a collage with Picasa (link via Bunny Tales).



Picasa is a photo organizing program.

Ok, I have no idea how to explain it better but hey, you can make a collage with it. And, it's free.

All of the images on my computer were put into Picasa and now I have questions.

Whose bedroom is this? I seriously have no idea. I love the windows, the light fixture, and that dresser, but who sleeps in this room? Anyone I know?

And, this one. I have no clue how I got this picture back in May 2006, if it was sent to me by someone or if I downloaded it from somewhere. There's a lot in that kitchen that I like (farmhouse sink, glassfront cabinets, open shelving, the drawer pulls) so I could see saving the picture for when I hit the lottery and need ideas for my dream kitchen in my dream house.

My Gingerbread Man Had a Lobotomy

We have so many ornaments at my house that I glued a bunch of them on a wreath awhile back. (And, trust me, there are still plenty of them on the tree. ) I believe this gingerbread man is about as old as I am (44 yrs). The pin in his head that held the thread to hang him up had come out and been stuck back in so many times, that some of his poor little styrofoam head is missing.

I forget where the guy in the red knitted cap came from but I know he's been around for awhile. The little horse is from a trip to Germany that my mom and I made over 20 yrs ago. I think the red bow on the right is another one that's my age.

And, remember my lop-sided biscornu? I ended up sewing the pieces together to make a square ornament instead. (Except we all know it's not really square, now don't we?) I think I need to add a button in the middle since I left a space for it. A few years ago, I attached beads to a cross stitch and wasn't happy with how they looked, but I gave it another try with this one. The beads could be sewn on tighter but I'm ok with how they turned out. You can find the chart for the Xmas tree biscornu here. By the way, Emily at The Floss Box has a Christmas tree biscornu chart for you too.

Biscornus and a Super Cute Princess Leia

I don't think I've linked to this list of free biscornu charts before. Entwurf 13 is of white daisies with a blue background. And, Entwurf 2 looks like poppies. I like those two the best. Entwurf 23 (on page 2) is a multi-colored caterpillar. Or maybe it's a worm. It has antenna. There are also six free cross stitch charts on this page. I wish there were images of them on the main list so you don't have to click every link to see the charts. EDITED TO ADD: There are pictures here. Thank you so much, Kissy, for that link!

And, here's another list of craft projects links. This is a huge list with links for knitting projects, recipes, bags, costumes, accessories, etc.

So it's not a hedgehog with a broken leg or a baby badger or even a baby Beluga but this picture so needs to get posted on Cute Overload.

I Hope This Isn't Copyright Infringement

Here are a few more vintage greeting card images of dogs for Christmas. (Click the picture to see a larger version.)

More Links For Vintage Embroidery Patterns

I was all set to go to bed and then I saw a link for Sweet Bee's Vintage Finds on Craftster and now I must read the entire blog because Sweet Bee posts vintage embroidery patterns (she also shares some vintage crochet ones too) and I'd never be able to get to sleep if I didn't see was posted there first.

Thanks to Sweet Bee, I've also discovered Mrs Stitchy Britches who led me to a master guide of Vogart patterns at Sewing Palette (there's also a great article about vintage embroidery transfers there and one on Vogart) and the Vogart Wiki.

Yeah, I'll be up for awhile now.

Maggie Barks (pure excitement)

I couldn't get this video to work on YouTube and since Blogger lets you upload them, here's my dog Maggie barking.

Yeah, that's it. She is barking. At nothing.

Time For Some Links

Kissy left some comments and said my biscornu turned out lop-sided because the fabric was not woven evenly. I totally agree with her about that. If every side had the same exact number of stitches, what else could it be? In other words, I didn't screw it up! It makes sense that my last biscornu was also lop-sided since I used the same material for that. By the way, the Aida I used is made by Charles Craft and sold at Michael's. I won't be using it for any future biscornu. (And, check out Kissy's cute snow people freebie. I love the snow lady's hat. I should stitch them on my uneven Aida.)

Thank you all for the recent comments!! It's so great to read them. Most of my visitors end up here after Googling for free charts and they never say anything.

TipNut has posted another DOW embroidery pattern. This one is for Friday Grapes. She also has a post with links to 56 free apron patterns (egads!). I haven't been through them yet but can't wait to start clicking.

Has anyone else printed out the chart for these ornaments? I can't get it dark enough to see the grid lines. Both my sister and I played around with it -- we made it bigger and darker -- and still couldn't get a decent copy. I guess I won't be stitching these now.

Cross Stitch Happy has a chart for a cute gingerbread man scissors fob and also another gingerbread man that you could make into an ornament or gift bag.

I didn't keep track of how I found the website for New Stitches magazine but thanks to whoever it was that had it linked on their blog. They have several free Christmas charts on the site, including Santa and a reindeer, some Xmas stockings, and a little house with "Happy Christmas" above it. There are also flowers and a set of Halloween patterns. They're all really nice.

One of the best tips ever from Martha Stewart was to use a thumbtack to hang a wreath on a door. Tie some ribbon on your wreath and put a tack in the ribbon and stick it into the top of your door. This way, you don't have to put a nail in your door.

Old Xmas Cards

A few years ago, I got a CD on eBay of images from old greeting cards. They were all of dogs. I hope it's ok to share some of the holiday ones here.

Lop-sided Biscornus

I put a biscornu together the other night and it came out lopsided. I knew all the sides were 46 stitches wide and 46 stitches high, both from counting them on the chart and from counting them out after I was done stitching it. I took the thing apart and I lined up the two pieces side by side. As you can see in the picture below, they're even.


But if I turn the tree design to another side, the length is not even. The tree one looks two stitches too short. I don't get it at all.



I've counted and re-counted the top and bottom pieces about 17 times and I keep getting 46 stitches on each side. I can't figure out what I did wrong when I sewed it together. The same thing happened with the last biscornu I made. The top had the exact same stitch size as the bottom yet they didn't look even when I lined them up. It's put me off making any more biscornu.

By lopsided, I mean, one side is longer than the other. See?

Hello Kitty Has No Mouth, But She Always Eats Her Vegetables

Just in time for Christmas: A Christmas Story re-enacted out by bunnies. I haven't been back to Angry Alien Productions since August 2004. (I know that because I had a link to the Jaws bunny movie on my old blog then.) There's a ton of bunny movies there now. I think my favorite is Pulp Fiction but they're all worth watching.

For months, I have been clicking the link on Sis Boom Day Dreams to get to Jennifer Paganelli's video tutorials on Country Living but could never find them on the site until last night. Jennifer shows you how to make a Holiday Pin Tree here (I love these!) and there's a video for making yo-yos here. Well, I officially hate the Country Living website now. It looks like you need to go here and then click the yo-yo tutorial from the list on the left (it's the fifth one down). I absolutely hate when you can't directly link to something.

Be sure to check out the Sis Boom website if you haven't been there yet. There's so much gorgeous stuff there.

Oldie but goodie link: Hello Kitty Has No Mouth

If Your Results Are Lloyd Dobler, Call Me

ETA: I forgot to add A Cup Of Cheer from The Sampler Girl. A cup of cheer? I'd like to get a freaking tanker truck of cheer delivered to my door. I sure could use it right now. 

Maryse has posted the Decembre chart for her year long Stitch-A-Long. I have yet to do any of her little houses SAL but I hope to get to them some day. Last year, she shared a chart for this winter cottage and I did do that one. You can see all the SAL charts here and find a floss list and directions here. You might want to translate the second page.

Small Cross-Stitch Patterns has links to a bunch of my favorite kind of charts: smaller ones. Some of them I've seen before (and are on my to-do list) but others were new to me.


There are x-stitch charts for a few Christmas "primitive"ornaments on How Did I Do It? I like the country look of these.


TipNut has been posting some nice vintage embroidery patterns of Days of the week gingham fruits. So far, there are Monday pears, Tuesday cherries, Wednesday apples and Thursday strawberries I'm not sure if I linked to the cute kitten embroidery patterns she shared last time. Beware: there are tons of great stuff at TipNut so you may be there for awhile.


An oldie but goodie:

Which John Cusack Are You?

Tiny Hiney is Five Years Old

If I was still updating my first blog, today would be its fifth anniversary. This is how it began:

Start Me Up

5:59 p.m. - Thursday, Nov. 28, 2002

I am such a cheater...
This diary was originally started like 11 days
ago. But now that I've learned some basic html, (bold, anyone?), changed my template, paid extra to add images, and now have diary #2 going, I can officially begin this one. Except right now I have nothing to say and I probably never will have anything to say. I just like adding links.

Why call it Tiny Hiney? Well, why not? Actually, I once heard about this Chihuahua named Tiny whose last name was Hines so he was called Tiny Hiney. That just totally cracked me up and I knew one day I'd have to use it somewhere. And I have used it a few times in the past. I wanted to call this Blah Blah Blah but that was taken, so once again, Tiny Hiney comes in handy. (Hey, I never claimed to be creative or anything.)

By the way, the first blog I ever read was The Daily Dewayne. I forget how I found it. But after reading that one and a few others, I decided to do my own blog. Except it had one entry on each page so it wasn't very blog-like. I had tried Blogspot first and didn't like any of their templates so I figured out how to change a free template by learning some simple HTML from Webmonkey (check out their Special Characters page if you want to learn how to make ™ or ♥) and Lissa Explains It All. And, the code for the box around the text came from Mandarin Designs (thanks, Guava for sharing that site!).

Apron Giveaway and Some Rescued Dogs

Apronista is having TWO giveaways this week! The first is a mother/daughter apron set from Modern June and the other is from Pat Sloan of Quilters Home. To enter both giveaways, leave some comments on the posts at Apronista, and also link to the giveaway on your own blog, if you have one, (and, don't we all these days?) to be entered a second time.

Speaking of aprons, here's a picture (finally!) of the one that Suzan from Bombshell's Panorama made for me. I still can't believe she did that! I love the fabric and the vintage hankie in the pocket was so sweet. Thanks again, Suzan!

Apron from Suzan
Originally uploaded by PipStitch

I just stumbled on this while watching another video on YouTube. It's from one of my favorite Shih Tzu rescue groups, Lone Star down in Texas, and directed to those of you who still buy puppies in pet shops and through the internet. I hope it makes a difference for at least one person.

My Two Favorite Gadgets

One of these does not play Milli Vanilli.

My two favorite gadgets
Originally uploaded by PipStitch

Actually, neither one does.

(I was trying to figure out how to center an image from Flickr. Looks like it worked.)

Snowman Biscornu

I made this snowman biscornu last week. The side seams did not come out even. I didn't feel like re-doing it but if I make another one for a friend, I will make sure it's even.

Snowman biscornu top
Originally uploaded by PipStitch

Snowman biscornu bottom
Originally uploaded by PipStitch

This biscornu was done on 18 ct Fiddler's Cloth or Fiddler's Lite. I always forget which is which. (And, if I ever labeled anything, pigs would fly.) I originally stitched "Christmas 2007" on the bottom piece but that didn't leave any room for the button so I ripped out the year. The lettering, holly leaves and candy canes all came from different charts I have around.

You can find the free chart for the biscornu here.

And, I think I used Fiddler's Lite Oatmeal after seeing it on the Charles Craft site.

Gobble Gobble

Turkey cross stitch
Originally uploaded by PipStitch

I couldn't sleep the other night so I cross stitched this turkey. The free chart is from Carol at X-Calibre Designs. He was pretty quick to stitch. Next year, I might make a few more of him and use him for some Thanksgiving cards. For this one though, I just added some felt to the back and added some floss to hang him up (I am so boring). I used 14 ct Aida and I forget the name of the color now. I had all the recommended floss colors except the one for the outer edge of his feathers so I just used a color that was a shade lighter.

Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

The New Me

Just a few random thoughts...

I'm done with trying to keep this blog craft related only. There some days when I'd much rather link to someone looking like a "pregnant eggplant" than another cross stitch chart.

Then again, here's a free Christmas biscornu chart for you with trees and holly and a cute Santa button. And, more freebies from the same blogger.

Remember: November is Adopt A Senior Dog month. Check Petfinder for older dogs in your area who are available for adoption. You know, giving a dog a home would be a nice "fuck you" to Ellen. And, make sure you email her and tell her all about the dog you just adopted and how you will be returning it to the shelter or rescue if it doesn't work out because that is what you do and everybody knows that. And, if you didn't know that, you need to do a little research on how dog rescues operate. And for Christ's sake, people, stop buying puppies at pet stores. This is 2007. There is no excuse for that anymore. The same goes for breeding your pets.

Help the ASPCA crack down on puppy mills by taking their survey on where you got your dog.

Oh my God, I totally thought he was gay. In fact, if you Google "gay peter pan," his site is the #1 result. But, look, he got engaged. I think it's sweet that Peter Pan found his Tinkerbell and I wish them lots of happy days.

And, just in time for the holiday season: how to draw Olive, The Other Reindeer.

Cheering Myself Up

Last night, I was still feeling pretty upset over my knee. I decided that I needed to do something fun instead of go to bed so I started on this dog house. I stitched the front and the back, and tonight I'll probably finish the rest of it. And, I am making this for myself. I need some cheering up and this cute little dog house will make me happy. I may make a few other things from Les chroniques de Frimousse too. I'd love to do the gingerbread house but I don't have any brown Aida and I don't want to do it in white or off-white. This past week, I made the snowman biscornu (I still need to take a picture of it). It's one of four charts on this page.

I just now finally found the directions on putting the houses together. I had planned to do it like I would a biscornu -- stitch the "walls" and roof separately and then attach them all together -- and it looks like that's what you do. The Google translation of the instructions is here. There aren't any photos of making the house though.

The Latest On My Knee (and it's not good)

I wasn't going to say anything about my knee but if I need to get this out.

I haven't felt like blogging much lately. You can thank my fucked up knee for that.

It's been over three months since I had my first surgery. I've been up and walking for a few weeks now. At first, it felt weird to do that, after not using my leg for so long. I thought eventually I would do better with walking and I stupidly thought everything would get back to how it was before I fell. But it hasn't gotten any better. For one thing, I can tell there's something in my knee (stainless steel plate, anyone?). I can walk but that's about it. I can't kneel (I can really feel the plate then), I can't squat, and I can't bend my leg much unless I'm sitting down. I have no feeling in my lower leg, right below my knee. I could stick myself with a pin and not even know it. And, my foot has been swelling so much. I couldn't put on a shoe if I wanted.

I am so disappointed. Why in the world did I have the operation if all I got out of it was a bum knee? I should have just been put in a cast for three months because the surgery obviously didn't do anything for me except fuck up my leg.

Once upon a time, I was a preschool teacher. I can't see me going back to that if I can't sit on the floor with the kids, or get down to their level to talk to them, or pick them up and carry them, or chase after them. I used to ride a tricycle on the playground. Seriously. I never imagined the inability to do the hokey pokey would mean I couldn't work. I'm really glad I wasn't a skier, snowboarder, surfer, or tap dancer before this happened.

I go back to the orthopedic surgeon on Monday and he had better give me some good news. I have a feeling he is going to suggest removing the plate, but that's more surgery, more stitches, and the risk of another infection. And, not something I'm ready to sign up for. I'll only do it if I get a guarantee that I will have full use of my leg once the incision heals.

Sorry to be so negative. I just can't believe what a mess this is.

Enter This Apron Giveaway

This week's giveaway from Apronista is an apron from Carolyn's Kitchen. To enter, pick your favorite apron and leave some comments at Apronista. To be entered a second time, link to the giveaway on your own blog.

The vintage-inspired aprons from Carolyn's Kitchens have stripes and polka dots and heart-shaped pockets. How perfect!

Free Heart Charts

My mom asked me to make a biscornu for her friend so I started on one this week and finished it last night. But when I sewed the top and bottom together, I could not get it to square up. Both pieces had the same amount of stitches yet when I put one on top of the other, it seemed like one had an extra row, even though every time I counted, I came up with the exact same number for every side. I'm convinced I'm a moron who cannot count. It was really frustrating because I couldn't figure out what the problem was. And, to make it worse, the bottom piece's threads started to unravel all the way to the backstitching and there was nothing I could do to fix it so I just gave up. I don't usually do that but life is short and I was not going to sit any longer, trying to get the pieces to fit together.

Maybe I will stop making biscornu (biscornus?) and move on to hearts. There are a bunch of free heart cross stitch charts here. [Link via Freebie Gallery where you can see a finished heart.)

Felt Ornaments

Every time I get online these days, I see something else I want to make. Check out these adorable mitten ornaments. There's a Flickr pool for finished mittens too.

The mittens were linked on Sew, Mama Sew as part of Handmade Holidays, which I keep forgetting to check.

Also, linked were instructions on making embroidered felt ornaments from Sunshine's Creations. And, for more inspiration, there's a Flickr group for them too.

I also recently found (and joined) a Flickr pool for biscornu.

Some Freebies

Last night I was at Casa Mia and I saw these pretty floss bobbins (or thread winders) that she had made. Of course, I had no idea how to make something like that. Well, The Small Object has come to the rescue by posting instructions on just how to make your own floss bobbins. Yay! Now I want to make enough to take the place of every boring plastic one I have.

Casey Buonaugorio has a free chart for a frog biscornu on her site (it's right below the picture of her soon-to-be-released design, Irish Cream Sampler). I suggest you print out the chart now because it won't be there forever.

And, over at All Sorts, you can find a tutorial for making an Advent Calendar from felt and embroidery floss. I have got to make this one.

Speaking of felt and floss, I made another cat bag for a friend. My mom asked me to do it and I realized on Sunday that Monday would be my last chance to get it to our friend by Halloween, so I stayed up that night and put it together. I'm happy with my blanket stitch but I wish I had done a more decorative stitch around the nose and mouth. I think it needs whiskers too. It doesn't look very cat-like to me. The pattern and directions were in the October 2000 issue of Country Living.

Felt cat bag
Originally uploaded by PipStitch

Holiday Softie Awards

Don't forget to vote for the Holiday Softie Awards. It's not an easy thing to pick just one in each category since there are so many great Softies to choose from. You have until noon on November 13th to get your vote in. I love, love, love the Zombie Christmas Choir Girl.

Another Apron Giveaway

Apronista is having another apron giveaway. This time it's for an apron from Sommer Designs, which are all worth drooling over.

It's Up and Running

I know no one who comes here looking for free biscornu charts will care but it's a big deal for me: I am wearing my insulin pump. The trainer came to my house today and we went over how everything works. I had spent several hours last night watching the dvd and going through "pump school" on the Medtronic website so I felt pretty comfortable with all of the buttons and what they did even before she got here. She had me put insulin in the reservoir and then insert the cannula (the little teeny tiny you-don't-even-feel-it-going-in-plastic-needle thingy) into my tummy and here I am. And, here's a picture of my pump in action. And, no, normal people don't usually have tubing sticking out.

I don't know why I didn't do this 20 years ago. Seriously.

Tie One On Local Pride

The latest Tie One On gallery is up -- the theme was Local Pride -- and it was all I could do not to leave lame "I love this apron!" comments on just about every single photo. Go look at all the fantastic aprons now, I command you.

You know, the Tie One On gallery always leads me to discovering more great blogs, not that I don't already have enough of them to read. And, people wonder why it takes me a month to answer an email.

My New Pal

Meet my new friend. (I refuse to give it a name like some people do.) After 29 years of taking insulin injections, I'm finally going on an insulin pump. A nice shiny blue one. I'm not thrilled at the thought of having this thing attached to me all the time but I'm willing to give it a shot. Hah.

I did a quick search on "insulin pump cozy" (I'm a goober) and nothing came up but I did find this lovely case that someone had custom made for their pump. Very nice.

Handmade Holidays at Sew Mama Sew

For the month of November, Sew, Mama Sew! is doing Handmade Holidays: 30 Days of Gifts to Sew [link via Sunshine's Creations]. There will be a different theme every day, with ideas for fabric and patterns for making holiday gifts, and links to tutorials. November 1st was Aprons and November 2nd was Pincushions & Pins. They're also giving away two $25 gift certificates every week (winners will be chosen from the comments).

Well, I just spent half an hour looking at fabric. I keep going back to this one. I would love an apron made from that.

It's Adopt A Senior Dog Month

Did you know November is adopt a senior dog month? Check Petfinder to find an older dog in your area who needs a home.

Happy Halloween A Little Late

I was online for hours and hours last night and still forgot to put up a Happy Halloween here. What is it with me and holidays? I never remember to mention them until after the fact. So, in keeping with tradition, here's another photo of my dog with my cross stitched Halloween Cats. I'm not sure what is up with her tongue in this picture. Hope you had a Happy Halloween!!

Maggie and the Halloween cats
Originally uploaded by PipStitch

Another Giveaway And A Contest

Stitch Pink is giving away a pink ribbon tuck pillow. What's a tuck pillow? It's a little stuffed pillow with an opening to display a finished cross stitch, like a frame. I had seen them before but wasn't quite sure what they were until now.

Sublime Stitching is having a Handmade Gift Contest. Using Sublime Stitching patterns is encouraged but not required.

What's Your Guinea Pig Going To Be For Halloween

I have issues with people putting clothes on their dogs. Except for Halloween. Then I think it's friggin' adorable. But I have discovered something even better:

GUINEA PIGS IN COSTUMES!!!

This little dinosaur pig was posted on Cute Overload and then someone in the comments linked to Cuddly Cavies where you can buy more costumes and clothes (look at the plaid coat!). Now I want to get a whole herd of guinea pigs so I can dress them up!

Apronista Apron Giveaway

Apronista is having a giveaway to win an apron from Heavenly Hostess. This contest ends on Friday at midnight (not sure in which time zone) and you can enter twice so get over to Apronista and read all about it. Good luck!

I love the graphic of the lady wearing the apron on the Heavenly Hostess main page. Why can't I be built like that?

She Said Hairy Balls

"If you watch my television show, you know that I always keep a bowl of coarse salt on hand for easy seasoning. At home in Bedford, I don't have one bowl next to my range -- I have 14."

Guess who has a blog now?

"It was rather chilly outside, but Pierre, my chef, made us all a fabulous warm meal that you will most certainly enjoy viewing."

Yep, Martha Stewart has a blog. The pictures are great (lots of the dogs).

"This most unusual perennial, Gomphocarpus physocarpus, is called the balloon plant. I like to call it hairy balls." [insert Beavis laugh here]

I really do love her.

Halloween Witch Finish

Halloween Witch
Originally uploaded by PipStitch

I finally got some black ribbon so I could turn Emily's Halloween Witch into a doorknob hanger. (And, yes I know I did not punch the holes evenly.) I was inspired by Brooke's finish for her Haunted Tea Party freebie. I wasn't sure how she did the loop border but I gave it a shot. I like how it looks but next time I will make my loops a little bigger.

I cheated on the French knot eyes. The first one I made came out well but the second, third and fourth attempts were not good so I gave up. Instead, I made a half stitch and then one down the side and along the bottom to make a triangle (if that even makes sense).

You can find the free chart for the Halloween Witch at The Floss Box. I love her green skin! By the way, Emily has also put out a Winter Witch. I'm sure I'll be doing that one too.

Halloween Cats Finish

Halloween Cats
Originally uploaded by PipStitch

This chart is a freebie from Kreinik. You're supposed to use their silk threads on a Tokens & Trifles sewing card, but I used DMC floss in Fall colors from my stash , and 14 ct Aida for the larger one and 18 ct Fiddler's Cloth for the smaller one. I put felt on the back since I didn't have any Halloween fabric. I was going to give the little one to my sister but I liked it and wanted to keep it. That's why she's getting the bigger one.

You can find the free chart for Halloween Cats here. It's a pretty quick project to do.

The EZ Craft Show

Be sure to check out the EZ Craft Show. It's an online gift and craft show. Niki of Niki's Ventures has a booth there. There are over 300 booths in the show. You can find the directory here. I just went and looked at some of the items for sale and found a few quilts and patterns I'd love to have. The show will run through November 7th.

Wednesday

I linked to Stitch Pink a week ago and I think I mentioned there were links there to free breast cancer awareness charts. But I forgot to mention the one I started to do a few nights ago. It's from Painted Giraffe Stitchery and I like it because of the pink ribbon and heart charm on it. You'll have to email Bonnie and ask her to send you a PDF of the pattern. She's a very nice lady and emailed me a chart right away. More info is here.

I need to make something, like a pie or cupcakes or marshmallows. Other than sticking a batch of Pillsbury Ready To Bake cookies in the oven and mixing up one meatloaf, I haven't done any real cooking for two months now and I really miss it.

I got my second set of stitches out on Monday. The nurse covered the wound with temporary bandages. I peeled one off at the top and one off at the bottom today just to see what was under them, and it's just scabby and dry, which I believe is what we want. I just want it to thoroughly heal without any more problems or infections this time. Only another month to go and I can start using my leg again.

It was nice last night to take a break from all the news coverage about the fires and watch "Damages." If you didn't get into this show, and I know not many people did, you really missed out on some terrific television. I was happy with the way it ended so if it doesn't get renewed, it will be alright, but I do hope Fox decides to give it another chance. I want to see Ellen take down Patty Hewes.

Southern California Fires

Between watching local news, listening to the radio, and looking on the internet, I feel like I've been on fire watch for the past couple of days. We're about 20 miles south of one of the fires (the Santiago/Portola/Irvine fire) so we're not in any danger now but I'd be naive to think we're totally safe. There are some open spaces to the east and south of where I live that would easily burn if a fire started there.

I feel so bad for those who have lost their homes. I believe about 500,000 people (!!!) have been evacuated so far. They said on the news tonight that the winds have died down considerably so hopefully that will give the firefighters a chance to get some of these fires contained tomorrow.

Please keep Southern Calif in your thoughts and prayers.

The Needlework Show

Be sure to visit The Needlework Show this week. It's only for wholesale orders so you can't order anything from it but anyone can go look at the vendors' needlework designs and supplies. Click the General Viewing link for a list of vendors. Each vendor has their own page. It will take you awhile to go through them all but it's an easy way to see new stuff. If you see something you like, you can ask your local needle shop to order it for you or you can track it down on your favorite online store's website. Some of the vendors are giving out door prizes, including Dinky Dyes. You can enter to win a set of their silk threads. More information can be found on their vendor page.

I've already found a few things I really like and I'm not even halfway through the vendor list yet. I'm fascinated by the designs for boxes. (Maybe this is why I like biscornu so much and turn my finishes into pillows instead of framing them.) Look at this Christmas box from Cherished Stitches. And Luna Solstice from Dames of the Needle. This pyramid from Twisted Oaks Designs is cool. So is the chicken pincushion below it on the same page. I remember Cindy Valentine's The Merry Otter from last year's show. I would love to make that box. Look at it opened up. How neat is that?

I could use a good thread picker, like this one from My Big Toe Designs. I didn't even know they made such a thing.

The Needlework Show runs through October 22.

A Couple of X-Stitch Finishes

Here are two more cross stitches I've done while sitting around the house. I started and finished the cats yesterday. You can find that free chart at Kreinik. It's supposed to be done on a Tokens & Trifles sewing card with silk threads, but since I had neither, I just used what I had on hand and chose Autumn colors. The cats were originally going to be turned into something for my sister but I like how they came out so I'm keeping it for myself. I'll make her one later this week. It's not like I don't have the time. Hah! (I can do hers on the 14 ct Aida I don't like. Mine's on 18 ct Fiddler's Lite.) You can find the witch chart here.


There's a third finish below these two -- I didn't want to cut the fabric because then it would be too small for my hoop so I thought I'd stitch as many designs on there as I could -- and it's the autumn heart from Kissy-Cross. I wasn't sure what to do with the heart. I really like this needlebook that someone named Annie made from both heart charts.

I went to the orthopdedic sugeon this afternoon and he thinks my incision looks better this time around. I agree. It actually looks like it's healing, instead of being all scabby and red. He said he'd leave the stitches in for one more week. And, it looks like next week I can start putting some weight on my leg. I'll still need to stay off it for another four weeks though. I wonder how many more cross stitches I can do during that time.

Oh and when I am finally done with the walker, I will be setting fire to it in the backyard.

Very Cute Crochet Pom and Meerkat

I must learn to crochet. Why? Because I need to make one of these. Since I get a lot of visitors here who are looking for stuff, let me throw in these keywords:

Pomeranian
crochet
free pattern
so cute, my blood sugar just shot up to 300

More cuteness: make a meerkat! [link via Craftster via Craft Chat on Swap-bot] Look at him dressed up for Christmas.

I've wanted to link to this quilt for awhile but keep forgetting about it. I love it!

Brooke's Books has a new Halloween freebie out: The Haunted Tea Party door knob hanger. (You'll have to scroll down a little and then click the picture to get the chart.) It's cute and I love the way it's finished.

Wondering About Embroidery On A Stuffed Something (could this title be any longer)

I've always wondered how to embroider a face on a stuffed something. Look at this picture. I don't get where the knotted end of the thread is. If I were going to make this little guy, I would embroider the face before I sewed the two sides together, but it seems like all the instructions I see always have you do the face after it's stuffed.

That photo is part of a tutorial on making a felt monster. I saw that link on Craft Tutorials -- there's a bunch of great stuff there (check out the sidebar).

The October/November challenge for The Purse Project is to make a container bag, like a cozy for an iPod, a bag for a camera or a lunch bag. I showed this pig iPod cozy to my mom and she said I should make one like it for her cell phone. Hmm. That might be an opportunity to talk her into buying me some wool felt.

The Purse Project theme last time around was to make an amulet bag. I love CarolJean's angel.

The most recent site to make me drool: Frills, Frocks and Fancies! [link via Apronista] In the very near future, Malphi will be selling "ready to sew" dressmaking kits. You'll get everything to make a dress or apron in the kit and won't have to deal with a pattern or cutting fabric. Sounds like a great idea to me. I love, love, love this apron. And, yes, I want the bloomers too.

Stitch Pink

A few days ago, I somehow ended up at Stitch Pink, a blog for sharing cross stitched projects to promote breast cancer awareness. Anyone can join and post photos of their finishes. There's also a lot of good information there with links to all kinds of things, such as a Yahoo group whose members stitch squares for quilts to raise money for breast cancer research. On the right sidebar, is a list of links to free charts. Be sure to check them out.

I love Blue Ribbon Designs' With All Your Heart. This kit is available at needle shops all over but if you buy it from Elegant Stitch, you can be certain 100% of the proceeds will go to breast cancer education and awareness programs.

Hmm. That "eight-cornered pin pillow" looks like a biscornu to me.

Little Happy Halloween Pillow

Happy Halloween
Originally uploaded by PipStitch

This picture has been waiting for three days to get posted so here it is: my "Happy Halloween" finish. I stitched it on 14 ct Aida, which I have really grown to dislike, but I have a good-sized piece of it and wanted to start using it up. (I really like 18 ct much, much better.) I used all the suggested floss colors except for under the trees and in one other place that I now forget for the roof (I just used similar colors from my floss stash). There's black felt on the back because I don't have any Halloween fabric, and the loop is crooked but oh well. I like how it turned out. Except for that spot in the middle where the row of pumpkins is indented. Maybe I should have put more stuffing in. (Happy Halloween chart is here.)

I finished stitching Emily's cute Halloween witch earlier tonight and will most likely add some felt to the back and stuff it, because you can never have too many little pillows, can you? (I need to try something new!)

Speaking of Emily over at The Floss Box, she has posted a bunch of free mini biscornu charts on her blog.

That's right. Mini biscornu. So little and so cute, your head might explode.

Foster Homes in Texas Needed

I need to interrupt the cross stitch party and beg for foster homes again.

The Humane Society of North Texas just removed over 90 Shih Tzus from a woman who could no longer care for all of them. (An article about it is here.) If the HSNT gets custody of the dogs, they will put the healthy ones up for adoption. One of my favorite Shih Tzu rescues, Lone Star, will most likely be fostering some of the ones who aren't quite ready to be adopted. It may take 6-9 months to get them ready to go to homes.

IF YOU LIVE IN TEXAS AND EVER WANTED TO FOSTER A SMALL DOG, NOW IS THE TIME TO STEP UP AND DO IT.

Find out how on Lone Star's blog.

Reading about this makes me so pissed off. The woman who had the Shih Tzus apparently has a husband with Alzheimer's and it was her kids who notified authorities about the dogs. I have no idea what was going on with this family. Maybe the kids didn't visit that often or have much contact with their parents. I sincerely hope that was the case. Because I would like to believe that, if the kids were stopping by regularly, at some point, like when Mom & Dad were up to five or seven or eleven or thirty dogs, one of the kids would have told their parents it was time to spay & neuter every single one of the fluffballs. Honestly, I do not know how rescue and shelter volunteers deal with this day and in day out. It's neverending, it's heartbreaking and it's just really sad. If it were me, I'd be shooting people left and right.

Lone Star is also looking for a foster home for this "pitiful anemic Shih Tzu girl." How sad is that story? A huge Thank You goes to the nice lady who got her out of the shelter. Now the poor thing just needs a place to go. Anyone out there wanna help her?

UPDATE: Speaking of dog rescue, one blog I really enjoy is Penny Sanford Porcelains. I don't remember how I got there but I'm sure it had to do with a link to her tutorial for heart shaped yo-yos. (And, if you're keeping score at home, I still have yet to make a single yo-yo. I am such the crafter.) Anyway, Penny and her husband just fostered eight (that's EIGHT) rescued Westies!! Read all about it. This totally cheered me up after reading about the Shih Tzus in Texas. Thank you, Penny and Gordon, for all you do for rescue!

UPDATE #2: Lone Star ended up with eight of these Shih Tzus. Go here for more information.

Another Hospital Visit

Well, I just spent another five days in the hospital. A couple of days after my stitches were taken out, my incision got infected. Taking antibiotics for nearly two weeks didn't clear up the infection so the orthopedic guy decided to admit me so he could open up my knee (again) and clean it all out, plus put me on IV antibiotics.

After we left his office, I had my mom take me home first so I could grab a few things to keep me busy, including the chart for Emily's Halloween witch. I didn't have the green floss for her face with me but I got a good start on it. (And, yes, I know it's not the best picture.) (I somehow deleted the photo by accident and couldn't find it saved on my computer.>

So, I once again have a line of stitches going down my leg. And, I'm on oral meds. One really good thing is this past Friday marked six weeks since my first surgery so I'm FINALLY at the halfway point to being able to put my full weight on my leg and stop using the walker. I'd be doing a happy dance right now if I could.

Halloween Challenge

(I just found this draft of a post from earlier in the week that I never finished. Enjoy it now.)

Feeling Stitchy is having a Halloween Challenge.

(Well, that's all she wrote. I don't know what else to say. Click the link to read the rules. Oh, and it's for any kind of needlework: cross stitch, embroidery and...uh...you know, the other kinds out there.)

Free Screensavers

How I find out what my screen size is? I was just at Debbie Mumm's site. I knew she had quilt patterns there but this was the first time I noticed there were screensavers you could download. I found several I like for Fall but not sure which size to pick.

Hot dang! I googled "how do I find my screen size" which took me here. So now I know. :)