School's out for Summer!!

Not an Alice Cooper fan, but this song keeps running through my mind all weekend. Kids finished on Thursday. It was a great end to the school year. Both schools that I work for had field day, awards day, and field trips...several celebratory ways to end a successful school year. It is fun to be a part of these things. I worked in a middle/intermediate school for the first thirteen years of my career. The last two years I have worked in the elementary setting. I never intended to teach in a middle school. My major was elementary education, and my goal was to teach in an elementary school. It just happened that I was offered my first job teaching eighth grade language arts, and I found that I loved it. Loved middle school kids. So much so, that I decided to stay in a middle school. I later became a middle school/intermediate school counselor. Two years ago, the district that I work for decided to dissolve the intermediate school that I worked for and put the sixth grade kids in with the 7th and 8th grade middle school and move the 5th grade kids back to the elementary schools. All of the teachers and the staff in my building were reassigned within the district. That is how I came to work at an elementary school at this point in my career. I was hesitant and nervous at first, but it has turned out to be a really good thing. I started in elementary school the same year that my son started kindergarten. It has been nice being able to work in his school three days a week and see him some throughout the day. And I like elementary kids just as much as I like middle school kids. :) My last day was Friday. It hasn't really sunk in yet that I have most of nine glorious weeks off. :) Right now, I am just trying to catch up on sleep. The last weeks of school wear me out trying to make sure that I have everything finished and wrapped up before the kids leave for summer. 

I picked up BBD Blessings and Kind Wishes over the weekend and decided to keep stitching until I finished. You may remember that it was in my doomed-for-failure rotation a few months ago, so it was already 2/3 finished prior to this weekend. However, here it is...

Blessings and Kind Wishes

Blackbird Designs

Started October 30, 2008

Finished May 31, 2009

R&R Reproductions Linen 30 ct. Olde Towne Blend

recommended WDW, GAST, and Crescent Colors fibers

I started stitching this on Oct. 30, 2008...the day that my father had surgery on his heel to put pins and a plate in when he shattered it from falling off a ladder. I spent a couple of days there shuttling him and my mom to the hospital, follow up dr. appts., etc. I started this one sitting in the surgical waiting room with Mom while Dad was in surgery. I am so glad that as I finish this, he is up walking and has his mobility back. 

With summer vacation lying ahead, I have been putting in some thought as to the things that I would like to accomplish this summer. I want to start walking regularly and hopefully shed some pounds. I have a great neighborhood to walk in...I just need to get out and do it. I also want to spend some time decluttering a few areas in my house. Of course, I plan to stitch a lot. I want to try to get somewhat caught up on the scrapbooks that I have going. Scrapbooking has been neglected somewhat and taken a backseat to stitching the last couple of years. I want read several books and watch several movies.

I started a new book last night called "Love, Rosie" by Cecilia Ahern. Good so far. The novel is written in the form of letters, text messages, emails, and instant messages between several characters. It was kind of confusing at first, but after about 100 pages into it, I am finding that I am following the plot line and it is keeping my interest. I picked this book up yesterday after I finished watching the movie "P.S. I Love You" (for the second or third time) which is based on a book by the same name and also by Cecilia Ahern. . Great movie! This is one movie that I think is as good as the book. 

Each time I finish something it takes me awhile to get focused on something else. I am not sure what to stitch next. Should I start something new or work on one of the WIPs in the Never-Ending WIP Pile? I think I may pick Molly back up for awhile. There is something about these designs that I love. I think partly it is the cute quirkiness of them and partly because I love stitching with NPI. Here's my latest picture. I need to finish the poor cat. He looks like he has mange.  And we won't even mention Molly's phantom arm. My son looked at this a couple of days ago and innocently asked, "What IS that sticking out of the cat's head?" LOL!

If you are still reading this novel of a post, bless your heart. Until next time...

Happy Stitching,

Kellie

Earth Sampler finished!

I put the last stitch in minutes ago. I had forgotten how satisfying it can be to complete a quick stitch. :) I started this one on Friday (5/22/09) and finished it today (5/26/09). I really like a lot of Primitive Needle's designs. This one was a lot of fun to stitch. So much so that I am thinking about putting the first stitches into Cape Cod Girls tonight. :)

On another stitching note, I found some new-to-me needles that I really like. They are made by Bohin. I have the #26 ones, and I think they glide through fabric so smoothly. I do most of my stitching in hand, and these seem to go through the fabric better than any others that I have tried. What are some of your favorite "must have" stitching tools? 

Happy Dance!

She's finished!! Actually I finished her last weekend, but I have been such a slug about blogging that I am just now posting a picture.

Carriage House Samplings

Mary Margaret

32 ct. Lakeside Linen Vintage Autumn Gold

Needlepoint Silk

Began 4/11/09

Finished 5/16/09

I really enjoyed stitching this one. Unlike me, I actually stitched this start to finish without stopping to work on something else. I promptly started Molly the same day that I finished Mary Margaret. I have a little progress to show. I also started Primitive Needle's Earth Sampler last night.

We just returned from an overnight. DH is taking a weekend class at WKU. Jake and I went along to hang out at the hotel and swim in the pool. I also made a quick trip to Hobby Lobby. I bought some 32ct. cream Zwiegart to stitch LK's ABC Lessons. They had several packages of MCG Textiles 32 ct. Natural linen marked down from $16.99 to $6.11. I thought that was a pretty good deal. I have never used this type of linen before but it seems to be soft and has a good feel. It's also huge--30"x36". I also grabbed several colorful aida bookmarks that had been clearanced. Love a bargain! :)

I have 3 school days left (with kids) and 4 work days total. Summer break is almost here. To say that I am excited is a bit of an understatement. :)

Looking forward to a long Memorial Day weekend. I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for those who serve and have served our country and those that have given their lives in order that we might have freedom. Several of my own family members are included in that sentiment. 

Have a safe, happy weekend. I plan to stitch...how about you?

Kellie

Almost finished...

I have worked almost exclusively on Mary Margaret since sometime in early April. I think I may finally finish her this week. I have to say that I have enjoyed every stitch, and that is saying a lot considering I have had to frog quite a bit for some reason. I am still off a stitch somewhere between the tree and the vine thing that the owl is sitting on, but I can't figure out where and I have decided to just let it be. 

Mother's Day was a busy but wonderful day. We went to my parent's house to celebrate with my family, and later in the afternoon to hubby's parents' house to celebrate with his family. Michael and I are both very fortunate to have both of our parents, and great parents at that. I was thinking Sunday morning how thankful I am for my own sweet, kind mother and how blessed I am to be a mother. Michael took Jake shopping for Mother's Day this year (without me reminding him, which is even better). Jake picked out a lovely purse that I adore (I have a thing for purses...), and he made me a great card. He was so excited about the card. Me too. It was handmade by him with his words. Hallmark will never be able to top that. 

We have been working in the yard a little. This fella jumped into my trunk when I visited the local garden center. Isn't he adorable? He's the guardian of the fish pond. :) Please ignore the scraggly little banana tree behind him that my husband insisted on planting. I love bananas, but I am not a fan of them planted in my yard. We live in Kentucky, for goodness sake! This is not a tropical climate...they do not grow well here, but I can't get that through to him.

Michael took Jake golfing this afternoon. I think I will stitch until they get home. 

Until next time...

Happy Stitching,

Kellie

Happy Mother's Day

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me.  They have clung to me all my life.  ~Abraham Lincoln

A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary. 

~Dorothy Canfield Fisher

 Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. 
~Unknown

Happy Mother's Day!!!

I will be headed to my parents' house to celebrate Mother's Day with my mother, father, brother, husband, and son. I am really looking forward to us all being together. My sister-in-law will be missed--she stays home, rightfully so, to celebrate with her mother.

Stitching pics to come soon... I am hoping for a happy dance on Mary Margaret this week! :)

Happy Stitching!!

Kellie