Monday, September 19, 2011

ISHW and Update on Gray Cat

Hey all!

Thanks to all who joined my blog and entered my giveaway.  It was fun reading all your colour choices and what teas you like to drink.  For those who don't like tea, I can throw in some cocoa or whatever you like to drink!! I added a link to the side of my blog so people can still join by clicking on the picture labeled "My Giveaway".  Good luck to all and thanks again for joining in on the fun!!
Okay, onto stitching news.  I managed to get some stitching done.  I started on Friday night and watched, for some reason, the Notebook again.  This movie makes me cry like a baby.  I think it's because it makes me think of my grandparents, and their undying love for each other.  About 7 years ago, my beloved grandfather, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.  He was a professor of economics and the most loving, humble man in the world.  Now that he is in a home, my Nana visits him daily, making sure he gets his fruit and sees that he is  being properly looked after.  Her dedication to him is unfailing and I know it pains her to see her husband fade away.  So you can see why this movie moves me to tears, especially in the end. 

Honestly, this weekend should be called, for me anyways, The International Frog Weekend!! I worked on Tiny Rose Mandala, and I think I did more frogging than stitching!! For some reason, I find Chatelaine designs really difficult to follow and I ALWAYS make mistakes!! Not sure why, but maybe it's the symbols and symmetry of the piece that my brain just doesn't get.  I still love her designs, but am worried about trying one of her bigger pieces.  They are pricey, way out of my range, and involves an inordinate amount of time. If I started frogging those silks and specialty stitches, I would cry!!
 After working on Tiny Rose, I moved onto the Tea Bath Fairy.  Guess what I started working with? Kreiniks!! Yay!! Super sarcasm here.  It actually wasn't that bad, but it is a slow process so I didn't get as much done as I wanted. It is such a cool design though and I really love how the picture is coming together.  Can't wait to start working on the fairy!!
Late last night, I decided to start another small, an easy one!! It's the BBD freebie design "Now I know my ABC's" and it has been one that I wanted to stitch for awhile.  I really love stitching the alphabet and making mini samplers. I chose 32ct. Belfast Platinum linen with DMC threads.  This is such a soft linen and I wish I had more of it!!



Growly Gray Cat Update

Um, so on Saturday night, as I was a bit tipsy from a night of dancing with my GF, I was walking, in my heels, towards my apartment, when the fellow who lives across from us was going outside for his smoke.  I decided to ask him if he has seen the big fat gray cat and if he belongs to anyone.  He said "Ya, he belongs to a lady in the building next to us.  She works for the SPCA." I replied "Aw that's too bad because we were thinking of taking him." So there you have it.  He is someone's cat.  I have to say I'm a bit sad about this, because after some thought, I really wanted this cat.  He's pretty cool and his growling is the best. 

I'll leave you with a few photos of some great thrift finds I bought awhile back.
Blue wine glass to add to my blue collection, found for $1
Hand painted Russian bowl found for $1.00!!
Take care and happy stitching!!


Anne

28 comments:

Margaret said...

Aw shucks on the cat. You would think someone from the SPCA would be more careful of his/her cat than to let it wander all over the place like that. Oh well. Love the stitching -- bummer on all the frogging though. Sorry to hear about your grandfather too. Alzheimer's is such a devastating disease.

Parsley said...

If she's working for the SPCA maybe she's just FOSTERING the cat? Worth an ask, I say.

Annie said...

I don't think I'd ever attempt a Chatelaine design. I have a personal no-frogging policy and that just wouldn't work out!

I also stay away from movies on that subject. Just too painful.

Glad you at least found the cat owner. But that's an interesting thought from Parsley about the fostering thing.

Super thrift-shop finds!

StitchyDon said...

Such beautiful designs and great progress this weekend !!! Chateleine designd are hard but soo worth the effort !!!

Joysze said...

Awww, about growly gray. :( Hey.... if she works for the SPCA, I bet they have a lot of kitties wanting to come live with you. ;)

Hmmm on the Chat.... I'll email you. :)

Love the blue wine glass!!! I bet it's stunning when the light hits in and that russian bowl, what a find!!!

My cousin loved the Notebook too. Give your grandma a hug for me the next time you see her, if you don't mind.

Joysze said...

Duh.... and I totally forgot to mention how gorgeous your kreinik looks!!! I hate using the gold ones, they fray like crazy. Some others are not so bad.

Alphabet is looking good. A dear friend of mine loves samplers and kept trying to talk me into stitching them, and every single time, I tell her that I already know my alphabet so I don't have to stitch them. LOL!!!

valerie said...

Great stitching for IHSW! You got a lot done what with all your social plans! You never know...maybe the grey cat is available.

Sorry to hear about your grandfather. That must be so hard. The Notebook is a great movie and a total tearjerker for me too.

grannie said...

I love the fabby you have chosen for your chat :-)

Your Nana sounds like a great lady - I hope my DH loves me that much one day.

Sara said...

Lovely stitching projects you have and nice progress you did :)
It's such a pity about the cat :(

cucki said...

very lovely stitching..i love it so much..and great progress:)
i am so sad about the kitty..lots of hugs for you all xx

Pauline said...

Sorry about the cat...but i am happy that he has a good home!
In my backyard lives a lovely black cat, it belongs to someone, but they don't care...so i give her food and love!
And i am sorry to hear about your stitching and frogging!
What a weekend you must have!

Bec said...

Sorry to hear about Mr gray cat.

Your WIPs look lovely. You are making great progress with Tea Bath Fairy :)
I have never worked with Kreiniks before, two of my HAED charts call for them but I am really hesitant about using them.

Birdie said...

So sorry about kitty.

Beautiful stitching.

Lynn said...

Your WIP all look beautiful! You're brave stitching a Chatelaine. I've looked at them many times before but all the specialty stitches (and of course the price) scare me off.
I agree that maybe the lady from the SPCA has taken the kitty in as a foster pet. Doesn't hurt to check it out!

Ewa said...

Aw, that's a shame about the kitty. He would have been a lovely addition. And I understand about the Chatelaine. I want to try one but I'm so scared! Good luck!

Mouse said...

aww shame on the puddy cat .. she fostering him ??? and not seen that film yet ,,,, one day .... lovely progress on your stitching :) love mouse xxxx

Kaisievic said...

Sorry about Growly Gray Cat, but never mind the right cat will come along for you one day.

I love your new treasures - especially the blue goblet.

Shame about the frogging - I hate it when I have to do that! So annoying!
Do you know, I have never seen the Notebook - must watch it one day.
Good luck with the Chatelaine design and thanks for the link to the Blackbird Designs freebie - I have downloaded it already and I am going to look for some nice fabric tomorrow, I think. Must stop chatting, and get to some stitching.

Hugs, Kaye xoxox

Carol said...

Oh, that's too bad that Growly won't be coming to live with you, Anne, but, hopefully, he'll be a frequent visitor :)

The Notebook never fails to make me sob. I'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather. We are going through this with my dad now and it is the most heartbreaking disease for the entire family...

Beautiful stitching--don't know how you work with metallics! They just drive me crazy! Love your blue wine glass--I'm a lover of anything blue, as well.

missy-tannenbaum said...

All of your stitching looks really nice, and you've picked such detailed patterns! I especially like the mandala, since the color scheme is so nice looking.

Lissanne said...

I'd call her and tell her you are keeping the cat, cause she evidently isn't a good parent if she is letting it wander around!

Your stitching is just beautiful! Love all your pieces. Keep on with the Chats, they get easier!

Veronica said...

Aww... That really is too bad about the cat. Then again, you could always pick one up from SPCA. I'm sure there are tons there waiting for you to shower them with love :)

Sounds like you've had a great stitchy weekend. I like your Rose Mandala, especially the fabric. Very sweet. What does Tea Bath Fairy look like finished? I'm curious.

I love the Notebook too. It's a great movie.

Take care!

Hugs,
Veronica.

Sally said...

Your Chatelaine looks gorgeous as does Tea Bath Fairy. That Kreinik shows up really well in the photo.

I've only ever done one big Chatelaine and I chose to do it the cheaper way with the DMC conversion but I didn't think it looked as nice. It was a mystery too and I hated it by the time I'd finished! There are several of her designs that I'd love to do but like you the price puts me off.

Kaisievic said...

Hi Anne, Just wanted to let you know that the Queen arrived safely. Thank you very much.

Hugs, Kaye xoxox

Topcho said...

You did a lot during the IHSW! All the wips look awesome. I don't like working with Kreinik too much, but I still find it easier than the DMC metals! Sorry for the cat. Well, it is nice to know he has a home, but it would be such a great end to the story if you were able to keep him! ^^""

Pumpkin said...

Yup, that movie gets me every time too...

At least you got some stitching done, frogging or not ;o)

Great finds! At least Gray Cat does have a home :o)

Siobhán said...

I'm glad to hear that the cat has a good home, though!

Love the WIPs! I need to do that BBD freebie, too. I have it printed out, just haven't stitched it yet.

Your finds are wonderful--love love love that bowl!

Angela said...

The Notebook or any Nicholas Sparks story pretty much makes me cry! I love them though.

I don't think I would ever have the courage to try a Chatelaine design and Kreinik's is like a nightmare to me and I avoid it at all costs! LOL.

Stitchabilities said...

Aww sorry that you had your hopes up about gray cat, but there are plenty of other cats needing homes.