Maternity Leave Blues

I'm supposed to come back from maternity leave today. I was supposed to switch shifts with my husband so I would come in at 2:30 pm instead of 6 am (6 am is not going to work with breastfeeding an infant who is fussy in the evening). Everything has been approved but they will not switch us for 2 weeks. There is no way I can handle being to work at 6 am. I will not get any sleep. Hoping for a miracle...

Switching projects

Principal stitching has been completed on the stocking but I'm switching to the Koalas.

Brrrr

Hello from Dallas-Fort Worth where my phone tells me that it is 16 degrees (it is actually warmer in Milwaukee right now which is sad). The normal temperature for this time of year is like 50 degrees. My husband promised me warm temperatures if I married him.........where are they, dear?



One of the things my Mom sent me for Christmas was a set of cross stitched sheep that my Grandma Marks did. She was an accomplished cross stitcher but she never taught me, I picked it up on my own after she had died. She loved birds and most of her pictures are of birds.




My grandma also did this set of birds. They aren't stitched on aida or evenweave or linen. They might actually be stamped cross stitch but I'm not sure.

Another giveaway (not by me)

Feathers in the Nest is having a giveaway for a lovely chart, charms and a frame for a project.

Calico Prairie is also giving away a bunch of cross stitching stuff.

Giveaway

As it is rather chilly outside, I have decided to give away my diamond lace shawl. It was originally knitted to be given away anyway.

To enter, comment on this post and include the current temperature. One extra entry for being a follower and another for posting a link on your blog. Last day to enter January 19th. Winners announced Jan 20th.

My Favorite Things PIF

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad

So, I won Gil's PIF on her blog which means it's my turn to Pay It Forward.

To enter, leave a comment on this post which includes a list of YOUR favorite things (it can be short). I will take entries until Jan 31 and on February 1, I will select 3 people to receive a small stitched item made by me in the next year. As always, you get one extra entry for being a follower and one extra for posting a link to this on your blog. If you are selected, it will be your turn to Pay it Forward

Goals for 2010

Happy New Year everyone!

I've taken a bit of time off from the blog because my daughter has been fussy as of late and hasn't given me much time to stitch because she wasn't feeling well and of course wanted to be held.

So, this is my list of projects for 2010:

First, the progress on the stocking:



Next on the list is a project I started last spring for my friends Luke and Jen for the birth of their daughter Nora. It was supposed to be done last summer (oops...). It's called "Family Portrait from the Cute and Cuddly Cross Stitch book




This is my current progress:

Next, I'm going to do a bellpull for my husband, who loves his tea. It is a set of four teacups (one for every season) out of the July/Aug 90 issue of Cross Stitch and Country Crafts.



Only problem is I can't find the Chalet fabric that is mentioned. I need to find a suitable substitute.

After that, I have two more stockings to do.

A needlepoint one for my stepdaughter Emily:



and a Gold Collections one for my husband:



I wanted to do the SAL with Rae but I'd already picked up these kits.