c is for … catching up!

We’ve been away for a long weekend, enjoying the hospitality of Niek’s parents as they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary at a vacation park in the western part of the country. My blog has been taking care of itself with posts that I wrote before we left. I’m so glad that you’ve been enjoying my look-through-the-letters so far, and I’ve really enjoyed your suggestions as to what other words would’ve been good choices. My favorite suggestion was Jim’s “uplifting” for the letter u.

If we had not been away, c would be for Carl, my maternal grandfather. I just loved my Gramps – he was such a beacon of strength and solidity in my youth. He hardly spoke at all, but being with him made me feel so peaceful and safe … There aren’t many pictures of me with him, but I do have this one that I can share.

But I have been away, and there is just so  much to share with you – lots of catching-up to do! I’ll start with Sara’s progress with The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pattern. Sara tells me she’s done more since this picture, and will continue to share her progress as it’s possible to do so.

We had a really wonderful time with Niek’s family – I do love big family celebrations, and this one was not a disappointment! Niek’s parents arrangingd on-site housing for all their children (and the partners and children of said children!) with family dinners every night. There was also a big party for extended family on Saturday that included lots of cousins, aunts & uncles, and people I didn’t know – lots of fun!   I didn’t take my camera to the party or the dinners, for fear of losing it (I am frightfully absent minded these days!) but I do have some fun pictures to share of an impromptu pancake party and of a covered-wagon horse ride we took through the countryside.

An important bit of catching up that I’ve forgotten too many times (and even now, I don’t have a photo!) is a thank you to Helen for the lovely clothes she sent Arden. Helen, Arden’s worn the shoes several times already, and if the sun ever comes out, he’ll love the warm-weather wear just as much! Thank you!!

Other catching up which must be done concerns some unbirthday presents – they’ve now all arrived at their homes, except Coral’s. I’m afraid I just don’t have any luck at all with the South African post.

Here are the bookmarks I made for Kathryn, who is another bibliophile.

And Jennifer’s bookmark, which she assures me was absolutely to her tastes. Hooray!

And Mary’s Bent Creek cushion. Mary is a new-ish reader and blogger, and I had a harder time figuring out what to make for her.

Although Coral’s gift has not arrived, I’m going to show it anyway. I fear it may turn out to be like her birthday gift, and simply never get there.

I don’t have any recent catching-up stitching-related pictures to share with you because I didn’t get any stitching done this weekend - I had too much fun doing other stuff! Now I’m off to catch up on all the stitching you’ve been busy with! Thanks for coming to visit!!

Please excuse the lack of links in this post. WordPress has completely changed their layout for writing new posts and I’m absolutely lost at the moment ….

attitude … and assisi

You may remember that I’ve joined the April NaBloPoMo challenge, and that the month’s theme is letters. I’m beginning with “A” for attitude. Mine sure was in the dumps yesterday. As I’m typing this, the travel agency is attempting to book a flight that Niek found after spending literally about six hours online. It’s not a price that the agency offers (naturally, theirs is higher) but they are supposed to honor a ‘lowest price guarantee’. My only fear is, they’ll delay so long in getting it arranged that the flight will fill up and we’ll miss out. What a stressor!! Thanks for your warm wishes and support … it’s really hard to only go home once every two years, and the prospect of missing out is just really hard to accept.

A – for attitude is something I’ve been trying to work on even before this upheaval occurred. Like many people, I’m not satisfied with several aspects of myself, and I’m trying to improve. My attitude is one area that needs maintenance – I overreact and I tend to see the downside of a situation more clearly than the positives.  My goal is to worry less about the past and the future, and to live more fully in the present. I think it’ll make me a better parent and a better person.

and on to the stitching …

I’ve started this birthday gift. It’s Assisi stitching, so at the moment it’s pretty hard to tell what it is – other than a blob of yellow. LOL. Isn’t it a lovely yellow, though? This is Carrie’s Creation “Antique Gold” and I really enjoy the warmth and cheerfulness of it. The design is from the 2008 Haandarbejdets Fremme calendar with designs by Kirsten Lehrmann Madsen. I have collected several years in this series, but I generally prefer the older designs.

And yet another unbirthday gift has made its long trek to its real home. Pokua has received her tea-themed gift, and says she likes it. The back side is actually a pocket, in which I enclosed some of my favorite teas. I’ve copied her picture from her blog, as this was one of the ones that I forgot to photograph. The design is one of Tanya’s freebies (I can’t get enough of them!). There are now four gifts still in transit ….

delta sucks

Sorry, but I’m just so upset!! Niek and I booked our vacation to Maine awhile ago and have made all the arrangements that go with it (lodging for the dog, care for the other pets, etc.) and my family in the US has been busy making their plans to fit with our schedule … and today the travel agency informed us that Delta had cancelled our flight. It was a fully-booked flight, for heaven’s sake, how can they cancel it? Well, they have. And there’s nothing else in our original time frame that isn’t a king’s ransom more in costs than our original flight (which was already more expensive than buying a car!). We’re now trying to see if we can’t get something earlier, but it doesn’t look promising. I’m so upset, I could just cry. I haven’t seen my parents in two years!!

But to try to give a positive spin to today’s entry, I can happily announce that two more unbirthday gifts arrived today.

Lesley’s Hush Little Bunny doorknocker arrived:

And Tanya’s sampler-style pincushion arrived:

I was pretty happy with how the finishing turned out on both of these.

I’ll keep you posted regarding our hoped-for trip to Maine.

going postal

It would seem that my luck with the post has turned the corner - although Coral in South Africa still hasn’t received the birthday gift I mailed to her ages ago (hopefully her unbirthday gift will fare better), other items have been turning up in different parts of the world in a more timely fashion. Phew!

Cathy received her seasonal exchange/birthday greeting packet. Becasue I goofed and sent her “spring” for two exchanges in a row, this time she got summer and autumn in one. LOL! I’ve stitched part of Song of Solomon from Midsummer Night Designs over one for the wee summer fob, and I’ve stitched a squirrel from The Needle’s Content for the autumn fob. The finishing for the squirrel was suggested by Annemiek, the designer, and without the instructions on her chart, I wouldn’t have been able to figure this out. I’ve seen this finish turning up on some French blogs lately – it must be suddenly in vogue.

Outi’s unbirthday gift has arrived. I was very intimidated about making something for a designer, but we’re both cat lovers so I hoped my little kitty & birdie cushion, done in a prim style, would give her a smile. Luckily, it did. The design is from The Drawn Thread. This was one of the ones I didn’t photograph before sending out, so I’ve stolen Outi’s picture. It was also the only unbirthday gift that Niek really wanted to keep.

Helen’s unbirthday gift arrived and fortunately she liked it as much as I’d hoped. The delicacy of this design by Indigo Rose just said “Helen!” to me. Helen, Su, and their mum Veronica are such talented ladies that I was a little insecure about my finishing, but Helen assures me that her little floss fob is fine.

Chiloe’s unbirthday gift arrived. I wanted to make her something as cheery and bright as I imagine her to be. A Glory Bee design just hollered her name … but I have to admit that this was the design that met with my sewing machine mini-disaster (when I sewed and then cut through part of the design). I saved what could be saved, however, and made what I thought was quite the cute little door hanger from it, and was very pleased by the finished product. Again, this one got away without being photographed, but Chiloe got some nice pictures of it (and I borrowed one!).

Willeke’s was actually the first unbirthday gift to arrive and not only did I fail to photograph it, it was an original design by yours truly so it exists nowhere but in my drafty head. I’d noticed, while doing detective work in everyone’s blogs for the ‘ideal gift’ that Willeke also likes primitive stitchery. So I made her a hanging bird pinkeep. The finish was different-but-similar to that of Rachael’s.

For Rachael’s unbirthday gift, I had to go with a peacock, because I know how much she loves them. That purple linen was just irresistable! The peacock is from Peacocks 2, by The Workbasket. I had fun making a rather silly, colorful, mess of the finishing in hopes that it would make Rachael smile. It did, she tells me.

Although Annemarie had not received her unbirthday gift when we emailed last night, I know it must arrive today because of the reliability of the Dutch post within the country. Annemarie has a thing for mermaids, and I bet she thought I’d make her one – but I decided to veer off the path of predictability this time and instead made her this heart ornament, Friendship Sampler designed by The Needle’s Content. A Dutch design for a Dutch stitcher – now that’s got to be unexpected! LOL! My heart finishing is still not perfect, but … gosh, I sure try to make it perfect! I love this design, btw, and want to make it again to keep!

Yesterday wasn’t much to write home about when it comes to stitching. Niek and I took a peek at a much larger house over in his hometown, and after that appointment it was time to pick the kids up, and I was busy with them for the rest of the day. It is nice to have all the stitchy stuff organized and tidy (except those odd fibers that are still waiting to be put in their rightful place). I’ve enjoyed looking at all the lovely things that you’ve been stitching, though! What an industrious, talented bunch!

chocolate, bread, eggs and smiles

The order of our main Easter components will vary according to which of us you ask.

Our Easter actually begins the night before, when Niek makes one of his special paasstollen (Dutch Easter bread). The bread dough is sweet and contains dried fruits (we like raisins & cranberries in ours) and the center of the bread is filled with almond paste. It’s eaten sliced with butter (not margerine!) spread over it. Delicious!

For the kids, Easter begins in the morning, preferably after the sun has risen. Especially when Mommy was up at 5 am feeding Arden. To stall for time while the Easter Bunny’s special helper hides the eggs, the kids have to get dressed and brush their teeth – and occassionally additional stalling techniques are required before the backdoor closes and I know that our special Agent of Easter has finished his task. LOL. Then we tramp down the stairs, no doubt sounding like a troupe of monkeys and a herd of elephants, and the kids race outside to see who can find the most eggs. Nicky and Rowen are a little competitive, and Nicky takes this egg hunt as a personal challenge. After the eggs have been located, we scramble back inside to see what the Easter Bunny has left … and to stuff as much of it in tiny mouths as possible before Mom or Dad notice. And then, finally, we settle down at the table for a true breakfast feast

The rest of the day is usually spent having fun, begging for more chocolate, squabbling a bit as the sugar high wanes, and begging for more chocolate. This year it’s a little quieter, as Max is with his paternal grandparents for the long weekend. Tomorrow is also a holiday here, and we’ll spend the day with Niek’s Oma, who has been very ill with pneumonia. She’s been home from the hospital for over a week now, but remains weak and disspirited. We’re taking her lunch, as she’s not up to going out for a luncheon. Hopefully a direct dose of great-grandchildren will do much to energize and restore her to her usual disposition.

… and don’t forget stitching!

While Niek slaved over the Easter bread last night ( ) I completed my first-ever biscornu. It’s for an exchange, but now that I’ve finally attempted this finishing method, I know I’ll make more. What a cute little thing it is! The beautiful glass bead on the front was part of my birthday gift from Deb. The tulip shape is just so perfectly suited this ‘greenly growing’ pattern (from the 11/06 issue of TGOSM). I used a simple green glass bead on the back. After I was finished, I saw that there was actually a size requirement of 3 to 4 inches for this exchange – I’m afraid I overlooked that earlier, and mine is a wee 2+ inches, but I’m sending it anyway because it is just so cute. I think it’s much better suited for a pincushion at this size, than it would at a whopping 4 inches anyway.

Edited to add: The group mom at this exchange has contacted me to say that cuteness is not a factor, but size is. My biscornu is about 1/2 inch too small and therefore … unacceptable. While I am happy to keep it, I’m feeling rather frantic about where I’ll find the time to make a replacement and more than a little grumpy about fanatical rule-keeping. Next time, I’ll measure twice and stitch once, to alter a phrase borrowed from my carpenter friends. 

Assuming I get a chance to stitch today, I plan on finishing up a small gift for one more unbirthday gift. I’ve sent out the original dozen, but I’m a big believer in a ‘baker’s dozen’ and had already contacted Jennifer about sending her an unbirthday gift. Both Chiloe and Willeke have received theirs already, but haven’t mentioned it on their blogs, and they are from the group I forgot to photograph before I mailed them out.

Wishing one and all a glorious Easter, filled with tidings of re-birth and renewal, joy and love.

geography and math were never my best subjects

I’ve got to laugh at my mistake in writing “Australia” when I meant “Austria”. I’ve never been to the land down under, though I have seen a fair bit of western Europe. No koalas in Vienna, but what a heavenly chocolate cake. Anyway, it turns out that in addition to getting an F in geography this week (though, really, it was more an error of typing, another subject I did poorly in), I’m also flunking math. I signed up for a biscornu exchange with a group that I heard of via Angela at Patternuts Place and decided to stitch one of the several gorgeous designs by Lady Peripheria that I’ve been saving up (this is the monochromatic version of Sampler Flowers 2). I stitched 1/4 of it using the pattern and then used what I’d stitched as the “pattern” for the remaining 3/4. (Those little sheets of paper are just one more thing to get lost here at Chateau Chaos.) The problem is, I made a counting error in that first section, which was carried through the whole design. I’m not tearing out the lion’s share of the design to correct it, so I will keep this for myself. I actually needed a square design in this size to hold a lovely little potpourri sachet I bought at the World Shop last weekend, so it all works out fine. I’ve started another biscornu using a chart from TGOSM for the exchange.

The first of the unbirthday gifts arrived a couple of days ago – a primitive bird hanging pinkeep I sent to Willeke. She’s been too busy to post a picture, and unfortunately it’s one of those that I didn’t photograph before sending it.  Hopefully she’ll find time to post a picture of it on her blog.

Speaking of stitching, Ink Circles is offering a very cool mystery SAL based on a Celtic illuminated manuscript.  The first installment is up, and I have to say that this one really has my attention. Go take a peek and see what you think.

It’s the long Easter weekend here. The kids got out at noon, after stuffing themselves silly at the school’s Easter Brunch. The apple turnovers I made (tarts are tiny pies, I’ve been advised) were a huge hit in the boys’ classrooms, but less popular in Rowen’s. There were just enough left for us to each have one – and IMHO, they turned out great! I’ll have to make them here at home, as they’re incredibly simple. I have no idea what the kids and I will be doing during the next few days. Our lovely pre-spring weather has turned off cold, rainy, and gray – but we’ll make the best of it. Here’s a priceless picture of Nicky and Rowen enjoying a cuddle (dressed up from some playing they were doing) – you can see the rain-soaked pavement outside the window.

Speaking of kids, guess who’s three (calendar) months old today?! Can you believe how much he’s grown and changed? I can’t!

For reading, I’ve finished Treasure of Khan and found it enjoyable, as always. For the record, I only like the Dirk Pitt novels; the other NUMA novels don’t interest me. I started The Sea, by John Banville, but I doubt I’ll have much time for reading over the next few days.

Thanks for coming to visit me!

it’s finished!

Added by Barbara 20 March:

Note to self: Do not compose blog entries when tired. Vienna is in Austria, not Australia! I apologize to all the Austrians and Australians for the brain hiccup.  

Wow, today turned out to be insane. But the kids are in bed, the last bunch of mini apple tarts (or apple turnovers – I’m never really clear on the right term) is in the oven, and … I survived! Today’s adventures included all six of us going to the dentist, coloring eggs, and a trip to McDonalds – I think we packed a week’s worth of activities into the day. But this morning, before it really got hectic, I finished the finishing on the last of the unbirthday gifts, got the envelopes addressed, and … they’re gone! Hooray! I do hope they all reach their new homes very soon, and that everyone will like what I made. I’ve had numerous attacks of insecurity during this process, convinced that my stitching and finishing are not good enough, that my choice of designs and methods is too weird or too primitive, etc. … but hopefully in spite of the many shortcomings, everyone will like her gift and it will be a lot of fun for all.  They’re really going to miss me at the post office, I’m sure of it.

No stitching to show today, but there is some silliness to share because I’ve been tagged – read on, if you’re interested.   

playing games 

Rowyn tagged me. I hope I’m not too boring…

Four movies I’d watch again
* Casablanca
* Donnie Darko
* any and every Hitchock film
* The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (the animated one, not the stupid one with Jim Carrey)

Four places I’ve lived
* Florence, Arizona, USA
* Campton, NH, USA
* Heidelberg, Germany
* Nijmegen, the Netherlands

Four TV shows I watch
* CSI Miami
* CSI (the one in Nevada)
* Life (this is new here and I love it)
* Little House on the Praire re-runs

Four places I’ve been
(I’m assuming this means been, but not lived)
* Vienna, Australia
* Antwerp, Belgium
* Paris, France
* Mexico

Four things I love to eat
* sushi
* fresh (cooked) fish
* nuts & dried fruit
* goat’s cheese on crackers

Four places I’d rather be
(I’m listing places I’d like to go to)
* Maine
* Japan
* Alaska
* Russia

Four things I look forward to
* uninterrupted sleep at night
* being able to combine work and family again
* seeing my family and friends in the US
* watching my kids grow

I’m not tagging anyone – play if you’re interested.

you cheer me up

Thank you, Marita, for letting me know that I cheer you up. Marita points out that she’s given the award because I leave comments on her blog … so I’ll just take a brief moment here to say that for me, the exchanging of comments is really what it’s all about. How else can be become friends, unless we “talk”?

Moving along, here’s the scoop:

If you are a recipient of the You Cheer Me Up Award, please find the blogs that cheer you up, copy the code to post on your sidebar and pass Ethel and Lucy across the blogosphere. You can use what cheers you up in your post, or copy this one, but please send your award recipients back to the original post on *A Nice Place In The Sun to get a copy of the award code, post the image and read the instructions. I want to try to maintain a page of original and ongoing award recipients, so feel free to let me know if you’ve received an award when you pick up the image code.

“Originally, the award was intended for:

bloggers who make me laugh until my face hurt
bloggers whose writing voice comforts me when I’m feeling lost
bloggers who inspire me when I’m feeling blue.”

For bloggers who make me laugh, I have to include Marita, Anna, Harmien, and Annemarie. You’ve all been responsible for coffee or Coke coming out my nose at some point.
Bloggers who’ve been inspirational and cheering must include Vonna, BeckySC, Melissa, and again, Marita.
There are lots of other bloggers who I return to day after day, eager to read the latest about what’s going on in life and in stitching and a few of these dear friends are: Isabelle, Cathy, Jenna, Ruth, Coral, Nicki, Ruth, Deb, Carol, Judy , Emily … and more.

In short, blogging has made my life so much fuller and happier – you (all!) cheer me up!!

Something that does not cheer me up is realizing that I forgot to take pictures of the five unbirthday gifts I posted yesterday. Now how did I neglect that? I did take pictures of the seasonal exchange posted to Cathy, so the camera was literally in my hands … anyway, here’s a picture of the back of a fob that I sent Cathy, to show the new-to-me finishing method I’d mentioned yesterday. Cool, don’t you think? I love how the cording fits so neatly in the middle (that was a bit tricksy, but worth the effort). Btw, the scissors stay with me – they’re a pair Carol gave me and I won’t part with them for love nor money!

I’m relieved to say that I have remembered to take pictures of the unbirthday gifts that were posted today! Two more went out in today’s mail, and I finish-finished two  more after the post office closed. I’m getting there!

Oh, and check it out – you can let your kids read my blog without supervision!

*Every time I open this page, my computer begins to behave oddly. Therefore, I’ve opted NOT to post the picture that’s supposed to accompany this award and I would caution you about opening the page for fear of viruses.

they love me at the post office

Today, the first five unbirthday gifts were posted, as well as a birthday gift and an exchange. I bought a box for Terra’s wedding gift and that will be posted tomorrow along with the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pattern (which should’ve gone out today, but I had a brain hiccup). Of the remaining seven unbirthday gifts, they’re all stitched but one and are awaiting finishing. Yay! Or at least, mostly yay.

It’s been a totally wild day, with Nicky’s first lesson for World Dance. When I picked him up from school today he told me he wasn’t going, that it was stupid, etc. but by the time we got home he’d agreed to go ‘just for today’. Needless to say, he loved the lesson and when I picked him up he was exclaiming that he wished tomorrow was Monday too so he could go again.  Max has volleyball on Monday and wouldn’t you know that both start at the same time – but in different parts of town. Normally he’s with his best friend on Monday and goes with that Mommy, but his friend was sick today and it was up to me to be in two places at once. I almost met myself coming and going.

This morning, before the craziness started, I finished Cathy’s seasonal exchange. I’m terribly embarassed to admit that I had lost it. Well, misplaced it. With all the unbirthday gifts going, the exchange wound up disappearing till it came to light Friday evening. One of the two items was a new finishing method for me and I was so pleased with how that one came out. I really must try that again! Cathy, my apologies that it went out two days after the deadline – hopefully the posts will be cooperative and it will arrive in good time nonetheless.

I’ve received confirmation from ABC Stitch that my Shores of Hawk Run Hollow and all the DMC is on the way. Unfortunately, the Lakeside Linen was backordered, so even when it arrives, it’ll have to wait. Still, I can’t wait to drool over it. I actually placed this order back during the Nashville show, but there were a few issues with my PayPal account that delayed shipping. Also coming in this order are a few small goodies that I’m really looking forward to receiving – here’s a picture from the internet of what all will soon be arriving. Woohee!

Here at Chateau Chaos, it’s time for me to feed the hungry masses. Wishing one and all well – and thank you so much for making my little part of cyberspace part of your world!

in which torill makes a friend

I have a confession to make. Some time ago, Rowen asked to play with Itty Bitty, her pear doll, and somewhat against my better judgement, I let her. And … we haven’t been able to find Itty Bitty since. Poor Torill has been rather lonely, especially since I packed Lovey Louise up to send with the other comfort dolls. You can imagine my delight this afternoon when, on a meandering trip through town with Max, I spotted an adorable little Babushka who called out to me from her shelf. Is she the cutest little lady, or what? And I swear, Torill’s smile brightened considerably. (Not to worry, the search for Itty Bitty will continue!)

Sampler Flowers 2 by Periphaeria Designs, WIP

It’s been a restful Saturday – other than vaccuuming and laundry, the household chores have been largely ignored, but sometimes you’ve just got to let the dustbunnies play. I did a little more work on my substantial finishing pile (next time I make unbirthday gifts, will someone please keep me to a more reasonable quantity than twelve?) and a little stitching; Max and I did a little shopping; and I did more than a little bit of eating (Niek made fresh trout for dinner and I was in seventh heaven). Arden did a lot of smiling when he was awake today – here he is in the adorable shirt Anneke bought for him, which says it all.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend! Thanks for sharing it with me!