Sunday, December 23, 2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Poem
My mind will not abide
By all the rules and barriers set inside
To keep my hidden thoughts.
One day, I will run out of the time to hide.
My voice will speak the truth, untamed and uncontrolled, -
All is revealed, no treasure is in sight, -
And, naked and ashamed, I'll stand before the world.
But on that day
You won't be there to hear it, I pray.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
An Experience
Today... my heart was broken. It happened so suddenly and so quickly, that I barely had a chance to get my bearings... I could feel it as an enormous crush and pain in my chest, and then it was quiet, empty, and dark. It took me about thirty seconds to realize that they - all of them - were looking straight at me; another ten to realize I was not smiling, and a few seconds more to force a smile upon my... lips? Face? It is a strange feeling - smiling when you feel that empty inside. It's like... wearing a mask.
Part of me is wondering why I allow myself to get in these situations... And yet I feel - I hope - that, all said and done, it was a worthy experience. Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? I must be getting stronger, then.
Part of me is wondering why I allow myself to get in these situations... And yet I feel - I hope - that, all said and done, it was a worthy experience. Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? I must be getting stronger, then.
Monday, September 3, 2012
A Professional Student Experience
As many of you know, I have come back to school to get a second degree - this time in Accounting. What associations do you have with being a student? Just thinking about it... A day becomes longer, and the nights shorter - not because of daylight savings or the sun coming up earlier, but because I don't go to bed until all work - regular, house - and home - is done. Getting up in the morning becomes impossible without a cup of strong - really strong! - coffee.... In a nutshell, being a student for me always meant more work and less sleep. Why would someone want to stay a "professional" student unless he or she is into self-deprivation?
Then, a couple of months ago, my husband started working in San Luis Obispo. The kids were visiting with family, and I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and come to Kreuzberg in SLO. Kreuzberg is a restaurant with a "student" theme - mismatched chairs and tables, photographs and paintings on the walls, and piles and piles of books everywhere...
I had a few assignments to do, so I ordered a cup of coffee (with WiFi service included) and went on to work. Three hours went by very quickly, people came and went - all the same type, students, well dressed and happy, - music was playing, and although it was loud, it did not bother me. When breakfast time came, the bagel with smoked salmon and kippers - with exotic name "J.D Salinger" - was added to the coffee; a while later, at lunchtime, "Albert Camus" - an ahi tuna salad with honey mustard - or was it raspberry vinaigrette? - sauce arrived on my table... I kept working on my homework, and it was done, but at the end of the day what I remembered was the food and music experience. For the first time in my life I understood why some people prefer to stay "professional" students. If I was eating like that every day, I would not only enjoy it, I could also lose weight... and get my homework done, too! What could be better???
Naturally, living a good "student" life is expensive. Most of us (including me) probably could not afford this luxury on a regular basis. The meals I described earlier - the exquisite salad and the salmon bagel -were not cheap... For me, it was a once-in-a-while treat. As for the cafe regulars - most of them are students, children of well-to-do parents that don't have to work, don't have to do anything, really, but go to school and get decent grades. From the conversations I overheard while sitting there, I could understand that the speakers had but theoretical knowledge of the world around them, as someone would when observing it through the safety of a glass... What a charmed life it is - a life of professional student! For a moment I became part of it - and everything began to look so right, so logical and regulated. So... chaos-free. Just like it used to feel and look when I was a child. It must be pleasant to keep that illusion past the teenage years.
Then my husband came to pick me up, and it was time to go home - back to real life with jobs, bills, children and never-ending chaos. Back to reality.
Then, a couple of months ago, my husband started working in San Luis Obispo. The kids were visiting with family, and I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and come to Kreuzberg in SLO. Kreuzberg is a restaurant with a "student" theme - mismatched chairs and tables, photographs and paintings on the walls, and piles and piles of books everywhere...
I had a few assignments to do, so I ordered a cup of coffee (with WiFi service included) and went on to work. Three hours went by very quickly, people came and went - all the same type, students, well dressed and happy, - music was playing, and although it was loud, it did not bother me. When breakfast time came, the bagel with smoked salmon and kippers - with exotic name "J.D Salinger" - was added to the coffee; a while later, at lunchtime, "Albert Camus" - an ahi tuna salad with honey mustard - or was it raspberry vinaigrette? - sauce arrived on my table... I kept working on my homework, and it was done, but at the end of the day what I remembered was the food and music experience. For the first time in my life I understood why some people prefer to stay "professional" students. If I was eating like that every day, I would not only enjoy it, I could also lose weight... and get my homework done, too! What could be better???
Naturally, living a good "student" life is expensive. Most of us (including me) probably could not afford this luxury on a regular basis. The meals I described earlier - the exquisite salad and the salmon bagel -were not cheap... For me, it was a once-in-a-while treat. As for the cafe regulars - most of them are students, children of well-to-do parents that don't have to work, don't have to do anything, really, but go to school and get decent grades. From the conversations I overheard while sitting there, I could understand that the speakers had but theoretical knowledge of the world around them, as someone would when observing it through the safety of a glass... What a charmed life it is - a life of professional student! For a moment I became part of it - and everything began to look so right, so logical and regulated. So... chaos-free. Just like it used to feel and look when I was a child. It must be pleasant to keep that illusion past the teenage years.
Then my husband came to pick me up, and it was time to go home - back to real life with jobs, bills, children and never-ending chaos. Back to reality.
Monday, July 23, 2012
A Bumble Bee Biscornu
In my case, a satisfied customer came back and asked for a biscornu with bumble bees - or dragonflies. Now, my first reaction was to start digging through a stash of patterns - for sure I could find something - but then, I thought: why not make my own chart? And so I did.
Here is the result.
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| Bumble Bee Biscornu Materials: 16 Ct white Aida, DMC floss, buttons Finished size: 2.5 in x 2.5 in |
The border was "borrowed" from the Ladybug pattern, as I wanted it to be in the same style. But the bumble bees are all mine. As I was working on them, I had a children's song going through my head:
I'm catching up my baby bumble bee
Won't my mommy be so proud of me!
I'm squishing up my baby bumble bee,
Won't my mommy be so proud of me!
My daughter used to sing it when she was three. At the end, if I remember correctly, the bumble bee flies away. I was humming the song while stitching the stripes and the wings. I was thinking of how a five-year-old would see a bumble bee. In the end, I had a terrific mini-biscornu and a pattern. The biscornu went to the wonderful client.
The pattern I want to share with you.
Over the past couple of years, I have used numerous patterns offered for free on stitching blogs. I figured it was my time to give back and contribute to the list of "free pattern" blogs.
I tried my best to make sure it is accessible, but please let me know if there are any problems with download... and let me know what you think!
Enjoy!
I tried my best to make sure it is accessible, but please let me know if there are any problems with download... and let me know what you think!
Enjoy!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Blue and White Sampler Finish and a Surprise Gift
After more than four years, my Blue and White Sampler is finally finished! Happy dance!
Although there are only two colors in the project (light and dark blue), the intricate designs make up for the simple color scheme. I followed the original chart exactly, except for the initials in the left corner - they are mine.
I suppose that now, after one of my rotation projects is complete, it is time to choose a new one. I already know what it is going to be: the Autumn Celtic Lady by L&L. All my threads are finally gathered, the fabric is purchased...All it takes now is some motivation, which is at the moment, I admit, in short supply. Between my accounting homework, occasional Etsy orders, temp work and model stitching (thank you for your tips, Kathy, I am so grateful), I am running out of daytime.
On another happy note, Shannon at Lasting Allure was hosting a giveaway, and I am one of her happy winners! I won the chart of her beautiful Mad Hatter cross stitch. Thank you, Shannon!
I know I have not been posting often... A lot is happening in our family. First of all, my stepson Michael is moving back in with us and going to college. Then, the house we are presently renting is being sold, so we have to find a new place to live by the end of August... There are plenty of properties to rent, but finding something in our price range - that's another story. Finally, I am still looking for permanent work... Just like many people out there, I am sure. So, I have been trying to limit my posting to finished projects with pictures and/or major updates. If I start posting about everything, I am afraid I will plunge into whining and complaining - full speed! And that's just not cool.
Thank you for reading my blog, and happy stitching!
Although there are only two colors in the project (light and dark blue), the intricate designs make up for the simple color scheme. I followed the original chart exactly, except for the initials in the left corner - they are mine.
I suppose that now, after one of my rotation projects is complete, it is time to choose a new one. I already know what it is going to be: the Autumn Celtic Lady by L&L. All my threads are finally gathered, the fabric is purchased...All it takes now is some motivation, which is at the moment, I admit, in short supply. Between my accounting homework, occasional Etsy orders, temp work and model stitching (thank you for your tips, Kathy, I am so grateful), I am running out of daytime.
On another happy note, Shannon at Lasting Allure was hosting a giveaway, and I am one of her happy winners! I won the chart of her beautiful Mad Hatter cross stitch. Thank you, Shannon!
I know I have not been posting often... A lot is happening in our family. First of all, my stepson Michael is moving back in with us and going to college. Then, the house we are presently renting is being sold, so we have to find a new place to live by the end of August... There are plenty of properties to rent, but finding something in our price range - that's another story. Finally, I am still looking for permanent work... Just like many people out there, I am sure. So, I have been trying to limit my posting to finished projects with pictures and/or major updates. If I start posting about everything, I am afraid I will plunge into whining and complaining - full speed! And that's just not cool.
Thank you for reading my blog, and happy stitching!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
What I do besides stitching
Of course, stitching is always first for me. But, with the summer break coming up, I have changed my rituals a bit ...
First of all,
I have put together a puzzle. The girls helped.... After it was completed, we took a picture, took it apart and put it away.
Then, I signed up for summer classes. I am taking an online accounting class and a swimming lab. I took the swimming lab thinking I would have plenty of time... until I saw my accounting schedule. Twelve chapters, six weeks, twelve homework sets... Plus quizzes and exams. I forgot - it's summer! Everything is shorter and faster in the summer. But, so far I am doing all right. I have sat myself down and completed the first homework set and a quiz in the first two days! And I was able to swim for an hour. I am super... something!
I planned all this swimming and academics under the impression that the girls were going out of state to see their father. I thought, with them visiting family I would go crazy sitting alone in the house, so why not do something? Now we have found out that the girls, in fact, are not going anywhere... But my schedule stays! Whatever it's going to be, it most definitely won't be boring.
And in conclusion, here is one of my stitching companions, Dusty.
First of all,
Then, I signed up for summer classes. I am taking an online accounting class and a swimming lab. I took the swimming lab thinking I would have plenty of time... until I saw my accounting schedule. Twelve chapters, six weeks, twelve homework sets... Plus quizzes and exams. I forgot - it's summer! Everything is shorter and faster in the summer. But, so far I am doing all right. I have sat myself down and completed the first homework set and a quiz in the first two days! And I was able to swim for an hour. I am super... something!
I planned all this swimming and academics under the impression that the girls were going out of state to see their father. I thought, with them visiting family I would go crazy sitting alone in the house, so why not do something? Now we have found out that the girls, in fact, are not going anywhere... But my schedule stays! Whatever it's going to be, it most definitely won't be boring.
And in conclusion, here is one of my stitching companions, Dusty.
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