My Outrage Over Politicians Who Won't Listen Gets Me Published

Those of you who know me in person know that I am keenly attuned to politics, both local and national, as well as international. I follow a bevy of blogs & newspapers every day, and will read the books of those leaders with whom I agree as well as those with whom I disagree...no matter how outraged I get reading those books!

Last week, I was ranting about our local County Board of Legislators, which opposes every cost cutting measure introduced by our County Executive. Our County Executive swept the former Executive out after 3 terms, as our former Executive managed to get our County the distinction of being one of the highest taxed counties in the nation. Local taxpayers cried "enough!"

I sent a letter to the local newspaper about a recent decision made by our new Executive which would save the County $3 million per year, which our Board of Legislators denounced. I think our Executive is listening to us, & that's what I said in my letter. You can read the letter here:


http://www.lohud.com/article/20100608/OPINION/6080306/1016/OPINION01/County%20legislators%20are%20out%20of%20touch

Ok, off my soapbox now. Back to stitching--well, really, off to work---so I can pay my taxes!

Denise

Jake's Christening

Today was my godson Jake's christening. He was an angel in church; in fact, the little boy next to us was crying, & Jake kept giving him dirty looks. He looked so handsome in his christening outfit. Afterwards, the parents, grandparents, godparents & other relatives went to a neighborhood Italian restaurant for a good meal to celebrate. As you can see, Jake preferred the cake to all else.

Wait a minute. Is this a needlepoint blog? Oh, yeah, it is. Ok. Well, we need to ask Linda to take a photo of the completed framed piece I gave to Jake today for his room. I forgot to take a picture of it. Sorry. And I am (still) working on Ponza 3, and am on the rocks, and so moving very, very slowly. I was delusionally thinking I might finish Ponza 3 before we go to Amy's, but it doesn't look good. We're home pretty early from Jake's christening, so I might just get some of Ponza done tonight. I have a few other items I am working on as well, but I can't discuss them as they are gifts for family members who just might peek at this blog. I haven't had much time to stitch, what with working a whole lot, and having summer planting to tend to, and......I just don't know where the time goes!

Enjoy these photos of Jake. I know I loved spending time with him today. I may just steal him away for some time with his Godmother......

Denise

Jake and Frank

Here are some recent pictures of Jake. They were taken over the weekend. He is in one of the outfits that Aunt Denise bought for him. He is such a happy baby and a bundle of joy. His Christening is on Sunday and I am sure that you are going to be seeing a lot of pictures of the Little Man. Aunt Denise will be posting - I am sure.

Frank is completed. I really enjoyed stitching him. Amy has really gone over the top with the Halloweenies. Frank is just a magnificent work of art. The stitches, threads and techniques used really just bring Frank to life. I was afraid of the fingers only to find out that they were not hard to do at all. I am happy with the way they came out. They are not as good as Amy's but for not having done stump work before I think they came out pretty darn good. I am very proud of Frank. I hope when Jake gets older he will love and cherish them. The Nativity and the Halloweenies are needlepoint pieces that are to be past down from one generation to the next. I know that they take a lot of time and work but the satisfaction of knowing that a piece of you will live on in them makes them worth all your time and effort.

Off to work on the Shepherd. Have to get the last three pieces of the Nativity done before Christmas deadline.

Linda

Sterling Bag with Monogram Insert

Here is the picture of my finished canvas in the Sterling bag. Jen is going to put the canvas in the bag for me. I just put the canvas in the bag to see how it looks. Jen will remove the protective paper from the adhesive backing and put the canvas in. I worked on this canvas every time I had to watch Jake. It took me two and half months to finish since I only stitched if he was sleeping. The bag will be coming with me to Amy's. Getting everything ready to go.

Just ordered Bohin needles from Bedecked and Beadazzled and the lap system 4 frame from Amy's. Amy will hold the frame for me until I arrive for class. It would be stupid for me to have it shipped and then only carry have to take it back to Amy's for the class. Now I will only have to take it home.

Back to working on Frank. Hope to get the cat done tonight and maybe start his shoes.

Linda

Where Have I Been?

I have been very busy working on Frank and hope to have him done by the weekend. Stitching time is at a premium since Jake has arrived. He is getting soo big. He is 10 weeks old now and is just the happiest little man. Promise to post pictures of Frank and Jake soon.

Last night I did not stitch on Frank since I watched the season finale of Lost and could not work on a project that required my full attention. Instead, I worked on my monogram insert canvas for a Sterling bag. I finished the canvas and just have to insert it into the bag. Hope to post a picture of the completed bag tomorrow.

One month from today I will be at Amy's. I cannot wait to go. I need this stitching vacation soo bad. My fellow stitching sister, Denise, will be coming this year along with my friend, Kathy and Kathy's mother. Jen is also coming. We are going to have the best time. Last year Jen and I had such a great stitching experience and formed a wonderful friendship with Amy. Amy makes you feel just like family. I cannot wait for Denise and Kathy to experience taking a class with Amy. Jen and I have been saying all year that we cannot wait for June to come to go back to visit with Amy.

Off to do some work on Frank. I am so close to finishing him. I just need some real quality stitching time.

Linda

Gingerbread Come Home, & Thank You Spinster Stitcher

The gingerbread people came home last week. Ashley & I enjoyed working them up. Imagine, Christmas is 7 months away!

I finished my belt which will be worked into a strap for my handbag. I turned that into Stitch by Stitch last weekend, and am hopeful it will be back very quickly as I am anxious to put my new leather bag into use. I'll post a photo of the completed bag when the strap comes back.

I also finished up a cute canvas for Jake, which is also pictured above. I will be dropping it at the framers this week, I hope.

I spent most of Mother's Day watching TV, and want to thank Spinster Stitcher for hooking me up with the Tudors. I have watched Seasons 1 & 2 in 8 days. Can't wait to start Season 3 tonite. Great. Another addiction ;)

Started working up the last of the Ponza canvases, DPW03. While watching the Tudors, I tent stitched the 1st of the 4 borders in black Kreinik. Then, I surrounded myself with tons of stitching books, to select a stitch for the sky. I've only completed 2 rows, having ripped out 3 prior stitch selections. I think this one will stick. We'll see.

I would post about Jake but I haven't seen him in over a week. For all I know he'll be leaving for college soon :) Such a genius.

Denise

Jake, Stitch Box and Storage for House

Here is a picture of Jake smiling in his sleep. Just had the camera in my hand at the right moment. Aunt Denise bought Jake his Christening Outfit. Jake looks so handsome in it. His Christening is set for June 6. Jake is now 12 pounds. He is getting so big. I am off today to buy him bigger clothes. He is outgrowing everything.

I got the lid back from the framer and just have to screw it onto the box and then I will fill it with all my projects.

The last picture is the storage bag I am using for the Haunted House canvas. It is large enough to hold the canvas and the black storage compartment on the front is large enough to store all the threads for the house. I purchased the bag from Amy's. It a Prestige Deluxe Mesh Bag size 20 x 26 and cost about $16.50. I wanted something that would keep the canvas safe and clean and the idea of having a place to also hold the threads for the Haunted House was a real added bonus for me. Everything is in one place and you do not have to go looking for anything.

Frank is coming along slowly. I never had time to stitch during the day and now I do not get to sit down and stitch until 10 at night. Jake is really taking up most of my time. He is such a joy to have around that you forget about the time and then once he goes home I have to clean up all his toys, chair, books, etc. Once Frank is completed I will send him and Stirha off to Amy's for finishing and then I will unfortunately have to take a break from the Halloweenies to go back to finish up the Nativity. After the Nativity is completed, I have to stitch something for Jake and then I should be able to get back to the Halloweenies.