Update: One Week

WIP: ABC Christmas (09-Nov-09)
Originally uploaded by MarciNYC

Thanks to football and the World Series, I managed to get quite a bit stitched up this past week. I actually had to frog a big section (lights - mistletoe AND ice skate - joy) because I was off two stitches. Ugh. But during the intense games, it was much easier to frog than to pay attention to what I was stitching.

It's been a lot of fun to stitch - despite the frogging - and I hope to have it competed before Thanksgiving. Since framing is outrageously expensive and I'd like to display this piece over the holidays, I'm thinking that it might just become a wall hanging providing I can find a fabric I like (and make the time to put it together).

Still haven't pulled or ordered fabric for Paradise Lost. Have the threads ready, so will probably do so on Friday (payday).

With My Needle

WIP: ABC Christmas (01-Nov-09)
Originally uploaded by MarciNYC

Last night was like old times again -- baseball on the telly, needle in my hand.

This is Lizzie Kate's ABC Christmas and my progress through an afternoon of football and an evening of baseball. As I said in an earlier post, it's my first time working with the Crescent Color threads and I like them. (I knew Sharon through a stitching group online and remember when she first started dyeing her threads -- amazing to see what a successful business it turned out to be for her.)

I pulled my DMC threads for Paradise Lost - out of the bajillion needed, I only had 5. Glad I got that Michael's gift card from my stitch-n-bitch co-workers -- know what I'll be using it for. Also did the calculations - on 28 count fabric, it's gonna be 30 inches by 16 inches. Wowsa! Gotta figure out whether I am gonna use a Q-Snap or scroll bars for that project -- and hope I've got a big enough cut of appropriate fabric somewhere in my stash.

Now that the crafty bug has bitten, I wish that I could stay home and stitch all day. Unfortunately, work beckons.

Treats for Me

In yesterday's post, I mentioned that I took a trip up north to Tawny's - aka the LNS - and added to my stash.

Lizzie Kate's ABC Christmas (pictured left) is one of the designs I picked up along with the required fabric. I started it last night while waiting for the trick-or-treaters to come and am making good progress (lights thru mistletoe is complete).

As I would like to have this compete in time for Christmas 2009 (since my poinsettia piece will not be done) I will continue to work on this throughout football this afternoon and Game 4 of the World Series tonight. Let's go Yankees!

It's actually a fairly quick stitch - as most Lizzie Kate pieces are. It came with the Crescent Colors required and it's my first time stitching with them. I like them - though I've gotten tangled a few times working with the long lengths. I think that's more of a personal problem than an issue with the threads themselves.

The other chart that I picked up was Paradise Lost by Plum Street Samplers (pictured right).

I originally saw this design on another stitcher's blog as a WIP (work in progress) and simply fell in love with it. After getting over sticker shock ($22 for the chart alone), I bought it, but didn't get the fabric. I have a stash of wonderful hand dyed fabrics at home and though I would pull the threads and decide which fabric to use.

It calls for NPI silks but also gives a DMC colorway. Since I don't have a collection of NPI silks in my stash, I think this thrifty gal is going to go with the DMC options. So either the next sunny day or Friday (my day off) I'll be pulling threads and fabric and making a decision. Then this one will be added to the rotation and I'll alternate working on it with the LK design.

I think this might be the little nudge I need to jumpstart my creativity. While I'm recreating someone else's design, it's still a crafty venture and I've missed that. I'm working on some goals/structure in my life and feel the need to nurture my crafty side. I think that I will focus on making time for creative expression as that's been missing for a while. Now to balance it with everything else...

Trick or Treat

Tara - Halloween 2009
Originally uploaded by MarciNYC

It's a been a busy day here.

This morning I ran up north to Tawny's (officially known as Where Victoria's Angels Stitch) for a little stash enhancement. I had seen someone stitching Plum Street Sampler's Paradise Lost on another blog and had to have it. Couldn't believe the price of the chart - $22. Sheesh. But I bought it anyhow. Also picked up Lizzie Kate's ABC Christmas and fabric as well.

Tara and I sat outside and handed out candy to the freeloaders - uh, trick-or-treaters, this afternoon. I am simply amazed at how many kids are 'grabby grabby' and the lack of manners. Mark and I got in a bit of an argument. I insist that the kids say 'trick or treat' - otherwise, I don't give them candy. I also don't like grabbers and will pull the bowl out of reach. He thinks I'm being 'mean and nasty' - I think, my house, my generosity, you play by my rules. Oh my God, I'm becoming the bitchy woman on the block. (Ok, that's not too much of a stretch.)

Chilling out watching Game 3 of the World Series now -- doesn't look too good for Yankees, but it's early still. I gotta believe.

Lady Sings the Blues

Of late, I feel like my life is crashing down around me or at least that I'm teetering on the edge of an abyss.

---

About 18 months ago, I took a voluntary 'demotion' (plus pay cut) and had my job reclassified as an administrative position. The company was acquired by another last year and about a month ago we learned that our department was being absorbed into the corporate company. My job as it currently exists will cease to be and I will have some of the duties that I had before and felt I was underqualified/untrained to do adequately.

Along with this reclassification, I no longer report to the same person - instead, I am reporting to a colleague based in our UK office. I voiced my concerns to both my old manager and new manager and only hope that I can get the training I need to do what is expected of me. If not, then I'll have to explore other options either within the organization or outside. I like the company (and people) as a whole - I've been there 7+ years. I don't really want to have to find another job as I have a generous vacation allowance now which I wouldn't get anywhere else.

While this change won't happen overnight, I am already a bit nervous. The last thing I want to do is be looking for a new job in this current market.

---

On the home front, I feel as though I've neglected friends and family for too long. Money's tight to say the least and I've cut back on doing a lot things. I miss hanging out with my (sorority) sisters on a regular basis and need to re-involve myself in alumnae chapter happenings.

I argue with my husband way too much too -- and not because I'm simply a bitch, but just because I am frustrated. I know I shouldn't take things out on him, but sometimes I react without thinking. I am working on that, though it's hard to break old ingrained habits.

---

My creative mojo went walkabout earlier this year. I have a room full of craft supplies (more than just beads), but no inspiration. I had hoped summer would cure that but it didn't. Now autumn, my favorite season, is upon us and while I glory in the colors of nature, that mojo still is nowhere to be found.

---

Despite all these stresses, I am lucky to have friends and family who love me and are there for me when I need a little hand-holding (or a martini). Just taking it one day at a time -- and even then, sometimes it's just hour-by-hour for me to be able to hold it together. Things will get better, right? There's always tomorrow.

Baby's Got Blue Eyes

birthday scarf
Originally uploaded by MarciNYC

Today my stitch-n-bitch pals at work showered me with gifts during our lunch gathering. While I appreciated everything, I am in love with this hand-knit scarf.

Blue has been growing on me of late - every shade from ice blue to a rich cobalt. I was amazed at how this scarf made my eyes just pop. You bet that there's gonna be more blue in this gal's wardrobe from this point forward. Of course, red, pink, and black will continue to feature prominently as well.

Now if it would only cool off a bit so I could wear my scarf... Why is it 70 degrees in late October? I want my crisp, cool autumn days.

Comforting Words

One of my EtsyNJ friends had this quote on her blog a few days ago and I liked it well enough that I appropriated it for myself to post here.

May today there be peace within.
May you use your gifts and pass them on.
May you be content with yourself just the way you are.
Let this knowledge setting into your bones
and allow yourself the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

As one who constantly beats myself up over doing or saying the wrong thing, I found these words a comfort. For most of my life I've felt I've never been good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, etc.

Yet over the past 18 months or so, along my weight loss journey, I have changed how I think of myself. There are days when I still feel like that insecure ugly duckling. It's those days that words such as these are needed to remind me that I am ok - just the way I am.