Okay....Take Two!

I'm going to give blogging a second go. I am nothing if not stubborn and I don't easily give up.  I might ignore it for a time, but I tend to follow through with what I start.

So without further delay.....The Accidental Stitcher, take two!

Say Cheese!

Can it already be the end of June?  It must be because the Texas summer is here in full force which means it's hot, hot, hot!.  So, of course like a lunatic I have been spending way too much time outside in the heat taking pictures. Crazy, right?

The reason I've been outside taking pictures is because last month for my anniversary Bart bought me a DSLR camera.  He knows how much I enjoy taking pictures of nature and wildlife and suggested I sign up for a photography class.

My class has been an adventure in learning.  There is more to picture taking than just pointing and shooting.  My camera's potential is only limited by my knowledge.  So, needless to say, I have already signed up for the next class and look foward to learning more.  Did I mention I was a nerd?

Below is a sampling of pictures I took as part of my final assignment.  The pictures were taken at a nearby arboretum.

These pretty blossoms were hanging down from a pergola.

This flower is a Summer Snowflake.

Don't you just want to follow the path to find out where it leads?

I laid down in the middle of a bamboo grove and pointed my camera to the sky.

The squirrel was quite friendly and happily posed for a picture.

I had a difficult time getting the mallard's picture.  He kept walking around "talking" to me. 

His girlfriend was much easier to photograph,,,,she stopped and kindly struck a pose.

As a fan of Ansel Adams I am drawn to the play between light and dark.

I would love to have this stone pagoda in my backyard.

And what photo gallery is complete without a pile of rocks?

I Feel Like Houdini....

I no sooner start a blog then...poof...I disappear.  Do you have that one crazy month out of the year where everything happens all at once?  That month for me is May.  This year our family celebrated six birthdays, an anniversary, Mother's Day and my son's sixth grade graduation.  Plus, I signed up at a local university for a continuing ed course in digital photography.

Thankfully, things are starting to slow back down to normal.  I haven't had much time for stitching, but did manage to finish two Quaker Pincushions by Jeannette Douglas:

 For this one I used 32ct Natural along with GA Simply Wool in Terra Cotta and Brandy. 

Using the wool was a new experience.  I love the texture and matte finish.

For the second one I used 32ct Natural Light along with Caron Wildflowers in Blackwatch and Buttercup.  I am a huge fan of the color Blackwatch, all those greens and blues are gorgeous.  I liked how the yellow made it all just pop.  The picture doesn't do it justice.

One of my ongoing projects is to complete the 12 Days of Christmas by Prairie Schooler. I am currently working on day three.  Here's my progress so far:

I am using 32ct Flax and the recommended DMC floss for the entire series.

Here's a peek at day one and two:

On one of my many trips to my LNS I picked up the pattern Spot the Cat by La D Da. The black and white kitty looks like my cat, Jack.

 I changed the colors to Belle Soie and found a pretty piece of 40ct WDW Tin Roof.  I plan on starting it sometime this month.  I'll keep you posted on my progress.....

Jack the Cat

What is in a name?

Why did I chose the name Accidental Stitcher?

I think it's the perfect description of how I began cross stitching. Many years ago, when I was pregnant with my son, Nicolaus, I was placed on bed rest for nearly five months. At first, I thought all that "rest" would be great.....and it was.....for like a day.

I quickly discovered several things: 1) daytime TV is just plain boring; 2) you can only read so many books; and 3) the FedEx guy doesn't have all day to stay and chat! I was desperate. I needed to find something to occupy my time. So, after getting my doctor's approval, I stopped by my local hobby store and picked out the M.I. Hummel JCA Weekenders cross stitch kit below:

I fell in love with it. I knew we were having a baby boy and thought it would look great hanging up in the nursery.

Only one small problem, I had never cross stitched in my life. No worries, I would simply read the instructions. I mean, how hard could it be. Well, let me tell you, I found out real quick it isn't as easy as it looks. Not by a long shot. But, it definitely occupied my time and made bed rest more enjoyable.

I never did hang up the piece. It was awful....I mean really, really awful. I didn't understand at the time what  a huge no-no it is to knot the thread on the back of your piece; or that laying down your stitch in the same direction (every time) really does matter: or that consistent tension is key to making a pretty little x.

Ignorance is bliss, this I know.

Nowadays, when I think back on that JCA kit I can't help but smile. I mean, stitching has become such an integral part of my life. It centers me. It relaxes me. It makes me happy. So, now you know how I accidentally became a stitcher.

Houston.....we have lift off!