Alhambra Garden WIP

I think I've finally found a rhythm that works for me with this piece. When I first started past the center box I found this piece so difficult because of all the color changes. Now though, I've figured out that if I do the yellow outlines of the columns and lattice work and then fill in, it goes more smoothly because the pattern is more obvious and I make fewer counting errors. This time I worked on from the top left corner across the top, and I enjoyed working on it very much.

Next up though, is Silkwood Manor - I like that piece because I always seem to make good progress on it when I work on it. I'll work on it for at least a few days - until I'm satisfied with how much I get done and am ready to move on in the rotation. I think I've finally sucumbed to a screaming rotation. I may go back to a more structured one at some point, but for now I'm just working on what I feel like for as long as I feel like. The only rule I have for right now is no new starts (at least until I finish something!)

Heritage Sampler WIP pics

I spent about a week of my stitching time working on this, and although I had a few boughts of the frogs come up, I think I made some decent progress. While I was working on the cherries band I kept thinking the colors just weren't working together, but once it was done and I stepped back a little I was glad I had kept going - I really like how they turned out. The only lingering doubt is the orange underneath each flower, but even that isn't really bothering me.

I'll be working on Alhambra Garden for the next little bit, so we''ll see if I get enough done to warrent posting any new pics. :)

White Christmas for the Mira RR

Still trying to figure out the settings for taking close up pictures on my new camera. The picture of the whole piece is much truer to the real colors. I picked "White Christmas" to stitch for this one cause I always imagined her on Christmas Eve night watching the snowflakes fall. And since I stitched on it during the weeks right after Christmas she seemed appropriate.

Catch Up

I know I haven't posted in awhile - but gosh things got busy there for awhile. Really the last few months have been quite busy at work, but with the added holdiay busyiness, I just didn't have the time (or energy frankly) to post anything.

Stitching
I'm this < > close to finishing another section for the Mira RR. I've been stitching on it forever it seems. Should finish it sometime over the weekend, so I'll post a pic then. Ever get close to finishing something and you keep thinking it is almost done, but the more you stitch and stitch the more you are sort of in the same place as before?... that is how this is going for me. I am determined to finish this weekend though cause my Heritage Sampler piece (and all my other WIPs too) is calling me name - loudly!

Work
Things have really been busy, but also really good. I try not to talk about work too much in a public forum such as this, but suffice it to say that my career is starting to advance a bit and I'm being rewarded for my hard work and ability. I finally work for a boss that really wants to help me do well and succeed. Of course his good attitude makes me want to work even harder and do better, so that creates a little stress - but it is a good stress and has really improved my overall self-esteem and outlook on life.

Kids
Despite having never-ending colds/flu/ear infections this winter they seem to be doing really well at school and in their other activities. Alex is doing intramural basketball at the middle school and Katie is taking preschool gymnastics.

DH
This is one area where things could be going better. *sigh* Not that things are awful and terrible, just not where I want them to be, and considering how far we've come in years past, I'm not sure there is any more room for improvement. Don't know if I can be okay with things as is or not. That is probably all I should say about that.