Life With Jules, and other stuff

I managed to pick up my Christmas Design SAL piece and do a little bit of stitching on it. Here is a before: and after: I also gave the wrist band thingy for my camera to my sister so she would quit dropping hers back in June while we were on our trip. Soooo, I made myself a new one using some yarn and a crochet hook. Mind you, I am not much for crochet and only know the very basic single stitch, et voila: We have been having typical summer tropical storm weather here in central Florida and I have been trying to capture some of the more impressive sunsets. Here are some pics of Wednesday evening’s sunset: I took the pictures through my bedroom window and the screen kept coming into focus so the last couple are a bit blurry, set on the "sunset" setting, but you get the idea! Finally , I have been trying without much luck to get some of that Chicken Noodle soup from Subway. It seems they only ever have Broccoli and Cheese anymore so I made my own. Here are a c...

One of our fellow bloggers has a weekly giveaway and I wanted to post a link to it here as well as in my sidebar. Follow this link to enter kerrykatiecakes' giveaway and/or become a follower if you haven't already!!! 

I found a great website called The Frugal Stitcher this afternoon! Many of you probably already know about it as you have many more years working the craft than I do. Well, while browsing their site I came across a new-to-me designer: Imaginating. Specifically, Silly Snobs the Cat! Now, I am a cat lover as you all know and these designs are just sooooo adorable!! I can’t wait to have a full time job again so I can start purchasing and stitching up these cute little kitties. :D And speaking of kitties, my Sandy is graciously modeling my finished July 4th:    I finished this into a small pillow and will probably keep it on her cat perch/house/annoyance for the time being. Believe it or not, this animal loves to use a pillow when she sleeps, LOL!! And don't ya just love her smile! ;D I am also looking for any cross stitch patterns featuring “Animal” from the Muppets. That’s how I happened across the above mentioned website. Now it’s time to get back to the thesis...

From front to back (L-R): Great Grandpa Michael, Kaelynn, Great Great Grandma Fannie, Grandma Lisa, Daddy James (JT) Same: Great Grandma Susan, Kaelynn, Great Great Grandma  Peggy, Grandma Lisa, Daddy James (JT) The entire family celebrating Kaelynn's 2nd birthday!

I found this really interesting article and since most of us are pet owners I thought I would share with you all. Please click here to read up on which pet is cheaper to own: Cat vs. Dog!!! Well, I can finally say I have another finish happy-dance! I have to give thanks again to Paulette’s daughter for this cute little design she made recently. I present to you, July 4th: Stitched on 28ct Opulescent White Cashel Linen DMC Threads: 902, 820, Ecru Design by Breanna (Paulette's daughter) To be finished as a pillow with red fabric shown in picture I think I may stitch it again, but change the flag to the French flag and the wording to say “le 14eme juillet” in honor of my French ancestry and my best friend! Of course, the colors and the stars will remain within the design because those are what really make it cute, LOL. ;D I will be updating my Postcards page soon with some that I recently received. I did remove the counter off my side-bar as I am trying to wean out those that ...

Today I received a parcel from Olga . It was my winnings from her recent giveaway.  Here are a couple of pictures of what was inside: I absolutely love the items she made for me! Thank you so very much Olga!!! In stitchy news… I have done a wee bit of stitching the past week or so. With that said, I have TUSAL update finally! Here is a picture of my ort container: If you wish to join in the TUSAL fun, click here and follow the sign-up rules. I have seen some people already using their discarded floss in various little stitching projects that are simply gorgeous! I am still leaning toward making ornaments (clear glass/acrylic ball-type with orts inside) for my future Christmas trees. But after seeing some of the other projects, I may use the longer bits on smalls as well. Until next time…

Here are a couple of progress pics on the July 4th design I am currently stitching: This was how far I had gotten as of mid-week last week. This is where it stands as of last night. It’s going much slower than I thought it would, but I am enjoying it nonetheless. Thank you for the adorable freebie Paulette ’s daughter Breanna! I am contemplating making it into a small pillow. In other news… I recently found out that I am officially published. One chapter of my thesis was chosen for publication in an academic journal. I did not submit for publication purposes. It just so happens that my thesis prof is also the editor of this journal and asked if he could include it in this year’s publication (it’s only published once per year). Of course I said yes!!! Here is the link to the Virginia Review of Asian Studies journal in which my Chapter 1 is published. It is the first article on the House of Wisdom.

  Photos taken with Canon PowerShot A490 Photo taken with Olympus E-620

Photos taken with Canon PowerShot A490

I try not to post sad family news to my blogs but I just can't help it this time. You see, my cousin is dying. He had a very rough life being a kid of the 1960s and 70s. He's been terminal for several years owing this to his previous lifestyle. He recently had an operation on his intestines and was readmitted this past weekend with an infection around the staples used to suture him. When they opened him up, they noticed not only the infection but that his intestines were reversed. This makes me think that something went terribly wrong with the surgery, but I only learned about this through "second hand news". And my source learned from his daughter who is absolutely devastated at the thought of losing her daddy. (she's 18).  I am sad that my cousin is dying. I am sad that I cannot be there to say goodbye. I am sad for my uncle and the one brother who have not yet gone to visit him (in spite of their differences and/or falling out they SHOULD go). I know the my unc...

Gizmo was one of two cats I rescued (for lack of  a better term) back in 1993. He was a cute fella and I really loved being around him. At the time, my then husband and I had 3 cats and really no room for more (small 2 bedroom apartment in San Diego). While I was in the Navy and stationed at Naval Air Station North Island, I heard a bunch of mewing coming from somewhere in the hangar near the hangar bay doors. Well, it just happened that a mama kitty left her brood inside the half-wall where the doors opened into. Several of us wound up with one kitten each after rescuing them from that nightmare. So, Gizmo came home to be with me and Pete and Lucy, Emerald and Mignon. Me and Giz in 1995 It wasn't long after that when we received Buster (aka Miss Buster T Kitty or "the combustion chamber"). She was found in some wooded area in North County while some co-workers were camping. They said "Hey, Brit will take it in!" and the rest is history! Me holding Buster (L) an...

Sylvia informed me yesterday that she has indeed received the package I sent. Here is a picture of her winnings: The biscornu is something I made up. On one side there are 4 flags and "Land of the free" written around the center. On the flip side there are the letters A-R-M-Y (in honor of her husband) and "Home of the brave" written around the center. Congrats again to winning my recent giveaway, Sylvia! I am so happy you are enjoying the package!!! My next giveaway will be sometime in the Fall, around the time of my blog-o-versary. Stay tuned… And now the rest of the story… (Don’t you just love Paul Harvey’s little stories?!) Paulette ’s daughter graciously created a little freebie chart for the 4th of July holiday and I decided to start stitching it up last evening. Here is where I am so far: I am using 28ct Opulescent White Cashel Linen, DMC Floss #820, 902, and Ecru. So far it is turning out nicely! Thanks so much, Breanna, for the lovely chart!!!

Well, here it is another holiday weekend in the USA. This weekend we celebrate the birth of our Nation ~ our Independence from the Mother Country. Our ancestors fought valiantly for our freedoms. And as fitting as it may (or may not) be, I have finished stitching the Posey Collection’s Civil War. Here is a picture of my finish: OK, so the Civil War was about 100 years after our Independence, but it’s still patriotic and somewhat fitting to the weekend, LOL!! I also received a RAK from Suzanne ! She was so sweet to send me the Siamese Cats collection. If you remember, Kathy was giving away cats and dogs charts and this was one of them. Well, Kathy contacted me to let me know one of her readers had a copy she no longer needed and voila: Thank you so much, Suzanne, for your random act of kindness. I know that I will have fun stitching up these charts over the next few years!!! On the Thesis front, I have 2 completed chapters, 2 to finish (not much left) and the Conclusion to...