Life With Jules, and other stuff

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...

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 ...

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.

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...