Exchange Gift

It was a great TANA Christmas Party! I was so happy to finally finish my exchange gift at 11:30pm the night before the luncheon. I spent the night at Becky's and we stitched in her family room in front of the fire. I had seen pictures of this before. I think it's called an Etui. I had a pattern that I borrowed from Becky of one that was made with stitching on plastic canvas. I had a brilliant idea that I would create a fabric-covered box. It sounds simple enough but I worked on it for weeks creating each piece. If I had enough time I would have kept it and made something else. However, I knew that in our stitching group whoever received it would really appreciate it.

I was so happy when Becky looked up at her mom and said, "Bring me that plaid-covered box." She chose MY gift! Well, I was right. She really appreciated it and probably more than most because she watched me working on it and knew how hard it was to assemble.

I did the top piece in needle tatting. I worked on it at Lanna's. I thought it was finished but when I laid it out and started stitching it to the lid, it wasn't even. I had to stitch another piece and sew it on to make it look like it was all one piece. I think it turned out nice.

Since I had stayed at Becky's, I knew which tin she had put her exchange piece in, so I grabbed it! You may not think it was fair, but I was letter "N" in the exchange so many people had a chance to get it before me and they missed out.

One of the more interesting things about the hardanger scissor case that Becky made is that I let her borrow the front pattern from me. Also, at the Ripley Retreat Lanna and I taught her how to make the necklace part. Life is full of irony.

I'm still working on the Nordic Needle Hardanger cards for this year. This is the completed November card. I'm working on December and should have it done today or tomorrow. I love this weather. I can use the excuse that the roads are just too snowy and icy to go anywhere so I can just stay home and stitch.

Recent Pictures

Since I haven't finished many stitching projects lately I thought I would just post a few pictures I've taken recently of family and/or current events. I hope you like them.
This is Emma so excited to get her first Christmas gift from Great Grandpa and Carolyn. Like most children, she lights up when she sees Santa.

Since Alyssa is the oldest, I let her choose first. She wanted the gingerbread man. She loves it!

When the Ironton Fighting Tigers made it to the playoff games, the coaches wanted the boys to dress up. This is my baby boy looking quite handsome if I do say so myself.

This is just me and Emma hanging out in the rocking chair. I forget to tell her to "smile". When we tell her to say "cheese" she just squishes up her mouth and says "cheese". She's still so adorable.

Busy Days

The holidays are always a busy time for us all, so it's a reason and not just an excuse that I haven't updated lately. I haven't completed many stitching projects either. I'm working on Christmas gifts so they aren't finished yet. I'm going to Lanna's house today so we can motivate each other (and she can help me) finish our Christmas exchange gifts.

Thanksgiving was a bit complicated this year. Alyssa was in the hospital for two days. She had strep throat and pneumonia. She was hooked up to an IV and oxygen. We spent a few days worrying our butts off about her. She got home late Thanksgiving day so we just postponed our dinner until Friday. We definitely had some thanks to give that day.

This past weekend I took a (vacation). Weekend before last the family and I were talking about stress and how all the little things add up and the bad feelings begin to overtake us. Randy mentioned that he would love to run away somewhere but didn't have any place to go. That got me thinking about things so I emailed my dad and asked him if I could come visit for a couple, few or more days. Of course, he was happy and told me to stay as long as wanted. I should remind him not to say that in the future in case I show up and decide to never leave.

I now have to go on a diet. My step mom, Carolyn is one of the world's best cooks. She loves me so much. She went out of her way every day to make me the most delicious home-cooked meals. I love the way a home smells and feels when there is good food being prepared in the kitchen.

We spent one day touring through the local antique shops. Carolyn and I both came home with a few goodies. I told Randy that I was shopping and he asked me if I needed him to bring the truck. We've been married for over 25 years so he knows me very well.

Dad and I went to see Unstoppable. It was a very good, very intense movie. My dad is such a jokester. He had an empty bank envelope in his pocket. He tore it up into several little pieces and was going to throw them away. There was a group of teenage girls in line in front of us. One had on a jacket with a hood on it. My dad very carefully dropped the pieces of paper in her hood! A few minutes later she took her coat off and all the pieces came out. She must have thought they were hers because she just picked them up and went on. We laughed so hard.

I now have a food sealer for my kitchen. I almost got a George Foreman grill. I told my dad and Carolyn that I thought the ones they had were really cool and that I didn't have either one. They went to the store and came back with the food sealer. I love it! I'm going to go to Wal Mart and get extra bags because I will be using this kitchen gadget quite a bit. Oh Dad, I really like the idea of cruising along the coastal highway in a vintage red corvette. (Well, it was worth a shot.)

When I was little, OK younger because I'm still little, my dad and I used to hang out together watching the then LA Rams play football. They are in St. Louis now but they are still the Rams of course. Dad gave me a Rams jersey. It is gorgeous! I wore it to the TANA meeting last night and got a lot of compliments on it. I told them dad gave it to me and that made it even more special.

They also gave me a sterling silver cake cutting set. It has the knife and spatula. (Is that what it everyone else calls it?) The spatula is engraved with a couple's name and date and it is still in the fabric lined box. They found it at a car wash. Weird place to find a wedding gift but there you have it. I'm going to contact a local person who does engraving to see if they can sand it off or melt it down to take the names and date off. It will be very pretty displayed and a nice set to actually use as well.

I packed up my bags, (They were a lot more heavier than when I got there.) and loaded up the trunk of my car. You have no idea how hard it was to get in that car and drive away. I love my dad and Carolyn so much. I wish we didn't live so far apart. They are in Buckhannon and I'm here in southern Ohio.

It was snowing and there were already 2-3 inches on the road. After I started down the highway I seriously considered turning around and waiting another day to leave. I took a deep breath and kept going. I had reports from back home that the snow was melting there. After driving very slowly for awhile, I made it out of the hills and into better weather. The rest of the drive was fairly easy. I got an email from Dad early Monday morning. They got 14 inches of snow! If I had stayed I would have been there for a very long time. I don't think Dad, Carolyn or I would have minded but the troupes at home wouldn't have enjoyed it very much. Randy said that sometimes he and the kids get upset with me but around dinner time they really wished I was there. It's nice to know I'm appreciated for something. lol

Well, I should close and head off to Lanna's house. She is one of the best ladies I know. There are only good things you can about Lanna. I challenge anyone who knows her to come up with just one thing about her that isn't good. I could start giving you a list of her good qualities but then I wouldn't make it to her house, my hands would tire from typing and you would get tired of reading. OK, you get the idea.

Tomorrow, I'm off to meet Jill so we can decorate the tree at the bank where we have our TANA meetings. We knew we had to hurry. Word is out that the tree is up and just sitting there in the lobby naked with some animals under it. Don't ask me about the animals. I haven't been there yet. I will let you know.

Family Reunions

Notice the title is Family Reunions. I've had more than one recently. The first Family Reunion took place in Ripley, WV where I met, stitched, ate and visited with my MMNA stitching family. TANA ladies were there, of course, but I don't get to see my MMNA family as much as I'd like. We had beautiful weather, learned new stitching techniques, and noone was rushed to the ER. A very successful retreat!

Some ladies worked on items not even remotely related to stitching, but crafty nonetheless. Marilyn from Maryland and her daughter, Marge, worked on glitter gift cards that they will actually send in the mail to some lucky recipients. Not enough people do that anymore, myself included.

Becky learned how to make a spiral necklace thanks to yours truly. I just saw it yesterday and she is finished with it. It is absolutely beautiful! Great job, Becky!

After the retreat I headed to Buckhannon for the next Family Reunion. When I got there I found this waiting for me. Isn't that just too cool! It made me feel so special.

That handsome man is my dad, Ray Unrue. We went to see Case 39. He took me to the Stitching House where I found some cute paper doll fabric, and we went for a drive in the country so I could take pictures of the trees changing color. I always have so much fun with him.

And this beautiful lady standing with me is Carolyn, my step-mom. She went way out of her way to make me wonderfully delicious meals. I would never go hungry there, that's for sure. My first day there she made a roast with potatoes and carrots and my dad made the biscuits. I have to make sure I give him credit for the biscuits since he kept reminding me that HE is the one who made them. lol The next day she made Manicotti. I hope I spelled that right. It was amazing. I am a pasta kind of girl anyway, so she knew my weakness.

After I spent an extra day at my dad's, I headed back home stopping in South Charleston just long enough to pick up my sister, Brenda. She came back home and spent the night with me. We had a blast! We took her to Applebee's for dinner and then we stayed up late watching horror movies. She brought us wonderful gifts. Phoebe and I got earrings, the girls got candy and Nick got a t-shirt. She was so thoughtful.

So with all of this wonderful visiting, I haven't gotten much stitching done. I did make this Halloween project but I'm not sure how I want to finish it. I'm also working on the Promise Piece gifts for the TANA ladies but I can't show them until after the next meeting so it will be a surprise to everyone.

And finally, last night a few of us went to Jill's house for the Christmas stitch-in. She had her Christmas dishes out and made it feel so festive. She fixed bar-b-ques that were very tasty. Lanna brought sausage balls, I brought chips and dip and Marsha brought the most mouth-wateringly yummy pumpkin squares. We were talking about the local bake-off in Kenova. We told her she should enter. She would surely win the grand prize.

Aside from stitching I also helped paint the living room. It was white before. I really like it but Nick says it's ugly. He just liked it white. He doesn't like change.
Well, that is all for now. I have two loads of laundry waiting and a pot of vegie beef soup to get ready for the fam. They were on their own last night and ate Wendy's.

The Season for Stitching

Actually, as far as I'm concerned (along with many other ladies I happen to know) every season is a season for stitching. It did sound like a catchy title, though.

TANA hosted Longaberger Basket Bingo again this year. While I was not one of the lucky ladies to get the yell that all-too-famous word, I did get to hear my name called during a door-prize give-away. I won this beautiful Marshall ornament stitched by our own, very talented Angie Richards! And the crowd cheers her on!

I had taken this picture before bingo started so that I might possibly make one of my own in the near future. I had no idea what fate had planned for me.

I've already shown the next two items at TANA and MMNA Show and Tell but have been to busy (or too lazy depending on who you ask) to post the pics here. I love the box. I found this kit at the last SAS in Charleston. I love to stitch houses and lighthouses so I could not pass this one up. I also like stitching things that are a little outside the box. (Humor is everywhere.)

I was so proud of stitching it and cutting out all the pieces to the box and then assembling it. I took it around to my family show and tell. Everyone was impressed or at least pretended to be. Even Nick said it looked "cool". Then he bursted my little stitching bubble when he asked me what I was going to put in it. OMG! It's beautiful stitching. It's well assembled. Since I saw the box pattern the very first time months ago, I never, NEVER had a plan for what to put in it. Practical people. Where on earth do they come from?This is September Nordic Needle card of the month. I LOVE this pattern and the colors are amazing! The year is almost over and I've loved every pattern. I was wondering what they would come up with for next year and just recently I received the catalog in the mail. They are doing a bookmark of the month club! Sign me up! Well, actually I already signed up, but you know what I mean. This has been a fun little adventure for me and Jill. I was surprised that not more of our ladies signed up to do this. I think since they have seen all the fun we've been having, they will dive into next year. http://nordicneedle.com/

This is my finished piece for the TANA August class. It is my "Personal Plaid". I love purple. If I do this again in the future, though, I will add white or black or move colors around to get a better contrast. The pattern across consists of my initials J G U R and the pattern down is my birthday 11 16 6 4. Cool, huh?

September's class is a wonderful piece. Here is a picture of our own, gorgeous and extremely talented Liz holding the project. I'm not sure yet what I will do with mine when I cross it off my To Do list, but I was thinking about stitching it onto a piece of clothing. I will have to think about that a bit.

I'm working on my Promise Piece this week but I don't think I will finish it by the deadline. I plan to take it to Cedar Lakes and work on it there but I probably won't finish it in time to win a Promise Piece gift. Maybe I should talk to that lady in charge of it and see if she can work with me a little, maybe give me an extension or something. Wait a minute. That would be me.

Vacation with Jill

Jill and I had a wonderful time at Myrtle Beach. Well, so did Dave, Mickey and Garrett, but Jill and I had more fun. At least WE think so.

This is a view of the beach from Pier 14.

Here is Jill and all the boys hitting the waves. I walked along a few times letting the waves flow over my feet, but I avoid actually getting into the ocean. There are sharks, jelly fish, stingrays and those little fish that look like rocks that can poison a person. Garrett and Mickey went fishing off of Pier 14 and saw people catch a small shark and a stingray. That just goes to prove my point, land is better.

Jill and I took a walk on the wild side and got our hair braided. I got the cornrows and Jill got one threaded braid. Ok, I went a little wilder than her with the hair, but SHE is the one who got a tattoo.

She wanted one of an angel but the man didn't have one. She had to improvise, that's what we do on vacation, so she got one that says "angel" in Chinese. It's supposed to last for 30-45 days but she had to keep getting it "touched up". It may be gone by now.

Her braid will last longer than mine, though. Hers will last about two months and my braids should last about one. My family likes my braids, except Nick requested that I wear a hat when I took him to school this morning and had to go with him to the office. He said the guys might not think it's cool. I told him he could be wrong. They might think it's hot. He didn't seem to think that was a better situation. So, I put on my Ohio State ball cap and in we went. He wasn't in trouble I just had to fill out a form. I might also add, being the proud mom that I am, that he held both doors open so mom could go in first. Such a gentleman.

This is a beautiful Myrtle Beach sunrise. Jill and I were up at 4:30am to go hunting for seashells. Yes, 4:30am. Mickey and Garrett were out the morning before at 6am and found some gorgeous conk shells. They said that there were people out before them who found even better ones. Jill and I wanted some for ourselves so there we were, out in the sand with our plastic bags, and ready to go. Well, in case you did not know this, I will let you know. It is still dark at 4:30am. It is hard to see the beach and even harder to see sea shells by the seashore. We eventually gave up and Jill went back to bed. I did stay out long enough to get a few good pics and then I was off to breakfast at the Pancake House. We did find a few pretty shells later on in the mid-afternoon. You know, when "normal" people are up and at the beach.

We took a cab to Broadway on the Beach. This is the whole crew enjoying the day. We wanted a picture of all of us so I asked a very nice lady (one who didn't look like she could outrun all of us and take my camera home with her). She took the picture. (she actually had to take a couple because she was blind in one eye, yes, I found the ONE person in the whole place to take our photo who was blind in one eye.) I think it turned out quite nicely.

Part of the vacation was a steak dinner for Garrett that Jill had promised him. We ate at Landry's. The waiter brought his cake with a candle and five forks. He enjoyed the steak very much and we all enjoyed the cake.

The flight both ways wasn't too bad. I'm not very fond of airplanes. They defy the law of gravity, like bumblebees. I'm not afraid to die, mine you, but I'm not at all a fan of pain or the intense fear of plummeting to the sky towards the ground. The day after we arrived at the Yachtsman we saw a story on the news of an airplane that was hit by lightening, fell to the ground and split in two. Let's just walk home from the beach?

Jill did very well on her part. It was a bittersweet vacation. She usually went on this vacation with Larry. She had fun most of the time but there were a few teary moments remembering him. She did say that if he had been there she probably wouldn't have gotten the braid or tattoo. It's good for her to take some baby steps outside of the box.

We both stitched a bit in the evenings when the fun of the day was over, but neither of us finished anything.

Now, vacation is over and it's back to life. Phoebe went back to work today after having her tonsils taken out a week and a half ago. She's doing really well. She said it just feels like a sore throat now. The girls are back to daycare. They enjoyed the time off as much as she did but I think they missed playing with all of their little friends. And, I'm back. Dirty dishes, floors and clothes await me. The fam did a pretty good job of keeping things in order while I was gone but they are glad I'm back to take things over again.

I have a list of my own of things to do as well. One of which is work on the gifts for the TANA Promise Pieces and create a great gift for the TANA Christmas party. The theme is "white". I have an idea for what I want to do and have already started on it. I need to finish the finishing and hope it looks as good in reality as it did in my head. I will have to let you know.

Family Visit

I had a wonderful day yesterday! My dad and Carolyn drove down and spent the day with me. They brought Chipper their dog. When I visited them earlier in the summer, Chipper wouldn't have anything to do with me or Nick. He's a very picky puppy. This time, he crawled right up on my lap like we had been friends for life. Nick will be so jealous. He usually makes friends with dogs before anyone else even has a chance.

We tried several times to stop by so dad could watch Nick practice football but for the first time all year they decided to practice all day in the gym. Partly because we had a really severe thunderstorm in the afternoon. It sounded like it was right over the house. There was no delay between the bright lightening and almost deafening thunder. It hit one time and my dad was off that chair in a second. I'm not sure I've every seen him move that fast in my life. It was a freaky storm.

We ate lunch at the Texas Roadhouse. Carolyn and I had salmon and dad had steak. After lunch we picked up the girls from daycare and went home. The girls took right to dad. Usually they are both a bit shy, especially Alyssa, but not this time. Emma talked constantly and Alyssa enjoyed playing "don't copy me" with dad.

Chipper didn't like getting in on the photo action. He's not used to being around children. I think they made him nervous. Emma loved snuggling up to her Great Grandma, though.

Dad loved it that Emma just jumped right up in his lap. She's not usually shy but it did surprise me she just climbed right up there. Dad has a way with kids. Carolyn said that he communicates with them on the same level. I think dad just rolled his eyes and went on. They have a great relationship. They tease each other back and forth and don't get mad. It's cute.

Carolyn brought me a stitching book. (A woman who knows how to get to my heart.) Dad brought me a picture of him and my mom when they were still very young. I think I was just a little over a year old when the picture was taken. He also gave me a picture of his parents when they were first married. I have to get my scanner signal to connect with my computer signal and then I will scan and post them here. I have to admit I have some very handsome and beautiful people in my family. (Maybe good looks skipped my generation and picked back up after me. LOL)

I sent them home with the apple coasters I made and a welcome banner that I stitched and finished the edges with the Finishing With Flair class I took from EGA. I think they liked them. I usually don't give stitched items as gifts but I know that they will both appreciate the hard work that goes into making something by hand.

Before the snow gets here this winter, Phoebe, the girls and I are going to get up to see them again. Nick and I had such a great time, he's ready to go back soon, too.

The Rock House

Phoebe and I went to see Eclipse. I had already seen it but really liked it so I didn't mind seeing it again. We made our own "Team Edward" shirts. No one laughed at us but it reminded me of that Burger King commercial with the little old lady in the "Team Jacob" shirt.

The weather was so nice Sunday we decided to take the kids to Vesuvius for a picnic and a hike to The Rock House.

Emma is used to sitting in a highchair but the table just had to do for the picnic.

Hamburgers are one of the few foods that Alyssa likes to eat. The boys don't like having their picture taken.Nick is an adventurer. He is never happy just being an observer. I like to keep my feet on level ground so I just take the pics.

Alyssa is the drama queen. Doesn't she look so grown up? She's ready for the paparazzi.
Emma did alright walking to the caves but she got tired on the way back. Mommy was the only person she wanted to carry her. When mom got tired she told Emma she had to walk for awhile. Emma just stood there looking at her. When mom told her she couldn't just stand there all day, she sat down. Is it the terrible twos and she's just exerting her independence, or should Phoebe just be more specific in her instructions the next time?
We aren't mad at each other. Phoebe is on the "smoking" side of the log and I'm on the "non-smoking side.

Vacation in Buckhannon

Nick and I went to spend a few days with my dad, Ray Unrue and my stepmom, Carolyn in Buckhannon, WV. We had a wonderful time. The weather was amazing. We had fun just sitting on the front porch and visiting. I went through a lot of old family pictures that my dad had and brought a bunch home for the photo album. He also gave me an antique Singer sewing machine that had belonged to my great-grandmother.The courthouse was decorated for the 4th of July. We walked along Main Street and wandered into two antique stores. I love doing that.

We took dad's boat out and went to Stonewall Jacksone Lake. It's the largest lake in WV. It was all man-made but wonderously beautiful. We were on the boat for awhile. Dad even let me drive but the photo didn't come out. Nick can be my witness, though. He has the red knuckles as proof.

This is my dad getting the boat hooked up to the truck. See the license plate? My dad loves his truck. He designed the stingray picture on the side of the boat.

The flag is at half-mast in honor of Senator Byrd's death.

Dad and Nick getting ready for us to set sail.

Nick is having fun. He just doesn't like getting his picture taken. When you see Nick, ask him how he likes carp. At the lake, you can buy bags of dog food and feed it to the fish. I fed them and even petted a few. Nick thought that looked like fun so he got down to pet them, too. One of them must not have liked it very well. It flipped its tail and splashed Nick right in the face. He stood up, his face, hair and shirt soaked mumbling, "Stupid fish." I wish I'd taken a picture of that.

Carolyn doesn't like getting her picture taken either, but I said "please?" so there we are.

On Friday, we had lunch at a steakhouse. They had the most delicious fries. Then, we went to see Eclipse. Dad didn't like it and Nick fell asleep. Carolyn and I LOVED it. I guess that's why it's called a "chick flick". Carolyn even caught an Eclipse t-shirt an usher threw into the crowd.

It was hard to pack up and leave but everyone back home was in need of "mom" and "mamaw" to be there. Dad and Carolyn are coming to visit soon and Nick and I will probably make it back up before summer's over.

I love you, Dad and miss you.