There are many Oscars that I would love to award today! and in no specific order… How about the designers that come up with these amazing canvases that we get to stitch? the thread companies that have countless choices of threads in all sizes, shapes, thicknesses and colors? and then the names that they come up with for these threads? how do they think of so many names? the teachers that come up with these unbelievable ideas, stitches, techniques, pick out the prefect thread to go along with that prefect stitch? the shops and their crew that wait on us hand and foot, are always so nice to us? putting threads away, putting our canvases on stretcher bars, picking up after us… especially the floor with all those orts and needles!? and the shop owners who make sure that we have teachers there to lead us on in our stitching adventures? keeping the shops full of new canvases, threads, bags and all sorts of toys to add to our retail therapy experience? in my eyes they all get the Oscar!

There are so many new recipes in the papers and on the internet to honor the Oscar’s tonight. How about Red Bull Granita for Social Network? or Pork and Beans with coffee grit for True Grit? or English Tea Marble Truffles for the King’s Speech? or Blackberry and Chocolate Covered Panna Cotta for the Black Swan? It would be a great day to stay in and cook all day as it is really cold out here for us here in Southern California! Even Sylvester and AlleyCat have no desire to go outside and watch the birds, they would rather stay in and stay warm. Such smart kids.

Me cook? I don’t think so!  I would rather stay in and stitch on the Rainbow Birds. I think that Brenda and I solved all the mysteries of this canvas. A special thanks to Debbie who paved the way for us as she has done all the stitching and reverse stitching along with all the bad words needed! I worked on this at home last night as I stitched under the eyes on 2 of the birds with Splendor 863 and Soie d’Alger 114. I was planning to stitch on, but realized that I had the wrong size Kreinik at my side or needed one of my stitching books to look up a stitch. I just couldn’t get up since I had an AlleyCat on my lap! I know all too well that she would have voiced her displeasure with me if I disturbed her. After I settle in on my spot on the couch, shortly thereafter she will jump into position on my lap, announcing her arrival with a vocalization! This is AlleyCat wondering what is taking me so long to get ready for her?

My plan of attack on the birds today will be to continue to work around the eyes with Kreinik colors 015, 015HL,15L which are all greens; 091 yellow and Soie d’Alger 135. The yellow head of the first bird calls for Criss-Cross Hungarian with Silk ‘N Colors Burnished Gold and Kreinik 28 which is another color of gold. I am looking forward to a great day of stitching and until next time…keep on stitching!