I think that we all have our favorite blogs that we try to read everyday. I am always thrilled when I hear that you have been reading mine and leave me comments! So when I read Mary Corbet’s Needle ‘n Thread Blog the other day “To Pin or not to Pin: Why I Use Pinterest and Love it!” I had to really stop and think about this Pinterest thing…

Do you Pin? do you like it? Tell me! Inquiring minds want to know! No, they need to know!

So I called my amazing webmaster Laura Z, madam geek expert and all that stuff. She is so up to date and in tune with all this social media stuff… I asked her, what do you think about this?

Well she said, let me give you a little Pinterest lesson and off we went. Wow was I blown away when I saw that so many of you have already been pinning away from the blog. I don’t want to be missing out on all the fun! I must say that this screen shot was taken after I started my own pins on Pinterest.

So this is moi! A few pictures of the cats…of course, what were you thinking? a few pictures of my needlepoint and I am sure that it will grow over time. What a great place to save a recipe, well what am I thinking? I don’t cook! a great kitty picture, a purr~fect stitch for that special needlepoint project, inspiration from colors, threads and whatever else strikes your fancy.

So have you now seen that Pin It button on the blog?

I was thinking about breakfast at The Cottage yesterday and then some retail therapy, but instead opted for a lazy morning and some much needed housework. I spoke with the cats to please do a better job of cleaning the litter out of their paws before they come in the house. Lets see if they listen…

Watered my plants and orchids and then decided it was time to switch out my very old cable box to the new updated one that they sent me. All those plants and orchids needed to be moved since they share the wall unit with the tv. Well, the cable lady failed to include a very necessary cable with the shipment. All that work for nothing! put everything back and then decided well I am going to stitch the day away!

AlleyCat thought it was cold enough yesterday that she needed to get under the covers! well it wasn’t you silly cat. and until next time…keep on stitching

Just the other day as I was walking by the bedroom, I peaked in to see if Sylvester was on the bed in his usual nap spot…which he was. I like to know where the kids are throughout the day and to see what kind of mischief they are getting into.

I had thrown some clean clothes just out of the dryer on the bed to fold later and of course that’s what he was curled up on. Why did I even think that he wouldn’t have done that?

AlleyCat had jumped up on the bed too and instead of heading to the other side as she usually does, she was settling in for her nap with Sylvester. They were touching…OMG! this never ever happens. So Sylvester with his big white whiskers is on the left and AC is on the right.

Okay so let me tell you the story, Sylvester and AlleyCat get along great, no fighting, no hissing, no catitudes. But you know AC is the boss and she never ever lets us forget that. They play together, they eat together, if someone meows loud enough the other will come to check out what the hey is going on…but they don’t sleep together or groom each other. It is something that I miss seeing. Sylvester used to torment AC unmercifully when she first came to live with us as a kitten and she has never forgiven him for it.

So of course I had to take some pictures of this momentous occasion! Not sure how long it will be before I see this again.

I am 97.5% finished with the beading of Bastet…so close but the areas I have left are a little tricky. I need to get the purr~fect shading of the 3 colors of beads in her paws and tail and I was thinking that it was better to save that when I was fresh and just starting off my stitching day. I will start off with a little something simple and easy and then when I feel great about how it is looking, I work into the more challenging areas of a canvas.

Speaking of beads I have used close to 14.5 grams of size 15 Miyuki beads, more than an entire spool of beading thread and I have enjoyed adding each and every bead. The results are amazing and I love it!

I just wanted to remind you about our Open House for the San Diego Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild starring the one and only Elizabeth who is the owner, editor and the driving force behind the magazine. Just give us a call, so that we make sure that we have a seat for you! You don’t want to miss this…and a little birdie tells me that there will be some surprises. and until next time…keep on stitching

What a wonderful week when you’ve got mail of needlepoint stuff and it is doubly better when you get not 1, but 2 packages from Bedecked and Beadazzled!

First was my threads and stitch guide for the 3rd mystery lesson for this amazing canvas. At the time of this mail arriving, I hadn’t yet started mine…but since first pitch on last Sunday I have been stitching away, or should I say beading away?!

This is Bastet, referring to the feline Goddess of Ancient Egyptian religion who was worshipped since the 2nd Dynasty. Wait, now why is Wikipedia saying that she was worshipped? Don’t we still adore and worship our felines to this day? trust me, AlleyCat reminds me on a daily basis that she is to be adored and…well you know the rest!

If you would like to see the magic that Ruth has been creating with Bastet make sure you take a look see. This was the last class a very long 3 weeks ago where she Bedecked, Bejeweled and Beadazzled the lotus blossoms.

The next lesson will be posted on this Sunday night and the question inquiring minds have… well this inquiring mind is asking “what area are you stitching next?” Is the amazing collar that Bastet wears… which I am sure will be beaded or is it the bottom panel? the middle top squares? and last but not least the stripes on either side and the sections with the hyerglyphics.

I am hoping that I will have lesson #1 which is the cat and lesson #2 which is the background finished before the next lesson arrives at my door. All I will say that it is allot of beads, but I am absolutely loving the look! I should have the cat finished by tonight.

The other package was the next in the Color Party. This month is red! Such wonderful red threads, sequins and of course we can’t forget about the crossword puzzle.

A few of my stitching friends and I are getting together today to stitch the day away. Of course lunch and lots of gabbing will be part of the day as we have lots of catching up to do! Just a little break from having to deal with a leak in my bathroom, from an un co-operative upstairs neighbor and the politics involved with a home owners association. OMG, so much wasted time that I could have been stitching instead!

AlleyCat had a wonderful time playing, posing and sleeping among the paper. I guess I am a mean Mom as I finally did pick the papers up and recycle them. and until next time…keep on stitching

Driving to Los Angeles this past Saturday morning and listening to the radio (as I like to be ahead of the traffic alerts)… I was reminded that it was “Sabado de Gloria” or the Saturday before Easter which is a very special day here. It is the day of the Blessing of the Animals!

When I first moved to Los Angeles from the East Coast, I wanted to do everything, see everything and immerse myself in the all the culture and traditions, so I would always seek out and attend all the new and fun things!

Dogs of all faiths, cows, ducks, goats, horses, cats and birds too! and… while wearing their finest outfits are brought to Olivera Street which is in downtown Los Angeles. It is the oldest part of downtown and is part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. Many refer to it as “La Placita Olivera” or Olivera Place.

It is a time honored tradition that began over 80 years ago and is rooted in ancient ritual for San Antonio de Abad or patron saint of the animal kingdom.

It is held in San Diego too, but at another time of the year. Known here as the Benediction of the Beasts, celebrating St. Anthony of the Desert, the patron saint of animals.

The animals are blessed by the priest or cardinal and then at 2pm, there is the parade of the animals…I am sorry, but I just can’t call them beasts! It is a great way to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon with your camera!

I know that I could never get these felines of mine to attend, so I will just carrying their blessing back home. What would my life be like without them? and until next time…keep on stitching

Those 2 words we all love to hear…play ball! Just when you thought I was going to talk about needlepoint…I interrupt the regularly scheduled blog for baseball! It is opening day after all. My home town team opens on the road and I will be watching and listening either on the TV or the radio. Next week I will be attending a few games at the old ball yard and I can’t wait! I need to wash my baseball t shirts and jackets, look for my radio and anxiously await the delivery of my season tickets.

I really do love my baseball and I enjoy any game, any time, any team, any where.

Even Mooch has to go into the game! I loved this one so much that my awesome framers immortalized it for me in a very creative frame that lives on my wall.

Sylvester was my right hand stitching assistant yesterday as I stitched the day away. He was really in a deep sleep and not sure how comfortable he was?! but it didn’t seem to disturb his sleep as I stitched. and until next time…keep on stitching

For any of you who have the Kreinik thread color numbers committed to memory…yes it is scary when you speak colors in Kreinik numbers! you will recognize 032 as the white that we all know and love. Well anyway, I do as I don’t know where I would be with out it.

There is a new white now 9032 which is known as Easter Braid. Originally introduced a few years as Easter Grass after the request by that divine Miss M…that being Meredith! Kreinik was encouraged by Meredith to create an Easter Grass thread as she was literally buying bags of grass at this time of the year so that she could have it in her stitching stash.

I have worked with the original Easter Grass from a few years ago, as I stitched a glass filled with champagne and was thrilled with the results! I anxiously await to find the purr~fect canvas to use the new Easter Braid. It is now available in Blending Filament, Very Fine #4 Braid, Fine #8 Braid, Tapestry #12 Braid, Medium #16 Braid, 1/8″ Ribbon and 1/16″ Ribbon.

Quoting from Kreinik’s website “It brings to mind the whimsical lightness of soap bubbles and the crystalline color of snow. At once purple, then green, then pink, then white…it dazzles in the light to create a color of depth and dimension…” Thank you too to Kreinik for their pictures.

Mooch is busy as he stops by to wish you all a Happy Easter!

Happy Passover too as the 8 day celebration concludes on Tuesday evening.

I came across this and I hope all your baking adventures rose to the occasion! I plan on enjoying a great stitchy day at home with a canvas of my choice and my kids. ooh there will be a baseball game on tonight as we ready for opening day! I am  so ready for that first  pitch.

The kids are enjoing their boxes and bags. Whenever I go to Costco I always look for a box that I know that they will approve of. and until next time…keep on stitching

This is the extent of my Easter decorating this year! Took out my Easter Egg House by Needle Deeva and nestled it in among my orchids. That’s it, nothing more.

It was a fun piece to stitch! Beads and ribbon flowers, overdye silks and more…what could be better than that?

I didn’t set up the Easter Tree this year…just where did the time go to? before I knew it was  the first day of Spring and ooh why spend all that time just to be out for a week or so?

I have collected dozens of these eggs over the years from a wonderful shop in La Jolla. They are made and painted in Germany from these wonderful artisans. They didn’t have any new ones this year to tempt me, so my collection didn’t grow. Maybe next year.

Lots of errands taken care of the last few days and other kinds of stuff has been keeping me busy anbd away from my needle. I hope to make up for it this weekend…but first a trip to my framers in Pasadena as it is time to bring the Keep Calm and Needlepoint to be framed. A little breakfast, maybe some stash enhanc a little bead shopping and then the framers. I hope the traffic is not an issue today as I want to get home early enough to bury myself in my canvas. I think that it is time to start on Bastet.

AlleyCat has been watching lots of kitty tv these days! and until next time…keep on stitching

The doorbell rang the other day and as usual the cats disperse in the blink of an eye…but AlleyCat’s curiosity gets the best of her and she can’t contain herself for very long! So in just a few short moments she has to come out of hiding and see what’s going on.

A much awaited box of bags from Hug Me had arrived. This wonderful new fabric that they introduced at Long Beach quickly worked its way into my heart and I just had to order. Like I really need another bag? But need and want are not always the same.

AlleyCat is giving the box a proper catscan as she inspected every inch of it. I think at the moment I snapped this picture she was distracted by some birds outside the window.

This is the bag. Isn’t this fabric gorgeous? Well of course I had to order the matching needlepoint tool box!

So if you gotta carry your needlepoint or whatever in style…call your LNS and ask them to order the Large Carry All from Hug Me, in the new fabric called Prytania with the contrasting green animal print. That is the fabric that is around the sides of the bag. Ooh don’t forget your matching Needlepoint Tool Box and Snap Together Tray!

After a hard day of work of inspecting, AlleyCat needed to settle in to relax a bit. She nestled in amoung the mountains of papers that the bags were packed with.

I was thrilled that she entertained me so! as usual the paper will live on the floor awhile as I don’t have the heart to take it away from her right away. and until next time…keep on stitching

It’s finished! and in plenty of time to take it along to the Spring Needlework Market in Dallas next month. I really enjoyed working on this so very much. Beading, French Knots and basketweave…just a few of my favorite things.

I knew from the beginning that I wanted to stitch a very special background on this canvas.  What’s good for dogs? woof, woof? fire hydrants? bones? Well I searched through 3 books that I knew had a dog bone pattern in it. I liked this one the best that was part of our stitch book that was given in our classes with the Fabulous Four last year at the ANG seminar in Philadelphia. Thank you Beth, Suzanne, Tony and Meredith! I amd sure that it was meant to be a darning pattern…but since I like to be different, I stitched each one individually. It was fun stitching it! well until I tried to travel through the letters that is and that was another story.

My little Wendy H. touch… as I remember her teaching me “give ’em what they don’t expect!” is the Mother of Pearl heart. I first tried a Swarovski crystal heart in both red and clear, but this one is it. I just need to attach it yet to the canvas!

So if you gotta have this canvas, just contact your LNS~Local Needlepoint Shop or FNS~Favorite Needlepoint Shop and tell them it’s the Keep Calm and Love Dogs canvas by Unique New Zealand. I will need to check with them to see about the stitch guide. It is short and sweet!

Now that my stitching is ready for Dallas, I took Bastet out and ceremoniously unstitched most of what I had done. I have left a few areas of stitching that I like and unless Ruth does something that is an OMG! that is amazing moment…that will be my touch. Our special magnet is on the canvas

and here is our snap tray which sits on my stitching table and holds the packets of threads just waiting for me to pick them up and get started. I will start with the cat of course and not sure if I want to do the beading while in my stitchy chair or if I should sit at a table.

Okay we talked about the dogs, then the cats, so where’s the bird? I had so much fun stitching the Pumpkin Bird for NeedleDeeva, that I thought I would just start on another one!

I bought more feathers, so I am good to go!

and who knows, I might even get to this one too! After all I have about a month yet and that is a whole lot of stitching time.

You know I have to thank my sister for picking this purr~fect fabric for my quilt. Why do I say that? well look at how beautifully it matches the cats! and until next time…keep on stitching

or should I say allot of stash enhancement? Look at these wonderful threads….Pepper Pot Silk by Planet Earth Fibers. Love this stuff! love, love, love, did I say love enough?

I ordered a designer ring awhile back, which a designer ring is 1 of every color. They came beautifully packaged in numerical order, as if I were to hang on the the walls. I have thought about having some slatwall installed in my stash closet to hang some of my threads…but then I thought kitties and hanging threads, not such a great idea!

The Pepper Pot made a detour trip to the studios of Needlepoint Now for its photo shoot. Elizabeth painstakingly grouped them into color families, which I like awhole lot better. But since I am not hanging it on my walls, it is instead stored in a thread box, patiently waiting for me to select some of this thread for my next project.

I selected every good red for this canvas. Tomato, Chili, Cocktail Sauce, Beet, Watermelon~are we eating or stitching? I narrowed it down to Cocktail Sauce. I knew that I would need to purchase a few more skeins before I started as I wanted to make sure that they were all the same dyelot. You know that routine. In the meantime I started the stitch that I wanted to try with a great color of Splendor… I was enjoying it so much that I lost myself in the canvas and before I knew I had enough done to know #1 I loved it! and #2 I wasn’t taking out what I had stitched already to try it with the Pepper Pot.

I so do enjoy stitching with the Pepper Pot Silk. If you have the opportunity to try some, you should…No plying, feels wonderful in your hands, goes through the canvas with ease, a little heavier than Impressions and a little thinner than Vineyard Silk. Beautiful for basketweave and did I say no plying? what’s not to love about this wonderful thread?

I wanted to make sure that you saw all the colors. Hiding underneath is the Keep Calm and Love Dogs canvas. I should be able to finish up the canvas this week!

I have not yet hung my Keep Calm and Love Cats on the wall yet…it is still lives wrapped in the paper from the framers. I got it out as I wanted to look and see how I angled the C or was it the O? Well whatever. Guess who wasted absolutely no time at all finding a new napping spot?

don’t even think about leaving any pawprints on that glass AlleyCat! and until next time…keep on stitching