Long overdue update!

Hi friends and fellow stitchers!

I know it's been a while since I've updated, but my laptop decided to take a vacation without me, and I haven't even received a post card!  We'll see how gently I treat it when it returns!  LOL  I have missed keeping up on my blog, reading e-mails and chatting with friends.  I do have a dinosaur in the basement, and am using that at the moment, but it takes forever and doesn't always do what I ask it to do (like print from a PDF file, what's up with that???).  Anyway, I have a little block of time so thought I would do my best to get things updated and let inquiring minds know what I'm up to.

So...here are some pics for you!   First off are two pieces from Angie Designer.  We have a limited time to stitch the sections of the pattern she sends out and when we send in a picture, she sends the next piece on a predetermined day.  Here are Sweet Flowers...

And Lavender Blue

 
I am stitching both on 32 count over one and have changed the colors and fibers to silk threads of my choice.
 
Here is also Marquoir Yvonne Richer.  I have to admit, I was a little shocked when I saw my colors used by someone else on the blog I found this on.  http://clarelis.canalblog.com/  There is a link to the pictures people have been sending in.  I've been trying to get the second piece of this pattern, but haven't had any luck yet.  But I've been stitching this over one as well, and will probably change the pattern up a wee bit as well.  I love the letters on this one!!

I had a couple of finishes also, I finished Snow Pretty from Aury TM.  

I also finished You can touch the dust...from Lizzie Kate.  

I had a stitch date with Astrid and Denise, last week and that's how I got so much done on Lizzie Kate.  What an enjoyable day I had with these ladies!!  Can't wait to get together again...but it probably should be at my house, and that may take a while with all I have going on.  But we'll get to that later.

I also had a stitch date last week with my pals from when I worked at my LNS.  It was long overdue, ladies, and it has made me nostalgic for the days I worked with you.  I miss all of you!!  I hope we can do that again when everyone can come!!  This is what I worked on that day...This is The Three Wise Men from Blackberry Lane and is being stitched on 36 ct over one.  Yes, I think I'll be completely insane by the time I finish this one.  I've never seen so many confetti stitches on such a small piece before.  I worked for hours and only got this far.  *sigh*  But I believe it will be an amazing piece once it's done.  Pictures never do them justice!!!

Someone asked me how I was keeping my UCJC (ultimate crazy January challenge) pieces organized.  Here are a couple of pictures to show you what I did.

Each set of threads for each pattern has it's own little box, and they fit into a large box with a handle.  I found this at Michael's and is actually a photo storage box.  I was walking through Michael's one day with DH and he asked if I thought that would work for my threads.  What a genius idea!!  I've been working with this system for a couple of years now and it really does work well.

The patterns have been copied and then placed in document protectors which I file in a notebook.  Only the challenge pieces are in this notebook, so if I'm headed to a retreat and want more than one project I take my notebook and the box of separate boxes of thread.  (I hope that makes sense!).  

Last is a picture of the pieces I am working on.  If they aren't currently in progress, they are taken off the q-snaps and folded and kept in this box.  And that is how I'm keeping things straight.    Would love to see how you are organizing your challenge pieces!  

And on a final note, for those who have been wondering, I finally have insurance approval and am now waiting on a date for surgery.  Because of the holiday I haven't been able to reach either clinic, but hopefully tomorrow I will have more news.  Whew...if you've made it this far you are a trooper!  Thanks for visiting, and if it isn't too much trouble, I would love for you to leave a comment....except you, Astrid, unless you promise not to make a weird comment...LOL!!!  You know I'm only kidding!!  *Hugs* 

Oh, I nearly forgot!  Tyler was very critical toward the end of last week and they gave him very little hope.  I've been asking for prayers for him here and on facebook, and I just wanted to let you know that he is showing signs of improvement.  Our God is a big God, bigger than Leukemia...and bigger than breast cancer.  We are still subject to His will, and I keep  praying that His will is that Tyler will live.  He is still on the ventilator and dialysis, but they are working.  His oxygen levels are going up, showing that his lungs are beginning to do their job again, and he has been losing weight showing that his capillaries are not leaking anymore and the swelling from the fluid in his body is going down.   All positive signs!   Please continue to pray for him if you do pray.  It truly is a miracle that he is still with us today!