And the Most Beautiful Nasal Passages Award Goes to...

Me! This morning before work I had an ENT appointment to recheck my sinuses. In March 2005 I had sinus surgery to repair my deviated septum and widen the nasal passages. Immediately after surgery I felt improvement. During 2008 I seemed to ahve a lot of sinus issues, with 4 bouts of sinus infection needing antibiotics, and numerous colds or lingering issues in between. I felt like it was time to get the schnozz checked out again, see if there was scar tissue or perhaps polyps growing.

Today when I saw Dr. Diamond she said I had been worked on by one of the best in the biz, and that she has always admired his work, even back when he was an intern. Nice to know he's got a good reputation. Apparently there are 6 different areas of the sinus, and she could only see 5 of the 6 with the scope since the last one is pretty far back and ultra sensitive, with an extra cluster of nerve endings. He worked on all of them, sculpting wide passages and taking a large chunk out of my septum. I have no scar tissue, no polyps, no pools of fluid, no excessive swelling or irritation. It's finally time to take the allergy test. I've been seeing doctors about my sinuses since I was 14, and this is the first time a doctor has recommended that I take the scratch test. Whoopee! I doubt we'll get any answers from that, but it's worth a shot.

Checking in

Health/Fitnes Goals -
1. Bring lunch and snacks all this week and next.
Reward - buy Soul of the Rose cross stitch kit
2. Cook dinner and right away put away portions in fridge for lunches/dinners.
3. Work out for 30 minutes each week of January.
Reward - buy mini-trampoline to further my workout progress goals.

Mini-trampoline? Yes. I'm a bit obsessed with them right now really. I've been researching 'rebounding' online and the health benefits. I have been trying to think of fun ways to exercise and I think this will be something I can do at home for short bursts along with weight training moves, yoga, and my bicycle pedaler.

I've also been reading up on Curves and their whole program design. I don't know that I want to join Curves. I've not had great luck with gym memberships, mainly because I hate working out around other people. There's a whole list of reasons that go along with that, but I won't bore you any more today with that!

Craft-wise
1. Working on Babette Blanket - consists of afghan squares in 17 different colors. Some color combinations look nautrual and other make your eyes bleed. The finished result should be a delightful mess that brightens up a room.

2. HAED Frog Prince QS3 - This is the crazy over one stitching on 25 count evenweave. So far I haven't moved out of the maroon tapestry background. I love working on this piece, but after 3 bleary eyed nights of stitching, I see progress but it's very hard to measure. I read in the newest issue of The Cross Stitcher that their formula for figuring out stitching time is this - a 1 inch by 1 inch square on 14 count Aida cloth, fully stitched, takes 1 hour. I can't fathom how many stitching hours this pattern will take - it is fully stitched, no open spaces, over one, and I think the size is 6x9, I'll have to check. Eek!

3. Floral Potpourri(hate the name - I call it Peony cross stitch) -


Started this up again Wednesday night. This is the first cross stitch project I started when I renewed my interest. I must have started it in 2001 or 2002. Not even halfway, is it? I do like the pattern, and now I am working on this alternately with Frog Prince. I see now that my stitching has improved a lot since I started this piece. I've learned a lot of stitching techniques from The Cross Stitcher, like using one long thread and doubling it for less ends on the back of the piece. Works like a charm.

For the Love of Journalling

New year, new book, right? For the past few years I've been trying to keep both a calendar book and a journal, and both seem to fall apart a few months into the year. Last year I took the Moleskine journal I'd been using since July 2007 and turned it into a catch-all book with journal entries, calendar stuff, and my lists of books and craft progress all in one place. The Moleskine still isn't used up, but I am sick of staring at the thing.

I love journals, blank books, organizers, calendars, sketch books, etc, but no one book ever has all of the features that I need/want in a book.

Here's the magic combination:
-embedded ribbon bookmark
-pocket in back
-beautiful cover
-elastic bungee/tie feature to keep book closed
-book binding so it will lie flat
-pretty inside pages
-Gilded edges

I went to Bob Slate Stationers today to pick out a new book and came home with this lovely blue embossed leather book. I think this will do if I fit it out with my calendar print outs like last year.

In the airport now, with

In the airport now, with a cappucino and my feet up. The sun is out, my plane is on time, and all is right with the world.

Christmas Ornament Exchange Received

Today in the mail I received my ornament from Gillian in The Gift of Stitching Christmas Ornament Exchange. It was just the thing to get me in a good mood today. She also sent a nice card with hollyberries and a skein of silk floss. I believe the color is called Blue Lagoon. I'll have to find a biscornu chart for it.
I like this style of stitching more and more, and I'm glad someone else used over-one stitching. I have been working on an ornament for the past month that is have over-two and half over-one, and it's been driving me batty. None of my friends cross stitch and they all think I'm crazy for pursuing these tiny stitches.


Check out my first successful toe-up start. I did this Monday night with LOTS of help from Cassandra. At this point the stitches for this sock are parked on pens and spare needles while I use the size 11s to start the second sock. For some reason I couldn't finish off the sock. I want to make sure it is long enough in the cuff for my dad, so I want to see how long I can make them, and make sure they end up the same.

Last but not least, here's a view of Harry parked for the day on my bed in the middle of the Christmas wrapping mess.

Super fast socks

It's 9:30 am Wednesday morning and I already have half a sock! I finished turning the heel on the bus this morning. I started these slipper socks Monday night with lots of guidance from Cassandra. Another intense knitting session last night, and I was almost finished wtih the heel. Now I can knit the ribbed cuff on my bus ride home tonight, and maybe knit the second sock toe tonight while watching TV.

Why don't normal socks work up this fast?

Stitching plans

A lot of my friends are making gifts this year both as Christmas presents and for selling at craft fairs and a sci-fi convention that's happening in January. They flurry of actvity is high - with yarn, beads, thread, origami paper, and more being turned into beautiful wearable art. I myself have been stitching teeny tiny stitches on cross stitch ornaments. One was for an exchange I took part in (see earlier post). I have stitched one more and am trying to wrap up the tiny lettering on a third. Can't post pictures just yet as there is the chance that the recipients might see them here.

Oh, and I've just decided to add a knitting project into the mix as a Christmas present too. What am I thinking??? I don't even have the yarn yet. Tonight after work I am dashing to Windsor Button to get the yarn and needles, and meeting my friend Cassandra so she can show me the pattern. Nevermind that before I went away for Thanksgiving she wrote the pattern down for me and demonstrated the difficult bits on one she was making. Nevermind that I already made a gauge swatch, I have no memory of the pattern!

Craft fairs in Harvard Square

Saturday I met three friends in Harvard Square despite it being 18 degrees and went to two craft fairs. Right now I'm waiting for the subway to meet two more friends in Harvard Square to do thesme thing again and go for coffee and visit shops and such. Isn't life fun?
I am a little late in getting to the T because I got a call from a friend of mine who is pregnant. Can you believe I have FOUR pregnant friends right now? One is due in January and the other three are due in June. Congratulations to all my blessed friends.

Guess I had better find some cute patterns and start knitting...

Christmas Ornament Exchange 2008

This year I participated in my first exchange. This was a Christmas ornament exchange on the group of The Gift of Stitching Magazine.

Here is the front and back of the ornament I made for Jane in West Virginia. The pattern is from The Prairie Schooler Pamphlet "December". I stitched the pattern on 14 count white aida with 3 strands to make sure the stitches covered and gave it a plump look. I wasn't quite sure how to do the finishing, so I just did it like a normal sewed item would be, inside out, then reversed it and stuffed it. I made my own cord this time, but I feel like it should have been tighter.

This is also the first stitched ornament I've ever made. I was kind of sad to see it go, but I have the pattern still and can make one for myself if I feel like it. I don't usually go in for this style, simple country sampler sort of stuff, but it's growing on me.

Make your own glass from Corning Glass Studio

It'S here! Smaller than it was in my head, and a bit lighter in color than I wanted but still pretty and made by me. Did your pumpkin come yet?