Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Alphabet Stats

I am uncomfortable showing a close-up of the alphabet sampler this time. There is just too much information available in a picture, so I will just tell you how far I am. I am one letter short of finishing my 6th alphabet (155), I have finished 4 sets of numbers (40), and 2 partial alphabets (29), for a total of 224. That is almost 55% done. That is a little deceiving, though, because I am just about ready to start the large monogram. If I count the monogram as a whole alphabet (because it will probably take about an alphabet's length to finish) I am just about 53% finished, which is still not bad.


I have been working on cleaning up my sewing room. I want to clear off my sewing table enough to keep my sewing machine up there, getting it off my dining room table. I am making progress, but there is a ways to go. As I am cleaning, I am discovering items that I am never going to use. I have been the repository of other's clean-up projects; several pieces of aida, a couple of pre-stitched needlepoint canvases (the kind my grandma M used to work), several punch-needle patterns, a silk canvas golden retriever that my eyes won't let me do, and a knit beaded purse, with the fiber, beads, purse frame, and pattern. If you are interested in any of these items, let me know, and it is yours.


I also found a whole stack of projects that are completely stitched, but not finished. I am thinking of showing pictures of those when I don't have a sampler picture. However, I'm on vacation this week, and I'm being lazy about taking pictures.

I am looking forward to tomorrow! The whole family will be here, all squeezed around our small table. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, getting together without all the hubbub of decorating and presents. I am so thankful for my family! I am also thankful for my home, my pets, my job, and my hobby.

I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow, if you are the US, celebrating with your family, or wherever you are in the world! I am thankful for you too!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Cross Stitch is not easy to Blog

Hello, I'm sorry I only blogged one time last week. C ended up sharing her cold with me, so I spent a day and 1/2 at home. I got a lot of stitching done on my Alphabet sampler! I finished a complete alphabet, and several other motifs, bringing me to 49% finished! This is going faster than I expected. However, I don't have a picture of my progress.

This past weekend I have been reading instead of stitching, so I decided to do a reading meme from Anna instead.

Favorite childhood book? I think that would have to be the Narnia series. I still re-read it on occasion. I can't wait for the new Narnia movie to come out (in about a week). It is my favorite of the series "The Dawn Treader."
What are you reading right now? I stayed up past midnight last night finishing "Paladin of Souls" by Bujold as a sequel to "Curse of Chalion." Next up in the queue is "Inside of a Dog."
What books do you have on request at the library? I am very bad at returning books to the library on time, so I would rather buy books. (See next question.)
Bad book habit? library fines!
What do you currently have checked out at the library? n/a
Do you have an e-reader? DH and I both have Nooks. It is very convenient.
Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once? If I am reading more than one at a time, it is because I have had a problem with one that I am reading.
Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog? Not really. They changed when I started full time work about 15 years ago, for several reasons.
Least favorite book you read this year (so far)? If I am not enjoying a book, I usually stop reading it so, I can't think of any.
Favorite book you have read this year? As I mentioned, I have been reading Bujold. I just discovered her this year, and I think I have read about a dozen of her books. My favorite so far has been "The Sharing Knife."
How often do you read out of your comfort zone? I read quite a bit for work, but not always books, more like articles. But I would say daily.
Can you read on the bus or train? My commute to work is 16 minutes driving, so I don't get to read on the way to work.
Favorite place to read? Someplace there is a book!? I do have an easy chair.
What is your policy on book lending? If I want it back, I put my name in it. I don't like lending my very favorites that I like to re-read, because if they don't come back I have to re-purchase them.
Do you ever dog-ear books? How else can I find my page?
Do you ever write in the margins of your books? Not very often.
Not even with text books? Oh, textbooks... of course I do.
What is your favorite language to read in? English.
If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose? I can read Spanish, but rarely for pleasure reading.
What makes you love a book? A happy ending! without too much suspense.
What will inspire you to recommend a book? When I know the kinds of books a person likes, I can tell if they would enjoy a specific book. Both DDs, DH, and my friend enjoy different kinds of books, but I have been able to recommend books to each of them.
Favorite genre? I enjoy romance, mystery, science fiction, historical, and fantasy. The more elements of each in a story, the more I enjoy it.
Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?) I don't read too much non-fiction, but I don't really want to...
Favorite biography? Um...
Have you ever read a self -help book? There have been a few.
Favorite cookbook? I really like the Victory Garden vegetable cookbook.
Most inspirational book you've read this year (fiction or non-fiction)? I just finished the book of Acts, and I was amazed.
Favorite reading snack? If there is chocolate in the house... otherwise a piece of fruit. I
know, messy.
Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience. The only thing I can think of is that I have not read "Eat, Pray, Love" because of the hype, so I guess my reading experience was ruined.
How often do you agree with critics about a book? I don't read critics regularly.
How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews? If I don't like a book, I don't finish it, so it is hard to give a review.
Most intimidating book you've ever read? My Calculus textbook!
Most intimidating book you're too nervous to begin? Um...
Favorite Poet? A lack in my life. I like Robert Louis Stevenson's poetry for kids... about my speed.
How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time? I haven't been using the library recently. I have at least a dozen unread books on my Nook.
How often have you returned books to the library unread? Often.
Favorite fictional characters? Paksenarion and Clare and Jamie.
Favorite fictional villain? Reformed villains... Eustace Stubbs.
Books I'm most likely to bring on vacation? Last April DH and I took several audio mysteries by J.A. Jance, and enjoyed it tremendously.
The longest I've gone without reading? 12 hours?
Name a book that you could/would not finish. I dislike suspense. If a book gets too suspenseful I put it down. The first time I did that was in 4th grade. I felt guilty, but I keep doing it.
What distracts you easily when you're reading? My Nook has a sudoku game. If the book is not gripping, I tend to wander off to sudoku.
Favorite film adaptation of a novel? I thought they did a good job with the "Fellowship of the Ring" and the other two.
Most disappointing film adaptation? I don't see a lot of movies... Narnia could have been better.
The most money I've ever spent in the bookstore at one time? DH and I together can do some damage, but we try to keep it under control. It was probably when I was in college buying textbooks.
How often do you skim a book before reading it? I like to page through a book before I buy it (or check it out of the library) but once I have it I just plunge in. That's what makes it hardest to buy e-books, or books on-line.
What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through? Too much suspense.
Do you like to keep your books organized? Yes. Science fiction is in the basement, by author, mystery in the bedroom, and romance under the bed!
Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you've read them? If I like it enough, and know I will want to reread, I keep. A couple of years ago I got rid of stacks of books, and haven't missed one; I should do it again, but I don't want to get rid of any of the books that DH wants to keep...
Are there any books you've been avoiding? I have "Count of Monte Cristo" on my iPod, and I have been avoiding that. I'm finding it quite suspenseful but I haven't given up on it yet.
Name a book that made you angry. Um...
A book you didn't expect to like but did. Robinson Crusoe! I was shocked by how good it was.
A book that you expected to like but didn't. I bought a book after reading a recommendation, and then couldn't get into it. It just went to the thrift store, and I cannot remember the name of it.
Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading. The Blue Castle by Montgomery. I loaned it to my mom, and as soon as it was out of the house I wanted to re-read it. It is a sweet love story.