Stitching for Sanity Sake

The holidays have set in with a vengence along with the cold season. Husband brought home a cold last week and this weekend was my turn. He was a grumpy bear all week - a sweet grumpy bear, but a grumpy bear never the less.

This week is the holiday luncheon and officer installation for my EGA group. Since I will be VP - Workshops, that includes me. I'm baking tonight to take my contribution - a cake which dates back to the Civil War. Called a Plum Cake, it has no plums. Instead it has molassas, raisins and currents. It is yummy and rich.

Then we are into the turkey days with the relatives arriving. It will be small, but enough people to do all the trimmings. I think Thanksgiving and Passover are my 2 favorite holidays. Of course both revolve around family and food.

To keep sane I've been working on the Crazy Quilt Bargello. It isn't what I'm supposed to be working on, but... it keeps me sane.

Slowly Getting the Little Tasks Done

It seems to be a rule of the universe that it takes forever to get through all the paperwork and little details that appear. Moreover it seems like the little gremlins of this world take great delight in piling more and more paperwork and details onto already overloaded desks. Slowly I am working my way through the piles of accumulated stuff on and around my desk (sigh). Have finally posted the last 2 handouts from my classes on my website - Shading and 3 Raised Stitches. Of course the usual caveats apply - they are not complete in themselves having been designed to be used as part of a class. That said - enjoy!

I'd rather be stitching, but it seems I need to either stitch or do typing - the nerves and muscles seem to complain otherwise (drat!). Now back to more paperwork -- all those almost year end tasks.

2nd Column Hits Newstands

It is a wonderful feeling to be in print. It is a type of validation, whether deserved or not, that is hard to beat.

My 2nd column in Needlepoint Now is hitting the newstands now. Apparently the first column was well received and I hope the 2nd will be as well. I'm finishing up the next one and will have it winging its way off tomorrow. Then on to the next one.
Do let me know what you think. It is hard writing in a bit of a vacuum.

As for my current stitching, all work and no play makes Sabrina very dull. October went by very quickly - what with the prep for 3 classes, including one new one from scratch. Then long hours of work for the last couple weeks. I'm feeling in need of a creative fix so will do a bit on the Crazy Quilt Bargello piece this week. Spent some time last week choosing colors and patterns for 2 sections.

Now back to work on the column.