Santa’s Wildlife Stocking

Posted on January 6, 2007 by Jenna Magee

Okay, dear readers, I have a request for you. As many of you know, my oldest WIP/UFO is a design called Santa’s Wildlife Stocking. It’s a kit that was produced by Dimensions as part of their Gold Collection.

I have received a request from another stitcher who is also working on this design, but has lost her chart at some point along the way. Have any of you stitched this stocking and have the chart leftover that you would be willing to send to help this stitcher out? If so, please let me know.

I know there are a couple of us who have the kit and are working on it from time to time, so if all else fails, we can give away the chart when one of us is done, but who knows how long that will take? 😆

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Early Morning Wake-up

Posted on January 5, 2007 by Jenna Magee

Okay, so maybe it’s not early for many of you, but pre-7:00 AM is definitely early for me. It’s been a rough night, with another sinus migraine (though not as painful as the one a couple of days ago) causing me not to get to sleep until after 2:30 this morning. And yet, here I am. Yes. The Maxalt took away the pain (though I feel another headache trying to form, or maybe the same one starting to poke through, but I am studiously ignoring it at the moment), but I have a core of anxiety left behind that kept me from being able to sleep any longer. Plus an empty stomach that is quite cranky from having so many drugs dumped on it in the middle of the night.

So, I got out of bed. Partly to get something into my stomach, partly to get some of the thoughts out of my head and partly to take an additional anti-anxiety medication for a boost to get over this hump.

You see, I’m very nervous about this big project at work. I need to jump on it and stay on top of it since the deadline, while 9 away, is looming quickly for the amount of development work that I’m going to need to do on it. The funny thing is, I thought that this project was going to be different. I thought that I was going to be managing it, but would have some help to do some parts while I focused on the development (while managing it). My last big project was not viewed as a raging success, mostly because I was working in a vaccuum and a team of higher-ups had some opinions on my timing that were never shared with me. *sigh* That isn’t going to happen again, but it is starting to appear that this is going to be another solo effort. Sure I have some backing this time and input from a couple of other people here at the start, but once I set the path forward, it’s pretty much me, myself and I for the next several months. Not exactly what I was hoping for with this project, but something I should be used to by now.

I had a long, involved discussion with Terry about the project when he got home last night (I worked from home, waiting for the antibiotics to kick in) and it helped me to nail down what I think is going to be my plan for tackling this project, plus a base understanding of the existing application that I’m looking to replace so that I can start to get a feel for how to architect its replacement. I was feeling pretty good about this when I went to bed, like things are coming under my control again. Until I woke up in a cold sweat this morning, remembering something the developer of the original application had said that is going to throw a serious monkey wrench (I think) into how I was starting to lay out the application. I’m sure I’ll feel better once I bounce this new realization off of Terry and again gather more knowledge on exactly how things work right now. But he’s not going to be up, with neurons fully firing for that kind of discussion, for a few hours yet. Which is where the anti-anxiety booster comes in, since my brain is going 90 miles an hour and refuses to shut off.

I hate feeling like I’m behind. I hate that this project is not what I had hoped for. I’m used to relying on myself, but I’m very tired of working solo on applications. I’ve been doing that for years. The point is to stretch myself and grow my career. BAH!

Regardless of what this project turns out to be, I am bound and determined to make it a success. And one that people will hopefully take notice of (for once), despite being developed in a relative blackhole of space.

I’m not looking for sympathy or any responses. I know that you all support me in every aspect of my life. 🙂 I’m just ranting…

Posted in Life in General | 6 Comments

PIF Gifting and More

Posted on January 4, 2007 by Jenna Magee

I’ve been on a real roll lately and have managed to get 3 out of 6 PIF gifts finished in the past couple of days. I may have to make some tweaks, depending on the information I get back from people; regardless, all 3 should be ready to go out early next week. I spent some time this afternoon lining up the remaining 3 gifts. I need some information back from people on those, as well, then I will kit things up and slot time into my schedule as I see fit. Some mediums definitely go more quickly than others, so please don’t be upset if you are in the first group. The second group will just take longer. I would do them all in the same medium if I could, but I don’t think that I could come up with enough creativity to crank out 6 distinct pieces. Just too much pressure! 😉

So anyway, that’s where I am. Otherwise, I am plugging away on my rotation. It’s been tough to discipline myself to work on just one piece at a time and I hope that I am not being less productive as a result (though I suspect that I am). We’ll see how this goes, but at least I am seeing progress on Bonsai and Buddha (slot 1), which is quite an old UFO. One of my oldest, in fact. I will show before and after pics of the progress at the end of each slot. Probably on Mondays so that I have the weekend to spend some quality time on each piece. I’m excited to see if I can actually make this work for me!

Posted in Life in General, Stitching | 5 Comments

Illness Update

Posted on January 3, 2007 by Jenna Magee

Thank you for all of your kind-hearted well wishes. I always hate whining when I’m sick because I feel like people feel obligated to respond in kind and I’m not about that. But I do have to give an excuse when I’m not blogging as often as normal.

I just got back from the doctor’s office, with a short sidetrip to the pharmacy on the way home to fill a prescription for antibiotics. The doctor wasn’t specific in what her diagnosis was, she just said that she was going to put me on antibiotics to help clear up the throat and sinus stuff. Yes, sinus problems were thrown into the mix with the advent of my first ever sinus migraine last night. I was in so much pain, with my throat, head, shoulder, neck and facial bones all hurting at once, I seriously thought that Terry was going to have to take me to the hospital. I was going out of my mind with the pain. Fortunately, I got up and took a Maxalt (my migraine medicine) and within half an hour I must have finally gone out cold because I don’t remember anything until I woke up this morning. It killed all of the pain except for the sore throat (which is now making my ear ache, as well). Nothing is cutting the throat pain. I’ve tried throat lozenges, sucking on hard candy, gargling with salt water, Tylenol and everything I could think of. None of it helped enough to cause any noticeable reduction in pain. I’ve stopped short of using Sucrets (with an oral anesthetic) because I’m afraid of biting my tongue or cheek when it ends up numbing my entire mouth and probably not getting back far enough into my throat to help, but I may try one later, if I get desperate.

For now, though, I’ve decided to take yet another sick day, as last night’s battle plus heightened anxiety about the doctor visit has left me feeling exhausted. I just took an antibiotic and I’m off to bed. The doctor says that I should start feeling better within a day or so, so I’m planning to go in to work tomorrow. I’m looking forward to getting back to normal, even if staying home over the holidays has been an addictively nice feeling. 😉

Posted in Life in General | 6 Comments

Photo-less Finish No More

Posted on January 2, 2007 by Jenna Magee

Here is the photo to go along with Vintner’s Sampler finish from December 30th:



the Sweetheart Tree - Vintner's Sampler

Stitched from a limited edition kit named Vintner’s Sampler by Sandra Vanosdall of The Sweetheart Tree.

The design took approximately a week to finish and will be matted and framed as a gift to Terry.

In other news, don’t expect much bloggity goodness from me still for a little while. I am still sick and have finally given in and am seeing the doctor tomorrow to find out what is going on. I said that if I wasn’t feeling better by the time I was due to go back to work (tomorrow) that I would see a doctor and I am true to my word. Besides, two weeks of feeling ill is more than enough for me, thank you very much. I just hope that they will be able to figure out what’s going on because my throat is painfully sore and I still can’t talk for very long. If I can’t talk, I’m not going in to work. It doesn’t mean that I can’t work from home, if my body allows it, but I sure as heck am not going in and subjecting others to whatever this is.

Off to bed for me now. I’ll be seeing the doctor at 10:00 AM. Just a few more hours; hopefully, I will get some relief!

Posted in Stitching | 9 Comments

Time to Try a Rotation?

Posted on January 1, 2007 by Jenna Magee

I think that I am going to try a rotation for a little while this year. I don’t have enough stitching time to be able to do a daily rotation like others do, but I think I might be able to work through a weekly rotation. I’ll try it on for size and see what happens. 🙂

Slot 1: Dimensions – Bonsai and Buddha
Slot 2: Chatelaine Designs – Stitching Leporello
Slot 3: Cathy’s Round Robin
(then Just Nan – Barnabee’s Quest)
Slot 4: Small Design Slot
(Sweetheart Tree designs, Just Nan designs, Christmas ornaments)

Posted in Stitching | 6 Comments

2006 Stitching Tally

Posted on December 31, 2006 by Jenna Magee
  1. SBEBB Valentine’s Exchange Gift(s) — Finished January 1, 2006
  2. Model — Finished January 13, 2006
  3. World Trade Center Quilt Panel — Finished January 26, 2006
  4. Twisted Oaks Designs – Hearts and Flowers Hardanger Collection — Finished February 5, 2006
  5. FGBB February 24 Hour Challenge / Broaden Your Stitching Horizons — Finished February 12, 2006
  6. World Trade Center Quilt Panel (Flag) — Finished March 19, 2006
  7. Titania Cameo Square for Laura’s Quilt — Finished April 13, 2006
  8. Alchemy Stitchcraft – Mystery Sampler SAL — Finished April 30, 2006
  9. SBEBB Melanie’s Exchange — Finished May 7, 2006
  10. SBEBB Eight Sided Pincushion (Biscornu) Exchange — Finished May 9, 2006
  11. My Round Robin — Finished June 13, 2006
  12. Model — Finished June 23, 2006
  13. VSCyberstitchers July Exchange Gift — Finished July 16, 2006
  14. Model — Finished July 31, 2006
  15. Sylvie’s RR — Finished August 6, 2006
  16. Flight 93 Quilt Panel — Finished August 20, 2006
  17. Blackwork Square #1 — Finished August 22, 2006
  18. Blackwork Square #2 — Finished August 22, 2006
  19. Blackwork Square #3 — Finished August 22, 2006
  20. Blackwork Square #4 — Finished August 22, 2006
  21. Blackwork Square #5 — Finished August 22, 2006
  22. Blackwork Square #6 — Finished August 24, 2006
  23. Leisure Arts Quick Christmas Keepsakes – Blue Santa — Finished August 25, 2006
  24. Shepherd’s Bush – Happy Wishes Scissors Fob Back — Finished August 26, 2006
  25. Shepherd’s Bush – Happy Wishes Scissors Fob Back — Finished August 26, 2006
  26. Candamar Designs – Peace and Comfort Banner #1 — Finished September 5, 2006
  27. The Sweetheart Tree – Enchantment — Finished September 17, 2006
  28. Just Nan – Be Witchy — Finished October 6, 2006
  29. Secret Surprise RR — Finished October 20, 2006
  30. Catherine-Michele’s RR — Finished October 22, 2006
  31. Robin’s Nest Scissors Fob Exchange — Finished October 25, 2006
  32. The Sweetheart Tree – Enchantment (back) — Finished: October 27, 2006
  33. The Victoria Sampler – Celeste Angel — Finished: October 28, 2006
  34. The Victoria Sampler – Grace Angel — Finished: October 29, 2006
  35. The Victoria Sampler – Praying Angel — Finished: October 30, 2006
  36. The Victoria Sampler – Flower Angel — Finished: October 30, 2006
  37. Jenna Magee – XBox Logo (SOLAK Square) — Finished: November 8, 2006
  38. Linda Chacewater – Christmas Biscornu — Finished: November 18, 2006
  39. Cathy’s RR — Finished: November 30, 2006
  40. Jenna Magee – Megaman Head (SOLAK Square) — Finished: December 5, 2006
  41. Just Nan – Angel Melody (WhimZi) — Finished: December 20, 2006
  42. The Sweetheart Tree – Vintner’s Sampler — Finished: December 30, 2006
Posted in Stitching | 4 Comments

Non-Photo Finish

Posted on December 31, 2006 by Jenna Magee

My holiday vacation time indulgence this year was the limited edition kit Vintner’s Sampler by The Sweetheart Tree. I started it a few days before Christmas, but it just sat on the stand while we had company. All in all, it took less than a week to stitch and I put the beads and other embellishments on late last night, with my initials and the year going on this morning.

We’re visiting Terry’s dad and his fiancee for a couple of days over New Year’s, so you are just going to have to wait until we get home for a photo. Maybe Tuesday. 🙂

Unfortunately, I’m still sick. It’s really lingering and has been nearly two weeks now, so I think it’s going to be a visit to the doctor for me after the new year. I’m hoping that it’s something simple, since it’s not terrible, just a sore throat and cough continuining off and on, plus the seeming need for more sleep. We’ll see what they have to say about it if I’m not better by the time I’m supposed to go back to work on Wednesday.

I’m really happy to have one more finish before the end of the year, though. It turned out beautifully and I’ll be stitching it again sometime for Terry’s dad because he really liked it. I just need to buy more paillettes and another charm for it. Plus, I would like to do a few things in between so that I can enjoy stitching the design again.

We’ll be going out for dinner tonight and then to friends of Terry’s dad. I wish each of you safe and sober New Year’s celebrations! I’ll see you in the 2007!

Posted in Stitching | 4 Comments

The ABCs of Me

Posted on December 29, 2006 by Jenna Magee

Tagged by Outi…

A – Available or single?:
Married, so neither

B – Best Friend?:
Terry

C – Cake or pie?:
Cake; it’s easier to make

D – Drink of choice?:
Water

E – Essential item I use every day:
My brain (hopefully). 🙂

F – Favorite color?:
Purple

G – Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms?:
Gummy worms, no doubt. They are fun to slurp.

H – Hometown?:
Hollidaysburg, PA

I – Indulgence?:
A luxurious, hot bubble bath, from time to time.

J – January or February?:
January, the start of a new year.

K – Kids and names?:
N/A

M – Marriage date?:
September 25, 1999

N – Number of siblings?:
One by blood, two by adoption.

O – Oranges or apples:
Depends. Oranges are like spheres of sunshine and apples are wonderful in many ways.

P – Phobias or fears?:
Heights, spiders.

Q – Favorite quote:
This changes as I come across new ones.

R – Reasons to smile:
Too many to list. 🙂

S – Season:
Autumn, please.

T – Tag 3 or 4 people:
Anyone who reads this and wants to try it.

U – Unknown fact about me:
Done that already. No more. 🙂

V – Vegetable you don’t like?:
Brussels sprouts, though I’ve never actually tried them.

W – Worst habit:
Overanalyzing things, not being able to let go.

X – X-Rays?:
I’ve had several, what about it?

Y – Your favorite food?:
Shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster)

Z – Zodiac sign?:
Libra/Scorpio cusp

Posted in Meme | 1 Comment

January Stitching Goals

Posted on December 27, 2006 by Jenna Magee

January’s goals are simple:

  • Finish Cathy’s RR
  • Finish The Sweetheart Tree – Vintner’s Sampler
Posted in Stitching | 4 Comments