The Return From Somewhere Else

Wow, it's been awhile! The show in December went very well. And then the season opening musical at "my" theatre needed a stage manager. Three weeks before opening--4 weekend run--and no one had stepped up. So I did. I hadn't stage managed a musical before. Luckily, it had a 4 person cast, so no huge amounts of people to keep track of. I didn't call the cues, but I whipped the backstage area into shape. 20 scenes, 6 tables, 16 chairs, misc other furniture....and each scene stood on its own. Meaning constant set changes and costume changes. With only myself and my ASM (and assisted by the 4 cast members whenever possible) to get things done. Whew! I taped up set diagrams on both sides backstage to keep us all sane....even the cast were saying "What's next?"

My ASMs were awesome! I had one each show--ASM 1 couldn't work the entire run, so another woman who often SMs volunteered to work the shows the first one couldn't. I was nervous about someone who usually SMs and is used to being the one in control being an ASM but it worked out great! ASM 2 watched the show once, then stepped in with no rehearsal. I did walk her through everything beforehand, but she just followed my lead and did everything perfectly. And after seeing my work on the previous show in September, her SMing mentor told her he'd taught her everything he could and she needed to work with me to learn more! So now I have a protege. :-) And a very capable one at that!

I was asked to run for the board of directors as recording secretary....and I was elected...although I'm not sure elected is the correct word, as no one was running against me. And I ended up chairing the hospitality committee (the entire committee had been vacant for at least a year--each show's producer had taken on the duties), so now I find members to staff the front-of-house duties. And 5 people joined the committee--so I've got help. Yay!

As for stitching, I did do a small amount of backstitching on the Mini Mandala a few weeks ago. I've been knitting a lot....I finished my gray scarf, and I've been working on a pink one for DD. I'll take/post pictures sometime. I just got black yarn to make a scarf for DH (he borrowed my blue one once when snowblowing the driveway and was impressed with how warm it was!) and gray yarn for a hat for me.

I'm still here!

I know, I know, my poor blog has been neglected. I've been busy.....not stitching, but with the theatrical side of my life! I've gotten involved with a community theatre, and they pulled me right in--asking me to stage manage their September show. So much fun! It felt really good to walk into a theatre and have a job to do.

I was innocently reading the paper one Sunday and saw an audition notice for another theatre....and on a whim I decided to audition.....and I got cast. Yippee!!! I have my first read through tonight. The show is in December, and it's already mid October....a month and a half to memorize lines! Ack!!!

I guess I need to change that former actress bit in my info...... :-)

Newer Update

Mini Mandala Garden 1 as of today:

Update

Latest progress on Mini Mandala Garden 1:

Wips

I finally started Dee's Photo. It doesn't look like much yet, and I think it'll be a while before it does.

And here's the latest pic for Mini Mandala Garden 1:

A new start

I've started Chatelaine's Mini Mandala Garden 1. And in typical me fashion, I still need to rinse the 3 silks it uses.

I also need to pull out the fabric I bought for Dee's photo. I did Angel's photo a while ago, and I really need to get started on Dee's. I do have all the floss pulled, and a working copy made of the chart. I don't even think I need to cut down the fabric, so I don't know what's holding me back. So hopefully look for a new start/wip pic for it soon!

On a roll.....

Celtic Spring is finished!

Hooray!

I got the beads on Monday, and finished Springtime Roses on Tuesday. This is the first time in a while I've finished more than one project in a year. And it's only March!

And, as promised, the latest Wip pic for Stroke of Midnight:

Still Stalled

I'm still waiting for the beads, so no new finishes yet. I've worked a little more on Stroke of Midnight, and hopefully my next post will include the latest wip pic--I'm further along than the current one in the sidebar, btw.

As for the secret project, I will reveal it after it's been received by the intended recipient. (Patience Carrie darling!)

Finish, Start, and Stalled

I finished the secret project, and have the stuff to frame it. I also got a frame for the Spring Carousel Horse. I started TW's Stroke of Midnight, and I'm still waiting on the beads for Springtime Roses and Celtic Spring. I've done everything else on those two, so as soon as those beads arrive I can finish them up.

Updated pics are posted in the sidebar--including the first Wip pic for Stroke of Midnight. It doesn't look like much yet....

WIP Update

I'm still practicing French Knots for the "secret project". I'm starting to feel comfortable enough to do them for real. "Springtime Roses" is soclose to being done....but I ran out of gold beads. I can't find them in stores around here, so I had to order them online. So now I'm stalking my mailbox. I knew I was getting low and wasn't worried 'cause I thought I had another package....D'oh! The gold beads are also used in "Celtic Spring". I've got the top part beaded, and most of the medallions on the left. That leaves the lady, and the right-side medallions, and 4 of the left-side medallions left to bead. Then it's done. Squee! Looks like I'll be choosing 3 new projects soon.....

I need to either get DSiL or DMiL to babysit DD, or perhaps go with me to the store and keep up with DD there so I can pick out some frames. Shopping with her right now is nearly impossible if it's for something that takes time to pick out. Like frames, or clothes.....she just doesn't stand still and wants to touch *everything*. Sigh.

The latest pictures are posted in the sidebar.....

Yet Another WIP Update

For Springtime Roses, I'm to the point where I need to rinse the 2 silks that used. I'm soaking the silks for the secret project now, and when those are done (and dry) I'll go back to working on the secret project while the Springtime Roses silks soak. In the meantime, I'm thinking of pulling out Convent's Herbal Garden.

Here's a pic of Springtime Roses as of this afternoon:

I also took pictures of 3 Christmas ornaments before I took them off the tree. I think all of these were finished around 2004. The first one is from an issue of "Just Cross Stitch" I can't remember which one though. It's done on cream perforated paper and backed in adhesive felt.

This one is a Gold 'n Cross Stitch ornament.

This is a "Kiss Monster." It's stitched on plastic canvas. The seam at the bottom of the red triangle is not closed up, so it opens like a mouth. You can put a Hershey Kiss inside and let the tag hang out like a tongue. I made bunches of these for presents for my co-workers one year.

Another WIP Update

I got lots of stitching done during the past couple nights of Bowl games. After months of not picking up my stitching at all, I am really feeling the itch!

WVU did announce yesterday that Bill Stewart had been hired as head coach.

More Stitching!

DH watches the college football bowl games, and I stitch:

Tonight is our Alma Mater's big game, so I'll probably get more stitching done. Yippee!

Happy New Year!

I updated my stitching goals for 2008 on the sidebar. Carrie's comment about how many stitched things are around the house made me hang my head in shame.....most of my finishes are packed away in a box, waiting for me to someday frame or otherwise finish them.

I have my first ever project, a butterfly, that was made into a paperweight. That's in my bedroom. There's 2 or 3 ornaments hanging on the Christmas tree. That's it. So I've added some finished but not finished projects to my goals for 2008. If you want to see any of these non-finished finishes, they're in my Stitching Finishes Pre 2007 album.

And Better...

Last night DH decided he needed to go to the hospital. So after bloodwork and a cat scan (to rule out appendicitis) we discovered it was just a G-I bug. But he did get 2 bags of IV fluids and some pain and nausea meds, so that was good. At least he didn't need surgery like I did.

Laying in a hospital bed may not be a good opportunity for stitching, but sitting and waiting for your husband to be treated is.....

WIP Update

See? I said I'd take a pic later. And it's posted. Without any help from DH. Woot! I give you Springtime Roses by Chatelaine:

And I even updated my sidebar with the pic.

It just keeps getting better

Last Friday I had my gall bladder removed. It was, in the words of the G-I doctor, "packed with stones." So that explains the stomach pains I've been having since summer. While laying about in a hospital bed sounds like an excellent opportunity to get some stitching done, the reality was that I just didn't feel good enough.

This morning, DH woke up with food poisoning, or perhaps it's a stomach virus. Either way, he's in bed and I'm trying to take care of him, DD, and myself. The toughest thing is I'm not supposed to pick up more than 10 pounds for another week, so I can't pick up DD--she weighs about 27 pounds. Which makes things like diaper changes and washing her hands at the sink very interesting.

I did do some stitching last night on Springtime Roses. I've put down the secret project until I can get the silks it uses rinsed. The good thing is that DH gave me my own digi cam for Christmas, and it's hooked to my computer--so no more waiting on him to download pics from the camera so I can post them! Yay! I'll be taking a pic of Springtime Roses later.

Blah

I've been feeling really blah lately. I think it's a combination of the cold weather, DH not letting my parents visit for Christmas, and missing my friends (none of them live around here). I have been stitching...and the "secret project" is coming right along.

Pictures!

My sidebar and Stitching Albums are updated! Thank you DH! And here's my first and only happy dance for 2007--Blackwork for the Bewildered by Linn Skinner.

I also took the opportunity to photograph some puppets I made many years ago. I'd helped build puppets before these, but always with instruction/guidance from other people. And I'd repaired many puppets that had normal wear and tear from performances/touring. But these were the first puppets I made completely by myself, from designing to building. They are Bunraku/rod puppets. The characters are from Rapunzel--the Prince, the Witch, and Rapunzel. If anyone would like details on how I made them or what they're made of, please let me know.