Business, Then Pleasure

Hi all!
It's Hunky Friday, and I actually remembered!!! I know, you're shocked.

But before the eye candy, I want to share with you a blog that I'm intrigued by. This is a designer that I hadn't heard of before. In fact, Kevin at Cabbages and Kings has introduced me to a goodly number of designs/designers that are new to me. Thanks Kevin! (BTW, Kevin is getting close to a follower milestone, so head on over there, and say HI for me.)

The designer is Beth Ann Seal of Summer House Stitche Workes. She is having a blog giveaway if you want to check it out, But, hurry! The deadline is April 7.




Okay, now that the business is out of the way, here is the pleasure...

I am bringing back an old favorite from early last year, but you shouldn't be disappointed at the repeat, because it's SHEMAR MOORE!

Let the drooling begin.

Another All-in-One Post (sorry)

Yes, I did it again. I got a bit behind on blogging. Apologies! Now I have to update you on everything at once.

Let's first discuss WIPocalypse and Theme-a-licious:

The WIPocalypse theme for this month was:
March 27 – Themes: Designer – Chatelaine, Style – Springtime, Colors – Green and Yellow

and the theme for Theme-a-licious was:
MARCH MADNESS - Work on something different every day...it's madness...of the funnest kind.

 I posted during the mid-month check in that working on something different every day just wouldn't happen this month since I had so many RRs that needed to be done. I did try to put a few stitches into other things each night, to a varying degree of success.

I was not about to start my first Chatelaine, and will not likely do one this year. I did do a wee little bit of Springtime stitching, including some green and yellow.

Here's some pictures -
  

I finished my section on Laura's Celtic-themed band sampler round robin. It came out rather fabulous, if I say so myself. :)

I also finished my section on Angi's band sampler round robin. I used bands from Just Nan and Sweetheart Tree. Angi provided tons of coordinating silks, metallics, and beads. They were amazing.

In honor of Spring (wishfully thinking), I stitched the "Phlox" section of Butterfly Garden from The Drawn Thread. Included was some green and yellow stitching. See, I'm trying to go along with the themes.

I added a couple more bottles to "99." Each time, I ask my hubby if he recognizes the bottles. So far we have Blue Moon, Heineken, and Fat Tire Amber Ale.

Oops, I allowed myself yet another new start. Naughty me. I'm amused by my interesting word combo.

I've been working on Andie's Mirabilia large-stitch round robin, but I don't want to show any pix until it's done. Andie is, after all, an attentive follower of this blog. She follows the hunks, anyway. :P

I also did some more stitching on "Baked Goods," but I forgot to take a picture.


Speaking of being naughty...I've been ordering stash right and left. I got the most wonderful package in the mail yesterday, from Leslie of Under the Sea Fabrics. Included was my custom FOTM, perhaps to be used for the upcoming Joan Elliott RR, a bunch of fabrics I picked up at her latest Jewel sale, the most adorable mermaid tail scissors and mermaid fob, and, best of all, I won a full kit from Leslie. The kit is for the Poppy Pixie, and Leslie created a fabric just for her. It is called Volcano, and it is truly amazing. I'm going to try to stitch her up for the Pick-a-Pixie Facebook SAL. Thanks, Leslie!!!

The WIPocalypse theme for April is:
Themes: Designer – Mirabilia, Style – Samplers, Colors – Blue and Orange

Mirabilia will be easy. I don't have any current plans for samplers, since I finished the RR, but we'll see. Blue and Orange? Umm, maybe.

The Theme-a-licious theme for April is:
AMAZON APRIL - Dip your needle into the vast swath of fabric dedicated to your BIGGEST projects.

That'll take some thinking. I'll get back to you on that.

DON'T FORGET: If you haven't already entered my 100-follower giveaway, your last chance is tomorrow, March 31. I will do the drawing Monday or Tuesday. Leave a comment here.

Last but not least, I owe you a hunk.
I have another reader request. I thought him appropriate, since my hubby and I saw The Hobbit last week. I offer to you, Thorin Oakenshield, King of the Dwarves, aka Richard Armitage.

Another one who is not really my cuppa, and honestly, I couldn't bear to show a pasty white bare-chested pic of him, but he has really pretty eyes.

I hope to not overwhelm you with any more all-in-one posts. Key word=hope.

The Hunk Trek

I'm feeling rather cranky today. No explanation for it. Just grumpy.

I figured I might feel better if I trawl the web for hunky pictures.

Here's Chris Pine. Very yummy. Very hunky. Doesn't seem to do bare chest pictures. Oh well. I'll have to leave it to my imagination.

Enjoy!

An All-In-One Post (it's a biggie!)

 

This is becoming a bit of a habit. I've been a less than reliable blogger. Sorry.

In my defense, we had another death in the family in February. We suddenly and unexpectedly lost my uncle. We had family come in from out of state, for whom we were entertaining for a couple of days. In that same time frame I got terribly sick. (again!!)

I apologize for whining. It was just a tough month.

So here I am with a huge post. I will cover not only my February WIPocalypse update; not only my end-of-month Theme-a-Licious wrap up; but, I've also remembered that it is Friday, and you are overdue for your hunk.

Let's see...Where to start?

WIPocalypse
The themes for Feb. were Little House Needleworks, Love/Family, and white and red colors.

I found and started a new project that would fit all the categories of the theme. (Don't expect that to happen often!) I started stitching LHN's Baked Goods. I love baking pies for my family at the holidays. This reminds me of that. It does have the colors of white and red in it. The red that was called for was GAST Mulberry. The skein of Mulberry that I got, though, was very brown and has almost no red in it. The next time I'm at my LNS, I will pick a different color that I like better.

In January I started my Joan Elliott Diary SAL. This is how far I got on the January piece.

And this is how far I got on my February piece.....

[  ]

Yes, it is supposed to be blank. I never got to start Feb., so on to March I go.


I allowed myself another new start. (So naughty!) I did the first bottle of Ink Circles' "99." This piece is for my dear hubby. He really has been supportive with my stitching, even though I tend to make him sound grumpy. He even turns a blind eye to my stashing addiction. (mostly) I wanted him to see me start on something just for him. I changed the shelf color from the charted solid mauve to a pretty wood-colored overydyed cotton. There will be more to the shelves than just one row of stitches. That's all I got to before starting the Blue Moon beer bottle.

I have been working really hard on Laura's band sampler round robin piece. It is sucking the life out of me! The problem is that the sections ended up side-by-side (long story) and quite wide. Each section seemed to get larger and larger as each stitcher got more adventurous in the Celtic theme. Dear, sweet Catherine, who did the section to the right, was so inspired that she created an absolutely enormous section. Normally that wouldn't affect me at all, but since I had to stitch across from her, and because I am the last stitcher, I felt that my section needs to be the same size as hers to keep it symmetrical. Gaaaaaaa! This thing is eating my mojo.

How about some entries for Theme-a-Licious?

The theme this month was:
Figural February: Who are the people in your neighborhood...your WIP neighborhood, that is? Give your people-populated projects some face time this month.


Firstly, I posted last month that I finally received my Mira round robin back, with Lavender started in the wrong spot. I ripped out the offending stitches and re-stitched her in the correct position. I will send this on to Julie to work on Sweet Pea shortly. When I get it back from her, I will bead everything and call this one done!

I had wanted to get at least another 300 stitches done on Bellydancer No. 1. I didn't get quite that far. Almost 200 done in a couple of hours, but it doesn't look like much.

Before

After

 

 

 

I had intended to stitch a step or two of my exceedingly neglected Passione Ricamo SAL. I didn't get to it at all. I blame Catherine of the uber-large band. :-b (If you're reading this, Cat, I'm just teasing.)

The theme for March is:
March Madness: Work on something different every day...it's madness...of the funnest possible kind.


Honestly, that's not going to happen. I have too many obligation stitches to finish. Once I get through those, though, I might jump around a bit to some WIPs that have been neglected. I may even make a new start or two, just because I'm nuts that way.

Now, what you've all been waiting for...HUNKY FRIDAY!

Again, I'm sharing some special requests. Today I have John Cena for your entertainment. I much prefer Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson over this guy, but to each her/his own, right? ;-)

Oops. How did that get in here?

If you got all the way to the end of this everything-but-the-kitchen-sink post, thanks for sticking it out!

Until next time...
*hugs and stitches*

~Karen

Hunky Monday??

Sorry. I missed Hunky Friday. We had another death in the family last week. I had relatives in from out of town all weekend. If that weren't enough, I've got another lousy, stinking, terrible cold. Sniff.

Okay. Enough whining.

I've had several follower friends placing hunk requests of late. Over the next few weeks, I shall honor those requests. If you have someone special that you'd like to see featured, feel free to drop me a line.

The following hunk is not really my cuppa, but he is cute. Requested by a fellow blogger who has been watching Ripper Street with me, I present to you Matthew Macfadyen.

I'll try not to miss this next Friday. :)

Hunky Friday Redux - "Got Milk?"

Yes, I know. I did him before....ha ha ha! I just had to say that. (Wishful thinking)

I was inspired by a Super Bowl Ad. I wish I could send Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson out to get a gallon of milk for me. :-D You've got to love a hunk that doesn't take himself too seriously.

I just love this guy!

The Boys Are Back in Town!!

Forgive me, dear readers, for depriving you of hunky manliness for so long. You know the last couple of months were rather stressful. But, fear no more, I'm bringing back the hunks!

I hope you don't mind a repeat. Manu Bennett was my second ever Friday Hunk. The final season of Spartacus began last week, and I'm newly enthralled by this guy. Be still my little heart!!

I have some new pictures of him. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Just look at that smile!

Love the black tee!

I almost shorted out my keyboard with all the drool. ;)  Heavy sigh.

See you next time.