More September Activities

Kyleigh earned her 10th star at the Home Depot Kids' Build this month.  She built a white board and you can also see the big star she received for having 10 stars.

When I got home one day, I was surprised to see that we had a visitor.  And even more surprised when it allowed me to take its picture.

The next couple of pictures were taken by Kyleigh's aunt Amber of things they did while keeping each other company.

Happy Dance - Superman

Started: 9/22/2016

Finished: 9/28/2016

Clouds Factory

This was stitched on white 14-count Aida with DMC threads. The only changes I made were to stitch the word TELEPHONE in black instead of white and leave off the white backstitching on the doors, because the white didn't look good.

This was stitched for Quilts for Older Children and Adults for their Superheroes SAL.  The completed quilt squares will be donated to Love Quilts UK.

Kyleigh wins an Award

Kyleigh's school gives a monthly Panther Excellence Award honoring one child in each class for the attribute of the month.  September honored Faithful Friends and Kyleigh won the award for her third grade class.  She definitely deserved this award.  The first picture is of some of the award winners after they received their awards at the end of chapel.

 I also took one of Kyleigh by herself.  I love that smile.

Finally, the church/school posted a picture of all the award winners for this month on their Facebook page.

These kids also received a free dress pass (no uniforms) and also got to have a special, free Chick-fil-A lunch the following day.

Happy Dance - Flowers in a Vase

Started: 9/16/2016

Finished: 9/22/2016

Cross Stitch Crazy (Issue Unknown)

Designed by Amanda Gregory

This was stitched on 14-count white Aida with DMC threads.  I did change the color of the vase and bow because I didn't really like the yellow/orange colors the vase was supposed to be stitched in.

This was stitched for the Church Fundraiser #2 at Quilts for Older Children and Adults group.  The theme for this quilt is flowers.

Happy Dance - Postcards (September)

Postcards from the World - September (Tokyo)

Started: 9/12/2016

Finished: 9/20/2016

Clouds Factory SAL

This is being stitched on Crystal Haven 16-count Aida with mostly DMC floss, although there are three Weeks colors as well--Cactus, Marigold and Aqua.

The only change I made is the color of the stamp since it was charted in the same color as Sydney and I didn't want the two colors side by side.

A Disneyland Day - Picture Heavy

After church yesterday, Janice and Kyleigh and I went to Disneyland.  There were a lot of people there, but the ride lines were fairly short (at least for the rides we went on.  We had lunch and then got fast passes for the Buzz Lightyear ride.  Unfortunately, Janice used the machine for Star Tours instead, but fortunately, there was a group that got passes for Buzz Lightyear, but wanted passes for Star Tours instead so we were able to trade tickets and everyone was happy

We then went to see Mickey's Magical Map which I'd never seen before, but is one of Kyleigh's favorites (mine, too now.).  The premise is that Mickey is an apprentice and decides to finish painting the map, but the spot doesn't want to be painted and leads Mickey on several adventures as shown below.

At the end of the show, they let streamers go from the roof.  Of course, Kyleigh had to get one and then wrapped herself up in it.

After this, we went on It's a Small World, another of Kyleigh's favorites, and then on the Buzz Lightyear ride.  Kyleigh was now old enough to go on rides by herself so she went on Dumbo and waited in line by herself when she got close to the front of the line.

While she was on the ride, she spotted the Fairy Godmother and wanted to do a meet and greet since there wasn't a line.   She told Kyleigh about believing in magic and having a fun day and then posed for a picture.

Since riding Dumbo went so well, Kyleigh decided she wanted to ride the teacups although she said it's more fun with someone to help spin.

We also went on Autopia where I proved to Kyleigh that she needs to grow another couple of inches before she can reach the pedal on her own.  Then we wandered through the Star Wars Launch Bay and bought a couple of Metal Earth kits for David to make.  On the way out of the park, we walked past the parade and spotted a good place to watch it.  And that was our day at Disneyland.  FYI, we got a lot done in less than five hours.

Busy Friday

Today was picture day at Kyleigh's school.  I took a picture of her after school for comparison (last year the professional picture looked a couple of years older than she really is).  She claims this is how she posed for the picture.

It was also the first Brownie meeting of the year.  While the parents signed paperwork, the kids made turkey masks and had a short planning meeting of their own.  There are several fun things planned for this year, and yes, I'm going to do the online portion of the Cookie Mom position again.

Janice and Kyleigh went to the Angels' game last night.  The Angels lost again, but we really went for the giveaway.  We also got to see some cute puppies wanting to be adopted.

The giveaway was a replica of the Mickey Mouse that stands outside the stadium.  Before the game I took a picture of Kyleigh with the statue outside the stadium.

 And also with her with the replica inside.

 It was also Cal State Fullerton night and Bob got Janice a souvenir Cal State Fullerton cap since that was her alma mater and she works for Titan Broadcasting.  Unfortunately, Kyleigh stole it from her, so Bob gave Kyleigh one too.

Before she went to bed Thursday night, Janice set all their stuff for the game by the front door so she wouldn't forget anything.  Friday morning, she sent me this picture--I guess Bobby decided he wanted to go too.

Jo's Birthday Blog Hop - 1978

Jo is doing a blog hop for her 50th birthday where everyone is assigned a year and has to tell what they were doing in that year and at that age.  I was assigned the year 1978.

Jo was 12.  In the summer Jo went on holiday with the school, her first time away without her family.  She caused great excitement by having an asthma attack in the middle of night and needing a doctor to be called out.  Later in the year the town gave refuge to a family of Vietnamese people fleeing their country.  Jo was chosen as a mentor for one young girl - "you used to live in Singapore, you'll understand her".  My home town was not culturally diverse!  Jo did enjoy helping her and tutored her for Maths as she did not like male teachers and was scared of them.  Jo also introduced her to the delights of English sweets, only 10p a packet!

I was 28 and had been married for four years.  I was working as an inventory clerk at a company that traded in gold and silver.  I spoke to several people who I later got to meet on a trip to New York and perished in the attacks on 9/11.  My husband and I enjoyed riding dirt bikes with my sister and her husband out in the desert between Labor Day and Memorial Day and camped in a 1976 Chevy Van which we converted and still sits in our driveway.

When I was 12, I was in the 7th grade and attended Junior High School in  the small town of Carpinteria, CA.  We lived close to the beach and spent many days during the summer crossing the railroad tracks to go swimming.  This was also when I had pneumanitis (walking pneumonia).  My father was a gun collector and I would attend various gun shows with him.  Because coffee came with your meal and milk didn't, he would order me coffee, which I still don't like the taste of.  I also helped at the information booth at the local gun show in Santa Barbara.

The picture I have chosen to post is Bee Happy from Cross Stitch Card Shop #96 designed by Durene Jones.

Happy Birthday, Jo.  I hope it's an enjoyable one.

Happy Dance - Bee Happy

Started: 9/3/2016

Finished: 9/12/2016

Cross Stitch Card Shop #96

This square was designed by Durene Jones and was stitched on a scrap of 25-count Ivory Lugana with the called for DMC.  

It will be going to WOCS (World of Charity Stitching) for their Mixed Bag which is used to make Walker and Wheel Chair bags as well as other items.

Pumpkin Passport Update - September

This time we went to Japan.  I love the cherry tree.   This is the Pumpkin Passport from The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery.  It's stitched on a piece of 32-count evenweave from my stash.  There was no label on it so I don't know the type or color.  I'm also using the called for DMC.

And here is the whole project so far.  The colors in the above picture are closer to real life

Star Wars Happiness

Bob and I went to the Angel Game last night where it was Star Wars night.  The giveaway was a Rally Monkey in a storm trooper uniform.

The first thing we did was go to the Music Garden where some of the characters were hanging out.  We got there just as they were getting ready to leave, but I did get a few pictures.

The characters also paraded around the field with the Strike Force who all had their hair in the Leia style.  Chewbacca even did the play ball announcement.

It was a fun night even though the Angels lost.  There were Star Wars moments all throughout the evening.

Fantasy SAL Update #2

Started: 8/31/2016

Finished: 9/5/2016

Border - Page B-1

I'm stitching it with the called for DMC on 25-count Lugana in Fairy Dance from Hand Dyed Fabrics by Stephanie. 

I hope to continue stitching one page of the border each month, but the next page (B-2) has less stitching on it so I'm going to also stitch the August block (hopefully by the end of September) and then do one block a month as well as one page of the border so I won't get too far behind.   Stay tuned to see how that works out.

I really am enjoying this SAL.

Happy Dance - Kenny Kangaroo

 Started: 8/29/2016

Finished: 8/31/2016

Brooke's Books' Advent Animals

This is the last animal for this month, but I should be back next month with three more.  I really love the way this one is Christmas without snow since that's how Christmas is in my part of California.  Here is the whole project so far:

This whole set is being stitched on one piece of 14-count Misty Blue Aida with the called for DMC.  I had originally stitched #1-#5 on individual pieces of Light Blue 14-count Aida, but wasn't really happy with the way the white showed up; I'm much happier with the way it's showing up on this material.

This is the 48th finish for this year which includes the Advent Animals and Postcards from the World since they could be stitched as individual pieces.