Deployment Finishes

I didn't have a lot of time to stitch while I was gone but I did manage to finish a few pieces other than my exchange squares. I also finished almost all of the cross stitch on DH's stocking. Stitching was a great way to relax but typically I really only had a chance to do some serious stitching on Sundays. The first piece I finished was one I had started right before I left on deployment called Music Harmony. It was a Dimensions kit.

Music is Harmony (Dimensions)

Fabric: 14 ct Ivory Aida

Threads: Cotton floss (kit)

The next piece that I finished was one that only took me about a week and a half to do. I started it while watching the Army Navy game (which I am glad is an early game since it wasn't in the middle of the night due to the time difference) and finished it on the 12 of Dec. I have decided to gift it to a friend so no pictures until it is finished and received ... I don't want to ruin the surprise.

My last finish of 08 was an ornament kit that I received in a care package from Melissa M. who sent me a couple of books that had been on my wishlist. It's called Hearts come Home and I finished it on New Year's Eve. Now it just needs to be finished into an ornament before this upcoming Christmas.

Hearts Come Home

Designer: Leisure Arts' Designs for the Needle Kit

Fabric: 18 ct White Aida

Thread: Cotton floss (kit)

While on deployment I did make a lot of progress on DH's stocking. I finished the bottom half and moved to the top half. All I have left is some of the snow on the roof, the name and the top border (for the cross stitch). Then I have all of the detail work ... backstitching and beads. I should have no trouble finishing it this year ... I just need to actually work on it.

The last two pictures are of pieces that I finished before deployment and had framed at my LNS.  They turned out wonderfully again ... as always.  The first is the dolphins I stitched for my DH and the second is "Thank You for Serving" which I stitched for my grandfather. They both saw the finish products in December. My husband received his when he returned from deployment and my parents took the piece down to FL to give to my grandfather during our annual Christmas gathering.

So I think that pretty much catches you up on what I got done while I was gone.  I also worked on a wedding sampler and started another project (Erica Michael's Liberty Light).  I finished the wedding sampler last week and need to take it in to be framed.  I should finish the other shortly.  I am also working on my squares for the Spring round of the Fair and Square exchange.  The other fun I've had is designing another wedding piece for friends of mine that are getting married in June.  So now I just have to get started stitching.  I'm off duty for the weekend and DH and I are heading to the sub ball tonight.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend with plenty of time to stitch.  I will see you next week!

PIF received

Here is the PIF I received from Paula C.. I absolutely love the floss tag. Now I just need to get cracking on mine since I only have a few months left to get them done. This was a great thing to have waiting for me when I got home a few weeks ago.

I still have more to update (I finally got all of the pictures on my computer). I will post more soon. A few of my finishes I'm going to wait to post until after they have been received since they are gifts. I know at least one of the recipients checks my blog on occasion so I don't want to ruin the surprise. Thank you for all of the welcome homes. I really appreciate it. Now if I could just get rid of the cold/illness that has been plaguing me, I might get some more stitching done. God Bless!

Fair Square Exchanges

Here are all of the squares that I have sent and received in the Fair Square exchange in the last four months. I had a great time participating while I was deployed. Most of my stitching during deployment was for the exchange. I hope you enjoy! I loved all of the squares that I received from everyone. Thanks to Karen R., Melissa P, Nancy and Cyndi H!

"Italian Ice" - Just Nan
Stitched by Karen R (Australia)

"April Blocks" - Lizzie Kate
Stitched by Melissa P (MA)

"Egg Ornaments"
Designer: Linda Culp Calhoun (Leisure Arts: Holidays Remembered)
Fabric: 32 count Ivory Jobelan
Threads: DMC

"Snowy Night"
Designer: The Prairie Schooler, Inc. (2008 JCS Ornament Issue)
Fabric: 32 count Ivory Jobelan
Thread: DMC

"The Many Faces of Santa"
Designer: Leisure Arts Christmas Portraits
Fabric: 32 count Ivory Jobelan
Threads: DMC

Christmas Squares (I don't remember the name of the design right now)
Stitched by Cyndi H (CA)

Thanksgiving Squares (I think the main square was a Lizzie Kate design)
Stitched by Nancy

"Give Thanks"
Designer: Joan Elliot (Cross-Stitch & Needlework Nov 08)
Fabric: 32 count Ivory Jobelan
Threads: DMC

Home Again!

I'm home again! We pulled in two weeks ago in the midst of a lot of fog and rain. My sister was able to come out for our tiger cruise and spend the last day on board with me to see what we did. My husband and mom were waiting for us on the pier. It's great to be back stateside. I have a lot of stitching to update you all on, but that will have to wait for a massive picture post. I just wanted to do a quick post to say that I'm home and should be getting back into regular posting again soon. Happy Stitching!

DC Olympics and other updates

Well, first I need to share what's been going on for the last month. Around the time of my last posts I was at home (yes ... in the middle of deployment) waiting for my dear husband to return home from his deployment. My command allowed me to take leave to fly back home for a short period of time to see Justin. On the other side of the coin, he was allowed to get off the boat two days early since their homecoming date got pushed back four days (leaving us with about a day and a half together). So between the two commands we got to have four days together :). I had to fly out again on Christmas Day but we got to do our presents and hang out and even go to church together on Christmas Eve (you can probably count the number of times we went to church together in 2008 on two hands). Justin is enjoying his stand down and only having to be at the boat on duty days (for the most part). I'm enjoying the fact that communications are not hampered by XX ft of water.

Since I've been back to the ship, the major event that we have had is a change of command. (For you non-military types ... it's exactly what it sounds like ... a new Captain has assumed command of the ship and our old Captain headed back home). Of course this is somewhat unusual to do in the middle of deployment, but if that's when they rotate, that's when they rotate. It was definitely a laid back change of command. The uniform was coveralls or flight suits (typically it's at least a dress uniform such as summer whites or service dress blues). One benefit of being underway for the change of command. In addition, we will be getting a new executive officer (the second in command) shortly. So the command environment will be different when we return from when we left.

We have been keeping busy with various exercises. For the most part, it's somewhat boring and really turns into Groundhog's Day. So to break things up we do things like the "Arabian Gulf Games" which is a chance for the departments to compete against each other in various physical activities such as volleyball, soccer, dodgeball, tug-o-war, kickball and basketball. Yes, there is enough room to do some version of these activities on my ship. Most of the events were held in the well deck (where the LCACs (landing craft air cushion) and other amphibious vehicles are kept when embarked).

Today we had a DC (Damage Control) Olympics. It was a competition between the repair lockers (and a team from the staff) at various DC events. Repair lockers are a GQ (general quarters) station. When there is a fire, flooding, or other emergency, the equipment to fight the casualty can be found in the repair lockers. General quarters is a condition we go to in case of emergency (whether a main space (propulsion spaces) fire or an imminent attack). The repair lockers allow for damage control efforts to be organized. There are ten lockers on board my ship (due to its size). We competed in races to done FFE (fire fighting ensemble) and SCBA (the breathing apparatus), pipe patching, finding a fallen shipmate in an area that was dark and smoky and various other events. Each of the lockers was well represented. I believe my locker ended up right in the middle of the pack, which made me happy since during most of our drills, we aren't really involved. My locker provides the 5th or 6th relief team in case of a main space. Hopefully I have explained everything well, I know a lot of the terms will not be familiar to those not in the Navy.

We are past the halfway point and on the downward slope. I am looking forward to being home again. I hope the new year is treating everyone well. God Bless!

Fair Square Exchange Pictures

Here are the promised pictures from the Fair Square exchanges I have done:


The squares I stitched for Melissa for the Halloween exchange


The squares Melissa stitched for me for Halloween


The squares that Jayne stitched for me for the Autumn round


The squares I stitched for Jayne

Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of the squares I stitched for Cyndi for the Christmas round, and the squares I stitched for Nancy for the Thanksgiving round haven't arrived yet. I have received squares from both Cyndi and Nancy but didn't take pictures before I left for home so I will post them later. I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday! Some more pictures coming soon!

New Header

A big thank you to Becca for the awesome header she created for me. Now I have even more motivation to finally stitch up a SWO pin for myself (her original design used my pictures of the dolphins I stitched for the hubby ... though not quite appropriate for my blog). She was working on developing a portfolio to possibly start a shop for headers on etsy. She is just super talented in both photoshop type things and ink and paint artwork. I still need to get with her about the crest.

Stop by again soon ... I promise there will be a large picture update coming. Have a great day!