Here’s what I was stitching on over the weekend:

SamSarah, Wild Horses (For Elizabeth, her color choices)

The Sampler Girl, Jane Austen Book Bag (for my stitchbook)

My Mark, start of a new Valentine’s Day design

A special chart I designed for the Branson weekenders… top left blank on purpose ;)

Silent Night; there’s supposed to be a little city scene underneath.

I came home with 2 pairs of scissors to add to my collection… and they’re laying on top of a chart I felt compelled to purchase because I fell in love with those sweet little squares!

Every morning we had a new stack of goodies at our seat. Due to an unfortunate glare you can’t see my nametag very well but it was stitched by our Event Queen, who stitched one for each of us! She also stitched everyone a Christmas ornament… mine is pictured below, another victim of the unfortunate glare.

One of my favorite projects this weekend was this Pine Mountain snowman pillow kit. I think we got about 16 or so projects over the weekend, all completely kitted up and ready to go. I really don’t know why I bother taking any of my own stitching to these Cecilia’s weekends…

How cute is this cow?! He’s one of those stuffable animals, and he came filled with fabric cuts instead of fluff…

When I got home, I dumped everything out onto my kitchen table… easier to sort and put away then digging through bags. I still have a tote bag that’s almost full of threads to organize and ring, but I haven’t had time!

I’ll have to post pics of my finishes & WIPs next time… Have a lovely evening!!

Other exhibitors have been finding out about missed orders… if you ordered from me during the online show and haven’t heard from me it means I didn’t get your order! I’ve sent out all of my invoices.

Following Anna’s lead and sharing what’s in my stitching bag:

I have pics of my Branson weekend to post later… you won’t believe all the goodies we got!  My friend Kim listed out all of her stash on her blog, and I got pretty much the same stuff.  I’m not going to list exactly everything I got because I’m lazier busier than she is, but I will tell you that I bought TWO pairs of scissors instead of just my usual one ;)

Pictured above: almost all of my scissors. I know there are a few more pairs around the house, but I was too lazy busy to dig them up for the photos. I thought I’d better post pics of them here because I’m getting ready to go to my Branson retreat and I always buy at least one pair of scissors there… I want to avoid repeats but I don’t want to carry the pics around in my purse like a proud mother, you know.

I found the Christmas radio station this morning, and I’ve been listening to it and feeling merry all day!

I’ve been a little out of the loop for a week, and maybe will be so for a bit longer…

Have a wonderful and safe Halloween!

Copyright issues have recently come up on one of the message boards I read, and I feel the need to get this out of my system without addressing anyone specifically. (I’m diplomatic that way) It all began with the usual basic copyright questions, then there was a bit of chatter, but then someone popped on with a comment along the lines of “it’s so nice to see the different takes on the copyright issue.” Which is what set me off.

There are no “different takes” on copyright law. The law is the law no matter who you are or what you do for a living! I have never understood why copyright law is so confusing… If you have an original chart you may sell it, give it away, burn it in your backyard, use it to line your birdcage, or anything else you’d like to do with it privately. You may NOT scan, fax, photocopy, post in your webshots album, or in any other way *share* that original chart with anyone else. Simple, no?

Why are there opinions on what the copyright law is?? There can certainly be opinions on the validity of a law’s existence, but never an opinion on what it IS. Take for example the very volatile abortion laws: everyone knows that the law says (with minor nuances for individual states) that abortion is legal. There are no opinions on what the law is, but rather opinions about whether or not the law should even exist. Once a law is written down, there it is… opinion free. All you have to do is read it, and you know the law. Choosing to obey the law…well, I guess that’s where the opinion part comes in, isn’t it?

*** If you happen to see designs being “shared” online somewhere, please take a moment to inform the designer… we work hard to create charted designs that will provide you with hours (days, weeks, months) of enjoyment. It’s a rotten thing when our designs are copied and posted on the internet; it’s not fair to us (we have families to feed, too) and it’s not fair to you, either.

*** Here’s the link to a fantastic explanation of Why Infringement Happens. I encourage you to indulge in an “educational moment”, as this explanation clears up several common misperceptions about pattern copyrights.

TO ALL OF THE HONEST STITCHERS OUT THERE:

Saw this on someone’s blog; sounds like it might be mildly entertaining… Type your first name preceded by the word “unfortunately” into Google and see what comes up. Here’s a few of mine:

Unfortunately Monique:

• doesn’t buy a word Fidel says.
• doesn’t speak English yet.
• was unable to make steady progress.
• had a hell of a day at the beauty shop.
• has no one for herself.
• is hiding the fact that she’s dying from her syphallis.
• learned about his past and drunkenly confronted him.
• ain’t on the list.

Hmmm… not quite as entertaining as it sounded. That’s unfortunate.