Hamster Juveniles

Hi there, here are a few pics of the pups, pretty much all grown up. Now to decide whether to keep all or just some of one sex.

Just look at that profile...the result of good breeding.

They just love romaine lettuce and carrots.

No comment!

And here is Dad chewing on a carrot. He's gotten quite plump.

I had purchased a type of corral (pictured above) that would hold them in but allow them some room to roam around...Problem is that they managed to climb the fencing and at one point, I had 4 loose hamsters running about the house. It was fun chasing after them and trying to corner them all. They were successfully captured and the stupid corral returned for a full refund. I think that I will have to invest in more habitats and connecting tubing in order to give the little critters some semblance of a quality life...wait, did I just say "invest in more habitats and connecting tubing"? Oh no, its happening...must resist, must fight..it..must..

Pinwheel Ponders: Three Sided Ornament Tutorial

Pinwheel Ponders: Three Sided Ornament Tutorial

There are some lovely finishing ideas on this blog, as well as clear tutorials. I just discovered this and thought, gee, too bad I didn't find this earlier so I wanted to share with you all.

Hugs - Christina

Hamster Babies

Hello everyone,

Wanted to share a picture of the hamster babies. It's been a fascinating thing to watch them mature. At about day 14, some of the babies were noted to be eating hamster food that She-ra had brought to their nest. At about day 17, they were all eating solid food and She-ra had been decreasing their nursing time. This is also the day that they started opening their eyes for any length of time. Fortunately, when I took this picture today (day 18) they were not yet fully weaned and I managed to snap this pic of the little family nursing. Very cute. There are 5 babies and one of babies is rather a go-getter. It runs around looking for food and things to climb, careless of its siblings that may be underfoot. There is one that is the opposite, more of a runt. Its the smallest and most likely to cry out to its dam for a bit of nursing - its also unlikely to run around the cage, preferring to eat whatever is laying in its vicinity within VERY easy reach.  I didn't think it would make it, but it did...the squeeky hamster gets the nurturing?

Magazine giveaway

Greetings to all,

I have extra copies of Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments 2011 issue and the November 2011 Cross Stitch & Needlework magazine.  I'd like to send them to someone that can use them and with November quickly coming upon us, I'd like send these out by the 31st of October. I don't know how to do a drawing in a fancy way and won't be making it too hard, just let me know which one you would like, become a follower of this blog (if you aren't one already). I shall assign a number to all the names and use a random number picker to choose. Please use the comment feature to let me know which one you would like, and leave an email where I can contact you.  Thank you and have a wonderful Holiday stitching time.

Announcing Kathy Ellen's Stash Giveaway

Hello, if you haven't checked Kathy's blog out, you should. Mostly because you really aught to see her work. She stitches beautifully and her up-close and personal pics of her work are a treat to view (no squinting of the eyes), but also because of her stash giveaway that she is offering. You've only got til the 28th of October to join in the fun so here is the blog link: http://astitchersheirlooms.blogspot.com/

Good luck and best regards to all - Christina

Feeling Crappy

Ever been so sick you have no control over anything at all? Not what you eat or where you go? That's a great feeling isn't it? If you have lived this long and have not been that ill, consider yourself blessed and beloved by the great Divinity. If not and have managed to survive, then you are blessed as well, if perhaps not in the same porportion as the first group. I am currently recovering from an acute bout of an illness that has left me more conscious of just how well I really am. That's right, of how well I am. All the bits are there (if not in perfect working order), and I don't suffer from debilitating pain and my wits are fine (or so the voices in my head insist). This illness was accompanied by extreme pain...the only relief coming from strong narcotics that left me practically unconscious - oh the lovely (albeit temporary) reprieve that is found in the abyss. It is humbling to be ill, but also empowering...I tend to feel angry when ill, wanting to strike back and get well quick and not be sick again, ever.

I suspect that Adolf Hitler or the like, would not have suffered from delusions of grandeur if he had been subject to KIDNEY STONES!!!!

Halloween Ornie Finished

Greetings,

I've just finished up a Halloween ornie from Just Cross Stitch magazine, September 2008 issue. I used dove gray 14 count Aida and silks from Hand Dyed Fibers. I used DMC 608 for the cording and a bit of ribbon for the hanging cord. I stuck a little plastic spider to cover the rather sloppy glue at the bottom. Not bad for quick finish. Take a look.

Hand Dyed Fibers as follows: Old Maid of the Night, BeCreamed, and Mahogany.