Thursday, April 19, 2012

A Surplus of Starts and a Cat Named Vinny

Lately it has been a surplus of starts instead of a flurry of finishes. I can't seem to sit still long enough to make much progress on anything. I've actually been doing quite a bit of reading. I find it a much better escape from the realities of life right now.

Here is a small finish - I won't tell you how long it took me to stitch it. :)


I will probably put it in a little frame and stick it in my bathroom. That room is rather barren, as I tend to neglect decorating it. :) I have made several new starts recently. Heartstring Samplery's Never Let You Go and Land of the Free by Willow Hill Samplings. I would like to make a little more progress before showing pictures.


On to the second part of this post -

This poor cat has had such a rough life. First someone found him on the streets and took him in only to leave him behind when they decided to move, run away - who knows. He was taken in by someone else and eventually brought into the veterinary practice where my daughter works. I'm not sure how my daughter ended up with him, and I'm a little hazy on how he came to live with me. But here he is. His name when he arrived on my doorstep was Ash, but that seemed too close to another word, so I renamed him Vinny. That is what I call him when I'm happy with him. :) He meows incessantly, and has just about driven me crazy. I've never had a cat that is as needy as he is. My husband says he is a square peg in a round hole. So true! Here he is giving me some mouth when I told him to stop chasing my girls (cats that is)


I prefer him in a more mellow mood - assisting me when I read


I am determined that this is his last stop. I've committed to taking care of him and I may be committed someday because of it. :)

I would like to thank everyone who has sent inquiring emails. You don't know how much they have meant to me. I'm trying to get back on track with my commenting and still hoping to be more frequent with my posting. I would also like to thank my followers old and new. It is so amazing to me that I still get people who find my blog follow worthy. :) I still don't know how to address no-reply bloggers, so I will say thank you to all of you now. I appreciate everyone who takes the time to leave me a comment!

P.S. For those who have let me know they are Pittsburgh Penguin fans - although I am a Flyer's fan at heart, I have been known to root for the Penguins on occasion. Unless they are playing the Flyers. :)

Take care everyone and happy stitching!

37 comments:

Giovanna said...

That's a very pretty finish - congrats! I hope Vinny won't get you committed :-) You are a kind soul to take care of him as you are doing.

Margaret said...

I love your little finish. I want to stitch Never Let You Go as well! And Vinny -- good for you for taking him in. I hope he doesn't drive you too crazy. :D

Ranae said...

I love your little finish, love the blue
Super nice choices for new starts.
I'm sure Vinny appreciates all you do for him

Deb said...

Vinny almost looks like he's having a big laugh on you about chasing the girls. I'm glad that he's finally found a good home. Love your new stash and your stitched piece. And I get like you sometimes and don't feel like stitching and read instead. It's fun to escape for a short time in the pages of a book.

♥ Nia said...

WOOOWWW!! You have a wild cat!!! LOL
Lovely stitching :) congrats on your finish!!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Congrats on your sweet finish. Vinny is quite the handsome fella... I'm surprised your 'girls' aren't chasing him.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Your finish is darling! Love the colors. I'm pretty sure I ordered that same chart from Beth but it hasn't shown up yet....

Vinny looks like he could be a handful - good luck!!!

pam said...

Lovely finish! YEAH for you! Vinny looks like he will settle in and with a little time be okay.

Karen said...

Penny, I love your beautiful finished project, it's gorgeous! And how wonderful of you to give that dear kitty a home! I hope that in time he will calm down and fit it more easily, good luck to you!

Barb said...

Ginny has had a pretty rough go so far. Probably after he finally figures out that he's now in his safe forever home, he'll be a wonderful cat. You are truly an angel on earth for rescuing him!!

Keep us updated on your progress and with Vinny!

Jeannine520 said...

What a handsome guy! He looks like a sweetheart to me. Bless you for taking him in. Congratulations on your cute finish, too!

Barb said...

Your finish is very pretty and your WIP's look like they will be great!

Krista said...

Love your new finish, it is beautiful! What pattern is that from? I also love your new starts, I have my eye on that Heartstring Sampler too, I look forward to seeing yours in progress. I hope Vinny settles in! :) Enjoy your weekend!

Chris said...

Hey Penny!
What a sweet finish. I love your new starts. I like the Heartstring sampler. I am trying not to buy anything new right now,but I am loving this one. I have to be strong :)
I hope that everything works out with Vinny. I love his picks.
Have you read anything good :)
I hope that you have a great weekend :)
Hugs!

Carol said...

Big game tonight, Penny! Glad you root for the Pens when they're not playing the Flyers :)

Your finish is lovely--I just love anything blue and white...

You are so sweet to give Vinny a home--hope he calms down for you!

BrendaS said...

Penny --
Very nice finish and nice projects for your new starts:)

Sometimes it is better to loose yourself in a good book rather than stitch. I think we all need a break now and again.

Vinny looks like a character. Very nice that you took him in. Hope it works out.

Lois said...

Penny, what a nice finish! I love your new starts too. Never Let You Go has caught my eye so I'm looking forward to watching your progress on it.

I hope Vinny settles in soon! Sounds like he's quite the handful!

Vickie said...

Hi Penny! I am your newest follower. :) Glad you found me. I am so glad you are giving all that love and attention to Vinny. I like that name better too. :) I LOVE that sweet new finish. It is great.

Sally said...

Love your new finish Penny. It's really pretty. Nice new charts too.

Vinny looks like he's a real character!

Kathy Ellen said...

Lovely blue flowers design. Who is the designer? 'Never Let You Go' and 'Land of the Free' both look like wonderful designs. I love the verse in 'Land of the Free'.

Vinny is a very lucky fellow to have been taken in by you. Hope that he settles down a bit more for you.

Unknown said...

lovely work. hugs

Faye said...

HelloPenny!!! I have been eyeing both of those charts especially Land of the Brave.... Itwould look good inmy Patriotic corner... You are a sweetly to take poor Vinny in..... Take care of yourself. Faye

marly said...

Beautiful piece and nice choices on stash enhancement. Vinny has a handsome face and is probably afraid you will leave him behind too. Don't you want to just smack some people?

Anonymous said...

beautiful stitches! love this chart,
thank you for your kind comment on my blog,

Solstitches said...

A very pretty finish and I love the two you have chosen for your next projects.
Vinny looks a lot more docile when he is reading :)
Margaret

Karoline said...

Lovely finish, congratulations

Vinny looks like quite a character!

Autumn said...

Wonderful stitching. Glad to see you posting! Oh my! The kitty looks kinda scary in the first photo but the reading photo is so calming. LOL

diamondc said...

Penny: I love your cat pictures, Vinney reminds me of my Verne the Cat he was always talking to me I finally answered him this seemed to get him to cool his jets a little, I love your finish on the blue project it is stunning.
Your other patterns are a very nice choice.
Catherine

butterfly said...

Oh Penny , you are so kind looking after dear Vinney.
What a beautiful cat and how can people go on and leave him, I think he is so upset with not knowing if he can settle if he has been passed from pillow and post, only a big amount of love and cuddles will make him better.
Love your stitching the blue is lovely and your new starts are great. I get days when I get fed up with my stitching but then I see a chart and I am off again stitching every thing.
All the best with looking after Vinney you will get there with him. Hugs.

Brigitte said...

Such a lovely little finish. Who's the designer of this beauty?
I just love your two new starts, particularly the Heartstring Samplery one. I have to look it up and put it on my wishlist.

Sherry said...

What a pretty finish! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Patty C. said...

It doesn't matter how long it took you to stitch something - Just how beautifully it turned out !!!!

Elizabeth said...

Thank you for commenting on my blog so I could find yours! Your adopted pal Vinny certainly seems to have quite a personality - look forward to sharing our stitching projects :)

- Liz

Jackie's Stitches said...

Vinny is a cutie and I'm so glad your home is his last home.

Lorrie said...

Very nice finish! It will be lovely hanging in your home. I think we all go through a flurry of starts - I seem to have this problem every August.

Ann at Beadlework. said...

I really admire you taking on a cat that's had such a hard life. It's so unfair the life some cats end up with but this little fellow has at least found you to take care of him. Good luck.

Veronica said...

Beautiful finish. Having a surplus of starts sure is fun though :) I've been having one since the start of the year.

Vinny is lucky to have found his forever home. He's adorable.

Hugs,
Veronica.