Feb 21, 2011

Marvelous Monday Update 2/21/2011

STITCHY STUFF
Don'tcha just hate when you pull out a UFO that has been languishing around for YEARS only to find somehow... sometime... somewhere... a stain (or two, or three) has made it's way onto the the fabric? If you're like me, your jaw drops and anxiety sets in while thinking about whether the spot will come out. That's what happened to me back when I first pulled out TMQ to finish it. My friend, Mel, suggested I try the Tide-To-Go pen.


Let me tell you, it worked like a charm! I only used it on the spots where there was no stitching so I don't know if it'll fade the fibers or not, but it totally removed the small brown stains that had accumulated on my Treasured Memories Quilt Afghan from years of being stored in my stitching bag (it was even inside a plastic bag!). I paid like $7 for 3 pens. I don't really need 3, but that's all I could find at the time. Btw, they also work well when you spill salsa on the front of a white tshirt... just sayin!

Blossom Splendor... Ahem. Much to my chagrin, I ended up frogging a huge section of the stitching I showed last week. Two rows off makes a big difference! I re-stitched all of it and then a bit more. Here's what it now looks like:



GIVEAWAYS
Got Spring Fever? Jennifer at Feathers in the Next is hosting a giveaway to take away the winter blahs (blues?). Sarah at Craftymoo is also celebrating spring with a giveaway!

Peg of Lightening Fingers is celebrating her birthday by hosting a giveaway. Hop on over and wish her a happy birthday!


A LITTLE INSPIRATION
If you've had a rough time with life lately, take a look at this:

Click Here --> Life Is Like Coffee

29 comments:

Shelley said...

Yes, the Tide pens are wonderful. The problem I've had with every single one I've bought is after using them just once or twice the tip breaks off. I'm not pushing very hard when I use them. I am writing with it like a pen.

Sorry to hear the frogs came to visit you. It's just Rene spreading her memory, lol!! Your wip is beautiful. I love the fiber colors on that fabric.

Faith... said...

Sorry about the frog! But at least you caught it before you got to much farther.

I never thought to use the tide pens on my fabric...but I too have used them on MANY shirts :)

EvalinaMaria said...

I must get some of these pens, just in case... Have a wonderful week!

Linda K's Stitching Corner said...

I must get some of those Tide To Go Pens too just in case.

What is the name of your WIP that you are stitching on? I love those colors.

Happy Stitching

Akila said...

Aww the frogs!! How do you stitch all colors at a time? Don't you get confused?
Great progress inspite of the froggies :)

Sunshine said...

Great tip on the Tide Pen. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Blossom Splendor is looking great! Sorry about the frogging. That's awesome customer service from Improvements. I've ordered from them before, but never had to call for service. :)

Karin in CA

Debbie Jo said...

Stitching looks wonderful. I keep Tide pens on the table next to my chair because sometimes I don't realize that I had a drip on my top til it is dried. Love your stitching, sorry about the frog visit tho. Take care with the slipping and sliding. Hope you have a great trip to Green Bay!

Sandy P said...

Hi Meari, Blossom Splender looks beautiful so far, sorry about that pesky frog. I loved the coffee movie so I put it on my facebook for more to see. Hope you don't get to much snow.
Sandy

Nancy M said...

I've used the pen at work....not mine but someone elses. I never remember to buy one! Nice reworking on Blossom Splendor. It has very pretty colors in it.

Carolyn NC said...

Yes l hate those nasty little brown stains!! Love the pens. I remember when lipstick or blood or something got on my daughter's wedding dress fitting it (from the associate, I might add) and that pen worked a miracle.
Thought you have to be pretty careful with that. And I most definitely have spring fever...but today is beautiful. But it will be up and down. Sorry about the winter weather! Hope your frogging has gone a-frogging!

Anonymous said...

You be careful on those icy streets. Enjoy your trip

It is 2:30 pm and 80 degrees here. I am stuck in the house in my wheel chair but we have all the doors open to the back of the house so I can feel how nice it is and wheel myself in front of the open doorway.

Thanks for the tip on the Tide to go pens. Your stitching looks pretty so far. Enjoyed you cup of coffee.

Tina

Anonymous said...

The stitching looks great! Like everyone else, I love the colors. I read your blog every week. It always cheers me up!

Cathy from KY in CA

Nancy in IL said...

Even though you had to frog, you're still ahead on Blossom Splendor, and it looks beautiful! Frogging is becoming my favorite thing to do, NOT, but I do it often enough you'd think so!

Love those Tide sticks on my clothes. Glad to know they work on cross stitched fabric too.

Kay said...

Those tide pens work like a charm all the time! Luckily you caught your mistake in stitching in enough time so you did not have to frog too much. I have done that before where I messed up big time and just ended up getting too frustrated with it all and sometimes gave up.

Anonymous said...

So glad you were able to get those stains out. Your WIP is looking great!!!

Betty in AZ

Mylene said...

Sorry to hear of the frog visit. Still looking beautiful.

Rachel S-H said...

I LOVE Tide pens. They get a lot of stains out--highlighter, pet stains, I just got tomato sauce out of a WIP last week. I have even used them on pieces with hand-dyeds, you have to be a little more careful with them, but they do work and don't mess up the fabric. Glad you were able to get those stains out.

Anonymous said...

Love the coffee cup picture! Glad you got those stains out and I hope you safely make it to and from work! Love the colors in your wip.

hugs,
Mare

Donna said...

I will have to get one of those pens. Sorry about your frogging.
And thank you for sharing the coffee movie. It was very enlightening.

Carol said...

Thanks for the tip about the Tide Pens, Meari! I bought one a while back, but keep forgetting to try it out... Glad to know they really do work.

And even though I don't like coffee--I loved the video. So true :)

Debra said...

good to hear the stain came out.

Anonymous said...

Despite the frogs visit the stitching looks wonderful.
Thanks for sharing the tip about the Tide Pens. Must get some to keep in my project bag.
Penny
Manteo, NC

chrisstitches said...

Sorry to hear you had to do so much frogging. That is so frustrating. It truly is a beautiful piece. I love all the vibrant colors.
Maybe that coffee will give me the boost of energy I need.
Take care & lots of hugs.
I would drive to see you. Are you going to be in G.B. for a while?

Carol's Stitching said...

The frogs have been on overdrive at my house as well. I love your Blossom Splendor so far; the colors are beautiful and the background fabric makes them pop. Happy Stitching!

CJ said...

Hey girl - Great update. Did you know one of your projects is on the DMC Blog. Congrats.


CJ
http://dmc-threads.com/

Anonymous said...

Oh yes those Tide pens are little orange miracles. I'm glad the piece could be helped!

Katrien said...

sorry to hear about the frogs.
Too bad I can't get one of those Tide pens here :(

Mel said...

Was so glad those Tide pens worked for you!
Blossom is coming along! Loving the flow of it.