May 6, 2013

Marvelous Monday Update 5/6/2013

Since I finally have my laptop up an running, I can finally update my blog!
 
 
WORK
Things at work continue to go well.  The Morale Committee presented all the employees with May Bowls filled with popcorn and M&M's in celebration of May Day.  We had our usual birthday day treat day.  Since we were only given 2 days notice as to the date, I didn't have enough time to make something -- I bought OJ and mini cinnmon rolls for my contribution.
 
I had my 90-day review.  I've been at the company almost 120 days, but they just got around to my review.
 
The comptroller (my immediate supervisor) and the CFO marked Exceeded Expectations in every category they had on the review form!  On one hand, it's fantastic they think so highly of my work so far.  On the other hand, I feel it's all down hill from here, lol.  I can't get any higher marks. 
 
In my last job, management made it clear that they give everyone "met expectations" unless an employee did something to really blow their socks off.  But, I digress...
 
In addition to receiving a good review, I have been asked to be the new "face" of the tax department and take over sales tax preparation while I get up to speed on taxability issues.  I will be the tax liason... dealing with the sales staff, billing, and other staff that have tax questions.
 
STITCHY STUFF
I've worked a bit on the Welcome Banner.  I have the top of the lamp post to do and the cardinal.  I think a finish is on the horizon!!

Here's what it looked like before:


Look how far it's come:


I also had a couple of finishes while I was away.  This one was my first try at a finish of this sort and thought it turned out pretty well.


Designer: Camile Colje-Camps and Jardin Prive
Fabric:  28ct Purple Hand-Dyed Monoco Evenweave
Fibers:  DMC
Embellisments: Vintage Crocheted Lace

What I did was turn this little freebie into a lined totebag.  It could also be used as a lunch bag. 

 

I stitched the design over-one (FYI - It's sooo much easier using mag eyes!)  The lining of the bag matches the handles and the double pocket border on the backside of the bag. Vintage lace surrounds the perimeter of the bag as well as the stitched design.  The top of the bag is held closed with dual snaps on the inside.


Designer:  Bent Creek
Fabric:  25ct Hand-Dyed Linen
Fibers:  DMC, Anchor, GAST

The Black Cat was a quick stitch.  I found a piece of hand-dyed 25ct linen in my stash that works really well with the design.  I don't know where I got it, or who the manufacturer is.  Not sure why, but the photo looks more red than it is in real life.  I swapped out the called for threads for ones I had in my stash.

This week, I'm going to try to do more backstitching on Yuku.  (I think she's feeling lonely!)

49 comments:

Unknown said...

glad you got your laptop running, looked at your pictures and love the bage you made. the welcome home one is sweet and the kitten is adorable

Berly said...

I'm so glad you finally have a job that appreciates you. Good for them! Your stitching is beautiful, as always! I'm sending you all my finishing from now on!

Joyce Clark Frank said...

love the tote. All your stitching looks good, too.
Great on the job review.

cucki said...

Aww me loves the tote bag too..
Super sweet stitching..
Sending you lots of love x

Anonymous said...

Really enjoyed looking at your work. Love the banner and cat - where did you purchase these?

Blessings,
Donna

Emily in NC said...

Your finishes are great. Congrats on the good review and job promotion of sorts. Glad you got the lap top fixed as well, cross your fingers this one lasts longer.

Faith... said...

Love the little tote, it turned out very cute. The kitty looks great too.

Congrats on your review

Katie said...

Yeah you're finally back! Sorry you had such a pain with HP. I've heard so many bad stories about them I would never buy one.

Your stitching looks fantastic. Great job on the review.

Unknown said...

The tote bag is WOW.. Really great finish.
Don't you just love popcorn & M&M's. I through the M&M's in there as soon as I take the popcorn off the stove, still warm, it is a great treat for me.

Your fabric choice for your black cat is great.

Sunshine said...

Love the tote. Great Idea! Beautiful Stitching too. Congrats on being recognized for your good work :)

Pam Koontz said...

Lovely stitching Meari! Congrats on the great review!

Pam Koontz said...

Lovely stitching Meari! Congrats on the great review!

Vicki said...

So glad to hear things are going so well at your job - congrats on the excellent review. Your projects all look terrific - the black cat is so cute, love the fabric!

Sue said...

First, let me congratulate 'my girl' on a job well done!!! I know you are a real asset to your company.

I LOVE the tote bag!!! Darling. The small cat piece turned out too cute. I look forward to seeing more progress on Yuki; and your banner looks lovely! You have done a lot of stitching lately; good job!

Hugs,
Sue

Christina G said...

Very nice finishing on the tote. You have very cute projects. Glad to have you back!

Akila said...

Congratulations on the lovely review and the new role.

Welcome is almost done. I loovvvee the tote and the pattern is soo pretty. Love the fabric color you used for that too. Black cat looks very cute and what fabric, love it.

I am yet to inaugurate my mag eyes which my brother got. Will do for sure now, especially as most of my stitching is done at night :)

Vickie said...

Sweet stitching and finishing Meari.
Good for you at work. I am glad you are appreciated.

Pam in IL said...

Congrats on the awesome review!

You're getting really good with your sewing machine and that bag is so cute! I like the colors you chose for the stitched design on the bag too.

Welcome is coming along nicely as well. The Black Cat turned out great and that fabric is gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

Meari,
Glad to hear your laptop is back up and running.

Congratulations on a job well done. Looks like you are moving up in a company you can feel good about.

You got a lot of stitching done on the Welcome Banner. Looks great.

What a cute bag! I love how you can use it for a lunch bag or a bag to carry your stitching in. Cute, Cute, Cute!

Another cute finish...I love that black cat.

Happy stitching!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your work performance Meari! Your stitching looks great and you must be so happy to have your laptop back.

Tara

Scooty said...

So glad your new job is working out well for you -- it makes such a difference when you look forward to going to work each day. Love your finishes - the tote bag is adorable, but it appears that a sewing maching was involved and I stay as far away from one of those as possible! LOL Judi in Phoenix

Sandy In Montana said...

The tote is just so cute, Meari. Great job. Glad you were able to get your pc back up and running.

Take Care & Happy Stitchin'
Hugs, Sandy in Montana

Anne Sans Tete said...

Congrats on the performance review! The more you write about your job, the more it sounds like you've found the perfect place. (Okay, so I'm sure not everything is perfect, but it sounds pretty darn good!)

Love the tote. I just had my aunt make me one of these, without the stitching, of course. The purples are really nice in yours.

- Lisa

Dani - tkdchick said...

Welcome back online! Your banner is looking lovely and you've stitched some nice smalls while offline.

Linda M said...

Great job on the stitching, as always. Love the bag.

Anonymous said...

Meari

Your stitching looks wonderful and I love your totebag. It looks gorgeous . You have so beautiful fabrics on your pictures too. Really lovely stitching

Tinna

Vicky L said...

Your tote bag is gorgeous!!! I love it! The cat is adorable. I am glad you are back. Sorry you had to go through all that bad service wit HP. I missed your weekly updates.

Anonymous said...

Glad to have you back and that your PC is working.

Congratulations on your good review of your job.

Your tote is so cute.

Marl

EvalinaMaria said...

Congratulations on a great review and lovely stitching!

Kristin said...

Love your stitchy pieces...especially to Welcome piece.

Also, huge congrats on your fabulous reviews.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the great job review. All your stitching looks great!!! Thanks for sharing.
Betty in AZ

Mouse said...

ooooo well done at work .. and nice to see you are really appreciated too :)

love the stitching and that wee bag is gorgeous ... the fabric for the wee kitty is fab .. sets it off perfectly :) love mouse xxxxx

*-* said...


Good to see your stitching progress & big congrats on your review at work.
Kay.

Kay said...

Good to see you back, I was wondering where you were, it had been a while since I seen you post. Excellent news about things going so well at work!!!! Love your stitchy finishes and progress on what you are working on! The tote bag look amazing!

Anonymous said...

Meari,

I'm so glad your computer is up and running again! Has your blood pressure gone back into normal range? Seriously, HP has always and will always have serious problems...they don't seem to be able to change the embedded corporate culture...just look at their CEO's!

Congrats on the top-notch evaluation. Great job.

Sally

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your review Meari. Sounds like you've really settled in nicely with this company.

Love your finishes. The tote bag is really nice. I love the pocket you put on the outside. We can never have enough pockets, can we? Also, love, love love the hand dyed fabric on the black cat design.

Penny

Carol said...

I'm not at all surprised at your great work review, Meari! I'm sure you always go above and beyond :) And how nice to be appreciated! Would you believe we had our first ever (in the 25 years I've worked at the library) "Staff Appreciation" event last week... It was so nice to finally get acknowledged for our hard work...

Your finishes are all so pretty--love the tote bag idea.

Hope your computer troubles are a thing of the past now :0

Sharon said...

Congrats on your great marks! :). How wonderful to work for a company that appreciates all that you do to make their "service" run so well!
Stitching as always is gorgeous! That I'll black cat (and fabric) melts my heart. Such a cutie!
Awesome job on the tote bag finish - always happy to see you try new things. :)

(Also happy this post didn't mention anything snow-related! Lol)

Denise SA said...

Glad to see you back lovely finishes. Am so glad they seem to appreciate your hard work at your job.

Anne said...

Well done on exceeding expectations!! I don't doubt you do!! Love your stitching and your bag finish is so sweet!!

Unknown said...

Well done for doing so well in your job.
Love all the stitching!

SoCal Debbie said...

The Welcome Banner is very pretty. The little bag you sewed is adorable! The black cat on the orange fabby looks great!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the excellent review, Meari. Welcome Banner is looking great. Fleurs de Cotons looks great in the tote bag. The Black Cat looks really cute.

Sandy in NM

SueH said...

Congrats on your review, they must be so impressed with your work to give you such good results so quickly……….well done.
You have some lovely finishes there Meari.
The cat and pumpkin is sweet. I love Bent Creek designs, in fact I’ve just finished one myself.
I really love the fabric that you’ve used on the tote too, it’s one of my favourite colours.

Happy Stitching!
Sue
x

Claire said...

Great finishing.x

glenda said...

Your work looks as lovely as ever :)

glenda said...

Love the bag..the cat is too adorable! Great fabby choice :)

~~~Melinda said...

I got a new laptop and am actually taking time to read blogs! Your blog was the first one I wanted to read! LOVE the finishes!

Shelley said...

Your black cat is very cute.

Congratulations on the high praise at work and the new task!

The tote bag is fabulous :)