Jun 24, 2013

Marvelous Monday Update 6/24/13

WEATHER
I drove through rain and lightning this morning to get to work.  Friday night and into Saturday, it rained. It thundered.  It rained some more. 

I bolted upright in bed at 4:30am on Saturday remembering that I had dirty laundry sorted into piles on the basement floor.  Long time readers might remember that when it rains, and rains, and rains, I get water in my basement.  I jumped out of bed and rushed to the basement to find it... yup, water spreading across the basement floor toward the drains.  I had reached a pile of towels so I quickly threw those in a basket, and picked the other piles up before the water got to 'em. 

As I wandered around the basement to make sure there wasn't anything else that might need to be off the floor, I heard water running.  Washer? No. Sinks? No.  I followed the sound.  It was coming from behind some bins I had stacked by the wall.  Lo and behold, I found a hole the width of the end of my pinky.  Water was pouring in from the saturated ground like a tiny faucet.  As soon as the rain stops, repairs are in order!

STITCHY STUFF
Thanks so much for the comments regarding the nose I made for the snowman last week.  I didn't mean to have a crooked nose.  It just happened, lol.  It gives character, doesn't it?  I finished Mr. Snowman into an ornament.

 
Designer: Stoney Creek
Magazine: Stoney Creek Cross Stitch Collection, Jul/Aug 2000
Fabric: 25ct Ivory Luguna
Fibers: DMC
Embellishments: Carrot Nose and Star Buttons,
Handmade Coordinating Cording
 
It only took me a week to stitch up this cute scissor case at work on my lunch break.  Even though the linen banding was attached to the case, it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be stitch.
 
 
Acorn Scissor Case
Designer: Lizzie Kate
Fibers:  DMC
Embellishments: Buttons, Acorn Charm

Since I finished the scissor case, that meant I had to pick another project for work.  The BF said, "Oh, just pick one!"  So I did.

Ballon Rally


It reminds me of this Balloon Rally that I've been to a couple of times.  The hot air balloons are awesome to see in real life.

Back to the project:  A bit ambitious for a work project, wouldn't you say?  It's a Dimensions Gold kit.  A benefit of having a 45 minute commute to work is that I'm slowly working my way through the many kits I have.  I really liked the fact that this kit had all the floss separated and organized.


There were two of those floss organizers.  Each one had threads that were 3ft in length, and the floss was glued to the organizer.  My infinite wisdom told me that it would soon become a nightmare with tangled floss... and what would I do with the leftover bits that were still useable?  The floss now looks like this:


I spent the weekend winding the floss onto bobbins.  No more worries about tangled floss and leftover bits, lol.

I've been promising for weeks to make Black Cat into an ornament.  Last week, I finally found a cute backing fabric.  Had plans to make the ornament over the weekend, but life got in the way.  I'm about 1/2 way done, though.  Does that count?

Until next time,


35 comments:

Berly said...

Your stitching & finishing is beautiful!! I hope nothing in the basement gets ruined from the rain. Good luck with the repairs!

Christina G said...

Awesome project for work...like how you organized the floss. Hope the basement repairs work out ok and are not too expensive. We don't have basements in Florida...they sure are neat to have though! (as long as they are dry, that is).

Unknown said...

Your Ballon Rally looks as if it will be a fun stitch - but it does look as if it will take some time.

Your snowman looks great - and the scissor case is something I should attempt.

Sue said...

WOW! We had torrential rains Saturday going to Suffolk! The heat and humidity is back! GRRRR

I love your snowman finish; some lucky lady in MB will be the owner of that one, right? I also love the scissor case! So cute!

I am so sorry about the water in your basement sweetie; wish there was a solution for you.

HUGs,
Sue your SM xoxo

Emily in NC said...

Sorry to hear about rain water in the basement again, hope it stops raining soon so repairs can be made. Picked a big project for work, looks like fun though.

Katie said...

Is the new kit 100% stitched? From the looks of the picture it is. It's a beautiful pattern though. My mom loves going to see Hot Air Balloons.

cucki said...

super sweet stitches..
sending you big hugs..
good luck with all the repairs..
love u x

Anonymous said...

Great finishes Meari! And your new start looks like a pretty big project! Nice! Glad you found the water leak. Hope it's not too much to get it fixed!

Happy Trails,
Pam K. :o)

Vickie said...

What a beautiful new project for work!
Sorry to hear about the basement leak.

Vicky L said...

Ythe Balloon Rally looks it will be fun to stitch. I would live to take a hot balloon ride. Your finishes are gorgeous! Good luck on the repairs.

Shelley said...

I love your finishes and the balloon project is going to be beautiful!

I watch a lot of Holmes on Homes & Holmes Inspections...isn't water in the basement a very bad sign?

We have been hit with rain today too. I have been looking forward to it. Love the smell of a fresh rain with the windows open.

Anonymous said...

Your finishes and exchanges all look great, Meari. So sorry about the hole in your basement.

Karin in CA

Mouse said...

ouchie re the water *passes wellingtons over to help ... glad you managed to get most of your washing up and out of the way ....
gorgeous finishes and well done on the new to be start ... love it when in the sealed knot years ago one came down in the tent field ... was a wonderful sight :) love mouse xxxx

Anonymous said...

Yippee you reach the basement just in time. Now you know where the water is coming in, it makes the repairs a lot easier.

Love your finishes. The prefinishes like the scissor keeper by LK are
wonderful for me. Enjoy your new project. I'm sure the floss will be much easier to handle now. You'll be glad you spent the extra time.

HUGS, Dee in TN

Faith... said...

To bad about the basement but at least you know where the leak is now and can take care of it once and for all!

Can't wait to see Balloon Rally in progress, it looks like an awesome piece. Do you just stitch on your lunch hour?

Anonymous said...

Meari your snowman is so cute and the LK scissorcase just adorable!

Your new project looks awesome - I' ll be looking forward to see it grow.

Sorry to hear about the floods in your basement - there are floods everywhere it seems.

Tara

Anonymous said...

Love your finishes and hope you are able to start on your new project soon.

Sorry to hear about your basement, but is there something you can do about it?

Marl

Chris said...

Lovely finishes Meari!
Looks like an amazing new project, pretty colors.
So glad that you rescued your laundry. We have had so much rain this year too.
Have a great week!

Anonymous said...

Hi Meari,

The finishes are adorable, and I love the snowman’s crooked carrot nose! I love, love, love the balloon piece. I know you’ll be much happier with all the threads on bobbins.

Tobie in So. Cal.

Pam in IL said...

The snowman finish is adorable, especially the crooked nose! That scissor fob is really cute too. I have a L*K kit I bought a year ago that has the fabric already sewn into it's finished case. I haven't started it due to the fact that I was thinking it would be a hassle to stitch the piece. You have inspired me to give it a try.

The good thing about a dirt basement is that we have nothing of value down there and don't worry when water comes in. Sounds like we've got more rain coming again today.

Love the new project too!

Anonymous said...

Hi Meari,

Your snowman is adorable. Very cute scissor case. Have a great day.

Ruthie

Aurelia Eglantine said...

Sorry to hear you had flooding! Ugh. But your Snowman ornament is so cute, especially the cording you made :) And Balloon Rally is a beautiful kit. I really like Dimensions Gold kits for larger projects; I usually punch a hole on the thread organizers (I put mine in the white space at the top of the colour sample) and don't have much tangling at all, but the floss bobbins are such a great idea to make things more portable!

Meari said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Your Snowman is too cute! His nose is perfect! I also love your scissor fob. Can you buy those pre made? Balloon Rally will be really colorful! Can't wait to see it started.

Laurel

Carol said...

Ugh--water in the basement is the worst! I need to run down and check ours after the horrific storms that came through last night...

Your little snowman ornament is adorable, Meari and I love the scissor holder--how cute!! Your new project is such fun--can't imagine stitching that on your lunch hour! Looking forward to seeing it stitched up :)

Akila said...

Oh my, the basement scene does not sound good. Hope it has stopped raining and you are able to fix it soon.
Very pretty finishes. Was the scissor case pre-finished or did you stitch that as well?
Wow, your new project has so many colors!! But very pretty.

valerie said...

How stressful to worry about the basement getting water! I hope it all turns out ok. Love your snowman and scissor pocket finish. I love that hot air balloon project. Looks like it will take a while to do but there are a lot of fun colors! Can't wait to see a start. :)

Unknown said...

Wow, that was lucky you reached the basement in time. Hope the repair won't work out costly!
Love your finishes and your new project looks awesome. I look forward to seeing updates on it.

Anonymous said...

Love the snowman orny. Yes the crooked nose gives him some character. Have you ever seen a completely straight carrot? Your scissor case is beautiful. Where did you get it? Yes I do believe that the Balloon piece is a bit ambitious for a work project at least it is for me. But I know you will be able to do it.
Thanks for sharing.
Betty in AZ (ILCS)

SoCal Debbie said...

Your ornament and scissor case are wonderful! The balloon kit looks fabulous! What a nice way to organize your floss with no worries about tangles now.

Kay said...

Your finishes and stitching are beautiful!! Sorry to hear about the water coming in, in the basement. We had to deal with that a long time ago with water always coming in as well. Happy stitching

Anonymous said...

Wow everything looks great!!!! Thanks for sharing.

Deb said...

Great finishes. Beautiful scissors case. I bobbin all my big projects, too. But, never thought of bobbinating kits. Great idea!

Anonymous said...

beautiful stitches and projects

glenda said...

Such a cute snowman ornament. I always love Stoney Creek shading.

I have seen the balloon kit and always say "that would be fun to do" hehe. I have too many at home to buy another, though.