SCHOOLSchool is officially over for the semester! Woo Hoo :) Can't tell you what a relief it is. Our group presentation went really well, with the exception of one group member who dropped the ball. Unfortunately, there was one in each group. I think out of all the presentations, ours was the most interesting as far as involving the audience. We took the final exam after the presentations. Since I was SO preoccupied with the presentation, I didn't have a lot of time to study. I think I did OK (*fingers crossed*). Afterwards, a bunch of us went out for a drink to celebrate. :)
THE HOMESTEAD
My 17-year old water heater decided enough was enough and let it all out... all over my basement floor.
Why do these things happen around the holidays? Financial gurus always tell people to set aside so much each pay period for an "emergency fund". Thank goodness, I have one because I think this qualifies as an emergency.
I have a brand-spankin' new water heater for the low, low price of... nevermind, it wasn't cheap! The old one provided many years of service; may she rest in peace.
STITCHY STUFF
Last week, Sierra of Patchework Stitches inquired as to how people kept their floss organized for BAP's (Big @ss Projects). For me, large or small projects, I store my floss the same way:
As you can see, I wind the leftover pieces end-to-end on the bobbin. Then they are stored in a plastic bobbin cases, separate from my main stash.
For more on how I store floss, click HERE.
I did do a lot of stitching over the weekend. I don't have a lot to show for it since I had to frog almost all of it.
As I've mentioned before, I'm having to re-chart the entire center section of TMQ because the original design doesn't fit in the afghan fabric I chose. Up to this point, it's gone pretty well. The quilt squares between the cabins did not go so well. I thought I figured out the placement, but I was off a few stitches... Hence, I had to frog all of them. I had most of them done before I realized there wasn't enough space for the last one. :( Here's my progress after frogging and re-stitching:
Do you see the white space below the cabins and squares? That plus the flower heads on the vines is how much I have left to stitch! I'm excited that I'm *so* close to finishing it!
GIVEAWAYS
Veronica's Stitching Vault is hosting a giveway! It's Veronica's birthday :) Click on over and wish her a happy birthday, and check out her beautiful stitching while you're there.
Kate from The Flying Needle is hosting a Christmas giveway. Go check out her blog!
Down Sunshine Lane is also hosting a Christmas giveaway HERE.
Mel is celebrating 200 followers on her Epic Stitching blog by hosting a dual giveaway. Check out her blog for the details, and while you're there admire her stitching.
CHARLEY
Some of my readers have indicated they enjoy the antics of Charley. She does two things when she *really* wants my attention. She will get excited and "dance" back and forth along her perch, bopping her head around. The other thing she will do it hang herself upside down on the side of her cage and spread her wings.
Lastly, a bit of humor....
26 comments:
Meari, glad school is over for you and glad your presentation went well.
I am so sorry your water heater leaked all over the place; isn't it the truth that things always go wrong at the worst time. Murphy's Law!! LOL
Also, it is a shame you had to rip out so much of your TMQ.....you are ONE patient lady!!!! Kudos to you!
Gotta love that Charley! So cute!!!
May I ask; have you ever heard of leaving a plastic bag 'open' to let your threads breathe??????? Someone, a designer at a retreat told me this several years ago; to keep the threads from dry rotting.
I don't store my in bags any longer, but was just curious if you had ever heard of this before.
I think you frog and restitch faster than I sew to start with - TMQ looks great! Congrats on having another semester down!
Congratulations on finishing another semester, Meari! I'm sure your grades will be stellar as usual :)
Sorry to hear about the water heater--we are so paranoid about ours breaking and going all over our finished and carpeted basement that we automatically replace it every 10 years.
You're getting so close with TMQ--I'll bet you'll have it all finished by Christmas!
Enjoy your break :)
Kudos to you for sticking with the project of frogging! I think I would of had to banish it for awhile. Enjoy your school free days. May they not all be filled with snowblowing! LOL I know someone with a big bird...don't know what kind but it LOVES pork ribs (just the bone- no meat) Have you given any to her? Since Carl is in the plumbing business we went with the tankless heater when we had to replace ours. Should be the last one we ever buy!
Congrats on being done for the semester! How sad about the water heater! Yes, these things happen, but it is SO nice you had an emergency fund! Your stitching is beautiful! I was so encouraged to read about all the frogging you did.
Good thing you didn't have to go anywhere this weekend! Great time to stitch, just sorry you had to frog most of it how frustrating. The quilt is looking great!
Heidi-ICLS
Doing a happy dance for you! I know you aced your test. You always do so well. Time to sit back and relax for the holidays.
TMQ is looking awesome. You are so close to being done and it is amazing what you've accomplished.
Charley is too funny. How's the doggie doing?
Never fails, things always go wrong around the hoidays. My car is in the shop right now. Of all the times to need new brakes, right before the holiday traveling season.
Merry Christmas!!
Glad class is over, sure you did fine on the test. Bum about the water heater, at least the water was in the basement?? When I was in my apartment way back when got water all over the carpet and leaked down in to the neighbors too. Yikes!! Stitching looks good, look like you will finish it soon.
TMQ is almost there!!!!! Can't wait to see it finally finished. So glad that you were able to "enjoy" the snow from the inside of your house. It's a shame that your hot water heater went. At least you were able to get a new one.
Betty in AZ
Ouch about the hot water heater. It is always painful when things like that happen. But more so at this time of year. :(
Love the photo of Charlie.
TMQ looks fabulous. Even with all the frogging it looks beautiful. With luck it should be finished soon.
That is great about school. That does suck about the water heater, thank heavens you have a new one now though, this is the time of year to not be without. Your stitching is coming along beautifully!
Yay for school being over. Sorrie about the water heater though, not to mention the frogging too :( I really need to start setting aside different floss for my BAPs so I don't go floss hunting whenever I feel like starting a smaller project. I only have one skein of DMC per color used at one time. Thanx for mentioning my giveaway. Charlie is a cute and amusing as ever. Do keep updates on her coming ^.^
Glad your school is over for the holidays.
Had to replace my heater/furnace as mine was on its last leg and had to replace my water tank a couple of months ago.
Like the picture of Charlie.
Marl
Congrats on finishing your class!!! I can't wait to see the last parts of your latest project! Charlie is amazing. I love how she just hangs like that. Good luck with the new water heater. I think that's a really great idea to save money for emergencies and you are right, it does seem to happen around the holidays or when the weather is at its worst.
Happy Stitching!
Mary
Meari
I store my DMC Floss the same way that you do. Why don't you buy the larger 17 Compartment Floss Storage Containers...that is what I use instead of the smaller size ones.
Love your photos. Your WIP is looking great.
Enjoy your semester break girl.
Take care & Happy Stitching
Hugs :) from Cold Snowy Northern Indiana
Linda K, Railroad
Wow, your semester seems to have really gone fast this time. Congrats. Hope you have a great holiday season. What with the snow setting the mood in too :) I love the white cap it has provided. Looks lovely.
Love you quaker ornament. A very different look. And yuor needlebook is amazing. Hope to achieve that level of perfection in finishing :)
Yea!!! School's Out!!!!! Stitchin Time!!!!! I can see a finish soon..... Problems always happen at the wrong time. Are we ever really ready for all the household blips? I never have been. I'm glad you have a new water heater now. Thats 1 less thing you have to worry with for a while. Well, Maybe.....Tks for sharing the new pic of Charley. Looks like he had a real good stretch.
I know the water heater thing. That is why if we go on vacation we turn the water heater off and the water supply to it!! the afghan is going to be beautiful.
Mary Louise
Congrats yourself on making it through another school term. Glad you had the funds to replace your water heater - these things do always happen at the most inopportune times. TMQ is looking great. I'm sure you'll be finished with it in no time.
Sandy in NM
Congrats on the semester end. Sorry about the water heater. Your stitching looks great - ugh on the frogging! Love Charley. :)
TMQ is soooo close... I'm excited for you. For sure a finish before 2010 I hope. :)
Sad to hear that the fortheluv....group is ending. Sounds like your group did well on presentation. Hope you get a good grade. Sorry to hear about all the frogging. I have been cleaning & on the computer so much so I haven't been stitching on my son's semi. I have been sick with a bad cold & still working on getting those meds to work so I have energy. Think I heard one shouldn't be taken at bedtime. Will take it sooner & try that.
With winter, I may not view blogs as often as library is also cutting hours due to the economy (how sad). I may use computer in resource room while son is in Sunday School if available.
Meari, I'm so glad you have some breathing time since school is out for the semester. I would have liked to be there for your presentation. Congrats on a job well done!
I'm hoping you had a service for your water heater, LOL. I'm so sorry about the flooding in the basement. We've had so many basement floods (not due to a water heater) and have lost so many valuable things. I think that after 21 years and many $$$ later, we've finally got it all stopped.
I read with a great deal of interest how you organize your threads. I love reading other people's storing tips. I'm not quite as organized as you, but it's quite fascinating to see how you do it.
Have a great Christmas!
Hi Meari! Your TMQ is lovely. I know what you mean about school-for me it's having the kids out for a couple of weeks. No homework! I am sure you did just great on your test.
kick that damn water heater..they all deserve it :)
Enjoy your time off between semesters!
Sorry to hear about the water heater mess. I agree that this stuff always seems to happen around the holidays. At least you should not have to worry about it again for a long time and probably gained a lot in energy efficiency, too.
Post a Comment