Marvelous Monday Update 9/24/12

A big thank you to all of you who commented on my cabinet upscale!  I really enjoyed working on it and watching it come to life... even if I did have to make a couple trips to the home improvement store while working on it. Ran out of primer mid-spray... broke a drill bit by knocking over the drill... you get the idea.

Speaking of primer, I thought I'd give my 2cents review about primers I've used.

Normally, I use Rustoleum primer.  It's thick and goes on evenly with little, if any running.  When I ran out of primer, I went to get more Rustoleum... the store was out. :(  So, I went to Walmart and they had Krylon with the rotating sprayer.  That was the only thing I liked about it.  The primer was very thin and there was so much over spray, it was like being in a fog!  Since it's a thin primer, you have to use very, very light coats... many, many coats... in order to get good coverage.  I will not buy the stuff again.

THE PEC THING
For those of you not familiar, The Pec Thing is big around here and happens twice a year. For 28 years, hundreds... and I mean hundreds of flea market and antique vendors descend upon a tiny town called Pecatonica (or known in these parts as "Pec"). Not to be left out, at least a dozen food vendors also set up camp on the 40 acres of fairground land.

The BF and I spent about 5 hours walking around looking at all the "stuff". It was interesting to see the price differences between the different vendors for the same items. The BF came home with a vintage stereo equalizer that he got for half price. I came home with this:

STITCHY STUFF
More goodies that I picked up from my not-so-local needlework shop that went out of business this week. Aren't they just devine?

The black matte ones are Putford Scissors. They're only 2.5” high x 2.75" wide with large finger holes. To the left of the little Putford are a pair of Hardwick scissors by Kelmscott. These ornate scissors are a total of 4" long with short blades which are great for hard to reach cutting. Right below the Putford are silver 2.5" long Lit'l Snips that can be used for hardanger and embroidery projects. Across from the Hardwick is a pair of Pink Snips by Kelmscott. Part of the proceeds from sales of these go to breast cancer awareness and education. I'm not sure what the scissors to the right of Putford is, but they look like a Kelmscott to me. Very pretty!

I have not one, but TWO finishes I can show!  Last week, I sent this off to Carien (no blog) in AR.

Stitcher Sampler

found HERE.

Fabric: 22ct Hand-Dyed Hardanger

Fibers:  DMC 3843

Embellished with handmade cording and tassel

 

Edited 2/23/2017: I researched to figure out where this freebie came from... The blog is called Nuestras Miniaturas. It was posted on December 29, 2010. The post can be seen HERE.

I made this for Theresa in UT. Notice the "T"?

Rouyer 248 Alphabet

Fabric: 22ct Hand-Dyed Hardanger

Fibers: Six Strand Sweets, DMC

Embellishments: Runched Ribbon Border

Last week, I pulled out Japanese Garden and made some good progress on the top blue border.  Right now, I'm stitching the gold parts with Kreinik #4 braid.  The 6" pieces are driving me crazy, but necessary otherwise it frays too much.

Lastly, I'll leave you with this photo...  I received them "just because".  Awww... Isn't that sweet?

Sorry the photo is a bit dark...

The flowers are white and purple

with a purple sheer ribbon.

Until next time,



You Know What They Say...

"One man's trash is another man's treasure"  In my case, it's usually true!  I'll take someone else's cast offs and make them in something beautiful I can use.

I've been looking for a small side table or cabinet to put beside my stitching chair. I picked this treasure up at a thrift store for $7.99 (well actually $7.98 cuz there was a penny in one of the drawers, lol). It's the same size as a TV tray, believe it or not.

The BF said, "Most people would burn that." Just look at this cabinet!

I am one of those people who can see something not-so-desirable and visualize what it *could* look like.

First some sanding to remove the old finish. 

 

 



A little more paint... Some wood trim... A bit more wood putty... and viola!

 

 

 

Isn't it beautiful?!?



Linked Up To:
My Repurposed Life
The Ivy Cottage
My Romantic Home

Sometimes You Just Gotta Laugh

Have you ever seen the Sandbox commerical on TV?  Every time I see it, I laugh at the tortured cat commentary. LOL


Just poop, already!!
GARDENING
Since the summer weather took a toll on my flowers and garden, I haven't been able to share many photos. I have to give them credit, my Double Knockout Roses and Hostas are hanging in there.

TREASURE HUNTING
I scoured four thrift stores in search of a frame for Fleurs et Papillons since it's almost finished. I couldn't find the right size, so the search is still on. With that said, I didn't leave empty handed.

I found 4 Hallmark Ornaments still in the box for 29cents each and 2 boxes of Christmas cards for 59cents each. For about a month now, I've been looking for a small side table to put next to my stitching chair. I found a small 2-drawer dresser that's no bigger than a TV tray for $7.99 (actually $7.98 because there was a penny in the drawer, lol). It needs some work, but that's OK. I'm the Queen of DIY, remember??

I also found a set of 11x17" Qsnaps with aida still on it for 59cents...

I don't use Qsnaps very often, but these will come in handy when I do.

I also found a framed southwest stitched piece on 32ct evenweave for $2. It's a beautiful piece and I was saddened to see it at the thrift store so I *had* to bring it home!

STITCHY STUFF
The only stitching I did last week was for a scissor fob exchange. It's going into the mail today, so I can't show photos until the recipient gets it. I can say that it turned out so cute, I'm thinking about making one for myself!

My not-so-local needlework shop is closing its doors at the end of this week. Right now, practically everything in the store is 70% off! I spent three hours looking through charts, chart packs, kits, fabric, and floss on Friday. I grabbed up what remained of the WDW and Kreinik silks. All the GAST was gone already *sniffle*. Somehow, a nice stack of 28 and 32ct linen found it's way into my bag, too!

Next week, I'll share some of the charts I picked up. At 70% off, I couldn't resist... When I was in the store, the BF texted me: "Just buy the whole store!" Too funny. I definitely used up my needlework budget for this year and next year!

Since I got some new stuff, I had the urge to purge some "old" stuff. I've added a bunch of items to my For Sale or Trade blog. I have another stack I've scanned and will be adding soon.

Lastly, I'll leave you with more humor... Ya just gotta love Maxine!

(As an allergy sufferer, I know how she feels!!)

Until next time,

TUSAL 9/17/12

Yowza! It's that time again...

The Totally Useless SAL is coordinated by Daffycat.

This month, my measly little pile features threads from:
• Bluebird Welcome Mailart (Here and Here)
• "D" Scissor Fob
• Fleurs et Papillons
• Scissor Fob #2 (Can't show a pic yet)
• Scissor Fob #3 (Can't show a pic yet)

It Really Is True...

One complaint I have about The Homestead is the fact that my bedroom faces the busy street I live on.  I'm a light sleeper, so the first year was rough.  One day I figured out that if I have a box fan sitting in front of the window that faces the street, it makes enough noise to drown out the traffic sounds that start around 5am and often continue until well after 11 -- especially in summer months!  So, I keep the fan on at night year-round... and sleep so much better!

About a year ago, I had to buy a new fan.  Several months ago, the fan knob cracked.  It made it difficult to turn the fan on and off!  Do you think the manufacturer sells replacement knobs?? No. 

I almost pulled over to the side of a street the other day because I saw a fan in the trash, lol.  Left to my own devices, I had a brainstorm idea when I woke up last Friday. 

 

Tape! At first I thought of scotch tape.

Then I thought, "Duct Tape... it fixes everything!!!"

 

COOKING
Remember that zucchini my Dad gave me last week? The one he picked up at a roadside stand?  It was huge.  I like to stirfry zucchini, but this one was much too large for a stirfry meal. What to do? What to do?  The BF and I decided to make zucchini bread.  After shredding what we needed, there's still enough to fry up some medallions!

We baked up 4 mini loaves plus a full size loaf that was about an inch and a half tall, lol.  Half with crumb topping and half without.  Quite tasty!  Unfortunately, we (and by we, I mean *he*) filled the the pans too much and they bubbled over the sides down on to the floor of the oven.

I decided to use the self-cleaning feature of my oven.  I've never used it before.  Have you?  It made the entire house STINK!  My eyes were watering.  I looked in the oven at one point and the stuff was on fire!  Is that normal?  The fire went out within 15 seconds, but still it *was* disconcerning.

STITCHY STUFF
I participated in a surprise mailart exchange.  The stitcher was able to choose the theme for the exchange.  I received word the mailart I stitched arrived at its new home.  Here's what I sent:

 

The inside lining of the envelope is the same pink as the trim.

 

 

Surprise Mailart for Connie in WV

Design: Bluebird Welcome

Designer: Erynne Chard

Fabric: 22ct Hand-dyed Hardanger (dyed by moi!)

Fibers: DMC

Embellishments: Ribbons and Buttons

 

 

I also finished Part 5 of Fleurs et Papillons.  One part left to go!

 

 Until next time...

 





Wonder Woman, I am Not

As much as I'd like to think I can do it all... my body tells me, "Whoa there Nellie, hold up now!"  If you've read my blog for any amount of time, you'd know that as a single girl, I do a lot of things on my own.  Last weekend was no different.

Saturday
After investing in a new hedge trimmer, I *had* to try it out.  Plus, I had a hairy abbazabba bush that hadn't been trimmed in quite some time!  Did I stop at just that one bush?  No!  One led to a second, then a third, and next thing I know it's an hour later and 3/4 of the bushes were trimmed.  The only reason I stopped was the battery needed recharging.

So, then I pulled the trimmer head off the weedeater with the intention of re-stringing it.  Imagine my surprise when there was still string on it!  Guess what I did then?  Oh yeah, baby!  After yanking and yanking and yanking that darn thing, it finally started.  I trimmed the entire yard.

Did I stop there?  Oh, no.  Not me... I was on a roll.  I got out the lawnmower (a push mower, btw) and mowed the yard.  I was so proud of myself and how the yard looked when I was done!

Sunday
Here's where my body decided that it didn't like what I did the day before.  See, back in my early 20's I injured a muscle in my lower back (by mopping the floor, of all things!).  The doctor threatened to put me in the hospital if I didn't go home, take the painkillers, and stay prone for several days. At that time, I literally had to crawl on all fours to go the bathroom... that's how bad it was.  It was that same muscle that was hurting on Sunday.  Standing and walking wasn't so bad.  Going up/down stairs, or getting into or out of a a sitting position was not so fun.

I am feeling much better now.  As much as I'd like to have super powers and be Wonder Woman... alas it's not to be.  Wonder Woman I am not.

MORE PICKLES!
My Dad was pretty proud of himself to pick up some cucumbers from a roadside stand for free.  He gave me a few cucumbers and a zucchini.  Then he asked me if I wanted more, and that we could take a drive.  Apparently, the gardener has a roadside stand with a "Free Vegetables" sign next to the highway a couple of villages from my parent's house.  So, I came home with a small bag of cucumbers to make more pickles.

STITCHY STUFF
Last week, I mentioned I had a finish.  I received word that it arrived at its new home, and the new owner is thrilled with it.  You know what that means, don't you?  It means I can show it!

Front

Back

Rouyer 248 Alphabet

Fabric: 22ct Hand-Dyed Hardanger

Fibers: Six Strand Sweets, DMC

Embellishments: Handmade Cording

Over the weekend, I started on Part 5 of Fleurs et Papillons.  Here's my progress so far:

Other WIP photos can be seen HERE.

I had another finish over the weekend, but again, I can't show it until it arrives at its new home.

Until next time,