Stashing... It's Hard Work...

...but someone has to do it.

I'm innocent... really, I am!  I was minding my own business, putting my Dad's John Deere for sale on Craigslist.  I think something possessed my fingers.  Yes, that's it!  For the heck of it, I did a search for "cross stitch".  In the past when I've done this, I've had no luck.

This time was different.  There was an ad for a beautiful oak American Dream lap stand with 20" no-baste scroll rods (retail $48-79.95) plus an unfinished Autumn Sampler by Janlynn (retail $24.99) which I think is an OOP kit.  The ad also stated, "Floss, pattern and carrying case for floss, scissors, and sundry included."  I wasn't sure what that meant so I asked for explanation and photos.  Turned out to be a nice stitching project bag, scissors, hoop, floss on bobbins, and the chart. All for $35!  It appears the project just needs the backstitching finished.  I can't believe she didn't finish it.

Turns out the lady used to be an avid stitcher before her hands gave out on her and retirement took into other activities.  She decided this project was never going to be finished so she put it up for sale.  I've read some positive reviews about the frame so I was really excited! 

Then Stash Unload on Facebook got to me.  I couldn't resist...

I have a very old antique clock of my Dad's that's missing the guts and I'm thinking about doing the clock design for it.  I also have a wood tray that I could do a design for.

Pinn Stitch designs are so easy to stitch.  And well, ya'll know how I like Asian designs.

This is a very old vintage "Something Special" kit by Candamar Designs called Floral Garden.  I thought it was very pretty.  I may swap out the threads seeing as it's a bundled un-sorted thread pack. If memory serves me right, I wasn't too fond of the thread when I stitched Mime a few years ago.  You can read Mime's story HERE and HERE.

Side note.... I remember when I was a little girl, the craft stores had LOTS of Candamar designs and finished projects on display high upon the shelves.  I used to love going and looking at them.  Little did I know at that time stitching would become a full blown hobby of mine.

I have the Spring one so when I get the other two, I thought it be nice to stitch them in a row.

Want to know what's annoying?  When you contact the seller on Facebook to thank them and let them know the package arrived safely... No response.  Two out of three sellers did not acknowledge my text to them.  Personally, I think it's a bit rude.

Since I didn't buy anything for myself for my birthday, I'm considering these my present. ::big grin::  My birthday was back in January so I'm a bit late in treating myself.

Speaking of birthday presents, my SM Sue sent me the cutest bracelet for my birthday.  I just LOVE it!

 
 

Marvelous Monday Update 2/2/15

WEATHER

It matters not if Phil sees his shadow...

It's still 6 more weeks until Winter is over.

Just look outside!

Here in the midwest, we've just been dumped on by Mother Nature.  On Sunday, I woke to our first major snowfall of the season.  Three and half hours of shoveling led to shaking and shivering like you would not believe. I've never experienced such a thing before!  It was so bad that I couldn't operate a pair of scissors efficiently and pouring hot cocoa powder into a mug proved to be a spectacular feat.  After imbibing on two mugs of cocoa, a 2 hour nap ensued.  Later in the afternoon, I went out again... only 2 hours that time.  And again at 4am this morning... 50 minutes.

View From My Front Door

Snow Pile in Backyard - All from one snowfall!

Street Side

To the right of the snowpile is my sidewalk.  I had it cleaned yesterday morning. Thanks to the snow plows, it's now covered in the hard-packed nasty street snow.  As you can guess... I'll be shoveling that mess later today.

The Homestead

On the lower end, the pile along the driveway is about 3ft high.  The pile on the upper end is about 4-5ft high.

Somewhere in there are two bushes that are 5 ft tall!

BIRTHDAY... EXTENDED

The remaining cards arrived from the Birthday Card/Floss exchange I mentioned in my previous post.  (The floss in the background are the same ones from last week.)

Thank you, ladies!  I enjoyed opening all the cards.

My SM Sue, sent me a wonderful birthday surprise.  Two handmade infinity scarves and a cute little owl locket.  Those scarves are so soft!  Thank you, SM!!

STITCHY STUFF
I had hoped to share my Little Heart Swirl finish (Yes, I did finish it without throwing it out the window!), but I decided to wait until it is finish-finished.  So, maybe next time.  In the meantime, please enjoy my other WIPs.

Other progress can be seen HERE.

I am pretty excited that I've gotten so much of the border done.  As I looked at the flower vine on the left side, I realized I used the wrong colors and ended up frogging/restitching it.  Why didn't anyone tell me???

Other progress photos can be seen HERE.

It's been quite a while since I've worked on this.  It's my "work" project that I stitch during my lunch hour.  The great thing about progress photos is that I can see how much I've really done since the last time I picked the project up.  It's encouraging to see the progress!

HOOSIER SPRING RETREAT
Anyone going to the retreat?  I've been meaning to go for several years but the timing never seemed to work out, or I'd find out too late, or I'd already committed to another retreat.  This year it just worked out!  I've arranged for time off work and paid for my lodging.  Who's going?

Until Next Time,
Meari

Happy Birthday to Me!

Since my birthday fell on a weekend this year, I thought: "Great! I can sleep in." Nope. Didn't happen. I woke up at 4:30am and the little dog was all over that. Hopping and dancing around as if to say, "C'mon! I know you're up. Take me out! Take me out!"

The upside to getting up that early is that I had time to get some stitching in.... AND... I have a finish:

Melvin and His Pal

Don't they make the most adorable buddies? It's a Wizzers kit by Janlynn/Sugarplum Express. I've had it for quite a while and think it's OOP since I've yet to find it online. It's stitched on 14ct white plastic canvas with unknown cotton threads. This year I participated in a birthday card and floss exchange on Facebook. I was a bit apprehensive since I'm fairly new to FB. As with any exchange, there are those who don't send on time. However, I received from most everyone.

I started a new project for Valentine's Day. The design looked easy-peasy. Was it? Oh noooo... I've spent just as much time frogging the darn thing as I have stitching it. How is it that I can do a big, complicated project with relatively little frogging but the small ones I have trouble with? *sigh*
 

Hoping to finish it this week!   ENABLING ALERT! Keepsake Needlearts has a clearance page with some really good deals. Plus, if you do a google search for online coupons, there's one for 25% off clearance items at KN.

Birthday gift to myself This is a kit designed from artwork by Haruyo Morita and manufactured in Hungary.  Isn't it beautiful?  I found out Artecy has some charts by the same artist. 

Until next time,

 

Marvelous Monday Update 1/27/13

Woo Hoo!  Another marvelous Monday, isn't it? 

Not much happened last week, except... it was my birthday!!  My parents took me out to eat, the BF got me my favorite perfume, and I received lots of awesome birthday emails/ecards from friends around the world.

I participated in two birthday exchanges this year.  Look at all the flossy goodness!

From the i-love-cross-stitch group:

From the i-love-cross-stitching group:

I even received cards from Menards and the Literacy Council (where I teach ESL students), and my new employer.  Menards sent me a coupon for a 15-piece craft knife set.

My friend Faith sent me a huge hank of Victorian Sampler floss along with a card.  She is so sweet!

Once a month, my employer has a day where we celebrate the birthdays for the month.  On that day, everyone except for the birthday people brings in food and it ends up being a large potluck.  We celebrated the January birthdays last Friday.  There was soooo much food... and it was so good!

STITCHY STUFF
Did you hear it?  The cheers of accomplishment... The happy dancing?  I finished Part III of Sampler aux Bouquets!  The entire piece is now finished.  Yay!!

 

To see photos of this journey, click HERE.

 

Sampler aux Bouquets I, II, and III

Designer: Jardrin Prive
Fabric: 32ct White Evenweave
Fibers: DMC
It ended up being 29" long and about 10" tall.  Since it's finished, I'll set out on my journey to find the perfect frame.  Wish me luck!

Until next time,

Birthday Drive-By

♫♪♫ I had a really nice birthday! ♪♫♪ Thank you all for the wonderful birthday wishes. This year, I participated in two Birthday Floss Club exchanges.

First up are the lovely cards/floss received from CSE:


I also received a LOT of lovely cards and floss from the Stitching Sisters group:


I've been eyeballing the Jardin Prive charts for a long time. With a lot of prodding and pushing encouragement from my Stitching Sisters, I splurged and bought the charts as a combination graduation/birthday gift to myself.

Sampler aux Bouquet I
Sampler aux Bouquets II
Sampler aux Bouquets III
I plan on stitching them as one long sampler like this:


I received a very cute stitched card and some floss from Berly. Even though we've "known" each other for a longggg time, we didn't meet in person until the 2010 ILCS retreat in St. Louis.

Thank you for thinking of me, Berly!
I even received cards from Discover and Menards! Menards sent me a gift certificate for 14-piece LED lighted screwdriver set. Every time I am in Menards, I have to swipe my Big Card for a chance to win whatever vehicle they're giving away. It's become a joke between the BF and I as to WHO is going to get the vehicle when I win, LOL.


Also, the local movie theater emailed me a certificate for a free admittance to a movie for my birthday.

To end my birthday day, the BF brought over pizza. He said that since it was my birthday, I shouldn't have cook. Awww, ain't that sweet? For a gift, he hinted that he got me something I had said I wanted... Hmmm, what could that be?

A Thera-P Percussion Massager!
Indeed, I have been looking at these things for at least a year. With my neck and shoulder problems, I thought maybe one of these would help with the pain I always have. I LOVE this thing! It has a heat setting, as well as a low/high massage setting that gives a wonderful, deep tissue massage.

My birthday isn't quite over yet! The BF also plans on taking me out to eat this weekend. ☺ Ah, to be spoiled...

Until next time,