Marvelous Monday Update 4/10/2017

When I wrote about my latest stash haul, I mentioned listing my Dad's John Deere for sale on Craigslist.  Several of my readers asked if we'd sold it.  Back when I was selling stuff from my parents estate on Facebook, some may remember the frustrations I endured with the idiots trying to get something for nothing bargain shoppers.  My brother was in charge of fielding the buyers for the John Deere since it's his field of expertise.  He experienced first hand the same frustrations I did.  Within hours of listing the tractor, some dude texted... not called... and offered over $1,000.00 less than what we advertised it for.  Didn't ask to come see it or anything.  My brother was PO'd big time and let the guy have it in his text response, lol.  Keep in mind, we were not asking an over-inflated price... it was very fair considering the accessories implements that went with the tractor.  Quite a few inquiries later, a guy showed up to look at it.  My brother agreed to lower the price $150, but the guy tried to scam negotiate a better deal.  Finally, my brother told him that he'd give him gas money to go back home, or he could load it up and take the tractor with him.  Either way, it didn't matter to my brother.  So the guy decided to buy.  SOLD!

TECHNOLOGY R.I.P.
After serving me well for over 7 years, my Plantronics Explorer 390 bluetooth handsfree headset bit the dust.  The port where the charger plugs in came loose and now no longer charges.  I used the crap outta that thing, as you can tell by the photo below.  Rest in Peace my bluetooth gadget.

Since the Plantronics brand has served me well, I bought another one:  Plantronics Explorer 502.  It talks into my ear!  It tells me when it's pairing, if it's successful, how much battery talk time remains, if you have an incoming call, even... all sorts of things.  It even tells you when you need to recharge the headset.  Talk time is 7 hours and standby time is supposedly 6 months between charges.  I can also listen to music with it...the sound quality is pretty good, too.  The 390 couldn't do that.  So cool!

 STITCHY STUFF
I'm participating in the All About Smalls Spring Challenge on Facebook.  The theme is flowers so there has to be at least one flower in the stitched design and has to be finished into a "small" by May 20th.  For the challenge, I chose to stitch up Victorian Pansies Bookmark.  It's a kit by Textile Heritage manufactured in Scotland.

I was really happy to receive this kit as part of a 12 Days of Christmas exchange last year.  Long time readers may remember that I stitched up companion pieces back in 2007 and 2008.

Victorian Pansies Needlebook and Scissor Fob

THEATRE
I recently attended a community theatre production, "Agnes of God".  It's about a court-appointed psychiatrist (Dr. Martha Livingstone) who has to determine the sanity of a young nun accused of murdering her newborn.  Miriam Ruth (Mother Superior) is determined to protect the nun, Agnes, which arouses Livingstone’s suspicions further. Who killed the infant and who fathered the tiny victim? Livingstone’s questions force all three women to re-examine the meaning of  their Catholic faith and the power of love.  I'm not an overly religious person, but this play is disturbing and controversial on so many levels.  The ending was very dramatic and graphic.  The actresses were very good and sucked me in so much that I was having anxiety by the end of the play.  I had a college class with the actress who played Mother Superior.

Until next time...

 

Family, Finds, and Another Finish

FAMILY
My family had some sad news last week. My cousin had a heart attack and after being on life support for three days, the decision was made to let her go.  She was only in her mid 40's (a few younger than me.) and leaves behind a husband and two adult children. Even though we weren't close as adults, she and her siblings grew up with me and mine. We are all saddened by the circumstances and another family loss.

Last week was also the second anniversary of my Dad's passing. So many images of his last months still pass through my mind.  He showed a strength like no one I've known.  He wasn't the easiest guy to have as a Dad, but he taught us many things and had a quirky sense of humor when he let it show. We still miss him terribly.

TREASURE HUNTING
A couple of weeks ago, I went thrift store shopping to find a frame for Words 2016. While browsing, I came across a Keurig brewer for $30! It looked like it had been hardly used... No scratches, watermarks, or lime build-up. I plugged it in to see if it worked (i.e. could power up) and took it home.

The thrift store offers a 3-day return policy on electric items if they don't work. With that in mind, I attempted to brew something! No instruction manual came with it, so I had to wing it. (I did find a PDF of the manual online and downloaded it) When "Prime" showed up on the screen, I Google'd it and found that this was a common error message. I'm guessing this is why it ended up at the thrift store. Being the resourceful gal that I am, I turned to YouTube.  I watched three videos trying all the suggestions... the Keurig would NOT brew. Ugh. I watched another video and BOOM! It worked. I brewed coffee, tea, and hot chocolate just to make sure I really did resolve the problem. It's been working like a champ since. Thank you, YouTube!!

STITCHY STUFF
I did find a frame for Words 2016, but it's about 2" too large. I'm going to take it apart and cut it to the right size. It's on hold right now because my power compound mitre saw is at my parents' house being used for trim work. I may take the frame out there and cut it then bring it back home to reassemble.

I've had another finish! Here's what the original design looks like:

I'm not sure how I want to finish-finish mine yet, but it sure looks pretty. I've changed the colors to be more cheery and match the fabric.

Linked To: SuperMom Stitchery Party

Started: 3/14/2016 ~ Finished: 7/17/2016

Design: Promise Me

Designer: Lizzie Kate

Fabric: 28ct Luguna "Iris" by Hand-Dyed Fabrics by Stephanie

Fibers: DMC, GAST, WDW, and Carries Creations threads

This, That, and The Other

DABBLING WITH PAINT
Most of you know that I can sling a mean paint brush... when it comes to refurbishing filing cabinets or side tables or even painting walls.  Recently, I took a watercolor class offered by the park district.  Not wanting to be totally uneducated, I jumped on YouTube to learn some basic watercolor skills.  Here's what resulted from my using my niece's Prang watercolor paints from grade school (many eons ago!).  The tutorial I used was very good in that it went step-by-step on how to draw and paint.  My result:

A few days later I went to the class.  I was disappointed that there wasn't more instruction.  We were basically told to draw the flower and then paint it doing the lightest shade first, followed by medium, and then shading.  There was no demonstration or anything.

We were allowed to use primary colors to paint with: red, yellow, and blue.  After the teacher had difficulty mixing up a gray with them, he got me some brown... and still couldn't get it.  After trial and error, I finally got a color that worked.  Since I was late to class (didn't know where the community building was), I was stuck with the only flower left which was a white rose... hence the gray paint.  Roses are hard to draw and white is hard to paint!  I came home with this:

FITBIT
Over the past couple of months, my Fitbit band started pulling away from the face. Not a big deal. A little over a week ago, the button on the side of the face fell out somewhere.  It controls being able to scroll through the data screens.  Even though I can tap on the screen... hit or miss at best... it's easier to press the button.  It's disappointing that a piece of equipment that costs so much didn't hold up better.  I've only had it 10 months.  I contacted Fitbit and sent a photo collage.

Since it's still under warranty, Fitbit sent me a replacement.  I even got to choose a color!  I'm hoping this one holds up better.  ::fingers crossed::

FAMILY
A few weeks ago, my niece graduated high school.  She also was accepted into the College Now program her junior year of high school, so a week before graduating high school, she graduated with an Associates college degree.  Both with honors!  I am so proud of her.

STITCHY STUFF
It seemed like it took me a lonnnggg time to finish Part 5 of the Words SAL.  I haven't had a lot of time to stitch lately.

Part 6 didn't seem to take me as long.  I'm working on getting more of the border done since this part is the top of the design.

If you're interested in seeing what other participants have stitched, you can see them HERE.


Earlier this year, Kim from Wisdom with Needle and Thread announced she would be having a big birthday this year.  She turned 60! To celebrate, she decided to RAK 60 gifts.  I was one of the lucky recipients.  Using my needlebook tutorial, she created and sent me this:

Don'tcha just love the measuring tape ribbon?  So cute!

(It can be found on Amazon... I asked, hee hee)

Be sure to visit her blog to see all the other RAKs she's given out.  She is so talented.  And which her a happy birthday, too!

I almost forgot!  Back in April, I received my Stitcher's Day Exchange from Jennie K in Rhode Island.  She sent me a lovely felt backed heart.  It's perfect for a bookmark.  Jennie also sent me a Sweetheart Tree quadrille ornament chart.  One of my favorite designers!  Thank you, Jennie.

FREEBIES
If you like summertime and beachy motifs, DMC has a freebie that has some very cute designs!

 Click HERE to download the PDF.





THROWBACK STITCHING
A while back, I mentioned being invited to a Facebook group called Throwback Stitching.  I thought I'd show my recent post here on my blog, too.

This was the first patriotic design I'd stitched.  I matted and framed it myself adding the wood patriotic hearts.  The design is from the premier issue of Cross Quick magazine.

Until next time...

 

Food, Projects, and Toys

COOKING

Tried some new recipes this weekend.  Turkey Kebobs from The Chew.  I don't have access to kabab masala, so I used a Syrian spice blend.  I substituted jalapeno peppers for the seranos so that the kebobs weren't quite so spicy.

From reading the reviews, the chutney is very spicy so I opted for a tzatziki sauce.  I'd never made it before... it was okay.  They kebobs are made from ground turkey and were good, but difficult to grill because meat mixture is soft.  It might work better in the oven as patties.  I also made zucchini noodles ("zoodles") with the Paderno Spiralizer.  The spiralizer is awesome!  For sauce to go over the zoodles, I made a creamy red pepper sauce.  I thought it turned out really good.

WORK
I've completed the first week at the new job.  There's a big learning curve for me since I'm not familiar with the industry, acronyms, etc.  On Friday, my project manager told me he thought my progress was good for the first week.  Yay!  At the end of this next week, I'll be driving to the suburbs of the windy city in order to do more training.

STITCHING
I finished my Halloween mailart which I'll be mailing out next Saturday, so no finished pics until after it reaches its destination.  However, I'm going to show a sneak peek:

I'll be starting the July Monthly SAL next.  Hope to have a finish to show in my next blog update.

DIY PROJECT

I also did a DIY project this weekend.  I made myself a portable pressing (i.e. ironing) board for small projects such as quilt squares, smalls, etc.

While it's not as light as an Omnigrid Foldaway Cutting Station or a Tailor Cut-N-Press, it was a lot less expensive and I could have it in a size I wanted.  I made mine 17x19".  I still need to add a handle to one of the edges for easier movement and/or transport.

Now, rather than getting out my ironing board each time I need to press small seams, I can just get out the pressing board.  I used it while assembling the mailart and it worked really well.

BIG GIRL TOYS

JoAnn Fabrics had a sale going on this weekend as well as several great coupons.  I intended to use the 60% off coupon (good on any regular priced item, lots exclusions apply) on the fabric cover for my pressing board since it wasn't on sale.  While at JoAnn Fabrics, a new toy made it's way into my cart:  Petite Press Portable Iron.  Since coupons say irons are excluded, I was pleasantly surprised when the coupon was applied to the Petite Press.  Normally $39.99, I ended up paying $16.32 with tax!  That's better than the online sale going on right now which would be $28+ with shipping and tax.  Had I known, I would've had the BF pay for the fabric and had him use another coupon, LOL.

Granted the Petite Press does not perform like my Shark Iron, the portable iron does well getting fold marks out of my fat quarters and aida as well as pressing seams.  It offers ironing control in small areas where my Shark is more cumbersome -- like around the decorative buttons on my mailart.

The iron's pressing surface is small (1" x 2 1/4") so it can't be expected do large projects.  Nor does it have a steam option.  Overall, the iron is lightweight and measures 8x2-1/2x2in.

It's UL approved and has a digital control with four heat settings.  The Petite Press heats up within a few minutes and beeps to tell when it's ready to use.  There is no auto shut off which means it holds the temperature setting:  1- approx 176-248F, 2- approx 230-302F, 3- 284-356F, 4-338-410F (according to the product guide).  One review I read said the iron doesn't get any hotter than a mug warmer.  Ask me how I know this is not true.  The iron gets VERY hot!

The iron head is adjustable to four different positions and the handle is made for ergonomic comfort. There's also a flip down stand to rest the hot iron when not in use.  

In conclusion, I'm happy with it.  It works well for its intended use.

LITTLE GIRL TOYS

Not too long ago, it was my youngest niece's birthday.  She love-love-loves Barbie!  I got her Barbie Fashion Design Maker.  Basically, it's a 3-D version of paper dolls.

It comes with a full size Barbie and eight sheets of "clothing paper."  The girl (with the assistance of an adult) logs onto the Barbie fashion designer website and chooses various options to create outfits to be printed out.  My niece had fun picking what her Barbie clothes would look like.  She even had fun putting the paper in the printer, LOL.  Once printed, the fabric pieces are peeled off the sheet and stuck onto the doll.  Just like paper dolls, the pieces can be taken off and be re-used.

That's all for this week.
Until next time...

A Memorial - For A Nation, For A Family

Today holds a huge significance for Americans. It was 14 years ago today, we all watched with horror as terrorists attacked our great country. Anger, disgust, and then resolve followed as the U.S. healed from the travesty thrust upon us. As the aftermath unfolded, a letter I had written to the editor was published in the local paper.

(Click to enlarge.)

Today also holds a sorrow closer to home. It was one year ago that my family lost my Mom... two days shy of two months after my Dad lost his battle with cancer. My solace is knowing that in her last weeks, she felt relief and happiness that her kids took care of her at the end of her life. I woke up today with tears in my eyes and hurt in my heart.

 (Her life in pictures)

Marvelous Monday Update 8/31/15

Where has the month of August gone?  Can you believe meteorological fall starts tomorrow?

FAMILY
My niece started her senior year of high school and second year of college last week.  When she graduates this year, she will have not only a high school diploma, but also an associates degree.  Her goal is to get a bachelor's degree in video game design.

A few weeks ago, I took her senior pictures and created a DVD of her portrait proofs.  These are the beginning and ending slides:

COOKING
I tried a new recipe over the weekend.  Balsamic-Honey Glazed Chicken.  It was really good!

It looks like a lot, but really it's just one chicken breast cut into strips.  I served it over broccoli rice made in a rice cooker.  I wasn't sure if the broccoli would cook properly in the rice cooker.  It turned out just fine.  :)

STITCHY STUFF
Although I haven't been doing much stitching lately,  I've finished the layout for the Halloween mailart I'm doing for an exchange.  The fabric is outlined and I'll be starting the stitching on it soon.  Here's the floss toss:

WORK
Readers from the past several years may know how much I enjoy working for my employer. The downside is the long commute of 80+ miles per day and the winter driving.  Remember the Tunnels of Terror from last winter?    A fluke conversation has landed me a job offer less than 5 miles from home, more pay, better hours and benefits.  This has been one of the most difficult decisions I've had to make in regards to employment.

Two weeks ago, I resigned from my position at my current employer.  I gave four weeks notice because my job is so involved and there really wasn't anyone trained well enough as my back up.  My boss literally shed a tear that I gave notice.  At the end of the meeting, she gave me a hug and said I could work for her any time.  She was very complimentary about my skills, which was nice to hear.

That's all for this week.

Until next time,
Meari

Bittersweet Monday Update 7/13/15

It was one year ago today that my Dad passed away from soft tissue sarcoma, a rare cancer.  He was a Dad to four children, Grandpa to seven grandkids, Great Grandpa to one, and a Husband.  He was also a military veteran, mechanic, woodworker, fisherman, and carpenter.  He believed in self-sufficiency and doing for oneself.  His clothing of choice was a pair of jeans and a tshirt.  In the past, I've written about him HERE and HERE. 

Last Saturday, we sold my parents belongings and real estate by auction.  It was both an emotionally and physically draining day.  Sad to see a lifetime go for pennies on the dollar, literally.  Approximately three dozen people attended the auction.  Most were family members or people who worked with my brother.  Halfway through the auction, it started raining.  In hindsight, we would've been better off selling my Dad's mechanic, machinist, and woodworking tools ourselves and then donating the rest to Goodwill.

To illustrate my Dad's woodworking skills...  Twenty-four years ago, I saw a blanket chest in a catalog.  I think it was Fingerhut.  I tore the ad out and asked my Dad if he could build me something like it.  With no hesitation, he confirmed he could and hung the little piece of paper on a nail near his toolbox in the garage.  It hung there for months and months.

In 1992, he presented me with a beautiful blanket chest... with a few alterations he thought was necessary.  He lined it with cedar and put wheels on the bottom so I could move it around easily if I needed to.

Isn't it beautiful?  Handmade by my Dad from a picture only, this chest has moved with me from place to place and it has been one of my prized possessions.

While cleaning out my Dad's work area in the garage, we found the ad I tore out of the catalog... still hanging on the nail where he originally hung it.

Isn't it amazing how similar my Dad's chest is to the ad?  Even the hardware is the same!  I like the stain he chose for my chest better than the ad.  I think he used cherry or maple stain.  I had forgotten what the ad looked like until we found it.  Now, it will stay in the bottom of the chest with a story about how it was built.  A time capsule of sorts.

It's been a tough year for my siblings and me. The loss still brings tears to our eyes and hurts our hearts.  :(  We all still miss him.

Marvelous Monday Update 5/4/15

Where did the month of April go?  Time seems to fly by so fast these days...

FAMILY
Two wonderful things have happened since the passing of my parents.  Two weeks after my Mom passed away, my niece was married in an outdoor ceremony at a beautiful park in Wisconsin.

The bride's family with her new groom.

The happy couple were high school sweethearts.

 Me with the bride and groom.  Hard to believe she's all grown up!

The wedding party drove to/from the park in my family's classic cars.  All the men in my family love old cars. On the right is my nephew's car.  The red GTO is my brother's car (the bride's Dad), the black Trans Am is my other brother's car, the blue GTO Judge on the left is my Dad's.  He was supposed to drive it in the wedding...  Since he passed away two month's before the wedding, my brother drove it in his place.

The second happy occasion is that I became a great-auntie again last week.  I have a new great-niece. At 5lb. 15oz., she's so tiny and adorable.

She slept most of the time I was there, but did open her eyes from time to time.  I wish I'd taken photos when she was awake.  The baby joins her 3 year old brother who's not quite sure he wants a sister.  My niece (different from the bride above) says sometimes he talks about the baby as if she's a puppy and other times he's afraid the baby will kick him and take his toys. LOL!

WEATHER
The weather over the past couple of weeks has been beautiful which makes me happy because I'm able to get my 10K steps outside on the walking path near my worksite.  I get to enjoy bits of nature every time I go for a walk...

 THEATRE

One of my favorite local community theatres had a production going on last weekend.  "You Can't Beat The House is about two minor-league burglars who break into a house only to find it's up for sale.  Before they can leave, prospective buyer's show up.  The burglars can either pretend to be real estate agents or run the run and risk of getting caught. When the actual real estate agent and the police show up, it turns into a recipe for gut-splitting events.  Turns out the house is haunted as well.  Laughs were nonstop with this screwball comedy.  One wisecrack after another proves that "You Can't Beat the House".

STITCHY STUFF

The good news is... I've been stitching.  Currently, I'm working on a Patriotic mailart and a marriage sampler.  The bad news is... I can't show progress pics, although I've been taking them.

In lieu of photos, I'll leave you with this freebie:

FREEBIE OF THE WEEK

Red Quaker Sampler
by
Needle Knowledge