Marvelous Monday Update 7/2/2018

WEATHER

Whew, this past weekend was a scorcher!  Heat index temperatures were 110-115F.  The air conditioner in the house and vehicles could hardly keep up.  Thankfully, on Sunday a cold front came through and the temperatures dropped considerably.  At least for a few days...  Dog days of summer!

THEATRE
I almost had a fiasco on my hands.  Last month, I bought tickets to Of Mice and Men at a local community theatre for June 30th.  The local college was putting on Wizard of Oz so I bought tickets on June 22nd for the production on the 23rd... or, so I thought.

Arrived at the theatre on the 23rd all dressed up to find there were people in my seats.  There were 20 people in line at the box office and the lights were flickering to tell people to take their seats.  I figured part of the show would be missed if I had to wait until the line was cleared, so I went home.  On Monday, I called to see if I could exchange the tickets for the last showing of Oz on July 1st.  Instead of sitting front center, the only seats were in the last three rows a little off center.  Better than losing the cost of the tickets, I got those.  The production, like all the college's productions, was fantastic!  I'm always amazed at how talented the actors/actresses are and the special effects are always so good.

Of Mice and Men was also very good.  It's based on a novel by John Steinbeck.  I've never read the book or seen the 1993 movie.  The ending was compassionate and disturbing at the same time.  I was sitting third row center so I experienced the ending up close and personal!

STITCHY STUFF
Happy Dance!  I finished Ode to the Ort Basket.  I'm very pleased with how it turned out.

Ode to the Ort Basket

Designer:  Brenda Gervais/With Thy Needle and Thread

Fabric:  40ct Vintage Pecan by Lakeside Linens

Fibers:  GAST, WDW, DMC, and Classic Colorworks threads

Basket is 2.75"W x 2.5"H x 1.5"D

Linked to: Stitching Lotus Smalls SAL

Soap box time!  The designs calls over-dyed threads so I bought them all.  I was very irritated that one color used only three stitches.  Since the design is stitched one thread over two, that means I used 1/2" of one strand of thread.  With the little amount of thread needed to stitch this project, the designer could've put in the small amount of threads needed and bumped the price up a couple dollars.  Okay, off my soapbox now.

Until next time...

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...

 

So Much Stitchy Goodness... and More

THEATRE

Who's old enough to know the original "cougar" Mrs. Robinson?  For those not familiar.... Benjamin   Braddock has just finished college and, back at his parents' house he's trying to avoid answering the question everyone asks: "What does he want to do with his life?"  An unexpected diversion comes about when he is seduced by Mrs. Robinson who is a friend of his parents.  What begins as a fun tryst turns complicated when Ben falls for Mrs. Robinson's daughter, Elaine.

My local community theatre put on The Graduate.  As always, the actors and actresses put on a good show. Before the play started, I overheard the young woman next to me (in her early 20's) say, "I have no idea what this play is about."  Even though the movie came out a year before I was born, it still made me feel old, lol.  In between the acts, music from the 60's played.  I had my very own chorus line behind me... The older women sang every single song!  I guess they're old enough to know what the play is about!

SURPRISE
I couldn't even tell you when the last time was that I saw one of these things.  Probably at least 15 years.  Imagine my surprise when I pulled up to a gas station in my area and saw it.  How about you... when was the last time you saw a PAY PHONE?

STITCHY STUFF
One of my favorite exchanges is called Stitchers Day Exchange coordinated on the Friendly Stitchers Yahoo group.  My partner, Viv in Canada, likes fall colors.  I dug through my stash and found a rogue piece of linen and limited edition skein of GAST.

Super Mom Stitchery Link Party #100
Stitching Lotus Smalls SAL


Stitchers Sampler*

Designer:  Neustras Miniaturas

Fabric: 28ct linen

Fibers: GAST Burlap Nap Sack

Embellishments: Lace weaved with DMC

To finish this little pillow, I joined a piece of coordinating floral fabric.  When I saw the fabric fat quarter in JoAnn Fabrics, I thought, "This is it!"  I had a piece of cream flat lace in my stash and thought I needed to add a little something extra so I weaved a piece of DMC 618 through it.  It turned out exactly as I pictured it in my head.  Love when that happens!

I've stitched this freebie two other times as scissor fobs.  If you're interested, you can see them HERE and HERE.

I posted this on Facebook as a finish, and my post was the subject of misinformation as to where the design came from.  You see, when I posted I said I couldn't remember which blog the design came from since I had saved the freebie back in 2012 and didn't notate it.  At first, a viewer on my facebook post commented it was a Homespun Elegance chart, which I quickly looked up and confirmed it WAS NOT.  Then the same viewer posted my blog telling everyone it was a certain post which again WAS NOT.  To circumvent further misinformation, I spent over two hours finding the blog and exact post where this freebie came from.  All I can say is WOW -- it's true what they say... Do not believe everything you read on Facebook!.

*Note:  The design doesn't have a name on the originator's blog so I named it "Stitchers Sampler".

I received my exchange package from Viv and just love, love, LOVE it.  Did I say I love it?!  She used such pretty colors and even personalized it with my initial.

Hmmm... What could it be?

Isn't the handmade card adorable?  Everything from the card to the tissue paper to the stitched exchange piece was coordinated.  Wish I would've thought of that!

Oh my goodness!  Look at that little "M"...

Scissor Case, Fob, and Matching Scissors!

I've always wanted to make a scissor case like this.  Viv did such a wonderful job of finishing.  Thank you, Viv!

 

Now, I'm on to my next exchange: A spring mailart.  Here's my floss toss...

 

 

FREEBIE

Since I received a scissor fob, I thought it was appropriate to share a scissor fob freebie!  This cute scissor fob is by Merry Cox.  The chart can be found HERE.



Until next time...

Did Ya Know?

Did you know today is National Thread the Needle Day?  Me either!  What better reason to thread that needle and get a few stitches in?

I challenged my followers on facebook to post a photo of their threaded needle.  How about posting on your blog, your threaded needle.  Here's mine:

THEATRE
Braving lightning, wind, and sheets of torrential rain, I made the trek to community threatre to see Sugar.   Based on the film “Some Like It Hot” (starring Marilyn Monroe), SUGAR chronicles the zany lives of two musicians, of the prohibition era, who witness a gangster slaying. In an effort to hide from the gangsters, they disguise themselves as women and join an all-female orchestra. Comedy unfolds as they try to integrate with the women and avoid "dirty old men".  Memorable musical numbers include Penniless Bums, The Beauty That Drives Men Mad, We Could Be Close, Doin’ It for Sugar, What Do You Give (To a Man Who Has Everything?), Beautiful Through and Through and November Song. 

For the most part, the play was entertaining, but it wasn't one of the better ones I've seen.  I didn't particularly care for the over-exaggerated gangster scenes.  In an attempt to make it seem humorous, it was over done and I didn't think it was that funny.  On the upside, it was impressive that most of the cast were from an area high school.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Long time readers know my other hobby is photography.  Recently, I found a new way to "display" my photographic talents.  I've shared the following scenic views in my past blogs:

Do any of them look famlliar?

 

Okay, okay... so what's the big deal?  (Yes, I can hear you tap-tap-tapping your fingers on the desk as I prolong the suspense, LOL)  Well... two years ago I opened a new bank account and just recently I *finally* used up all the starter checks and had to order new ones.  I searched and searched and searched for a company that sold checks at a reasonable cost with no shipping costs.  Gotta love coupon codes!  Just so happened that the company I chose not only had a big variety of check designs to choose from, they also allowed you to upload YOUR OWN photos to be printed on the checks.  How cool is that?!!

 

Behold....

my photos above turned into check designs!

I only ordered a box of 200, but I'm sure that will hold me over for years...  All for $6.95!  I was so excited to get my checks... Who knew?!!

STITCHY STUFF
Needle flying, I whipped up the Snow Foxy Sled Ornament. These sled ornaments are so fun (and quick!) to stitch up.  This makes three finishes in July!

Linked to Stitching Lotus Smalls SAL

Snow Foxy is a freebie chart I received with the purchase of the Snow Friends chart when I was at the PALS retreat in 2013. The design is stitched on 14ct brown perforated paper with DMC threads and attached to the sled with tacky glue.

As I contemplated what stitch project to do next, I realized I hadn't worked on Eight Immortals since 2014! ::hangs head in shame:: Hard to believe that I'm down to three... whoops... four WIPs.

• Japanese Garden

• Eight Immortals

• Balloon Glow

• Elegance of the Orient

Decisions, decisions... What to work on? Since I really do like Eight Immortals (lovely colors, easy-to-stitch), I pulled it out and made some progress. Look... She has an entire face and more hair!

Linked to SuperMom Stitchery Party #68

Until next time....
 

Summer... Lots of Activities

NATURE
One of the birds built a nest on the backside of the birdfeeder I have hanging near the window of my four-season room.  I've been documenting the babies over the past week.

June 20th

June 24th

June 27th

This week both of them flew the coop.

THEATRE
I've recently attended two plays at local community theatres. Both were a bit controversial, but the actors/actresses did a great job.

“Over the Tavern” is a comedy set in Buffalo, NY during the Eisenhower years of the 1950’s and introduces the audience to the Pazinskis: Mom, Dad and their four children (Eddie, Annie, Georgie, and the hero of the play, 12-year old Rudy).  Rudy is a precocious kid who starts to question his family values and the Roman Catholic Church.  He believes God put us on Earth to “have fun” and tries to figure out why his family isn’t having any.  There is a lot of interaction with Mother Superior at school and dealings with living over a tavern owned by Dad and Grandfather. 

Some people left at intermission due to the Catholic portrayals.

“I Never Sang For My Father” is a drama that probes the epitome of a dysfunctional family… disquieting alienation that can exist between a father and son, a separation that time and old age can sometimes only deepen, despite the best intentions of both.  Gene, a college professor, has tried all of his life to find love and acceptance from his father, a successful, highly respected man, who is sometimes callous, unloving and selfish. Upon the untimely death of his mother, Gene is forced to help his father through his dark days. His sister urges Gene to break the ties for good, or else he’ll wind up as bitter and cold as their father.

The play hit some areas close to home for me that I actually cried.

 CARS AND BALLOONS
The weather was sunny and hot, but I still ventured out to enjoy the activities offered in my area.  Two car shows and a hot air balloon festival with blues music.

Car Show sponsored by local classic car club
 

Car Show at Blues & Balloon Festival
 

STITCHY STUFF
Part 7 of the Words 2016 SAL seemed to go much faster than the previous two sections despite having to frog part of it. Who sent out the frogs?

I've finished the final section - Part 8 and am working on finishing up the border.  The frogs came to visit twice!

FREEBIES
Combine a dream and flowers, what do you get? A pretty freebie offered by DMC.

Click HERE to download the PDF.



Until next time....

Marvelous Monday Update 10/5/15

THEATRE
Over the weekend, I went to see The Crucible at a local community theater.  The actors and actresses were fantastic.  The young actress who played Betty was a bit fidgety while in a coma.  She kept rubbing her eyes and running her tongue over her teeth, LOL.

The 1953 play by Arthur Miller dramatized and partially fictionalized the story of the the Salem witch trials.  A small group of teen girls in Salem, Massachusetts were caught dancing and conjuring with a slave girl in the woods.  To avoid being punished, the girls tell lies that Satan had invaded them and forced them to participate in the rites.  It quickly escalates into witchcraft accusations of upstanding members of the community.  Thrown into the mix are greedy preachers, landowners trying to steal others' land, and one young woman infatuated with a married man and determined to get rid of his innocent wife. Arthur Miller wrote the events and the subsequent trials where those who demanded their innocence were executed, those who would not name names were incarcerated and tortured, and those who admitted their guilt were immediately freed.  The play was written as a parable of the Congressional Communist witch hunts led by Senator Joe McCarthy in 1950's America.

DIY
Since my parent's estate auction was an epic disappointment, we decided not to sell the house until after we've done some work on it.  My brothers have done a great job putting a new steel roof.  We can now repair the plaster in the living room where the months and months AND months of rain caused a collapse two days before the auction. 

Since there's a lot of walls to be painted, I invested in a Wagner Sidekick.  Years ago, I had a Wagner Power Roller -- the Sidekick is the newest version.  I've finished painting one of the bedrooms using it.  It makes the job go a lot faster.

This room was turquoise/cobalt blue!

 I've started to scrape the peeling paint off the walls in my old bedroom.  It's a messy, messy job!

Not sure why the paint was peeling in the room, but all the walls looked like this.

East Wall - Scraping in process!

South Wall - More Scraping

STITCHY STUFF
This was a quick stitch, but a bit fiddly to put together.  Several years ago, Glenda in MT sent me a RAK of gold DMC memory thread.  This design called for brown memory thread, so I improvised and spray painted it with expresso I had left over from ABC Lessons.

Design:  Heads Up

Designer:  Cherrywood Design Studio

Magazine: 2012 Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue

Fabric:  28ct White Linen

Fibers:  DMC

Embellishments:  Handmade cording, 

DMC memory thread arms, fabric scarf