Marvelous Monday Update 2/10/14

WEATHER
It's pretty sad when the temperatures get into the 20's, people here say, "It's pretty warm out today!" LOL, amazing how perspective changes when there's weeks of subzero temperatures.

 

 The colder temps have created some gorgeous sunrises.

 

A new term was coined at work:  Tunnels of Terror.  This is a view from the front windshield of my car.  See how high the snowbanks are?  Normally, I can see cornfields, bean fields, and farms.  Now, nothing but snowbanks.  This one is actually pretty good because both lanes are fully cleared.  There have been times I've driven to work where half my lane was covered in snow and ice.

 



Over the weekend, my area received another 4" of the light fluffy stuff.  My snowblower barely throws the snow up and over the banks of snow on the side of my drive way.

 

STITCHY STUFF
My ort bag was quite full, so I pulled out all the orts resulting from 2013 stitching.  I was surprised at how many snippets there were:

(As you can see, Froggie insisted on sneaking into the photo!)

 

I have two new starts this week.  The first is You Are So Loved by Snowflower Diaries.  If you look at the original design, you'll notice I have changed the colors.

 

The second start is N is for Nurse by Sweetheart Tree.  It will be a pretty quick stitch once I finish the nurse.  You can see the over-one stitching on her hands and face if you click on the image.

 

More BFC arrived in last week's mail.  I received an adorable card from Sue and Peanut (who is her "baby" chihuahua).

The sweet "SM" (surrogate Mom) that she is,

she also sent a couple of gifts for me:



 

Thank you for being so thoughtful, Sue!

 

Japanese Garden saw some progress, too.  I finished all the lazy daisy stitches for the bamboo stalks at the 9 o'clock bridge.  (Never thought I'd get them finished!)  Here's what it looked like before:

 

And now: 

 

 

Random Acts of Kindness

Did you know Feb 10-16 is Random Act of Kindness Week?  I plan on doing a RAK at least once day for the entire week.  What about you?  Next week, I will post the kindnesses I did.

 

Until then,

 

 



Marvelous Monday Update 2/3/14

With recent weather conditions, I need more than a tortilla!  Everyone in the midwest is asking, "Will this ever end?!?"  According to the news, so far this is the 8th worst winter weather on record.  My area has received over 35" of snow since December 1st.  That's about 12" above average.  While it's a good workout and aids in my getting the 10,000 steps in per day, I'm also tired of the snow, ice, and cold.

BELATED BIRTHDAY
A few more cards (and floss) arrived in the mail last week.

 

 I've really enjoyed the variety of birthday wishes that came this year. 

Here's my wall of cards:

GIFT
Long time readers may remember the shelf remake I did last year.  (If not, you can see it HERE.)  Deb sent me a lovely teacup and matching saucer for my collection.  Her note said it was her favorite pattern when she was younger.  I think it's absolutely beautiful!  Thank you, Deb.

STITCHY STUFF
:::happy dance:::  I have my first finish of 2014.  I put the final touches on Thinking Positive.  The photos really don't do the opalescent fabric justice.

Designer:  Jardin Prive / Nathalie Cichon

32ct Opalescent Luguna - Heritage by Enchanting Lair

Fibers: DMC, Weeks Dye Works

 

Edited 2/9/14:  I've had quite a few requests asking which WDW threads I used for the lettering.  The purple varigated is 2296 Sweet Pea.  The magenta varigated 4115 Mothers Day.

 

I also did a bit more stitching on Japanese Garden:

Until next time,

 



♪♫ Celebrate Good Times... C'mon! ♫ ♪ ♫

Anyone remember Kool and the Gang? 

It happened again... I had another birthday!

 

It was my birthday last week.  Recent weather conditions lately have reminded me of the weather we used to have when I was a kid. 

I had very few birthday parties due to bad weather conditions.  Thank goodness I had three siblings.  That's practically a party itself!

No parties this year either, but I did get bombarded with birthday cards from exchanges I participated in.  I also received a card from work and one from Menards along with a certificate for a free screwdriver, lol.

 

 

 

There were a couple of unexpected surprises that showed up in the mail from my stitching friends.  You gals are the best!

 

Wrapped in pretty pink tissue paper and bound with silver sparkly fiber, this came from Pam at My Stitchin-n-Stuff.  Hmmm... Wonder what it could be??

 

Oooh!  A needlebook!  So adorable.

 With 3 sizes of gold needles.

  The colors in the needlebook make me smile. 

So bright and cheery :)

 

These silk handkerchiefs came from Shelley at Shelley's Artsy Fartsy Life.

Her grandmother got them when she was in the orient.

They're so pretty!

 

 

CJ at Tea and Stitches says, "Every girl deserves chocolate on her birthday." 

Along with the huge chocolate bar, she sent me a beautiful scarf she made.

 

For my birthday, my parents took me out to eat at the local chinese food buffet.  Yummy!

 

At Christmas, the BF got me a quilting book, "Sylvia's Bridal Sampler from Elm Creek Quilts."  As part of my birthday present, he got me a set of quilting rulers.  Now I just have to pick out the fabrics.  Choices, choices!

 

Stitch From Stash - January

This year, I decided to particate in the Stitch From Stash challenge coordinated by Mel at Epic Stitching.  The idea is (obviously) to stitch from our stash to reduce spending.  I also look at it as a way to focus on reducing my accumulation of stash.


For the month of January, I have been stitching on Thinking Positive by Nathalie Cichon at Jardin Prive.  I hope to have it finished by the first week in February.

 

Other WIP photos can be seen HERE.

All of the materials came from my stash:
Fabric: 32ct Opalescent Luguna - Heritage by Enchanting Lair
Fibers: DMC, Weeks Dye Works

I also pulled out Japanese Garden.  With any luck, I hope to have it finished by the end of 2014. 

::Quiet you in the peanut gallery, lol::

I did the purple specialty stitches on the right side and the water/bridge on the right.  I also did the blue sparklies in both crane medallions.  It's been quite a while since I've seen the bottom part of the pagoda!

 

Other WIP photos can be seen HERE.

Since I started this in December 2005, all items definitely have come from my stash.

Hump Day.... It's All Downhill

Isn't that what they say?  It's all downhill from here?  How's your week been?

WEATHER
Remember the -22F weather I mentioned in my last post?  By the end of last week, the temps in my area were in the mid to upper 30's and we received lots and lots of rain.  Then the temps went much colder again.  All that rain and warmer temps, melted the snow which then ran downhill into my garage.  Until last night, I had 1/4 to 1/2" of ice on my garage floor.  I used an ice chopper to break it up and shovel it out.  We've had some light snows here and there, too.  The 30mph winds last night froze my face off while I shoveled the incline of my driveway.  Gotta think winter sucks big time love Winter!  Personally, Spring can't come fast enough for me.

WORK
Work continues to go well.  The Operations Manager asked for a voluteer to join the company's Continuous Improvement Council. I and another person from my department inquired about what would be involved. It involves community service, improving procedures on how tasks are performed, safety, company outings, signage, and other ways to improve employee "life" at work. The other guy bowed out citing "not being good at coming up with ideas". So, I volunteered.

My one-year performance review is coming soon.  Being year end, my supervisor hasn't had time to formally sit down with me.  She did tell me the other day that I'm considered a "top performer" and told me what my merit increase was.  Pretty good!  Woo Hoo!!

STITCHY STUFF
I am very close to finishing Part 3 of Thinking Positive. By the end of the week, I'll be starting on Part 4. Even though I've done more stitching since, here's a progress photo as of a couple days ago:

I've been debating whether or not to backstitch around the sheeps' bodies with a dark brown or a gray... to me, it seems like they blend into the fabric color too much. Thoughts?

 

 

Until next time,

(Who's wishing for summer right now)