Thursday, May 29, 2014

Two in One Day

Two posts in one day.  
That doesn't happen very often but, I had more than just the smalls.
I wanted to show more pictures too!

 The back side
 The inside so I have pockets for the needle packages.  
There is a pocket on the back flap.
After I had sewed it up, before I turned it right side out, I hoped I didn't screw up the direction of the pocket.  I thought I had checked it twice but, you know, self doubt. 
 Just a little doodah on the back of the book.
 The finished product...the button loop is a little too tight. 
 A good look at the button and the loop

 The Silver Needle in Tulsa, OK has been running specials all month.  
The first one was grab bags for $7.50, who could pass that up.
So, I got some for the stitching group.
We opened them last night.  
I should have taken more pictures but, I didn't.
There were some good patterns and some not so good.
At least there were no teddy bears.  
It was just fun and everyone was excited.
The little porcelain box has a tape measure in it.  
My friend Arttie got a kit that was the pincushion in the old zinc mason lids.  
There were a few patterns I may consider doing in the future.
Finally, got the rest of the flowers planted and started pulling weeds.  
Yippee!  Tomorrow is Friday!!!
Keep on Stitching
Monica

May Smalls SAL a Needlebook

I liked my April Smalls Fob so much that I made another piece from the Threadwork Primitives
Wynter Peacocks
Keep on Stitching 
Monica

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Happy Memorial Day...Early

Happy Early Memorial Day.
It has been a very busy weekend.  
Housework yesterday and straightening out Katy's room.
I think we are about to hit critical mass with that one.  
Not too much room to stash stuff in there.  
May have to really start purging but, I hate to do that without her involvement.  
I tried to face time while going through things but, we had connection issues.  

The report from Ed in Marquette on the balmy south shore of Lake Superior is there are still iceberg.  
His friend Carbs went in to get a chunk of ice and couldn't feel his feet when he was back on the beach.  
I made up some of the pots for the graves at the cemetery for my mom and went and put them out.
Her sister did some of them too so we only had two to put out.  
One was for may dad but, he's not at the cemetery.
He's on the dresser at her house. 
I know, Yikes right!
He was cremated and she will be too, then buried together.  
Made you think twice, didn't I.  

We stopped at Home Depot this morning after church to pick up flowers, tomato plants, potting soil and osmakote fertilizer.
I usually get my mom and my MIL hanging baskets for Mother's Day.  
I did get one for my MIL but, two of my sisters got my mom baskets.
Another one would have been overkill.
She did mention, potted tomato plants so I did that instead this year.  
When I got to her house, I planted those.

After we came back here for dinner, I planted some wave petunias in my pots.  
Believe it or not, I don't think we have freeze warnings.  
It was 89 here today.   
I finally finished my eyelet letters on the BBD SAL and nearly done with the eyelet border.  
I may do a little more gardening tomorrow but, I really plan on having a stitching day.  
Hope you have had a wonderful weekend and we have ONE MORE DAY!!!
Thanks for stopping and the wonderful comments. 
Keep on Stitching
Monica

Thursday, May 22, 2014

You Know You're Getting Old....

You know you're getting old when....
Your dentist is watching your old fillings to make sure they don't fall apart.  
Your Orthopedic Surgeon tells you your knee replacement is still in good alignment and the cement is holding.
The Elder Law Attorney will call you in a few weeks to come in and sign the papers. 
And finally, Mick Jagger is going to be a great grandfather...WOW!
Good news is, I really don't think we are going to dump all that money into long term care insurance like the financial adviser tried to persuade us to do.  
I just don't think that is the way to go...scare tactics.  
Heck, we have two kids, they'll owe us.  

Here is my BBD SAL....this is taking way too long and I think it is making my shoulder and upper back sore because I have to get in so stinkin' close to see those flippin' eyelet stitches....UGH!!!
I may be switching to a something for the Smalls SAL.
WHY DO I INFLICT THIS PRESSURE ON MYSELF!!!!
 Look what came in the mail today!
I love, love, LOVE this BBD.
I don't think there are any eyelet stitches in this. 
There are probably some thread colors I don't have....imagine that.
 This is the companion piece to the last Prim Stitcher's Society installment.  
The thread is the same and according to the information, there is enough fiber to finish both.
 You are all probably well ahead of us but, stuff is finally starting to bloom.  
Forsythia is blooming and my Rhododendron just popped.
It is the first thing in my garden to bloom.  
I don't have any bulb flowers...tulips or daffodils.  
My tarragon is also usable.  
In addition to the dentist and orthopedic doctor today, I took my mom to a funeral.  
It was the last man from my dad's golf foursome that died.  
He was 89 and had had a good life.  
It was sad but uplifting at the same time.  
The family did a nice job and remembering him.  

Have a wonderful weekend!
I am glad it is a three day-er.  
I need some time.  
Thanks for stopping and shooting me comments.
I appreciate the time you take to comment.
Keep on Stitching. 
Monica

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Wishing My Life Away

I am really looking forward to next weekend.
Hard to believe it is already Memorial Day weekend.
Hooray!  A three day weekend.
We have been so busy every weekend since Easter.  
My dad would have said, "You're wishing your life away."

Bob and Ed drove a car to Katy to use...6 hours each way drive time.
I was the Wisconsin Hand Experience.
I had a four hour drive and then sitting in uncomfortable chairs.  
It was good, lots of information.
I also get to see my friends from college.  
It's always so great to catch up with everyone. 

It's been slow progress on BBD SAL. 
I haven't had much time to work on it.
I started in the middle where all the eyelet stitches are.
Those take a long time.  
It is going to be a busy week.  
A three day weekend is going to be welcomed. 
Hope you have had a great weekend. 
Thanks for stopping.  
I enjoy your comments. 
Keep on Stitching 
Monica.  

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

To Get Everyone Confused

I rarely post on Tuesdays.  
This should get everyone confused.
It was a hectic week.
By Sunday, I was pooped and just didn't have it in me to blog.  
I had everyone at my house for dinner on Friday night, including my MIL.
I determined that would be our Mother's Day dinner.  
All my sisters were her for my Mom's birthday.  
We are an exquisitely photogenic bunch (insert eye roll here).  
I cropped the picture as to delete my fat tush.  
Mom is sitting, Meg is next to her.
Maureen is holding Buster, Mary is in the middle.  
I'm really happy everyone was able to make it.
It meant alot to my Mom. 
 I am nearly done with LHN 
 Love the little sheepies!
 I had to take my sister back to Green Bay to fly home.  
I stopped at the Bee on my way home to check out the floss for the BBD SAL
I decided I liked the Loganberry.  
Forgot to get some Grecian Gold but will use the Endive instead.  
 Dontcha know one thing leads to another.
I do my best to support my local needleshop
 Grabbed up the dyed pom-pom from Dames of the Needle in
English Ivy and Wonka's Blueberry.
I had bought some natural colored from Hobby Lobby sometime ago before anyone was using it.  
 This was new from Homespun Samplers.
Going to sub some of the floss for the Silks.  
 
I did buy this out from under Kendra. 
It was her copy.  
Love Brenda's designs.  
Glad there is no vaccine for this illness!
Making a quick good by. 
I need to get my oil changed before I go to work.  
I have a Hand Conference this weekend.
Thanks for stopping 
Have a great day!
Keep on Stitching
Monica

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!
Hope you have some quality stitching time!
Keep on Stitching 
Monica

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Whirlwind Week....Almost Didn't Title this Post....OOPS!

Its been a very busy week.  
My sister has been here and we have had lots of fun.
We did get together for a little stitching and wine on Tuesday.  
She left here about 10 pm.  
Just after she left my mom called and scolded me because "No one called her to let her know it was going to be that late."
I guess my 63 y/o sister has a 9 pm curfew....lol
Wednesday we had dinner at our Aunts.
Today, was my mom's birthday so we took her to her eye doctors appointment, shopping and out to lunch.  
My mom now has a bug up her butt about making another twin size quilt.
She does the hand quilting but she doesn't have the executive skills to piece the top.
My aunt has been doing most of her tops for the last year.  
My sister is going to take the fabric home and make the top for her and send it back.  

I don't know if you have seen the SAL Blackbird Design HERE but, I got my thread together.
Of course I didn't have all the right thread so I improvised.
I also didn't have the same fabric so I improvised.
Its 32 ct Vintage Exemplar that I swashed some walnut shell dye.  
 Here's the thread. 
I kind of combined the two listed and substituted Old Red Paint for the Loganberry.
If I get to the cross stitch store this weekend I may buy the Loganberry.  
 The color didn't exactly turn out right, kind of gold.
The picture with the flash was too washed out.  
Last week, when I made dinner for my mom, she commented, 
"The best birthday present would be if all my daughters would get together for my birthday."
I told her she should have told me that sooner. 
I did contact my other two sisters to see if they could make it. 
I know it was short noticed but, I think they will be here.  
I'm not a 100% sure.
I will be making dinner tomorrow.  
I have a rhubarb pie and lemon pear mold made.  
Chicken on the grill, asparagus and baked risotto.
We thought about going out to eat but, my mom would not be able to hear anything.
We will be able to visit if its here.  
I invited my MIL too so, now I'm not going to do anything for Mother's day.
This will be it.  
Hope you have had a good week. 
Thanks for all the great comments.
Keep on Stitching
Monica

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Gotta Love Stash

I might not have been able to go the the cross stitch store in La Crosse but, I still acquired some stash. 
I had to pick my sister up at the airport in Green Bay.
I was able to go to the Stitching Bee and picked up a few things there. 
She had sleds.
I decided I better get them now rather than wait until I need them.
If I do that, I won't be able to get them.  
 I did place an order with 123 Stitch too, mostly for thread.  
I ordered the Sewing Bird by With Thy Needle and Thread and got some of the thread at the Bee.  
 All the thread I ordered from 123 Stitch were for projects in the hopper. 
I needed some GAST Simply Wool for Widgets & Wool Primitives American Wool.
 GAST and Classic Colorworks for  Lulu's Flock from Chessie and Me
and
House of Blues and Browns from With Thy Needle and Thread
 My favorite needle in my favorite size 28's.
I wasn't so sure about these when I used them the first time.
They almost glided too easy.
 While at the Bee, I picked up a couple of patterns.  
La-D-Da, A Sister's Garden and
 After seeing this all over the FB Prim Stitcher, I had to have it....
Spring Hare.  
He really is dapper in his overcoat. 
 Finally, and update on LHN I've been working on.  
There are some flowers and leaves along the bottom.  
My mom is going to be 87 on Thursday so, my sister came for her birthday.
She (my mom) is getting a little goofy in her dotage. 
She called me at 6:30 Friday morning to let me know her whole right side was painful but, she didn't want to go to the ED.  She just wanted me to know....just because.  
I suggested a few things to help and told her not to vacuum.  
When we got to her house after the ride from the airport she told my sister, "She just wanted to talk."
Bowel movements are often the most important topic of conversation.  
I suppose when I'm 87 that will be an important concern for me too.  
Hopefully your weekend was full of good movements.
Thanks for stopping and commenting.
I adore hearing from you.
Keep on Stitching
Monica