....the mice will play...in this case my hubby, Rich! First, let me say I have the BEST husband...he rescues me when I'm stranded and in trouble and works hard at home while I'm away having fun!
The back story....I was supposed to pick out a cutting table for myself for Christmas last year, but couldn't find one I really liked, so kept putting it off. Not long ago, I saw one on Pinterest that was made out of some shelving units from Ikea; there are evidently lots of ideas out there where people take products from Ikea and "remake" them into something else.....they call them "Ikea hacks"!!! Ikea Hack--cutting table I was able to print off some directions and we stopped at Ikea on one of our trips to/from Baltimore. We needed three 2X2 cube units which Rich hooked to each other. He then added a bottom with wheels and a melamine top. It is just what I wanted... no more having to carry everything down to the kitchen counter or cut out fabric on the floor. Here is Rich's final product--thanks babe!
Once I get my craft room back in order, I will share some photos of my "woman cave".
Now some stitching....I've had this chart, Celtic Banner by Butternut Road, since 2000 and was able to nab the original called for fabric on FB right before Christmas. It's a 29 count Glenshee linen (and I love Glenshee), so will be on the large side. I planned to start January 1st, but the stars just weren't aligning. I'm doing it the called for fibers, mainly DMC, but I also need 2 Wildflowers. Sadly, the designer didn't put the number of skeins needed but I know it will be more than one. I put a plea out on FB hoping to find someone who has stitched it and could guide me, and got a range of responses from people who also have it in their stash, but not stitched. Sara, from Salty Yarns is going to order me a few skeins of each, so I can have the same dye lot. In the meantime, I went ahead and started the alphabet. Now these letters are approximately 1 to 1.5 inches high, so you know it's a larger count linen, but actually a nice respite from the 32-40 I usually prefer.
It's snowing here--schools are closed, but we are heading out to get a new tire for my car and pick up some groceries. Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship.
Stasi
I started out yesterday for my drive home with little traffic and Father Tim (At Home in Mitford) keeping me company. About 1 1/2 hours in, one of my biggest fears occurred.... a flat tire in the middle of nowhere!!! I pulled over right away and immediately called my hubby, then Road Assistance. After being on hold for about15 minutes, I finally got through and they said someone would be out within the hour. It was freezing cold, so I looked on Google maps and found to car repair places nearby; I called but was told they had no one to help. I got a message from Road Assistance that the first company had cancelled (guess no one wanted to come out in 20 degree weather to change a tire) and they were searching for another. In the mean time, cars are flying by me but NO one stopped! I thought if I started pulling my suitcase and stuff out of the rear someone would see I needed help and stop....NO! Two policeman rode by heading the opposite direction--did not stop! So, by now I had been sitting there an hour and finally heard from RA that someone else was on their way...but another hour. By that time I really had to relieve myself, and I am embarrassed to say this, but I looked up the highway and saw there was no one coming, then opened my two passenger side doors, squatted down between them and let loose. Okay....... you can all stop laughing now but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!!! So, now the second guy is calling to say he's not sure he wants to come since it would involve paying the toll for the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel-Bridge and he'll get back to me....never heard back, so now I'm starting to panic thinking I'd never get this fixed and praying that if someone DID stop, they weren't a crazed maniac or serial killer (I knew I didn't have the strength to get the lug nuts off and lift that darn tire). In the meant time my hubby had left Richmond and was driving my way; as I was talking to him a gentleman finally stopped (after sitting there 2 hours) and asked if I needed help. He owned a car repair place nearby and kindly sent someone back to help me. They took off the flat, put on the temporary spare then I followed him to the shop and paid. Whew!!! Then I was informed I shouldn't go over 50-55 mph on that spare; of course to get home I had to travel a major highway with higher speed limits and knew I'd be blown off the road if I kept to 50-55. Rich, my knight in shining armor, to the rescue....he was waiting for me as I came off the tunnel bridge and followed me safely home on back roads he had mapped out. Thanks for letting me get that off my back....a harrowing experience and one I hope never to repeat!!! !!!
So now some more positive sharing....I received a few gifts while down the beach.
Sara gifted me my birthday/Christmas gifts. This is a small kit from Jackie du Plessis..adorable isn't it? Thanks so much Sara!
And Sally gave me a couple treats since I hadn't made it to the CA Weekend in October. Thanks Sal!!
I did add a little to my stash:
All in all, a great weekend, but very happy to be home!!! Hope you are all safe and sound in your little abodes....thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi
The sun has finally broken through here in OCMD after a day of fog followed by a day of rainy, dreariness. As the old saying goes..."what a difference a day makes"!
I'm up and ready for day three of fabric cutting and schmoozing! I've chatted with Guild/blog friends, called on my math skills (Salty Yarns cuts fabric to size, so many calculations ensue) and watched as lovely projects began to bloom. Such a fun time!!!
I wanted to quickly share some project bags I made recently.
I'll be heading home tomorrow, tired, happy...and probably a couple pounds heavier!!! :)
Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi
Greetings! There hasn't been much going on in my world lately, stitching or otherwise. But, I hope to change that up this weekend. I am safely ensconced in my wonderful stitching lair for the weekend, at the beach in Ocean City, MD. I will be helping out at Salty Yarns cutting fabric by day and stitching away the evenings. The EGA sponsored Camp Wannastitch is in town and there are 174 attendees who may, or may not, swing by Salty Yarns for some needed supplies or stash enhancement. I love doing this (reminds me of my days at Twisted Threads) and gets the motivation level back up!!!
Here is a shot of my stitching nest while here:
I've got my immunity essential oil going...trying hard to keep up my immunity with this flu season upon us.
It's gonna be a FUN weekend!
I had forgotten to share the Christmas gift I received from my younger daughter and, since I have it on today, thought I would. She got one for my hubby too!!!
I love both kinds of Beatles/beetles, so it's perfect!!!
I'm off to finish getting ready---I report for duty at 10:00! Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi
I'm starting to think my daily blog posts helped keep me on point with my needlework last year. I feel I'm floundering a bit where my stitching is concerned and not able to decide what I want to work on....so I work on nothing. Hopefully, that will change soon, especially this coming weekend when I head off for a weekend of quiet evening stitching time. I'll pack a passel of projects and go with the flow..... During the days, I'll be helping cut fabric at Salty Yarns for the Camp Wannastitch attendees who will be flocking to Ocean City, MD for the weekend. It's a lot of fun and very motivating/enabling, so coming at a good time to jump start me!
Cora and I had our little sewing session Saturday and made tops for both her and her American Girl doll, Tenney. Cora helped with pinning, cutting and sat on my lap while I serged; she picked out the fabric and shirt style. A budding needlewoman perhaps!!!!
Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi
Happy New Year to all...a little late, but heartfelt nonetheless. We've had quite few visitors since Christmas and I am just starting to get back into some semblance of a routine. I have hardly picked up a needle in well over a week and withdrawal was setting in. I got the first installment of the Red Sampler Band SAL yesterday and managed to get it stitched last night while watching the movie, The Queen, followed by the final two episodes of The Crown (season 2)........I guess we were in a "royals" mood.
I'm stitching this on the called for banding, 28 count over one. I'm sticking with the red colorway this time, using Glorianna silks, Crimson and Cranberry. Let the fun begin......anyone else out there doing this?
So, that's all I have to share on the stitching front: I have put some stitches in on the Ewe and Eye Santa head, but it's pretty boring stuff, as it's all just filling in the beard. But I did want to share some of my birthday/Christmas gifts.....my friends know me so well! First are some bee related items...socks, mug, mug mat and soap.
Next, are some stitch-y related gifts..... a beehive charm, some strawberry waxers (OMG, don't you just love those) and a bracelet.
Finally, and I may have shown this already, is an adorable Santa hat pincushion with two beautiful pins.
Thanks to Karen, Deb and Sally for these fabulous gifts; I am so blessed by their friendships.
Cora is coming over today and we're going to work on sewing a knit top for her--wish me luck!!!
Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi
I guess you can't get rid of me!!!
I hope everyone had a pleasant New Year's Eve and day! Ours was pretty chill...no pun intended... with my brother and his wife visiting for a couple days. No stitching has occurred but I'm hoping to remedy that tonight. My New Year's project is going to be one I've wanted to stitch for a long time, Celtic Banner, by Butternut Road. I bought the chart years ago and it'd been simmering in the back of my mind since. Someone was selling the called for fabric, a 29 count Glenshee linen, on FB and I was able to nab it. I love the feel of Glenshee linen and don't think it's around anymore (if I'm wrong about this, please alert me). I started pulling the DMC floss, but think I want to try to switch to silk or overdyed cottons. Hence, the delay--will keep you posted!
I will share a quick Stroll piece today that was a gift to a dear friend for Christmas; I had to hold off until the gift arrived. :) It is F is for Friend by Heartstring Samplery. It was a club piece, but I was able to get the chart on the second hand market.
Hope you are keeping warm if you are experiencing this cold snap--it's in the 20's here! Brrrr!!! Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi
