Where my mind is

Hi everyone.  It's cold, snowy, and bitchy here today, but I hope you are all doing well.  Most of the time when I can't think clearly or make a decision, it may be because I AM thinking.  When I'm posting, emailing, or not paying attention, thoughts pop into my head that are usually the answer.  I guess this means I'm trying too hard and over analyzing daily minutia.  Case in point.  When typing an email the other day, the statement that finally answers so much came freely.  I told her that for years, I've been giving people a piece of my mind, which is probably why I don't have much left.  Now I know where it is.  Small portions are floating around the patients, clerks, co-workers, contractors, idiot mothers, pet owners, nephews, sister, cousins, friends, who were told off, told what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and why I am right.  No wonder there's not much left.  I think my husband has more of my mind than I do.

 

I completed the bargello and after one more line in the body I plan on attempting the stem stitch.  I've been asked why I haven't joined Nicola's SL year.  First off, I don't play well with others (see above).  Second, I don't know if I will follow the pattern or change the design if I get frustrated with specialty stitches.  Except for changing a color, so far, so good!  Now I need to concentrate on stitching the next pear which I will start tonight.  It seems to be taking me longer each month to come up with something new in this shape!

On the computer front, I ordered a new hard drive and will install the operating system myself.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.  I may be back to Vista!  Staples techs went over what my tech did ( the very polite kid I thought was wonderful), and I found out that I was ripped off.  If I see him again, it will be hard not to give HIM a piece of my mind.  It's unbelievable how you can't purchase or have installed the operating system you prefer because they push the newest on you.  The clerk said 8 out of 10 customers come back and want something done about Windows 8 because they hate it more than 7 and there are no options. I can't remove my 7 and have Vista installed.  Ridiculous.  Since Microsoft doesn't "allow" downgrades, they are forcing a lot of customers to Macs.  They should have a simple XP or Vista offer for old farts like me that don't game, video, or skype and want nothing more than simple programs for emailing (Outlook Express), photos (Picture It), and household files.  But I'm not giving them a piece of my mind.  I need to start conserving and it will not be easy.

 

Thanks for visiting!

Hope you all have a wonderful week.

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Contrary Mary

Hiya.  Hope everyone is doing fine and dandy today.  Finally getting back to stitching after a few days of distractions. 

 I moved on to the body and made so many errors that I decided to start the bargello on the other side.   This stitch pattern is not difficult at all once you get it lined up properly.  The borders consisting of cross and stem stitch will be next.  When I encounter too many frogs, I will move back to the middle.

 

While making the piece look presentable for a photo, I noticed lines in the linen from a fold. 

 Since most of my fabric is more than 20 years old, this happens often.  I never even realized at that time the damage folds can do.  You can see the vertical and horizontal in this photo but they won't be noticed when stitched.  

Decision has been made on the flooring.  After visiting the only place that would offer pine, putting up with the looks and smirks, I decided to forget it.  It was split, cupped, and bowed and barely enough to do the project.  After seeing that, I didn't want to take the chance of ordering without seeing the final product.  So a compromise was found in knotty oak.  Yep.  Oak with knots and a few defects.  The width I wanted was 3 times the cost and at this stage in life and all the other projects coming up, not worth it.   Four week lead time which makes my hub nervous - way too much time for changes.  Nope.  It's done and I'm not even going to think about it anymore.  If the kitchen guy fails me again, I will need to hire someone else for that too. 

***

I came across the doilies and tablecloths that I had put away from mom, aunts, and purchases.  I need to get rid of all of them since I will never use them, except for the pieces mom made.  These weren't hers, but are a few of my favorites.

 

 All of these are smaller pieces with really nice details.

 

Today is a family dinner with stuffed shells and cake with whipped cream icing. Tonight I should be back to stitching.

Stay safe everyone - enjoy your day - thank you much for visiting!

 

Tissue box winner

Hello all!!  Happy blogging anniversary to me!  

These boys had nothing to do with drawing a name, but isn't this father son duo cute?  I didn't use Random this time, I put names on paper strips as they came in and drew one from a bowl.  The winner is Anonymous Sandi Durkee.  I'll email you for your address Sandi.

Thanks to all who participated!  I greatly appreciate your interest!

 

Enjoy your evening and Valentine chocolate!

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Happy Valentine's Day

Wishing everyone a love filled day,

and to all the two legged and four legged joys in your life.

Floss box source

Greetings.  Hope everyone is fine and dandy.  For those of you interested in ordering a floss box, I am happy to say that Firecracker Kid Primitives will take orders, and will customize for you.

 Here is a photo of one they recently made, a bit smaller than mine.  Several of you requested one from us and we won't be getting to that any time soon, so you can go to their blog here and contact them.  Their Etsy site is here. 

 

 

 

I want to show finishes of the February pear that I've received and since crashes seem to happen frequently here, thought I better do it now.  Previous pears were lost.

Murielle finished with double leaves and button and her blog is here.

 

This one is from Karen's Handiwork here.  She used cardboard to shape them and trimmed the edges.

This one from Lynda was stitched on both sides, one with III and the other with V.  If I missed any, I apologize. I know I had a few others and can't find them.  I can't find anything I save and I've had it.  I'm calling the tech so he can rid me of 7 and reinstall my old Vista. 

While I was doing this post, every sip of coffee I took poked me.  Yes, poked me.  I kept looking at the rim of my mug to see what was on it.  Nothing.  Poked again!  Thinking something may be stuck to my lip I checked the mirror. Nothing.  Look closer.....closer.....OMG.  There it is.  Menowire.  The eyebrows I've lost have been replaced with a few black wires hairs that I could use as needles, and are now spreading to my lip.  Right in the corner, hidden in that saggy folded lump of fat that used to be in my cheek.  Good grief.  I avoid my magnifier mirror but I think this calls for an inspection.  Maybe I should look into getting those cheek strings a.k.a. one hour facelift, so there will be no where to hide.

Have a great day!

Thanks for visiting.

x x x x x x x x x x x

What's your size?

Hi everyone.  The wind is howling, the brats are in their condo, and my wind chimes are singing.  But no snow!!!  Lots of errands to run today but thought I would show you what my husband came home with.  He heard me mention several times, the magnitude and my amazement of The Manifesto from Scarlet Letter.   Here's what I usually use...

 

 3" FLOSS RINGS -

 

His gift to me - 

MANIFESTO SIZE FLOSS RING  -

I could never attempt a project of that size, so I'll probably use it as a towel ring.

Have a good day!

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