Where are your samplers?

Hello people!  In the midst of cleaning and decorating, I came across the unframed samplers hanging on the ladder, pinned to the wall, and pinned to a cabinet.  Do you have a sampler wall or do you spread the love around?  At one time I had them all in the dining room (very small) and it felt closed in.  So I kept just these pieces there,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

moved some to the family room, and from there I decided to not frame newly completed pieces. 

Wanting to consolidate them, I pinned them to the very narrow hall leading to the front door, across from the powder room.  I made a skinny stand and added that to the wall.  This entire hall and foyer will probably be paneled and painted, maybe just one wall, but thought I would temporarily add them to see if it would be a good spot.  Well yes it would.  This hall enters the family room and the samplers would be visible, and away from any direct light or heat registers.  Boning needs to be added to some tops, some edges need sewn, but I will still leave enough for mounting if I ever decide to frame.  Right now they are hanging by one pin and crumpled.  But should all the others be moved here?  Not sure there would be enough room, especially with Lucy and Sally.  Maybe one large framed piece in a room and the rest filling the hall.  Adding a peg rail on the opposite side could be for the bags and smaller hangings.  Once they are pressed and properly pinned, I'll have some time to decide.  Mixing the framed with unframed would not look good - what do you think?  Frame them all?  Oh wait.  Just had an idea.  The large empty wall in the new room could be for the unframed, where more primitive cabinets will be.  The framed should be moved to the hall.  How's that?  I usually come up with something when I'm typing a post but it never would have entered my mind otherwise.  I think I have a plan.  What's yours?

 

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All done

 

I hear many of you having the same issue this year - lacking a desire to decorate as much as we used to.  How come?  Several reasons for me.  Partly because of preferring the simple style, partly because of the hassle and work, but I have sadness about current events too.  I don't want to mention details but there have been so many horrific infant deaths at the hands of boyfriends, mothers, and fathers.  I want to stay off the computer because I cannot handle these disgusting headlines and the pain and suffering these helpless babies endured.  I am totally shocked at these hideous acts.  Sometimes I just can't let go of thoughts and it seems every day there is another incident.

 

On a brighter note, Carole is finally improving.  Not enough to go to market or shop for gifts by a long shot so I am still busy with her errands.  When getting her groceries today, I threw a little hissy fit in the parking lot.  I had gifts, returns, her food, my food, water jugs, the back seat was filled so several bags were on the floor in the front.  Mark was driving and as he dropped me off, the bags at my feet caught my shoes and spilled out of the car.  I kind of tumbled out but didn't fall. Traffic was waiting, items were rolling, receipts blowing away, and I just grabbed the items and THREW them back into the car.  The anger increased as most items hit the seat and came back out.   I need a car with more room and am looking for someone to assume my lease.

 

 

 

I decorated another tree at Mark's request.  I like just lights but he thought it should have ornaments so I did the rusty bells and stars, baskets, and a few Santas.  Now I'm finished.

 

Made the pierogi filling and the little balls are chilling in the fridge.  Tomorrow I'll make the dough, fill, and boil them, ready for the freezer.  We have three different dough recipes but I prefer the one with sour cream.  It pinches easily and stays shut.  Silky smooth and stretchy dough.

 

The weather is beautiful and I worked outside this afternoon.  Hope it stays for a few days.

 

Hope your week is going great.

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Still putting up

and then taking down.  Just about finished returning a few trees and ornament boxes to the attic.  The pierogis have to be made this week!  Stuffed cabbage can wait a little while.  Mark has been washing walls, baseboards, windows, and giving everything a good cleaning.   I did that twice a year but since mom passed, I haven't.  I keep saying that since we are redecorating and painting, we should just wait.  He said he's tired of waiting years for me to find a willing contractor or decide on a paint color.  He doesn't understand why it takes years to pick out a beige. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My latest thing is adding the hand forged hooks of various size to my interior doors.  I can hang my stitchery, drieds, wreaths, gourds, baskets, and because of the hook rather than a nail, the item won't fall off when I slam the door.  Why haven't I done this sooner?  So I brought out the hook assortment and installed them, love it.  I like the longer one that the folded greenery spray is on.  But the shorter ones are nice too.  Even if nothing is hanging, the black hook looks nice with my black iron knobs, but I have plenty of hanging smalls and sampler sacks to display.

 

One of two 3' sturdy branched trees that can take heavy ornaments.  One was Patti's and as I was thinking about that little tree that we bought (and we got the last ones), her husband showed up in my driveway.  He pulled the little tree from the car and asked if I wanted it.  YES!!!  She loved that tree and preferred the crooked trunk one to my straight one. These and the same tree in 4' were hidden in a clearance section and we were thrilled to find them.  The bottom branches need repositioned.  I think it fell over when Mark was cleaning.

 

 

 

 

 

Sprigs make me happy. 

 

 I just typed "have a great weekend" and then Curse of Oak Island came on the tv and I realized it was only Tuesday.  I need gutchies that have the day on them to help me out.  Do they make them in big girl white cotton old lady panties?

 

Have a great mid -week!

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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The boys are out

Greetings!  How was your weekend?  I'm hoping that these coming winter months fly by as fast as October and November have.  Are you finishing or just starting decorating?  I brought everything down, have it all over the place, and am starting to put more than half of it back.  I'm glad I used the safety pin backs to hold the hangers on the stitched Santas because I think they may be in a bowl and not hung this year.  Do you like bowl displays?  I have mixed feelings because the majority of the stitchery is covered by another piece.  I don't know.  This Christmas I'm just not in a displaying mood.  Is it because it's too much work the older I get or because my style continues evolving to simple and sparse?  Then I browse Pinterest and PictureTrail and totally love the primitive homes that have a LOT on display yet it's simple!  It's a talent and not as easy to achieve as it appears.

 

 

Carole is going back to the doc Monday, not much better after starting four prescriptions, one of which I thought was kind of dangerous.  Never heard of the "pearls" before but they numb your lungs to prevent coughing.  I'm concerned that the vicious cough could move or loosen the pacemaker leads which she is completely dependant on.  Probably not, but we're going on two weeks of coughing so hard she chokes.  It's bronchitis and the bug that is traveling the valley which takes weeks to recover.  Her son Chris was there when I took food today and he is .... yep .....sick. 

 

Hope to make the sweet cheese pierogis and stuffed cabbage this week.  I don't think we have enough room in the freezer, the big fresh bird is still in there.  I knew we should have planned on spaghetti.

 

Have a great week! 

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Starting.....

Little trees, one by one.  Wondering if two larger trees are better than lots of little ones.  But after a few months of reduced hot flashes (FINALLY!) I'm back to flames and as usual, change my mind with each one.

 

 

 

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What day is it now?

Thank you for the purchases.  I plan on having some different ones and hopefully a few journals soon.  Still checking the store for stock but no luck as of yet.  I am still filling and packing and shipping and today, Thursday, I only have three left to do.  I was surprised at the amount of time it took to box and pack! 

 Today I'm taking Carole to the doctor after fighting about it for days, and I have a feeling it will end with a hospital admission.  Her cough is so ugly and scary and not one bit better.  After the appointment, I'm sure she will need x-rays and tests.  Our diagnostic center is a ridiculous waste of space with handicapped parking way too far away.  They put money into glass ceilings, enormous interior (and empty) space, and large circular drive, with no concern for the sick people coming for tests.  The sides of this building are where you park, and then walk all the way around to the only entrance directly in front.  She can't do it, completely out of breath.

Bud is wondering why the decorating isn't done.  Wait till he finds out the rocker and grapevine tree will be relocated to the back deck.  I love seeing decorated houses and lots of lights, but end up with as little as possible on my own.

 

I have been so busy with the boxes that I haven't stitched in a while.  The good thing is, I think this break helped my slump because I can't wait to finish decorating and sit down with the needle.

 

To those affected by the recent tragedy, I am so sorry.  Thank goodness they found all the explosive devices and bombs, can't imagine what they were planning after this.  This information was not broadcast by the media I was watching.  I guess it's time to change sources.

 

Have a great day everyone.

Thanks for visiting.

 

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