DIY

So here we go.  We knew there was a double wall with a vent stack, but did not know there were pipes limiting the usable depth.  The cabinet will still be over 6" deep and that's a good size for tissue and cleaning supplies, and 28 bottles of hardened nail polish.

 

Oh how I hate cutting drywall.  That dust goes everywhere!  When I took down the stair wall I made a hole with a hammer and pulled it off in pieces, still a mess, but not as bad as using a saw.  This was necessary in order to have a straight edge and is his preferred method.  Mine is to wait until he's golfing and then go nuts. 

 

 

Since Mark is doing the work (not something he likes) I am not changing the wainscot.  This one has what is called chatter marks where the saw making the grooves creates a rippled cut, not straight and smooth.  Wasn't noticeable until paint was applied and it has always bugged me.  But since this job is now ours, I don't want to push my luck by asking for more changes.  I appreciate that he is willing to do this and will just whine about the chatter until he can't take it any more.  Nah.  Just kidding.

 

 

 

We'll trim it out with a simple flush door and black butterfly or rattail hinges, painted the same Shaded White.  Much lighter than what we have now, but still a good contrast with white walls.

 

Have a great day!!

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Johnny Marzetti

Hi folks.  No stitching to show.  My eyes have been really bad lately and the drops only last for about 10 minutes before more are needed. 

I am viewing Instagram more and more, and enjoy seeing the photos of those participating in #commonthreadedstitcher.  When I saw the ones for chart, thread, and fabric stash, I was floored!  I thought I had quite a few charts and linen yardage but I was WAY wrong.  Way way way.  I've been to stitching shops with less inventory than a few of the stitchers!  Holy cabolie.  Sampler Queen Carol had the most impressive stash, not only for organization but for quantity.  As with FB, I am naïve to the tips and tools, so the more people I choose to follow the more confused I get.  But one day, when the fog lifts and the eyes are clear, when jowls recede and hormones return, when summer is six months and winter is a week, I'll have an epiphany about such sites and may even purchase a phone to participate. 

I wanted to share my sister's most requested meal from the kids and friends.  Many versions of Johnny Marzetti out there, this is hers.

I large onion, chopped fine
2# lean ground  beef
12 oz package of very wide noodles, cooked
3 tsp salt (less if watching)
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1 28 oz. can tomato puree
1 can tomato soup (like Campbell's)
1 16 oz. can tomato sauce
3 Tbs sugar
1/2 cup (more) shredded sharp cheddar

Saute onions, add meat and brown.  Drain if needed.  Add sauce, puree, soup, and seasonings.  Bring to a boil, add cooked noodles, pour into greased casserole dish.  Sprinkle top with the cheese and bake for 35 to 45 minutes at 350.  Can be made a day ahead, just bake a little longer if cold.

Many versions but with some not liking green peppers, or mushrooms, or sausage, or anything else you could add, she keeps it simple and everyone can partake.

A few days of nice weather, still not the heat that some are having, and my crabass claws are starting to emerge.  In a few months, I will be snow crabass.

 

Hope the week is going well!!

 

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One more Sunday to September

Unbelievable.  I can't wait until summer.

 

Been painting and trying to imagine a plan to correct the wonky work, but unless it's all removed, there really isn't anything we can do.

 I wanted to show you the Limelight hydrangea bush, flower heads just as large as last year.  Yep, that's my arm holding it up.  We have the tree version and neither it nor others that I've seen generate the flower size of the bush variety.

The Annabelles are starting to bloom again, mixed in with the large dried blooms in that lovely green.

The trim paint continues to be Dove Wing from BMoore (on left), and rather than put myself through more sample jars and wasted time, decided to use the Shaded White in the powder room.  You can see the difference in the two colors on the strip of the frame where the hinge is attached.  Shaded White is a dirty white, warm grayish Farrow & Ball color mixed by Behr.  I use matte for the walls and Eggshell for the trim.  After two coats the sheen becomes close to satin but not quite as shiny.

 

I'll find something to paint yellow, maybe the wall cabinet in the foyer.  Always loved DT Smith's yellow kitchens and I am set on something in this color with black hinges.

This is such a drastic change after living with the very dark taupe for 25 years, and of course I am having second thoughts, but when the walls are painted with the White Dove, there may be enough contrast.  And if not, too bad.

 

Hope your weekend went well.  Mine was uneventful.  Except for the heartburn after the fried green tomatoes.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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My last visit to James Creek

James Creek Galleries and Meander Hill in Youngstown Ohio are the only two shops that I like to visit.  James is closing.  The Amish market stand that we visit is in Volant so I decided to stop for one last time.  Their 40-70% off sale starts Saturday but everything is 30% off this week, 40% off Americana.  There were some fall and Christmas items mixed among the wares.  Not wanting anything new for display, I came home with four evergreen bunches for holiday decorating, two gourds that I could not resist, and two pillow shams.  I only purchased one of each color and style.

 

The pear gourds are a good size, sit perfectly, with great stems.  Who could pass them up for $5?  The shams are queen size in a heavy woven material which I plan to sew into bags.  I will miss that shop.

 

 

We've been painting the stair rail and trim in the small foyer, and the door in that hallway to the half bath (with Moore's Dove Wing).  I would love to have a color in a room but decided to follow through with shades of white as planned, except for the powder room.  It may be the colors shown leaning against the wall, Shaded White for the trim, but I am considering colonial yellow. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wall cabinet will be coming down and we're removing the drywall and building a larger built in cabinet in that wall.  Remember decades ago when everything had a heart cutout?  I can see a colonial yellow cabinet with black rattail hinges.  Guess I'll be heading out for paint samples tomorrow.  The mirror over the pedestal sink is turned sideways, and I added black hooks on it.  Unfortunately, my tiny Italian aunts could not see themselves in it!!  Oh to be that short. 

 Seems it was only yesterday that I was complaining about August starting, and it's already half gone. 

 

Happy Friday!

 

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House complete!

Hi folks.  How was the weekend?  Fall is closing in quickly isn't it?  The correct answer is yes, dammit.  I know there are many of you whose favorite season is Fall, and one of our favorite sampler stitchers loves winter.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion even when we don't agree, maybe the country can take a lesson on how gracious and respectful stitchers are to one another!  From 14 count white Aida to 48 count dark linen, from cute little motifs to massive samplers, from cotton threads to high end silks, from freebies to expensive kits, we respect others' preferences/choices/likes/abilities.  As it should be.

 

Now, here's my progress.  It's been so long since I filled in a larger area, I forgot about directional change.  My wonky stitches are usually always uneven because of my tension issues.  I use the sewing method and do the first half and then return for the cross, which creates obvious horizontal rows. 

When I stitched horizontal and then vertical to complete the stitch, it created a really nice appearance, even and neat.  I don't know if you can see the difference between the solid areas and the door (the only part done in two directions) but I can!  No visible rows on the door.

The satin stitch rows beneath the house are over four threads, three rows of different greens, and I'm wondering if I should use three threads instead of two.  I'm done for the night, eyes are terribly dry today, tomorrow I will test the coverage.  Two doesn't look bad, and it's a small area of the sampler so it will not be noticeable.  I'm close to finishing this first page and realize that the amount of linen to the piece will be a problem for me at some point.  I used to be able to roll and hold the excess but my arthritis is taking a very sharp turn to WTH!!

 

Can you find my Monkey Mona?

 

Taking Carole to the doc tomorrow.  Today I  had my eye makeup tattoo touched up after three years.  For a week after having this done, I have to keep the area greased with Aquaphor and the very dark eyebrows and excess ink will slough off.  Until then, I look gorillaish.  So I'll wait in the car.

 

Have a good week!!

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Quick! For a change.

You know how decision making has become a real problem for me.  I am happy to announce that I have tried to correct that, and I'm making progress.  Little tasks are finally being accomplished. 

 

Today, I spotted these boxes, one waiting for a label.  Since my files are mostly gone, I need to start fresh and have no intention of spending the hours and ink trying different pieces.  So I grabbed several unframed pieces and held them up, bingo. 

 

A few looked good with it but Barbara Schlater looked the best, color and compliment to the top box.  I didn't look any further, did not try them all again, did not pull out any others.  That was easy and it's a good feeling to not drag my butt for weeks thinking about it.  Eureka! 

 

 

I made some progress on the house and realized that even though I love to see them in samplers, I do not like to stitch them in samplers.  The side will have a two color pattern, not as much repetition.

 

Someone is enjoying another very cool morning.  It's been feeling more like September than August!

 

Hope your weekend is great!

 

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