Holding on to Summer

I finished  stitching Hello Summer from It’s So Emma from the Fat Quarter Shop two weeks ago, but I didn’t know how I was going to display it. At first, I thought I would turn it into a pillow, but the fact that I hesitated so long meant that really wasn’t what I wanted to do. I have seen this display piece many times on The Real Housewives of Cross Stitch. I enjoy their flosstube episodes very much, but sometimes the displays are a bit much for my taste. I hemmed and hawed whether to get this piece at Hobby Lobby, but I  did purchase it last week when it went on sale.

The piece had a black wire basket attached which had to be removed to allow space to display the cross stitch piece. Let me just say it was a bear to remove that basket. I used every tool I could think of, but it wouldn’t budge. I sprayed the bolts repeatedly with WD40, but nothing budged. Now because I am a very determined lady, I kept at it. Finally, I was able to remove one side of the basket, and after an hour of trying everything, and I do mean everything, the rest of the basket came off. I’m telling you this in case you might be tempted to purchase one.

Once the basket was removed I gave it a couple of coats of whitewash as the barnwood backing would not go well with my decor. Next I hot glued on five strong magnets.

I also glued washers to the back of the cross stitch. You can see that I also made a plastic template indicating where to place the washers on future pieces. These magnets are more expensive than the washers so I glue the magnets to the display and the washers onto the back of the cross stitch.  I learned that from watching the Housewives flosstube episodes and tutorials. (Note: If you are going to purchase a package of washers, bring a magnet with you as not all washers will stick to the magnets. (Ask me how I know :-)

For fun, I added a popsicle stick under the sweet treats.

 

In spite of how difficult it was to remove the basket, I do love this display idea. I already have an idea for  how it will look at Christmas, and I haven’t even stitched any Christmas pieces yet. :-)

Have you seen the new Aleene’s Tacky Glue packaging? You store the container cap down, and it is always ready to use . . . no clogged nozzle or globs of glue . . . It’s a game changer!!!  Yes,  indeed, it doesn’t take much to make me happy!!!

So, are you tempted to try cross stitching? Why not check out Cross Stitch University? The Fat Quarter Shop is offering a series of episodes for beginners on Youtube to get you started. There is a free downloadable pattern and there will be step by step instructions. Be forewarned; take it from me . . . cross stitching can become highly addictive.

Last thing . . . I took this shot Tuesday night in North Weymouth, and while it is a perfectly fine sunset, it was nothing like the sunset Monday night. That one was beyond magnificent with a sky awash in deep purples, pinks, and oranges. Did I get a photo of that shot? Nope! I was standing in a crowded parking lot. . .  absolutely mesmerized by what I was seeing. I hoped last night would be a repeat of that glorious sunset, but alas it wasn’t. 

 

Stay safe.

Llama, Llamas, Llamas

I hope you had a lovely Easter if you were able to celebrate with your family. This sweet little lop eared bunny and plant were a gift from my godchild and her family and her pets. :-)

 My sewing machine was pleasantly surprised to have gotten a workout lately. I wanted to make an oversized project bag to accommodate my large 11x17 Q Snap frame.  

 

 

I also made a matching grime guard and a bitty board. What is a bitty board you ask? Well, it is a tiny version of a design board. Still confused? Wondering how they are used? Then head on over to Lori Holt's Youtube episode where she explains how to use them and how to make them. Quilters please take note: the designs boards are geared to you, so definitely check them out.

 

 

 

I enjoy making project bags and finding fittings to make cute zipper pulls.  This little llama charm was perfect for this project bag.

Let me share this poem from Ogden Nash. . . 

The Llama

 

The one -l lama, 

He's a priest;

The two-l llama,

He's a beast.

And I will bet 

A silk pajama

There isn't any

Three-l lllama.

 

I remember pointing out to my English teacher back in high school that we do indeed have 3-alarmers when we have serious fires. (Note to those not from this neck of the words. We sometimes drop our "Rs" when we speak; we also sometimes put them in when they should not be there. :-)

A llama tip . . . Kimberly Jolly of The Fat Quarter Shop in a recent floss tube talked about taking her children who were on spring vacation to a ranch with all kinds of animals including llamas. While feeding the llamas, the guide warned Kimberly and her children that whenever a llama puts his/her ears straight back, get out of there quickly as the llama is about to put his/her head back and spit!!! That's your tip for the day; file it away in your memory bank. :-)

Readers have asked what weight vinyl I use in my bags. I use vinyl with the green printing sheets from Joanns. Their vinyl comes in various weights, but I find this the best weight for my bags.

Here's Emma after her Thursday trip to the groomer. 

St. Colettas School is just down the road from the groomer’s shop, so I stopped in there to see their new shops and to learn when they would again be accepting clothing items and other items for their thrift shop. The new shops are boutique-like, and I found two items. This small gold frame will be perfect for a cross stitch piece.

I also picked up this tiny Campbell Kids item which I will use for a sewing kit. I couldn't help thinking of my mom who said when she was little, folks would say she looked like the Campbell Soup girl.

Oh, one more thing, WHOOPIE, I received my second vaccine shot this morning!!!!!!!

Have a wonderful week. Stay safe and stay creative.

An Historic Day - December 14, 2020

 As I write this post, states are casting their votes for President and Vice President in the Electoral College. It is official. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will become our next President and Vice President on January 20, 2021.

Equally historic, planes, trains, and trucks are transporting our first covid-19 vaccine to selected sites across our country. Health care workers, fittingly, will be the first to receive this vaccine.  Experts did not believe that a vaccine would be ready until next year. Besides the Pfizer vaccine, there are a number of other vaccines being developed. This has been a truly historic accomplishment. Some health care workers will receive their first dose today; their second dose will be administered in three weeks. Though the majority of the population will not receive the vaccine until summer, this is hopefully the beginning of the end to this nightmare. If only people will keep up their guard, wear masks,  and follow the recommendations of health care experts. Today we reached the grim milestone of over 300,000 deaths in our country due to this scourge. 

           ______________          ______________        ______________

Okay, now for some lighter elements. . . In my last post, I told you I had received a package. Here is what was inside. I signed up for the "Stitch Quarterly" program from The Fat Quarter Shop.  In the package, there was a project bag, a pattern, a piece of lovely pale mint 14 count Aida fabric,  floss, floss drops, a needle, and a small tin for storing needles. I love it, but judging from the number of stitches involved it will not be finished for this Christmas.

 

 

I have been working on a number of other Christmas cross stitch pieces including this 4-part free pattern, "Merry & Minty," issued by Brenda Gervais. You may download the 4-parts on her Facebook page.

Last evening on 60 Minutes, Leslie Stalh had a report on the staggering rise in health care costs. Well, yesterday morning while waiting for my printer to do its thing, I was going through some drawers when I came across a couple of interesting items.  The first was a cemetery deed. My paternal great-grandparents had purchased a grave lot in June of 1866.  I didn't recognize a couple of names on the deed, so I will have to check that out. My great-grandparents and my grandparents are buried in Holyhood Cemetery. I used to go each Memorial Day with my aunts and my parents to visit the grave. Even as a child, I thought it was a pretty spot. There is a beautiful tree shading the grave and a chapel near by. . . not a bad place to spend eternity.

On to the Leslie Stahl connection . . . also in the drawer was a bill/receipt that I don't ever remember having seen before. It was the bill for my birth at Santa Maria Hospital in Cambridge in 1951. My mom was in the hospital for ten days, and it cost 214.29!!! In case you cannot make it out: $150 (10days @ $15. Lab Fee $7.50, Pharmacy $7.05, Delivery Room $20.00, Baby Board $27.00, Telephone $2.24, and Radio $.50. Isn't that something!!!  :-)  I love finding stuff like this. :-) I wonder how much a similar stay would cost today???

Lastly, please follow the recommendation of our governor. Those owners of restaurants, gyms, theaters, etc.  that have suffered economically from covid restrictions might not agree, but I think Gov. Charlie Baker (R) has done a very good job here in Massachusetts. 

Stay safe. Have hope. Find a reason to smile. Please wear your mask.