And Now For Something Completely Different

I didn't stitch yesterday.  I ironed.  I happened to get a jelly roll I ordered in the mail.  It was from an online fabric shop called Shabby Fabrics.  It is the Paris Flea Market jelly roll.  So I decided to make the fabric basket I had seen on line.  It went pretty well. 

 It isn't quite finished.  In another life (years ago) I learned to make baskets.  So I sort of know how this goes together.  With a regular basket you would fold over and  tuck the weaver into the weave and cut the other one it is folded over, off.  This basket directions say to fold over the weaver and fabric glue it all around.  I have to goof around with it a bit and see what I want to do.  The real test of a good basket is how tightly it is woven.  So I want to adjust it so it is nice and tight.  I'm pretty happy with it.  Do I need to embellish it any?  I don't think so.  It cool like it is.  Those clips are very handy.  

I better get back to the last side of the Toy Chest today.  It was nice to have a break.  Now back to work!

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White Horse

The Toy Chest back is done.  Yeah!

 Now on to the white horse side.  I got some of the structure done.

 I probably can't get it all done today but I can make good progress on it.

I have a peach pie to make today to celebrate DH's birthday.  I got some peaches at the Farmer's Market.  Let's hope it turns out.

There is something I want to make.  I saw it on this blog:  http://terryatkinson.typepad.com/atkinsondesigns/
It is a woven fabric bowl/box.

She tells how to do it.  You need interfacing and Heat and Bond stuff and a bunch of those pre-cut 2 1/2 inch fabric strips.  It looks easy.  So I got some of the interfacing recommended (Decor Bond) and some Heat and Bond at the fabric store.  Our Joann Store is being remodeled and it is a mess inside.  Add Saturday traffic to that, kind of a pain.  I hope to be at quilts shop next week so I'll look for fabric there.  Of course I have plenty of fabric hidden in my sewing room closet.  You can also do this box with an old map or even newspaper.
I just love to make stuff.
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Almost

I can finish the back of the Toy Chest today.  Hopefully, then I can start on the last side, the one with the white horse.  I would love to put this together with all the toys.  What a project!

I am trying to decide whether to do the scissors purse that goes with the half doll pin cushion.  It's a matter of time really.  If I had loads of time, I would do it.  But there are so many other things I want to start.  Then I'm taking a class next week, that's another involved project.  So I guess the scissors purse goes on the back burner.

I can't believe it is almost September.  Where does the time go?
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Not Much

There isn't much to see on the windows front. The window on the far right has the protective sheet off and looks so clear.

 We put newspaper over them so DH could sand, seal and stain the wood.  But trust me, they are a big improvement to what was there.  We are glad to check that one off the list of things that need to be done.

I didn't get much stitching done yesterday with strange people walking around my house.  I am half way done with the back of the Toy Chest.  I got really sick of the over one stuff so it will be hard to go back to it today.  Ugh.

I got Witchy in the mail.  Yeah!

 It will be such an easy quick little mouse.  Maybe I'll reward myself and start it after I get some more of the over one alphabet done on the Toy Chest.

Next Thursday I'll be on an airplane.  Can't wait!
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Windows

This is the before picture:

These windows are 36 years old and in bad shape.
Tomorrow I'll show you the after picture - assuming that the builder-type guys are able to finish today.

I got a good start on the back of the Toy Chest.  My modest goal today is to get at least half of the back done.  I'm sure I can do that.

I am so itching to start something new.  But I slap my hands and say No! No! No! not until you finish this toy chest.  I am still waiting on Just Nan's Witchy.  I also bought some inexpensive charts on Ebay.  I should stay away from that place.  It's too tempting.
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Top

I finished stitching the top of the Toy Chest.  Yeah!  Now on to the back.  I;m leaving the side for last as it will be easier and quicker than the back.  I'm still waiting for some momentum on this.  Slowly and surely, it is getting done.

I am working on the snowmouse of Lindy Mouse's house.  Say that fast three times.  I'd like to make some progress on the winter side today.

But we are getting ready to have windows installed tomorrow so I have to get things moved around and ready.

I have to sort out what I'm taking to Salty Yarns.  I think I'll take the Betsy Morgan Paint Box to work on.

  I've got my Alaska Stand cup so I can get inexpensive refills.

I've been dreaming of a Fractured Prune donut.  Mmmmmmm
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The Laundry Basket of Shame

Barbara asked me what the Laundry Basket of Shame is.  She thinks she might have one.

 Every once in a while someone comes to visit or we have new windows put in.  That means I have to clean up the floor in my sewing room.  It is a Herculean task.  I guess I just need more storage.  I'd rather think that than acknowledge that I am a slob or a hoarder.  My cabinets are full of stuff I want to do someday.  When my sons moved away, I ended up with extra laundry baskets.  They didn't want to take them with.  So I used one (or two or three) to stick stuff in.

Works in progress, unfinished projects,  half finished projects that I meant to get back to soon, threads, patterns that I made one of the things and want to make the rest, more threads, projects that need finishing but I haven't decided how to finish yet, that new kit that came in the mail.  My problem is that the laundry basket is full and over flowing.

My Laundry Basket of Shame is under my table by my happy chair.  Beside it is another laundry basket where I stick linen.  It is full also.  Up in the closet I have a plastic bin where I keep my DMC threads.

  The bin is full.  DH laughs when I say I need some thread.  I do have a problem with throwing things away.  Especially stitchy things, I might need them someday.  Even DMC floss that has lost its label.  I have a bag full of stash that I bought this year on my trips.  Yes, I want to make everything I bought but there is no place to put it.  It is a full and overflowing bag.  I fully intend on getting more stash when I go to Salty Yarns (next week!).  What to do with all my stuff?  I don't know.

I actually love being surrounded by all my stuff.  The mess doesn't really bother me except when I can't find something or there is no place to walk.

P.S. Don't tell anybody how messy I am.
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Top

I decided to stitch the top of the Toy Chest.  I got a good start.  Wouldn't it be nice to finish this today?  I'm not sure I can but I'll try.  Over one goes so slowly.

I put in the crow on Just Nan's Lindy Mouse's house.  Now the autumn side really is finished.

I got a start on the winter side.

I've been thinking about cleaning out the laundry basket of shame.  Things are over flowing in my sewing room.  There are too many piles on the floor.  It's ridiculous.  I will have to do it on a day that I'm feeling very strong!
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Dog Days of Summer

It is really humid today.  I'm glad I do my walking early in the morning when it is cooler.  Now I can vegetate since my Saturday stuff is done (Farmer's Market, bills paid).

I finished the dark horse side of the Toy Chest.  I'd like to start the top but it is probably more prudent to start the other side or back.  We'll have to see what I choose.

I only got a few stitches into Lindy Mouse's house.  I realized that I forgot to stitch the crow in the tree on the autumn side.  I'll have to go back and do that.  I think there is a bird on each side of the house.

I'm hoping to get Just Nan's Witchy in the mail. (Like I need another kit!)
The goal for this next week is to get the Toy Chest done, done, done.
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No Reply

Alot of times a reader of my blog will ask me a question and I can't answer them because they are marked "No Reply".  There are blogs where they explain how to fix this.  Here is one

 http://anyonecandecorate.blogspot.com/2012/09/are-you-no-reply-blogger-how-to-fix.html

I'm going to use this to check and see if I am a no reply.
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Friday Again

The week has gone so fast.  How can it be Friday again?
I got the attic done on Lindy Mouse's house.  I'm thinking I should do the winter side as it is my least favorite.  After last winter, I just am not thrilled by cold and snow anymore.

I want to get to the front door side as I like it the best.

I worked on one side of the Toy Chest.  I think I can finish it today if I work hard.  I got to the horse's rear, literally.

I started some pre-stitching for a class at the Attic in November.  It is kind of slow because it is mostly over one.
I started a new book.  It is Stephen King's Mr. Mercedes.  I'm hoping it doesn't get too gross.  He is such a good writer and it is a mystery (so far).  I downloaded the first episode of House of Cards from Itunes since it was free.  I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.  It was interesting to watch.  It makes me want to download another episode especially since there doesn't seem to be anything interesting on TV.
What a life I have!
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A Finish

I got the beetle all finished!!

I am very happy with it.

I worked on the attic of Lindy mouse's house.  I want to finish the attic today and go on to another season.

I got a darling addition to my Toy Chest today.  Thank you Polly!

 It is a little thread holder Ouija board with a magnet on it.   So cute.  Now I need to get my Toy Chest done.  I started on one side.

I want to get to the horse part today.
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Autumn

I worked on Lindy Mouse's house yesterday. The roof sides are all done.

 I got the Autumn side all done.

The next side up is the Attic.

I wove the other cord for the beetle.  I really have to get working on him.  I can get him finished today if I get busy.  First thing is to finish the legs.  Hedebo here I come.

DH's phone rang three times at 4 a.m. this morning.  UGH.  What a way to start the day!
Two weeks until I go to Salty Yarns!
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For Better or For Worse

It doesn't seem like I got much done yesterday.  Although getting over the hump of worrying about the thorax was major.  I plugged away on it and for better or worse, I finished it.

I still have to put fray check on the ends of the threads.

I wove one cord.  It went pretty well.  There are a couple of places it isn't quite right.  I'm hoping that I just need the nicer parts of the cord.  We'll see.  I hope to weave the other cord today.

I got the legs all couched and started the hedebo around them.  The beetle has little bumps near his feet that are picots.  The picots look a lot like french knots with three wraps.  So far, so good.

I cut out the beetle head and put holes in it.  Easy.  Then I sewed the eyes on.  One eye is wonky so I'm going to take it off and try again.  Once I get the eyes fixed I can sew it to the thorax.

I'm waiting for store websites to show what they got at the St. Charles market.  I am also very curious as to the next part of Shepherd's Fold.  I've seen some sweet accessories that I'd like.  Jeannette Douglas has a very pretty tape measure that is shaped like an acorn but it is kind of pricey.  I'll have to think about it or let the fates determine whether I run across one at the shops I'll visit later this year.
Maybe I can work on Lindy Mouse's house today too.
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Beetle

This is how far I am on my beetle.  First, the wings are stitched and lined and sewn together.

Second, I am almost done with the thorax.

This is hard for me to stitch because I am scared of really messing this up and it is the dreaded buttonhole stitch.  I only have one more round to go so I should just try it already.

Third, I have started the couching of the legs.  If they are like the butterfly legs and have hedebo stitching all over them, this will be no problem.

I have to do the finger woven cord drawstring.  I can do that, it will just take some time to make.
The face doesn't look like a problem either.  It would be nice to pull all these pieces together.  I want to finish the beetle this week.

I finished up "Chillin'" by Drawn Thread.

 I spent a lot of time yesterday trying to put this together.  I made some mistakes.  But I think there is a mistake in the directions too.  I played with it, trying out several different ways of putting it together.  It looks like the model now but it was very frustrating when I was following the directions and things were not working out.  It is a bit wrinkly.  I need to iron it again.  I regret not putting some interfacing in it.  I still have not figured out where the beads go.  But there you are, it is done.
The bathrooms are clean and I'm off to stitch.
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