Updates

I'm finally getting a chance to read blogs entries for the past week. Now that baseball season is here, I'm driving James to and from practices and games. I did get a chance to start a new punch project. I took a rug hooking graphic, and reduced it to punch needle size. I'm not following any particular color scheme, just what I have. Most of the floss is overdyed, which really gives it some depth. The background will be black - plain and prim.

Last night after dinner, we saw the fox ~ finally! I managed to grab a photo of it running across the yard.

I tried to enlarge and sharpen the photo to get a better shot of it. What a gorgeous animal!


The fox lives under the shed at the edge of backyard. Would you believe that the fox was actually in the tree? Really. It must have jumped from the ground to the wood pile. Then jumped from the wood pile onto the lower branches of the tree. It's not that high up, but gave the fox a good look at what was around. I'm hoping we'll see more if it now that the weather is warmer. I'll have to keep my camera ready and see what other photos I can get.

Another baseball game tonight for James. I'm seeing if I can crochet more as I watch the games. It's the same baby afghan that I've made (one currently on Ebay). I've done so many of them, that I don't really need to look at the pattern, except to begin and the ending edges. It just needs to be warm enough without my hand freezing.

I'm counting down the days until school ends. It will be sad, as the elementary school where I work during lunch recess is closing at the end of the school year. I've been browsing at other job opportunities, and even sent an updated resume to one office job last week. Don't know if I'll hear anything, but I'm going to keep my eyes open for other opportunities.

I Won!

I had won a giveaway on Kelley's blog . It arrived in the mail on Saturday. All I can say is, "WOW!" I wasn't expecting ALL this! I kept taking out pattern, after pattern, after pattern. Quilt patterns, applique patterns, and even a punch needle pattern booklet (signed by Lynette Andersen). Thank you SOOO much, Kelley!


So many cute ideas. The best part is that the quilt patterns are minis. I much prefer smaller scale items (OK, I'm impatient and like to see the end result quickly), so this is perfect.

Applique patterns for wool, cotton, or a combination of both. There was even a Christmas ornie applique pattern. I have a customer who purchases ornies from me each year, so I now have something new to create for this year. (yep, thinking ahead)

Look at these wonderful fall patterns. I don't know where to start. I'll have to finish a punch project that I started last week, and have 3/4 punched. Then to browse through the patterns and pick a few and start! Thanks, again, Kelley!

Play Ball

I managed to get a couple punch needle cupboard hangers listed on Ebay today. I just finished the top one, the patriotic crow, this afternoon. Now to finish a baby afghan that I'm over half way done crocheting. I haven't had much time for crafting the past couple week, but I'm going to try to see what I can get done this week. Seems like I go in phases where I get tons done, then take a break. I think I've finally figured out how to list on Ebay using my templates. Once we got the new computer, a template automater program doesn't work on this one. I'm now going into HTML and adding the links to photos. It's a learning process, but now that I've figured it out, I'm hoping I won't run into any more glitches!


James had his first baseball game this afternoon. Although his team lost, they played well. Considering that James hasn't played organized baseball before, he did well. His first at bat he made contact with the ball! He struck out the second at bat, but he tried. Seems like all the parents and coaches are supportive and just want the kids to have fun and improve their skills.

~*~ Laura ~*~

Monday surprises

I opened my email this morning, and found that I had won a huge stash of patterns (Kelley from Hook and Needle) on a giveaway! I'm SO excited! Thank you VERY much! That was my first surprise of the day.

I was trying to get a bunch of penny rugs listed on Ebay last evening and this morning, and to my surprise, my template wasn't working like it did on my old computer. I was hoping everything would go quickly and smoothly - no so. So, I spent a good part of this morning trying to figure it out. It took until this evening to add photos a different way. I''m HTML illiterate, so it's a challenge. But, I finally added some goods up for bid. One auction is for a set of a mini penny rug and candle cozy/wrap. I'm going to try offering them as a set instead of individual pieces and see what happens. With Ebay, you just never know what will happen!

Got to work at school, and one of the girls surprised me and said her mom was expecting a baby! This couple was done with 2 kids (our boys play together), so it was a surprise to them! :-) (I was in that boat 10 years ago!)

Spent an hour in the dentist's office around dinner time with Matt. He got his upper braces on. He chose black and red bands this time around. We'll see what colors he picks next time. He goes back in 3-4 weeks to get the lower ones on. He inherited my big front teeth, so he's lucky that lots of white teeth still show with the braces on. I wonder what they will look like when they are straight? I'm sure Matt will like them when it's done. :-)

I found out that the Kate Spade purse is a fake one. The tag on the inside is glued instead of sewn in. I really don't mind that it's a fake, as we didn't pay that much for it. I would pay more for a cheap purse at Walmart, and it wouldn't be as cute. Rachel likes it, and that's what matters.

Have a great rest of the week!

A Springtime weekend

It's a springtime weekend. The weather is gorgeous, and my plants are starting to pop out of the ground. I finished some stitching this weekend, too. This is a larger rabbit penny rug that I'm going to put on Ebay tonight. I had the spring pattern, but made this one more year round. I ended up changing the center stitched vine. The pattern had a green vine, and I switched it to tan/beige. I wanted it to look more like a grapevine wreath. I stitched it in a straight circle, but might change it to more of a squiggly line next time. Sometimes it's easier to make 2 of the same pattern at the same time. It seems to go quicker.


A trip to the Goodwill store this afternoon to drop off bags of old clothes and toys. Rachel (OK, "I") found this Kate Spade purse sitting in one of their displays. The polka dots are a light pink, but I couldn't get my camera to capture that. We grabbed it, as I thought it was SO cute! It still had the packaging on the handles, but had a scratch on the bottom part. No big deal. I have to admit I didn't know what the original price would be (I'm still deciding on one of the Coach purses that I saw) since I'm not familiar with the designer. After looking online, I think we got a really good deal! I might "borrow" the purse from Rachel from time to time!


Here's a photo of Matt. This is the "before" photo. Tomorrow he'll look different, as he's getting braces. They are starting with the upper, then will add the lower on the next appointment. We're starting ortho with one kid, but 2 more need work, too. I'm already thinking that next year's tax refund will be gone before we even see it. At least Matt wants straight teeth, and will take care of them. I'll have to get a photo tomorrow evening of the "after".

Hope everyone had a great weekend!
Laura

New projects

I've started a bunch of new projects. The first is a bunny penny rug. I don't like cats (gasp!), but I do like bunnies. I took a spring pattern, and adjusted the colors to be neutral and year round. I'm using some really thick overdyed coco colored wool for the bunnies. The flowers are dark cranberry with a light beige center. I love the background of a beige & grey plaid! The center chalk line is going to be a vine and berries that are stitched.

I have found an easy way to mark wool for stitching. I use freezer paper to cut the shapes. I draw the stitching lines onto the freezer paper, and once the outside edges are cut, I remove the paper. Then I cut the paper (not the wool) to the stitching line and re-iron it onto the wool. I can then trace around the edge of the freezer paper. I'll try to get a photo next time I'm working. It's a lot easier than guessing, especially on large projects.

I started a candle mat version of the strawberry penny runner. I'm thinking of leaving the edges plain black instead of adding a border. Sometimes the simpler the better.


I also started a punch needle that I will make into a cupboard hanger. I'm waiting for the brown overdyed black floss to dry before I can continue.

I've been spring cleaning, and have been digging (literally) through James' room. I loaded up the back of the van this morning and dropped off all the stuff. Lots of clothes, old toys, etc. While I was at the resale store, I was looking for dresses for Rachel. She'll need something for 8th grade graduation and the 8th grade dance. We managed to find 2 dresses. The above one is a nice crisp cotton, and is cuter in person. The one below is dressier, and is a stretchy, satin dress with lots of tiny white beads at the bottom. We now have to find some black dressy flat shoes. Then to see what Andrew and Matt need for graduation. The school is making is buy gowns, but they still can't wear gym shoes or jeans. So, with 3 needing clothes, it seems expensive. This isn't high school graduation or college, just jr high. Sometimes I think it's a bit overdone. We won't be having a big graduation party, as there aren't many relatives. Plus, it would be asking for gifts for 3, which I won't do. It's bad enough at birthday time. I'm thinking of going out for dinner instead of a party. But, I don't have to think about that until June. :-)


I also found some pieces of wool at the thrift store for 99 cents. It's 4 pieces, and looks like it came from a cut up skirt. I think it will be large enough for backings for some candle mats. I'll have to see how much it shrinks once it's washed and dried.


It's hard to believe it's almost the end of spring break - it went by MUCH too quickly!