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Monday, November 9, 2009

Insanity and Stitching

Hey there! So sorry for the lack of posts this past week. Been a busy one around here between sick puppies and trying to get the new location for the frame/cross stitch shop in move-in condition. Hmmmmm.....I'm not sure I mentioned the new shop before. It all kind of happened quickly. I'm having a sense of deja vu though. 6 years ago when I started with what was then American Reflections, we were located in an area called Tara Plaza. A bit over 5 years ago, we moved to a new location and dropped the American part of the name. Now we are back at Tara Plaza, not in the same bay though. Much better location, more foot traffic, there is a quilting store a few doors down and we are located between a popular Mexican Restaurant and Curves. The downside? In order to afford the rent in today's economic climate, we have to share a bay with a vacuum cleaner store. All I'm going to say about that is.....this should be interesting! So if you are in the area, please stop in to say hello. We officially open a week from today on the 16th. Not sure we will be completely settled in at that time but we'll be happy to help you with whatever you might need or if you just want to chat, we can do that too!

Last week Kallie was sick. High fever, lethargic, not eating....$300.00 later and they still didn't know what was wrong. We knew what wasn't wrong though which was good. She's all better now but this past weekend, the schnauzers both came down with something. Lots of sneezing, watery eyes and running noses. They are still eating and drinking just fine so I don't think it's anything serious. I checked in with the vet this morning though just to be sure and she told me what to watch for. I hate sick puppies almost as much as sick babies. They can't tell you whats wrong or how bad it is.

I have been doing some stitching. I stitched the October pinkeep from Maryse This is the first pinkeep I have stitched and the first I have finished. I'm not sure it's done correctly as I have never seen a pinkeep in person but I like how it turned out. What do you think?



I also started a second little project, probably going to end up being a small pillow? I don't know. I've not made one of those before either. But I think I should give it a try. It's a freebie pattern I found at The Stitcherhood website. It's called Give Thanks. Not too far on it but it shouldn't take long.

and finally I have worked on Signs of Fall too. I'm in the home stretch on it as long as you don't count the darn backstitching. I'm not a happy backstitcher. I appreciate it and what it can do for a picture, but I don't enjoy the process. I think it stems from poor backstitching directions on some of the earlier charts I did waaaay back in the day.


Yesterday, Abby and I did some gluten-free bread making. Ah yes, the famous QVC TSV arrived on our doorstep last week. Our maiden voyage was unfortunately, not a successful one. I'm not sure what happened. I used a recipe that everyone on all the blogs raves about. Best sandwich bread ever it says. The texture was good but the taste was A.W.F.U.L!!!! I don't know if my flour was maybe rancid, or perhaps I didn't cook off all the manufacturing oils when we ran it through a cycle empty or what happened but it went right into the trash. I'm going to go buy all new flours and try again I think. After that disaster we tried a recipe for mozzarella sticks (not in the bread machine of course) that did turn out well. You couldn't even tell they were gluten free! First mozzarella sticks Abby has eaten in over a year and boy was she happy. I really am disappointed about the bread though. Oh Well, Better luck next time!

And finally, Dan and I have been working on the base for the Christmas village. I didn't get a shot of it before he started to put the foam on but I think you can get the idea.


This puppy is 18 feet long and 5 feet deep. Saturday morning I went downstairs to see what progress Dan had made and found a note from him that said one word. Insanity. Yep, that pretty much says it all!

Till next time, have a great week and thanks for stopping in and as always, commenting is much appreciated!!

14 comments:

Love to Stitch said...

Cool, a new shop location! That is great-- and the floors should stay clean :)

Sorry about the bread, maybe another flavor? Glad Abby could enjoy the mozzarella sticks, those are always good. Looking forward to seeing the Village all set up. By the looks from the table, there is gonna be alot to look at!!

Nice job on the pinkeep, I always have trouble finishing them, do a great job stitching them, then put it away!

Deb said...

Oh my gosh - that's a lot of space for the Christmas Village. I end up having mine scattered all over the house because Dh would probably shoot me if I asked him to do something like that for me.

Absolutely love your pinkeep! It came out beautifully!

Kat said...

My, my! I can not wait to see your village! And I thought mine was huge! It fits on my coffee table. I sure hope you post pictures!

Siobhán said...

Oh wow, I can't wait to see your village! I bet it'll be a treat for the eyes. :) Your stitching is wonderful--the pinkeep turned out so nicely.

Blu said...

The pinkeep looks really good. How're you planning on displaying it?
And I'm curious about this "Christmas Village" busniess...never seen one.
You HAVE to post pics!

Julie M said...

Thanks so much for the compliments on the pinkeep! I appreciate them all.

I will post pics of the village, and if any of you are in the area II usually do an open house so you could see it in person if ya wanted.

Blu, I'm not sure how I will display the pinkeep. Perhaps in a basket with some other Fallish small things.

MommyDearest said...

Great job on the pinkeep! What did you use to mount it to? Foamcore? Will you really EVER stick a pin in it??? LOL!!
I swear that Dan should get a metal for all the building he does and remodeling of unsightly things!
Sorry 'bout the bread! I have never had any luck making bread machine bread. Mine always turn out looking (and tasting) like gargoyles!

Karen said...

Love the pinkeep! You did a great job for your first.

Can't wait to see your village. Hubby & I put several small ones each year and I can't imagine doing a huge one! It would definitely drive me insane.

LoriRay said...

I've not made a pinkeep yet but I hope my first turns out half as good as yours. You did a wonderful job! Looks great to me! Be proud. :)

Your table is huuuuuuuuuge for the village! Wow, please post more pics when you can as things progress.

wausie said...

Sorry about the puppies...excited about the new shop...worried 'cause I hadn't had a "Julie fix" and was beginning to wonder...enjoy looking at your stitching and will see you sometime next week.

santadeb said...

Sorry am behind reading but wanted you to know the stitching is beautiful...and you are just TOO FAST!LOL! I am not sure what I would do with a pin keep so never attempted!
The Village, am anxious to see this huge project completed and you OWE Dan big-time for this one!LOL!
Glad about the shop as you know, sure hope those puppies are doing better now.

Deb

Angela said...

Your pinkeep looks wonderful :) Can't wait to see the Xmas village, that table is huge! LOL. Good luck with your shop.

Joyce said...

Great job on the pinkeep, I love all of your work....

Peg said...

Wow, so much to comment on! The village is huge, and darn you for making us wait! lol..
Beautiful job on all of your stitching. I hope you figure out the bread machine. I only use mine now for "dough" and bake it in the oven, just a little bit more work. Poor puppers, hope they get to feeling better soon. I'm excited to see how the shop does in the new location.
Wish I lived closer, I need a few things framed, and refuse to go to commercial settings from your advice.