tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70576048282841314092024-03-05T21:51:48.245-06:00I'll Cross That Leg When I Get To It.....A stitcher's journey through lifeJulie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.comBlogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-70869677471562159742020-07-11T12:24:00.000-05:002020-07-11T12:30:46.678-05:00Salsa Verde Sliders RecipeHello,<br />
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As promised on my Floss Tube Video, here is the recipe I use for my crockpot Salsa Verde Chicken Sliders. The recipe comes from Dee at Meatloaf and Melodrama. I hope you enjoy them!<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
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1 T. Olive Oil<br />
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts<br />
1 t. sea salt<br />
1/2 t. black pepper<br />
1 cup salsa verde<br />
8 oz. cream cheese<br />
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese<br />
8 slices Pepper Jack Cheese<br />
8 slider buns</div>
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Instructions:<br />
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Add the olive oil and chicken breasts to the bottom of slow cooker and season with sea salt and pepper<br />
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Pour Salsa Verde over chicken<br />
Place cream cheese over salsa verde, cover and cook for 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low or until internal temperature is 165 degrees.<br />
Shred chicken using two forks and stir until all ingredients are well combined<br />
Sprinkle shredded Monty Jack evenly over chicken, cover and cook until melted.<br />
Spoon chicken mixture on bottom of slider buns, top with pepper jack cheese and cover with bun top.<br />
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<br />Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-22840793640976991722018-12-06T08:31:00.000-06:002018-12-06T08:31:22.376-06:00Peppermint Eggnog PunchGood Lord but I don't remember how to do this! I can't believe that it was 2015 when I last posted. Buying the shop kind of blew the world as I knew it apart. Things are going well but my free time, what there is of it, is always filled so don't get to thinking I will be posting here regularly as I don't doing so. I am making Floss Tube videos if anyone that followed this blog in the past reads this and is interested. Just search YouTube for Reflections Framing & Stitching and it should come up. In fact that is why I am posting today. I mentioned my Peppermint Eggnog Punch in my last video and some folks were interested in the recipe. I thought this would be an easy place for people to find it.<br />
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So without further ado, here ya go and a Merry Christmas to you all!<br />
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Peppermint Eggnog Punch<br />
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1 qt. peppermint ice cream (with the candy cane bits in it)<br />
1 qt eggnog<br />
4 (12 fluid oz) cans or bottles of ginger ale (I use 7-up sometimes)...chilled<br />
1 cup rum (optional)<br />
24 small peppermint candy canes for garnish<br />
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Set aside 2 or 3 round scoops of ice cream in the freezer for garnish. Stir remaining ice cream until softened. Gradually stir in eggnog and rum. Transfer to a punch bowl, and stir in ginger ale. Hang candy canes around the edge of the bunch bowl. Place reserved ice cream scoops on top and serve immediately. <br />
<br />Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-18000655584751744372015-11-09T13:21:00.001-06:002015-11-09T13:21:48.567-06:00Bringing you up to date Hello! And once again I am sorry for the delay. All hell broke loose and I wasn't sure what was going to happen but it's all good now and I will talk about it later if anyone is interested. <br />
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So I left off with a recap of last Springs Retreat. Moving forward from there...<br />
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First I want to start with Dan's latest finish. He's quite proud of himself and I am proud of him. This wasn't an easy stitch with all the back stitching and the 3 strands of floss on 18 ct Aida but he did it, it's beautiful and it's hanging in our family room. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenic Farm - Dimensions kit</td></tr>
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May 18th, 2015 brought the birth of Adam and Marcia's first child, our first grandchild and the first great-grandchild of the family, Emma Grace. She weighed in at a whopping 5 lbs. 10 oz and 18.75 inches long. At almost 6 months she is just about ready to start crawling and weighs all of 13 pounds. Dan and I traveled out east at the end of May to meet the little darling and they will be visiting here for Thanksgiving this year. We can't wait to see them all again and to introduce her to her 2 sets of great-grandparents and all of her aunts, uncles and cousins.<br />
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Also last spring, Abby approached us about moving home to save money so she could pay off her student loans. This involved taking down our Christmas Village and remodeling the basement which took my poor husband a good portion of the spring and summer. It turned out very nice though and will be nice for Adam and family to have that area for themselves after Abby moves out and they come for a visit. Right about the time Abby moved in she also started dating a young man named Travis. He lives about an hour away so she really isn't home much and I anticipate it won't be long before she isn't home at all.<br />
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Amy is doing well in grad school but is kept so busy we rarely speak to her. I feel honored if she manages to send a quick text saying she is still among the living. We haven't see her in forever and it is looking like she will not be coming home for the the holidays this year.<br />
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So that leaves the only other piece of information that might interest you. A year ago at this time we started looking into purchasing the framing & stitching shop that I have worked at for the last 14 years. Little did I know what a monumental task that would turn out to be. The twists and turns, the ups and downs. The stress. Don't get me started about the stress. As with everything in our lives, nothing comes easy and I have had to work the hardest I have ever worked in order to achieve this goal but I am happy to say that as of last Thursday I am now the proud owner of Reflections Framing & Stitching. I am however sad to say that due to the shops landlord being a jerk we are currently homeless. He went from saying he saw no reason to raise the rent back in July to tripling it by September. But all is not lost! I've leased a new space not too far from our old one and once the remodel is finished we will be up and running and it will be better than ever. I just hope my customer's will be able to find me. There wasn't a lot of time to spread the news and a lot of them (mostly the framing only customers) we don't have emails for so no easy (and inexpensive, a move was not in the business plan or budget) way to contact them. The landlord does not allow you to put a notice up that you moved so most will assume I just closed. I'm hoping once we are open again that I can recruit some folks to help me call everyone and give them all the information on how to find us. In the meantime I am trying to get all my little ducks in a row and get business cards printed, accounts set up, paint chosen, and all the other million and one things I never knew I needed to do, done. I hope you'll join me on this journey and if you're ever in the Omaha area, I hope you will stop in and visit!<br />
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Take care till next time dear friends!<br />
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JulieJulie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-54725468326709590992015-09-13T11:28:00.000-05:002015-09-13T11:28:55.753-05:00Spring Retreat RecapSorry for the delay in posting, things are a bit crazy around here at the moment. Now...where were we?? Oh, that's right, I said retreat was up next. It's a bit strange to write about the last retreat with the next one looming on the horizon but I'll do my best. <br />
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I always start planning retreat by coming up with a theme and an idea for a project. Then I make sure I can flesh it out and that I can come up with enough ideas to make it viable as a theme. After that I contact a designer to see if they would like to design something to fit the theme. I never start the actual process of making or buying things until I have all that nailed down. Otherwise it's a bit like putting the cart before the horse. So for our Spring 2015 Retreat I found a quote from an author that called to me regarding roses and thorns. Based on this quote I named the retreat "Will you accept this Rose?" which of course is the tag line for the reality show The Bachelor/Bachelorette. I had ideas for for rose themed ort containers, scissor fobs, etc...had it all planned out. Now you can't just willy nilly take a quote from someone famous and use it without permission so I tracked down the publishing house (the author had no contact information anywhere) and sent an email requesting permission to use the quote in a cross stitch piece. And then I waited. I waited some more and then I put my dang cart before my horse and started making the ort containers that I make for each retreat based on said quote. This is what they looked like:<br />
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I sent a second and then a third email requesting permission and still didn't hear a thing. Finally I had to reach the conclusion that this theme was going to have to fall by the wayside. I was running out of time and the designer was running out of time. But now I had 40 rose themed ort boxes ready to go (this is where the cart before the horse comes in) and I didn't want to just toss them aside so I needed to come up with an idea that incorporated the already made boxes. And while I was standing in the shower pondering the issue, inspiration struck! (I come up with the best ideas when I'm in the shower, give it a try sometime!) The ort boxes already represented a reality show so what if reality shows were the theme??? And that my dears is how Reality Bites came to be, it described how I was feeling to a "T"! I came up with the idea for a sampler that had different motifs in it that represented Reality TV shows past and present. But I didn't want them to be obvious to the casual observer. I wanted it to be like a secret code, similar to the quilts that were used to direct the runaway slaves to freedom or the hidden meanings behind Quaker motifs or different types of flowers or the hidden messages that were stitched into needlework by POW's in WWII. Here's an excerpt taken from an article by Patrick Barkham in <i>The Guardian</i> Sept. 2, 2011 that talks about the POW's if you haven't read it already. It's very interesting!<br />
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I was quickly able to come up with 18 different motifs to represent 18 different reality shows. I was then able to come up with ideas for the rest of the items for the goodie bags we give to the retreat attendees and before I knew it I had it all ironed out and was able to contact our designer to see if she could work with the idea. Thank God she was able to roll with it and she designed a beautiful sampler that perfectly fit the theme! Thank you Beth from Summer House Stitch Workes! </div>
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After months of planning, plotting and production it was finally time for Retreat!</div>
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When the ladies checked in at retreat they were each given a pizza
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44irpkbJXc4jvuhs0F3fVjMBVYs1eVPFL3V8d8DBjxNRPuNg0o26rfd6ID2d0oKgJ_7EVABMZ4Nuqvd3docNQ9SP68b09-CueladQXxirgKsEJdSRiPqLdfVJlfnGwfOYo3NM9fXx5fc/s1600/DSCN9041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44irpkbJXc4jvuhs0F3fVjMBVYs1eVPFL3V8d8DBjxNRPuNg0o26rfd6ID2d0oKgJ_7EVABMZ4Nuqvd3docNQ9SP68b09-CueladQXxirgKsEJdSRiPqLdfVJlfnGwfOYo3NM9fXx5fc/s320/DSCN9041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Why a pizza box you ask? Did you know there was a reality show about an Italian restaurant and pizzeria called the Capones? Me either until I did my research. Inside the pizza box was the Reality or Illusion chart, fabric and floss to stitch it and a tray (made by the mister) for mounting the finished sampler.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ3s1aOn-UvniGcsrPxn2XnrZLvVorlN2GWa8GeoWviR2kHJXphlF6b3O4Ply4Kl3bHDUf3jN-vEnDhQo9vFPUV2aVRujE64fzWO04eq1cavuOga_jE5ylTYagW8SrXVybx_43ik_8to/s1600/tray+fabric+and+floss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ3s1aOn-UvniGcsrPxn2XnrZLvVorlN2GWa8GeoWviR2kHJXphlF6b3O4Ply4Kl3bHDUf3jN-vEnDhQo9vFPUV2aVRujE64fzWO04eq1cavuOga_jE5ylTYagW8SrXVybx_43ik_8to/s320/tray+fabric+and+floss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you look closely there is a little microphone charm attached to the fabric that represents the reality show called The Voice.</div>
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Also upon check in our reality stars received a name badge. I think this one is pretty self explanatory.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWq5MHsXJ8N5Oxw6HEWpxLTq7ihY7KL0neoxseSFBRw7zntDtVwIXJSeyYMtuY7PMxroABHxXsZbPMcp2j0-eEywzk9F6AhnHi_bGR5yqJquV2b_z1oP3QdB0IUY2jM7DFWR3MNagvw4/s1600/DSCN9046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWq5MHsXJ8N5Oxw6HEWpxLTq7ihY7KL0neoxseSFBRw7zntDtVwIXJSeyYMtuY7PMxroABHxXsZbPMcp2j0-eEywzk9F6AhnHi_bGR5yqJquV2b_z1oP3QdB0IUY2jM7DFWR3MNagvw4/s320/DSCN9046.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Finally, they also were handed an Amazing Race envelope which contained an explanation of the
theme and also included a list of 36 different Reality Shows. The ladies,
if so inclined (this was an optional activity) needed to figure out which
18 of the 36 shows were represented in the sampler. I heard a lot of grumbling about how "I don't watch Reality TV" but for a bunch of ladies that don't watch Reality TV, they sure did well guessing which motifs went to which shows!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhi1E3y4Xsg2Nh10zpeK-WGcXAz0owAxsyIGyF80ue72PVIYEzXgKCxQ-4MqVpajfkOvBWztWVQ2zqZ7CLCGXQbaDVNDbfUpmc0-jjstHocSA4QeEeoh7UPOk53hnooMOgbOee5GqpCo/s1600/documentsb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhi1E3y4Xsg2Nh10zpeK-WGcXAz0owAxsyIGyF80ue72PVIYEzXgKCxQ-4MqVpajfkOvBWztWVQ2zqZ7CLCGXQbaDVNDbfUpmc0-jjstHocSA4QeEeoh7UPOk53hnooMOgbOee5GqpCo/s320/documentsb.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibzJXFhIwxw3ze0I0x-mA5OkLzKEJOeH15HJI4lN4KejTjFMhKSImR-WmHwDEEvb9nQhNIt_KrTfhMeL5eVl71sNGn43xvInnNz0IvoYn4wB9VmgPPi6Wji2b91c6NHeOWqvggv_QHGM/s1600/Shannon+and+Timsey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibzJXFhIwxw3ze0I0x-mA5OkLzKEJOeH15HJI4lN4KejTjFMhKSImR-WmHwDEEvb9nQhNIt_KrTfhMeL5eVl71sNGn43xvInnNz0IvoYn4wB9VmgPPi6Wji2b91c6NHeOWqvggv_QHGM/s320/Shannon+and+Timsey.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timsey and Shannon with their stuff</td></tr>
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Goodie bags were given out Friday night after everyone was checked in. </div>
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This year the goodie bags held a Needlebook that was made by Sue V., one of our retreat attendees. The map fabric represents The Amazing Race. Thanks again Sue!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhum-kpwmQ6gcl1FEG9O8IuJN1AA5VxqN_ZI96R62zF7qEpn4ZRVUsCAwvXSCep4am6ZIJziiLVQsq4DKpoF43Nf1Wf5L9L3QHYw4PpwD9QQujAxLgIbEYQSodepas_HiOxGCbjDpDU7YY/s1600/needlebook+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhum-kpwmQ6gcl1FEG9O8IuJN1AA5VxqN_ZI96R62zF7qEpn4ZRVUsCAwvXSCep4am6ZIJziiLVQsq4DKpoF43Nf1Wf5L9L3QHYw4PpwD9QQujAxLgIbEYQSodepas_HiOxGCbjDpDU7YY/s320/needlebook+front.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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The bags also contained scissors, a scissor fob, a highlighter, stitch
starter, candle snuffer, cupcake candle, stick pins, emery board,
mug mat, needle threader, and a bottle of water.</div>
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Some of the items represented reality shows:<br />
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Candle Snuffer ~ Survivor because they snuff your fire when you
are voted off the island<br />
Stitch Starter ~ stamped knife fork and spoon for all the cooking shows<br />
Emery Board ~ represents a nail file which one needs when one is
Escaping from Alcatraz<br />
Cupcake Candle ~ Cupcake Wars<br />
Bottle of Water ~ can’t survive Naked and Afraid without water!<br />
Scissors ~ Project Runway<br />
Mug Mat ~ The fabric had a Television Set on it<br />
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Some of the items (the scissors, stick pins, needle threader, highlighter,
and stitch starter) were meant to be placed in the Needle
book.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOi_8zxRPMVkytCyf_KtSVyga93omjdsEDJRPouc1Nx01D8QcX8X9JINvGBKB7EEywWgP4CaG3lhzaMsk1hMztjpWBR4aNZggJDwrjJAOaD3rjDrPEMzylBvNOrcLbOYa8B_VhfnToVgs/s1600/needlebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOi_8zxRPMVkytCyf_KtSVyga93omjdsEDJRPouc1Nx01D8QcX8X9JINvGBKB7EEywWgP4CaG3lhzaMsk1hMztjpWBR4aNZggJDwrjJAOaD3rjDrPEMzylBvNOrcLbOYa8B_VhfnToVgs/s320/needlebook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's a better look at the scissor fob. I took a picture of the finished sampler and used portions of the picture for the fob. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_kubbqXeUwNWpddWoeG5v8AQAHB7gOdW92L6yCe6vYhRREJWkXqWQPaKVOiroZwrQ5BJVgtRm9qXIUptPQfs9376ksIycLZeqEckZ8GL6b2aavbqfDkXg86bfg9VZGv7582xM_N_ztY/s1600/fob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_kubbqXeUwNWpddWoeG5v8AQAHB7gOdW92L6yCe6vYhRREJWkXqWQPaKVOiroZwrQ5BJVgtRm9qXIUptPQfs9376ksIycLZeqEckZ8GL6b2aavbqfDkXg86bfg9VZGv7582xM_N_ztY/s320/fob.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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I made the stick pins to go in the needlebook but couldn't figure out how to keep people from poking themselves until that happened so I made the little matchbook to hold them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Fos4zdba0A_iihzZNkK8-See1sIa6CHw_JhKIbLT1RMhohkv_GN_GKSl3xMMXqTIzvTLw7RP09JmVIOHlHjCV0Cnv7HE8NgjgGetCdV_yxsBP9l5yCXtkr0wv0SK08KH6C5ZmFO_mA4/s1600/stick+pin+box+open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Fos4zdba0A_iihzZNkK8-See1sIa6CHw_JhKIbLT1RMhohkv_GN_GKSl3xMMXqTIzvTLw7RP09JmVIOHlHjCV0Cnv7HE8NgjgGetCdV_yxsBP9l5yCXtkr0wv0SK08KH6C5ZmFO_mA4/s320/stick+pin+box+open.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Saturday morning we held an arm knitting class taught by Jolene (in the pink shirt) When class was over we had a finished infinity scarf. In theory anyway!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjssa_0TcqjuLaTdNi0C-kkQsXFhC0E6_ZfPHCSbtWAhM-h8hRLcn4eZFLFXlpacWb3Jn7ob8sOuWPfomBPzTTGdN82ZFUOnjdyJW3MzjXTYDLrSpGX2mzUWhW12sY51B3NMADR3aGYI/s1600/arm+knitting+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjssa_0TcqjuLaTdNi0C-kkQsXFhC0E6_ZfPHCSbtWAhM-h8hRLcn4eZFLFXlpacWb3Jn7ob8sOuWPfomBPzTTGdN82ZFUOnjdyJW3MzjXTYDLrSpGX2mzUWhW12sY51B3NMADR3aGYI/s320/arm+knitting+2.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Plenty of stitching was done too!</div>
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There were some finishes too!</div>
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Shannon even finished the retreat piece! Over achiever!!!!</div>
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Saturday
night is always shop night at spring retreat. After supper and before the shop was
opened we tallied all the sheets that had been handed in by those participating
in the guessing game of Reality Shows and had a non-participating person
pick a number between 1-40 just in case of a tie. Surprisingly, given the number
of people that said they couldn’t possibly get any answers correct, most
guessed at least 10 correctly! With 15 correct answers each, we did end up
having a two-way tie between Roxy/Denise (they worked together) and Timsey with the tie breaker
going to Timsey. She received a $25.00 gift certificate to the shop. </div>
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Sunday we opened the shop up again for an hour or so before we
began packing it back up. Last minute purchases were made and
then everyone stitched and visited until lunch. After lunch the out of
town ladies began the process of packing up and heading home. It
never seems possible that four days have passed so quickly. By 3:30
pretty much everyone was on their way home and we were packing
up the extension cords, the leftover snacks and loading our cars.
Another retreat over but the fall retreat is looming on the horizon
and it won’t be long before we are all together again! </div>
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The project when finished :</div>
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And for those that might want to try their hand at guessing the shows here is the list given to the attendees. 18 of them are represented in the sampler. </div>
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19 kids & Counting...the Duggers</div>
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American Pickers</div>
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American Chopper</div>
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American Idol</div>
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Big Brother</div>
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Cake Boss</div>
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Dancing with the Stars</div>
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Dirty Jobs</div>
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Dog the Bounty Hunter</div>
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Dog Whisperer</div>
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Double Divas</div>
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Duck Dynasty</div>
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Fear Factor</div>
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Gold Rush</div>
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Honey Boo Boo</div>
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Iron Chef</div>
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Jersey Shore</div>
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Kate Plus 8</div>
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Pawn Star</div>
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Project Runway</div>
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Punk'd</div>
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Real Housewives of Atlanta</div>
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Real Housewives of Orange County</div>
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Real Housewives of New York</div>
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Say Yes to the Dress</div>
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So You Think You Can Dance</div>
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Storage Wars</div>
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Super Nanny</div>
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Survivor</div>
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The Bachelor/Bachelorette</div>
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The Biggest Loser</div>
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The Celebrity Apprentice</div>
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The Voice</div>
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Toddlers & Tiaras</div>
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What Not to Wear</div>
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X-Factor </div>
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I gotta get some cleaning done so have a wonderful Sunday Everyone!</div>
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Take care till next time!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Julie </div>
Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-31468050581716237092015-08-19T16:31:00.000-05:002015-08-19T16:31:09.424-05:00After the Holidays...Recap 2After the Holidays were over it was time to knuckle down and finish up retreat plans. Four months might sound like a lot of time but in reality...not so much. The stitching of the retreat piece needed to be finished so any tweaking needed could happen in a timely manner. Lots of other projects needed to be done for retreat too so pretty much most of my free time was spent on that. Also at this time I was slowly working on getting caught up at work with the framing. I have since come to the conclusion that being caught up with the framing is a dream that I will never achieve! Seems like I see the light at the end of the tunnel and then whammo, more framing comes in. This is not a complaint just a statement of fact. I don't work as fast as I used to and I need to rest my neck now too or I regret it but I still feel bad that I make my customers wait longer than what I feel is good. Luckily, I do happen to have the world's best customers and they are all very patient with me. So you can understand how frustrated I was when after a long day of painting frames for retreat I woke up a few days later with extreme pain in my wrist. According to the Doctor, I had a repetitive motion injury...in other words I strained something on the side of my wrist and it required weeks of wearing a wrist brace and directions to not use it at all. Insert many expletives here cuz I pretty much said them all!! I'm still babying the dang thing, I wear the brace every night, ice it regularly and try to avoid over using it. I refuse to get a shot of cortisone in it. Nope! Not gonna do it. No way, no how! My name is Julie and I am a chicken shit.<br />
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During this busy time Abby broke up with her boyfriend (YIPPEE!!) and moved into a friends basement. We told her we'd pack up the village in the basement here and fix it up for her but she wasn't interested in doing that cuz we live so far away from everything. While I don't believe that's true, she's 27 and can make her own decisions so we let it drop. At that point I was just praying she stayed broke up so we dropped everything and helped her decorate her friends basement so she'd be comfy and not miss the jerk she left behind.<br />
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Went to the Nashville Market in February. Mary Ann (the boss) stayed home this year so just Connie and myself went from the shop but I knew we needed a third person if we were going to get to all the designers so we took our good friend Doreen with us. She was a ton of help and she can't wait to go again in 2016. It was different going without the boss. A lot more pressure on me since I was now in charge of the money and staying on budget. I did okay I think. At least I hope I did because it will all be on me again come market time. More on that later. We had a great time seeing all the designers and the new designs, catching up with people we only see once a year and just getting away from home but it was nice to come home too. Don't tell Dan (wouldn't want him getting a big head) but I miss him when I'm away from home, not to mention missing the pups. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBIunqAi3MKhAqYt15uL4unu-Ig6NnuU6hf_5phVH9Hacoqy68AUHmQOnKPYPcx6e01C-WcqZKqQ8ez4QGMcCFA9hN46eeDo3MVxNnebwT47DQ9IHumU8GlzGGqcB3DltolTHTwhJhcw/s1600/doreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBIunqAi3MKhAqYt15uL4unu-Ig6NnuU6hf_5phVH9Hacoqy68AUHmQOnKPYPcx6e01C-WcqZKqQ8ez4QGMcCFA9hN46eeDo3MVxNnebwT47DQ9IHumU8GlzGGqcB3DltolTHTwhJhcw/s320/doreen.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doreen at her very first Market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Speaking of pups, we had to say goodbye to Gracie after the Holidays. Her liver and kidneys were shutting down and she was in pain. We joke that she was living on borrowed time once she hit the ripe old age of 12 as none of our dogs have lived beyond that age so she did really well making it to 14. I was happy that Adam was able to see her at Christmas since she was really his dog. It's always nice to have closure. We still miss her everyday but I know she is up there with her sister Missy and all the others that have gone before her. RIP Gracie Lou Freebush until we meet again.<br />
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Some stitching was done during this time but not a whole lot between getting ready for retreat, going to market and the bad wrist. Mostly I finished projects or small pin keeps. <br />
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I started stitching A Sisters Garden from La D Da at our Fall 2014 retreat and managed to get it finished and framed right before Spring Retreat. I actually had the stitching done for a while but couldn't find a frame I liked. That is until one day, HE walked through the door of the shop. Not through it through it, you can really get hurt doing that, I mean like opened the door and walked through it. HE was a frame rep. Now I've been with the shop for over 12 years and this was the first time a rep from this company had graced us with his presence. When something like this happens, a person (me) just wants to say... Hey, you've ignored us for this long, take yourself right back out that door. BUT...being the moulding whore that I am I couldn't do it. I let him sweet talk me into looking at his samples and I have to say I was instantly taken with what I saw. I couldn't wait to hold and fondle his goodies. And then I saw it, the moulding I had been holding out for. Not too blue, not too green, rustic looking and with a profile I could live with. Soooo...I made nice with the rep and we're now in a relationship and I'm happy cuz I could finally frame my piece!<br />
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This next piece was one I fell in love with at Market. Stacy Nash had the most adorable animal series she was showing at market and I fell in love with them. I bought 'em all! The pig is my favorite so far and I've named him Arnold. My dad's name is Arnold and since I was a child we have teased him about Arnold the pig from Green Acres, the TV show from the 60's so it seems appropriate that my stitched pig share the name. <br />
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And finally I finished and framed a piece I designed. The saying came from an antique sampler from the 1800's. My mom didn't teach me to stitch or sew but Connie's mom did so I designed it for her. I'm not a designer, I only play one on TV so be nice please. <br />
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And with that I will end today's recap. Connie and I are taking Doreen out to dinner in an hour and I need to get ready. Doreen's daughter and grandson who have lived with her for I'm guessing 5 years moved to Florida this week and she's feeling a wee bit down. We're gonna get her drunk and see if we can cheer her up! At the very least if we get her drunk enough she'll forget for a little while! <br />
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Take care till next time, I think retreat will be on the menu then. <br />
<br />
Julie <br />
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Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-91283654945130688092015-08-02T14:08:00.000-05:002015-08-02T14:08:17.474-05:00Today...recap number oneHappy August!<br />
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Today is the 35th anniversary of my wedding to Dan. And they said it wouldn't last! I don't know about him but I am looking forward to another 35 years at least. <br />
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Today is also the day our daughter Abby starts her move into our basement. We'll talk about that later.<br />
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And last but not least...today begins the first installment of a recap of the last 8 months because that is apparently what most of the 9 of you that commented on my last post would like to see.<br />
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So sit back, grab an ice cold something and let's see what sort of things come to mind. <br />
<br />
My last regular post was Halloween! Shortly after that Dan and I found out that we were going to be grandparents! Adam and Marcia were expecting their first baby in May. <br />
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Thanksgiving arrived with a visit from Amy who if you remember is away at grad school in Ohio. It was wonderful to have her home but we didn't see much of her. Short amount of time and lots of people to see. <br />
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Christmas came next and we were thrilled that Adam and Marcia were spending it here in 2014. Amy was also home so we had a wonderful family Christmas. The "kids" decorated cookies...<br />
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and ornaments...</div>
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and we had a Christmas Eve game taken from Minute to Win It. All ping pong balls had to be removed from the kleenex box or they couldn't open their Christmas Eve present until the next day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kA-sBPJxZJI/Vb5dbKNnm3I/AAAAAAAAFME/sEMehMmLdTE/s1600/VID_20141224_200537385.mp4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kA-sBPJxZJI/Vb5dbKNnm3I/AAAAAAAAFME/sEMehMmLdTE/s320/VID_20141224_200537385.mp4" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now we know how Marcia got pregnant so easily! LOL!!</td></tr>
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I finished Tuscan Rose by years end as planned but just by the skin of my teeth!<br />
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And I framed ABC-XYZ from Poppy Kreations</div>
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Think that will do it for this post. I need to run some errands before making supper so I best get my get along going or I won't have time to browse and we all know I like to browse!</div>
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Take care till next time!</div>
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Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-54681583050185759712015-07-21T10:22:00.000-05:002015-07-21T10:22:02.832-05:00Jumping back inThis post is dedicated to Vonna and others that have been asking me when I am going to blog again. Apparently, some folks have noticed that I haven't blogged since November, well except for the picture I posted on the 4th of July. This surprises me somewhat since I feel that most of the time I really don't have much of value to write about. But in an effort to make those few folks happy I will try to blog a bit more often than once or twice a year. No promises though! In my defense I have thought about blogging off and on but after you are away from it for a while you start to think in terms of where do I start? Do I go back to November and fill you in on the highlights of what has taken place in the last 8 months or just start from today and move forward. It's an argument I have had with myself and myself has yet to decide what to do so I'm tossing it out to you all and I will let you make the decision. Do you want to know the highlights of what's happened in the last 8 months or would you prefer I not go back in time and just go from here?<br />
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In response to Magee's comment on my last short post, yes Dan is still stitching although in recent months he's slacked off a bit due to a remodel of the basement that came up unexpectedly. But I will share a picture of what he's mostly been working on (he's slipped in some model stitching for me here and there). I think I posted a picture of it when he first started and as you can see, he is so close to being done. He just has that nasty backstitching to finish but the basement comes first.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojkMwxMlj4y2xqwuel4VIze6P-R9R27u5S8vVD7bzVIBMSV7UwItFWL6Ey7O5a24KpSltO7_3a5lVzj5oOYCzVWQYHw8zRM-iH9Hp08I2JGZyUjorwkYGZdB8yXE3iEi5v1HHFIBPe70/s1600/dans+farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojkMwxMlj4y2xqwuel4VIze6P-R9R27u5S8vVD7bzVIBMSV7UwItFWL6Ey7O5a24KpSltO7_3a5lVzj5oOYCzVWQYHw8zRM-iH9Hp08I2JGZyUjorwkYGZdB8yXE3iEi5v1HHFIBPe70/s320/dans+farm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9XNB85ynXmIc5hU5feqhQeMuS8HjD5sgMH2iNrFh4MtQPggmxIDKqnQBKUbfOOdIlwPyeP4LX0rcUw1lrjNbxhpYTiPQoLrt5JGMJVwBCD8y8gqZy1t0rBYke7sPj2-UxnGYip7ffPA/s1600/dans+farm+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9XNB85ynXmIc5hU5feqhQeMuS8HjD5sgMH2iNrFh4MtQPggmxIDKqnQBKUbfOOdIlwPyeP4LX0rcUw1lrjNbxhpYTiPQoLrt5JGMJVwBCD8y8gqZy1t0rBYke7sPj2-UxnGYip7ffPA/s320/dans+farm+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And with that I will finish this post and head down to the basement to see what I can get done. I hope you are all enjoying summer and getting plenty of stitching time in too!<br />
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Take care till next time!<br />
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JulieJulie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-2166470811423834722015-07-04T19:48:00.001-05:002015-07-04T19:48:47.766-05:00Happy 4th of July!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHTFZe7mXBQFNuFKINTRsWPvxx4qtC5-y2e4OnLIjnz8QYuwz5j0b3wcU6fIp9jsrShWwO_lGl0fT792hpC4Yk1J8vkbEHnwNjbpLRKnBP-rgJIfjSwyXBspmrtJotjruQiKAnQK-EWc/s1600/DSCN9104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHTFZe7mXBQFNuFKINTRsWPvxx4qtC5-y2e4OnLIjnz8QYuwz5j0b3wcU6fIp9jsrShWwO_lGl0fT792hpC4Yk1J8vkbEHnwNjbpLRKnBP-rgJIfjSwyXBspmrtJotjruQiKAnQK-EWc/s320/DSCN9104.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My only patriotic finishes. I need to work on that!</td></tr>
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Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-80932897081939627102014-11-19T17:07:00.001-06:002014-11-19T17:07:36.153-06:00Three New Starts, it's a sicknessNo time for a full post today but I wanted everyone to know the following asap. <br />
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I am a failure. I promised myself no more starts until I finished Tuscan Rose and what do I do???? I start 3 new pieces and am hankering to start more! Please. Send. Help. <br />
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Take care till next time!<br />
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JulieJulie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-17812436149769364832014-10-30T19:14:00.001-05:002014-10-30T19:14:18.197-05:00Happy Halloween!Hello and Happy Halloween!<br />
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It's going to be a chilly one in my neck of the woods but I hear other parts of the country will be colder and wetter so I guess I best not complain too much. I wouldn't complain at all if I was planning to stay inside where it's nice and warm but I've been told that is not the plan for the evening. Our neighbors have invited us over to sit in their driveway around the fire pit, cook dinner over the open flame and hand out candy. Maybe it's just me but that sounds an awful lot like camping. I realize it doesn't include sleeping on the hard ground and having bugs crawl all over me but it's still in the realm of camping and in case you didn't know it...I AM NOT A CAMPER! Dan however told me to suck it up and enjoy it so I guess I'll bundle myself up, grab the marshmallows and some kind of alcoholic beverage, get tipsy and scare all the little trick or treaters! Gotta be some reward for roughing it...right? I hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween!<br />
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Last January, I set a goal for myself which at the time I thought was pretty reasonable but with the whole neck thing happening I have to admit to feeling this summer that perhaps I would not be able to meet that goal. What goal was that you ask? It was a finishing goal. Not a finished finish goal, just a finish the stitching goal. I have a few, okay a lot of unfinished objects (UFO's) wandering aimlessly around the house in various stages of being finished which I am sure everyone out there in blogland can relate to. So waaay back at the first of the year I quietly, yes I said quietly, <span style="font-size: x-small;">(cuz the last thing I wanted to do was announce it to all of blogdom only to have to fess up that I was unable to follow through)</span>, set a goal of finishing 2 of my languishing UFO's before the end of the year. I chose Tuscan Rose by Sampler Cove and Midnight Watch by Blackbird Designs to be the two pieces that I would attempt to finish. As you have probably guessed, I am thrilled to report that I was able to finish up Midnight Watch just before retreat! I can't wait to get it framed and hung, probably at the shop so I can see it everyday. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23BsIHQYKPywiOlnymzQQWpvVtTVrZynt41d31kaR1vc87rZXTUKqlnH22FXO87VTKrr55fD_Swn9VhDV9q1TEpKGpfoOZhA4xo9b4lGyAwQpcXr2ngQWR8eVHBf8yDm8vBQ6464I1ow/s1600/midnight+watch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23BsIHQYKPywiOlnymzQQWpvVtTVrZynt41d31kaR1vc87rZXTUKqlnH22FXO87VTKrr55fD_Swn9VhDV9q1TEpKGpfoOZhA4xo9b4lGyAwQpcXr2ngQWR8eVHBf8yDm8vBQ6464I1ow/s1600/midnight+watch.jpg" height="320" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stitched on 40 ct Silkweaver's Moondust</td></tr>
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I thoroughly enjoyed stitching this piece except for one thing. There was not enough space left for my initials which happen to be some of the largest in the alphabet, so I had to finagle quite a bit to make them fit. I guess you say this is a pet peeve of mine. Write this down designers...please please leave enough room in the design for the widest 3 letters of the alphabet if you are putting initials into it. Not everyone is able to figure out how to move things or crunch them together to make the initials fit and having only two initials on a sampler looks funny to me. Thank you. <br />
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Tuscan Rose is coming along nicely also. I have only the last 2 bands to complete and I am partially done with both of them so I believe I will meet my goal on this piece also. <br />
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Since this experiment went so well I think I will set a similar goal for 2015. Haven't decided which UFO's will be the lucky winners and I probably won't announce it either just in case I am totally unable to achieve the goal I set for myself! LOL!! I hope some of you out there will join me in my quiet goal and choose a couple of your UFO's to finish next year too. <br />
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Dan has chosen his next piece to work on and it is a beauty! I love this piece but somehow I just don't think I would ever stitch it so when he said he would do it I jumped at the chance to have it stitched...by someone other than myself! Yes!! There is a cross stitching God!. It's called Scenic Farm and it's a Dimensions kit that is now discontinued. I have seen it stitched and it is gorgeous!<br />
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As you can see he is not very far yet but he'll get there. <br />
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And finally I will leave you with a picture I took last week of my lone re-blooming Iris. You just have to love an Iris that will bloom in October! <br />
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Take care till next time!<br />
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Julie Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-3077923906549725812014-10-26T12:22:00.001-05:002014-10-26T12:22:44.930-05:00Fall Retreat RecapHappy Last Week of October!<br />
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My this month has flown by! The weather has been so beautiful here in Nebraska that it is hard to believe November is just a few short days away. Before I know it Amy will be home for Thanksgiving and then Christmas! YIKES!!<br />
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Retreat was last weekend. I was asked in the comments of my last blog post what retreat was so bear with me if this is old news to you. The shop I work at has two retreats a year. A spring "frills" retreat and a fall "no frills" retreat. Spring retreat includes an exclusive design, swag bags, door prizes, massages, sometimes a trunk show, a make it and take it, swap table, brag table and shop night plus the most important thing...4 days of stitching. I blogged about our last spring retreat a couple of posts back. Fall Retreat is no frills. It's 4 days of stitching, an ornament exchange and brag table. Period. We may re-think the massages though and add those in for next year. Our ornament exchange this year was Christmas themed. Last year it was Halloween themed. I didn't take too many pictures this year but did manage to snap a few of the finishes that happened and of course the brag table and ornaments. This fall we had a total of 28 retreaters that were able to attend. I believe, judging from all the laughter, everyone had a good time, I know I did!<br />
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I believe Linda was the first to finish something at retreat this year. But I have to call her out on it. Having only 3 stitches to put in, while technically a finish, is IMHO Cheating!!! But we clapped for her anyway and I took the dirty little cheaters picture too! <br />
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See that maniacal look in her eye? She knows she cheated and she doesn't care! Mwah! Linda you know I love you. <br />
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Doreen had a finish from the Hometown Holiday series. <br />
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Stacy had a finish in the monthly Cottage series. She might have had more but you actually have to bring your stitching with you to retreat if you intend to stitch. Sadly, Stacy remembered her homework but forgot her stitching!! We had quite a few chuckles at her expense. Luckily, another gal that was coming on Friday was able to bring it with her and so Stacy just worked on her homework for the first 24 hours of retreat.<br />
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Carole had a finish, although unless you know her and recognize the hair you wouldn't know it was Carole. <br />
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Deb had a finish too. When I went over to take the picture she had already balled it up and stuffed it in her bag. I say that's abuse of a finished cross stitch and she should have to forfeit the piece. Do you agree?<br />
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Mary Ann had a finish while at retreat too. But she hid behind it when I took the picture. Possibly another reason for forfeiture? <br />
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The following were displayed on the brag table. Kudos to all for the gorgeous pieces we got to see! Pictures just don't do them justice. Especially mine this year as I thought I should behave and not climb up and down on chairs to get a better shot. I apologize for the quality.<br />
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The ornament exchange was fun and everyone did a wonderful job again this year. <br />
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Finally, I will close with a couple of WIP's that I thought you might enjoy seeing. <br />
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It's not often I see anyone working on a Hawk Run Hallow piece and this one is stunning! Elaine said she hasn't stitched on it since last retreat so I challenged her to have it finished by next fall's retreat. <br />
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The last piece I will share is a Prairie Schooler masterpiece being stitched by Patty. I believe it measures somewhere in the neighborhood of 18 x 55 on 40 count. This one got several people's attention. So much so that a couple of them went on ebay and bought the charts!<br />
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And there you have it, retreat in a nutshell. I hope you enjoyed seeing all the wonderful projects stitched by the awesome needleartists that attended, and keep in mind this is just a small sampling of the beautiful pieces the ladies were working on. A big thanks to all of you for supporting our retreats, without you we couldn't have them! <br />
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Take care till next time!<br />
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JulieJulie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-85042899857319669202014-10-05T11:07:00.001-05:002014-10-05T11:07:32.585-05:00Another Dan finish and some Julie stitching too!Happy October Everyone!<br />
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The weather in Nebraska turned chilly Friday so I have been starting my days with some hot chocolate in my favorite mug! I have to say I love everything about this mug. The weight of it, the color, the way the handle fits in my hand, the size and lets not forget the saying! It's perfect!<br />
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Dan is off in Kansas City having a Nascar day. Up to this point he has not really been a fan, he'd watch it some if it happened to be on but he could take it or leave it. I am however, predicting that after seeing it in person he will be a convert. *UPDATE: Didn't even get this posted before he called to say he bought a Danica Patrick hat and she autographed it and he is a huge fan now! Silly predictable man! LOL!<br />
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In my last post I promised to share his latest project. I didn't get a chance to blog this past week though and now instead of a WIP I get to share his finish! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this will be a gift for a friend of Dans</td></tr>
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When he started this project, Dan informed me that he will need a matching "man" fob for all his stitching projects and could I please make him one for this project. He already has a ship fob which I thought would work just fine but noooo, he wanted a lighthouse fob. I told him I didn't think there would be a lighthouse charm anywhere in the stores here. We live in Nebraska, why would we need a lighthouse charm? So what did he do?? The man trotted his happy azz off to the store and came home with a lighthouse charm just to prove me wrong. I then had no choice but to make him a fob. If only it would stop there. But I can see the writing on the wall already as hints are being dropped left and right about how he only has one pair of scissors. Seriously dude, they don't make "manly" embroidery scissors!!<br />
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I am not sure what his next project will be. He keeps telling me to choose his next piece and I keep telling him to choose his own. It will be interesting to see what he comes up with. <br />
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I have eased back in to stitching and am doing well. I take frequent breaks and do my exercises and and so far so good. I finished Blackbird Designs Midnight Watch last week but forgot to take a picture and I left it at work. I was almost done with it before my neck went to pieces so I didn't have much left to do and I am beyond thrilled that I finished it. I had set a goal to finish it and Tuscan Rose this year and was shooting for before Fall Retreat. One out of two isn't bad considering. We're having a Christmas Ornament Exchange at Retreat this Fall and I was thinking I would be able to participate but I was wrong. I stitched up a piece this week and now I just need to finish it. I will have to wait to show you that one after retreat though. And I dug out Tuscan Rose last night and put a few stitches in it but not enough to take a picture. Which leaves me with showing a couple three pin pillows I stitched well over a year ago and finally put together a couple of weeks ago although I am still debating trims on them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L- Jeanette Douglas, R - Blackbird Designs </td></tr>
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And a Lizzie Kate that I stitched right around Mother's Day last spring but haven't decided what to do with it yet. <br />
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If I remember correctly, I switched up the colors a bit on this one. <br />
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Quick update on the kids,<br />
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Adam and Marcia are doing well and looking forward to finding a town house when their apt. lease is up. We've seen quite a bit of Adam the last few months as work has brought him to town and Marcia popped in for a weekend before my surgery. Both will be here for Christmas this year and we are very excited for that!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VAef75Q9NY5UJTZ1N7EsJp_bHxlWN4uAb6w0ZlzfJqehkizE8Z2dLMwYPBBwWR2hAPQDHAwgJSfHnA2_4Ia_TrddjBYU2ICfqlOZVTetNOZy4vP3O38yX7ndTdlw0Jqild2oDC67Gqs/s1600/marcia+and+adam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VAef75Q9NY5UJTZ1N7EsJp_bHxlWN4uAb6w0ZlzfJqehkizE8Z2dLMwYPBBwWR2hAPQDHAwgJSfHnA2_4Ia_TrddjBYU2ICfqlOZVTetNOZy4vP3O38yX7ndTdlw0Jqild2oDC67Gqs/s1600/marcia+and+adam.jpg" height="203" width="320" /></a></div>
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Abby is still dating Joe and they are doing well. Joe just bought a house so Abby is busy trying to figure out how to decorate as Joe says she can do what she wants within reason with the main living areas as long as she doesn't touch "the man cave". No girly stuff though. Abby starts her new hours at work this week and is looking forward to seeing more of Joe. Grandpuppy Lola is a spoiled rotten little ball of fluff but we adore her!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7HrwRJg0PN-ufm1MarwxBRzqD75n_Jqk5Odr_rR92ZH72v9Ni0KGFGLaS1I8JnTwx1dtMUnSy0qE-KEQFQNTUSeL7-ESapXNkzTPDL44mLx9ZrdyiE1DXnftExaUVBbO2XXe58YlDwo/s1600/10439526_10101440848614793_8615698055825124521_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7HrwRJg0PN-ufm1MarwxBRzqD75n_Jqk5Odr_rR92ZH72v9Ni0KGFGLaS1I8JnTwx1dtMUnSy0qE-KEQFQNTUSeL7-ESapXNkzTPDL44mLx9ZrdyiE1DXnftExaUVBbO2XXe58YlDwo/s1600/10439526_10101440848614793_8615698055825124521_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hard to find a pic where one or both of them<br />aren't making a silly face! Sorry Joe!</td></tr>
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Amy moved to Ohio for grad school in June and is doing well although busy doesn't quite cover it. She was told grad school would be entirely different from college and they weren't lying but she is thriving and making new friends. She calls almost every day and fills me in on what is happening but to be honest, most of it goes over my head!! We miss her constantly and are looking forward to seeing her at Thanksgiving and Christmas. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1Hv3U2A_Qhrdm74XHnJ5OjHbjMzNoGXgoMn9t3wBcbgA0jlSGpNB7Lx5zx7xDQmpNV73_r80eTPGPh__mSUdl4zf0xP80lSz6L5IlPELHbSyscB2hBArh7oDORdMsSyydtaX8flKdOA/s1600/amy+and+friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1Hv3U2A_Qhrdm74XHnJ5OjHbjMzNoGXgoMn9t3wBcbgA0jlSGpNB7Lx5zx7xDQmpNV73_r80eTPGPh__mSUdl4zf0xP80lSz6L5IlPELHbSyscB2hBArh7oDORdMsSyydtaX8flKdOA/s1600/amy+and+friends.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy is on the far right</td></tr>
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And with that I will call it a day. I hope you all are having a great weekend full of stitching!<br />
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Take care till next time!<br />
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Julie <br />
Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-65289524404354670722014-09-24T13:55:00.001-05:002014-09-24T13:55:33.816-05:00More on what Dan did this summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Hump Day!<br />
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I'm so pleased you all were impressed with the Mr's stitching. I've chosen a wonderful frame for it and am just trying to decide on whether to mat it or not. I'll share when it's finished. <br />
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Some of you might remember a few years back when I had my Achilles Tendon surgery. To keep me entertained Dan remodeled the kitchen while I was convalesing. Every day I would make my way downstairs and find that he had worked on one thing or another. It was almost like Christmas! <br />
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Dan did not disappoint this time either! It all started with the fireplace. We had a lovely orangey oak surround that neither of us liked and since I had nothing but time to think about things, and the sofa faces the fireplace, it became the pea underneath my mattress until finally I couldn't take it and I begged him to do something. We put our heads together and decided to paint it the same color as the kitchen cabinets but keep the mantle itself stained, just darker. It took him the entire 3 day 4th of July weekend but he got it finished and we both were thrilled with how it turned out. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86Po9dog1z_EHMsFPOBs4NsxufJXA-8xr-5WXmwrgUeNwMQqq7oeobVTfqogMLWZXUKL0GJTM8LEKpSF9VjYu3u3Ubs4bKmRveqZAz1Z3fJbZfCBXrverHivjr2_46jNg1OjqhQY0-BM/s1600/fireplace+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86Po9dog1z_EHMsFPOBs4NsxufJXA-8xr-5WXmwrgUeNwMQqq7oeobVTfqogMLWZXUKL0GJTM8LEKpSF9VjYu3u3Ubs4bKmRveqZAz1Z3fJbZfCBXrverHivjr2_46jNg1OjqhQY0-BM/s1600/fireplace+before.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireplace before</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87qknSfXqVTgcdgFzClZlxyrW79a5ggE0ypFlscukA1WVk_42JU58e4li-LHltJUK_o-CO7NKiMLVRTfUjHz66mRMEn6ata8v30Tz3P3zrcJVs7wWbxWdEI4vw0oI8ZSR5f4odP78vpQ/s1600/fireplace-after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87qknSfXqVTgcdgFzClZlxyrW79a5ggE0ypFlscukA1WVk_42JU58e4li-LHltJUK_o-CO7NKiMLVRTfUjHz66mRMEn6ata8v30Tz3P3zrcJVs7wWbxWdEI4vw0oI8ZSR5f4odP78vpQ/s1600/fireplace-after.jpg" height="320" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fireplace after</td></tr>
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Meanwhile, the upstairs toilet leaked leaving stains on the kitchen ceiling, we got the toilet fixed but the stains remained and they bothered me every time I saw them. So...he painted the ceiling and since the kitchen ceiling is open to the family room ceiling he had to paint the whole thing. Dan watches HGTV and he sees how they always empty out the room completely when they paint and remodel. However, as much as he will moan and groan about having to work around the furniture the man will not empty the room. Nope, he'd rather complain the entire time and this time he had to work around me since I was flat out on the sofa 99% of the time. But in spite of the cursing and stumbling over things he got the ceiling finished and it looks quite spiffy. But he didn't stop there. We had been talking about how badly the walls needed painting for at least a year. It's been over a decade since the last paint job and since it was suede paint we hadn't been able to touch it up because you can't touch up suede paint, it looks worse than the holes and black marks if you do. But I loved my suede paint and didn't want to paint over it with regular paint and Ralph Lauren, the suede paint we liked, had been discontinued many years ago. However, as it so happens, with some research I discovered that Home Depot had just re-introduced Ralph Lauren's suede paint this past June!!! So Dan trotted his happy self to the store and brought home every last paint chip color in the line for me to look at. And ponder. And then ponder some more. And then choose one color only to change my mind the next morning. And then I would ponder some more. I finally had it narrowed down to 2 colors, a brown, similar to what is in the kitchen or a sage green. I went back and forth and back and forth between them so much that time passed. Lots of time passed. I had my surgery and still hadn't decided. In fact it wasn't until I was somewhat mobile after my surgery that I finally chose and then it was at the store when we were getting the paint! I intended to get the brown paint but at the last second I went with the green and I am so happy I did!! It looks fantastic! It looks so fantastic that Dan couldn't stand to keep the carpet in there. He said he didn't spend all that time painting the suede paint (not the easiest technique) just to keep the ugly carpet when we both really wanted something else. I wanted a medium colored hardwood and he was leaning more towards a dark laminate wood and in the end I let him have his way and we went with the laminate. Again it was an interesting process since the man wouldn't completely empty the room. He emptied the smaller pieces into the kitchen but left the entertainment center, sofa, recliner and the love seat. He did half the room and then had to shift everything over to do the other half. It took him over a week to finish and almost as soon as he did he said it was a mistake, 3 dogs, dark floor...lots of upkeep and I can't do any of it yet. But it does look really nice. We found an area rug at Lowe's and a clearance ceiling fan at Menards and with the exception of needing new furniture at some point (it's also a decade old and my lounging on it for the last 4 months didn't help it out any) the room is finished and we are both thrilled with it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUqCoXsVbEpA-SbJS-RZCTwtIiYIXgBYXrcxu9qxC3_6OTVxTyW4wg-1fb0vM6nD8Z6B5UVoChlaYbeYcvx4b8pn7pIkVMZCDz1nlm6e71DJ0kJ2o1_3FUkevVackIxq8jC_351sCJ08/s1600/family+rm+5-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUqCoXsVbEpA-SbJS-RZCTwtIiYIXgBYXrcxu9qxC3_6OTVxTyW4wg-1fb0vM6nD8Z6B5UVoChlaYbeYcvx4b8pn7pIkVMZCDz1nlm6e71DJ0kJ2o1_3FUkevVackIxq8jC_351sCJ08/s1600/family+rm+5-11.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family room before</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjw8dnVlnQ54H5RbSr3-F6N8LtCRTORXAm1-9H6gXAtonF1HcvGWU7bakqp-KY5EAdFqC07pvSC3TERQrUPPCJnc7gLIxpwcQrBsoSdWvElw0_0-uIBLkvdxKhKbny5tx8pJJldYSCKCI/s1600/bullet+holes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjw8dnVlnQ54H5RbSr3-F6N8LtCRTORXAm1-9H6gXAtonF1HcvGWU7bakqp-KY5EAdFqC07pvSC3TERQrUPPCJnc7gLIxpwcQrBsoSdWvElw0_0-uIBLkvdxKhKbny5tx8pJJldYSCKCI/s1600/bullet+holes.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all the many holes that needed to be filled.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoTcRm-TazStFzLTjloX09GSW1ZXW0EpsVZTkAJItjA7WEjFWoIY1kpr4T-0kDJn4qtm1dPaP_LgUggioQzoc6fkrY3NtgeGjz7mxORj9PMsfnKrei_ZUIIZIn70U6dPJiwbzZpO4VHk/s1600/door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoTcRm-TazStFzLTjloX09GSW1ZXW0EpsVZTkAJItjA7WEjFWoIY1kpr4T-0kDJn4qtm1dPaP_LgUggioQzoc6fkrY3NtgeGjz7mxORj9PMsfnKrei_ZUIIZIn70U6dPJiwbzZpO4VHk/s1600/door.jpg" height="320" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">north wall looking towards the kitchen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv43xYsxdn8_ho8nZYUw9Rz4sj4KX6Nz4eLOaiEclhXOqyU9VGoChCA5oMsgcu6FMuQoDdaaepIfRWR4-YjRLXsZWd52yw6ANWsVHjXBNU0NK_e8HOzA0k4fW_5sBw4Od8nQrTazX4c6E/s1600/sofa+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv43xYsxdn8_ho8nZYUw9Rz4sj4KX6Nz4eLOaiEclhXOqyU9VGoChCA5oMsgcu6FMuQoDdaaepIfRWR4-YjRLXsZWd52yw6ANWsVHjXBNU0NK_e8HOzA0k4fW_5sBw4Od8nQrTazX4c6E/s1600/sofa+door.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nw wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuHggWV1_QMpOh7Kg7DrCqFfC-L92S7BCEFQENRrLAKgwZ0jhX87OITeHCzKbXiKp6tTwb38CNQT0Urle3nmSsiN2g4waOwKo3puBHn8Xc4g6HCuorQjjRLyg8OdwykhhWQLx-7C4me4/s1600/sofa+wall+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuHggWV1_QMpOh7Kg7DrCqFfC-L92S7BCEFQENRrLAKgwZ0jhX87OITeHCzKbXiKp6tTwb38CNQT0Urle3nmSsiN2g4waOwKo3puBHn8Xc4g6HCuorQjjRLyg8OdwykhhWQLx-7C4me4/s1600/sofa+wall+b.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">west wall/sw corner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIY46sRXwDKzd3Xzb9PIcbgf2qKGSY3SVzxPl2S_FcWhJZ7lKQ-9ZYc1e3uX9IBqAry7Jv9Y_5V3GC6vU1PXg_YSD-95YgAqt3SnCba-s0qWPK5R6myX4Gp8M8D6qpwsCoTLU1HUl9mSE/s1600/sofa+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIY46sRXwDKzd3Xzb9PIcbgf2qKGSY3SVzxPl2S_FcWhJZ7lKQ-9ZYc1e3uX9IBqAry7Jv9Y_5V3GC6vU1PXg_YSD-95YgAqt3SnCba-s0qWPK5R6myX4Gp8M8D6qpwsCoTLU1HUl9mSE/s1600/sofa+wall.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sw wall again</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDOKEie0TYNaW-fbDJKcFPAQjhx2NYxDwnDYsi2czV0gSirCDtRQnVx1YjkFMooR5C__tckFxJvIanVPZ2QdyAvn87DQakRWXO7DKfkGY2oC1L4rSXNYSw7azwJmobUsY0oSGUN-I9gc/s1600/dresser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDOKEie0TYNaW-fbDJKcFPAQjhx2NYxDwnDYsi2czV0gSirCDtRQnVx1YjkFMooR5C__tckFxJvIanVPZ2QdyAvn87DQakRWXO7DKfkGY2oC1L4rSXNYSw7azwJmobUsY0oSGUN-I9gc/s1600/dresser.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sw corner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgRds6NurceiFJvEDgaN4nKxhMMHZLnRGB_gi-MJnK2m_rrpLpa13r6uXOxUSMMwllAyBsrhe2nmYaWjjL0SZFBKVBAuwijrMsZy7AJ8qJ_yrfRmrPYgnh7Inv1ieLBUlO9rxGhlqpSE/s1600/tv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgRds6NurceiFJvEDgaN4nKxhMMHZLnRGB_gi-MJnK2m_rrpLpa13r6uXOxUSMMwllAyBsrhe2nmYaWjjL0SZFBKVBAuwijrMsZy7AJ8qJ_yrfRmrPYgnh7Inv1ieLBUlO9rxGhlqpSE/s1600/tv.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">se corner. we removed the top of the entertainment center</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yBaOkif7b4Eqa6BhSDfMhyphenhyphen_Kx_5jqOy2CbUSl9xoxGZY0NCRJOLUvN1hYc5Jb0ZFDOgnPAFSh8bgAR7Y_O80j8PO68tqxSaB64OSiYDagV6xlX4nIheVQXjLQIfc249rdwjrsADfGTo/s1600/wall+color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yBaOkif7b4Eqa6BhSDfMhyphenhyphen_Kx_5jqOy2CbUSl9xoxGZY0NCRJOLUvN1hYc5Jb0ZFDOgnPAFSh8bgAR7Y_O80j8PO68tqxSaB64OSiYDagV6xlX4nIheVQXjLQIfc249rdwjrsADfGTo/s1600/wall+color.jpg" height="320" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">south wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHxe0DUicbKWkUtikgwg2JSC4MQhrD3XXI0hWz4ZExFGGF0CZlo2Nt8vdF8nPZJqwk0Z4mFoXjSF7t7ffGQHBt9qocU_8QxI-cCIGk52EXrk5eTF2vwASyNChvmsVg5Xi2fAUGNh1GKI/s1600/rug+with+sofa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHxe0DUicbKWkUtikgwg2JSC4MQhrD3XXI0hWz4ZExFGGF0CZlo2Nt8vdF8nPZJqwk0Z4mFoXjSF7t7ffGQHBt9qocU_8QxI-cCIGk52EXrk5eTF2vwASyNChvmsVg5Xi2fAUGNh1GKI/s1600/rug+with+sofa.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new rug</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NvcFWdQ2Vua6bJBenivpDZwGiNYZB3lX0YpWsQbFAsahX0v7wULM0vxEMJqjZOef6TIAqggS6iNaxtg9FhVmJIhqdD70tLh22SIQGYSbj1u5E3tMQhz6AcYoTmtptUVhslG7fuJPoFk/s1600/floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NvcFWdQ2Vua6bJBenivpDZwGiNYZB3lX0YpWsQbFAsahX0v7wULM0vxEMJqjZOef6TIAqggS6iNaxtg9FhVmJIhqdD70tLh22SIQGYSbj1u5E3tMQhz6AcYoTmtptUVhslG7fuJPoFk/s1600/floor.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new laminate floor</td></tr>
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I think we're done doing any further remodeling since it seems like the only time we do it is when I have surgery and quite frankly I don't want to have any more! I'm sure you can understand that!</div>
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Dan has started a new small project that he intends as a gift for Christmas so I will share that with you next time and will also share some pin pillows I had stitched before things with my neck happened. </div>
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Hope you enjoyed seeing the remodel! </div>
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Take care till next time!</div>
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Julie </div>
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Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-21616541598896003482014-09-16T11:22:00.000-05:002014-09-16T11:22:40.813-05:00All about DanHello again!<br />
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Today is all about Dan, the stitching man! While I was laid up he was able to squeeze in some stitching time in between working 2 jobs, having to cook, clean, do laundry and wait on me hand and foot. Pretty sure I remember telling you all about the wonderful chart I was able to find at February Market in Nashville. Well, he finished the stitching on it but has yet to build his Mi'Lords necessities box to mount it on. I think he's been a wee bit busy doing other things and box building isn't something you want to do late at night after you tuck your wife in bed! He'll get to it eventually but in the meantime here is his finished piece. Sorry no ironing, it's not on my list of approved activities.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8prZ1rzNKG8Nh93PiKp7c1MYwrbCToCkmwMBy6vu3hbbFvpaTUeRFvrBftLg0GpdOehlZb7202ZyjYbWU5g6G-1nIEFMfGsb96aDlEZIPTXzITQLLxSICC1XopQ3xh32eVNbeSy8BEA/s1600/milord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8prZ1rzNKG8Nh93PiKp7c1MYwrbCToCkmwMBy6vu3hbbFvpaTUeRFvrBftLg0GpdOehlZb7202ZyjYbWU5g6G-1nIEFMfGsb96aDlEZIPTXzITQLLxSICC1XopQ3xh32eVNbeSy8BEA/s1600/milord.jpg" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6Lh8vuNBzAwKTxQl1xh7Jb1EPbEV2NRoSm0cAqYZP8u9SP_yzdFMytjFgWN2IYMF6BU2Yr99n0wmv0jIRx992q39Fp7D0JzeLi7mWS1BFOKc0VGOYSLvagi8ZeiL1IF-lxRPmWNq7xI/s1600/milord+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6Lh8vuNBzAwKTxQl1xh7Jb1EPbEV2NRoSm0cAqYZP8u9SP_yzdFMytjFgWN2IYMF6BU2Yr99n0wmv0jIRx992q39Fp7D0JzeLi7mWS1BFOKc0VGOYSLvagi8ZeiL1IF-lxRPmWNq7xI/s1600/milord+2.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was his first time working on evenweave and his first time working with an overdyed floss. I think he did a wonderful job! <br />
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Once Mi'Lords Necessities was finished he was ready to tackle a huge project. One I wouldn't have touched with a ten foot pole. Stitched on 32 ct Fog Linen from PTP using DMC floss he started the stitching in May I believe, since he brought it with him to retreat. Yep, that's right, my man came to retreat! The official reason he was there was to help bring the shop out for shop night but once we had things set up the man disappeared. When I next saw him he was happily ensconced at a table full of women stitching away and laughing with the girls like he'd done it a million times! I wish I had taken a picture of it but I was busy working and didn't think about it. The girls were very kind to him and even hooked him up with his own stash that they pulled from the swap table. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLJE4BlsBNm6XIg9bFSEFUDNr_f6-A7JhyphenhyphenBpN39GMniXDF3oepjjgaK6c-q6B5vO71iB9wN3ZCMezGaQ0WwU_q_mXQQ1chMZIpLZifGDijHS1qDpUR8uCeRAVU1aUqmzhSzzYirc9yio/s1600/dan+stash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLJE4BlsBNm6XIg9bFSEFUDNr_f6-A7JhyphenhyphenBpN39GMniXDF3oepjjgaK6c-q6B5vO71iB9wN3ZCMezGaQ0WwU_q_mXQQ1chMZIpLZifGDijHS1qDpUR8uCeRAVU1aUqmzhSzzYirc9yio/s1600/dan+stash.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan's Stash courtesy of the retreaters</td></tr>
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There was a reason I am told for each chart they so thoughtfully chose for him but I am not aware of what those thoughts are. Maybe some of them will chime in on the comments and let us all know. One of our regulars, Carole, even made him a manly fob to go with his project. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3HffkNL_He1RfXHCE3A4tlmGuY4e7bTV_nIiazr7rbrCDqIW_fHppUwhs8MOtwWCqQn4SbflLvaMVjnBJJv7jCUe7dUdL8H1AmASxbMGmHk0URWaQuwdXmXiRbFuqt9ZUzIe4rR5D10/s1600/ship+fob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3HffkNL_He1RfXHCE3A4tlmGuY4e7bTV_nIiazr7rbrCDqIW_fHppUwhs8MOtwWCqQn4SbflLvaMVjnBJJv7jCUe7dUdL8H1AmASxbMGmHk0URWaQuwdXmXiRbFuqt9ZUzIe4rR5D10/s1600/ship+fob.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell what the project is? </td></tr>
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But I digress...I have to give the man kudos, lots and lots of kudos. Not only was this chart full of confetti stitches but it looks like one of the most boring pieces to stitch ever. Cool when finished but one wouldn't get a sense of accomplishment as one stitched due to the nature of the chart. You don't really see the picture until it's all done and you step back. But I am happy to report that he finished this project this week and I think it's awesome. Even his back looks good considering it's only his 3rd project. Are you curious yet as to what it is? <br />
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Can I have a drumroll please!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP_CT91GSsmNlgswRSNCYIinPDDGqYen3pHWJo-RJE8Ro42Xwp6EvajPLHBwJS0mOP6YIUxJ8tCA-88fq2rPCRTQMgiautlHSUBx9cm9RgZwIS0Qt-4LykJScBnEqoxHjrcRIBvKsdzk/s1600/Dan's%2BShip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP_CT91GSsmNlgswRSNCYIinPDDGqYen3pHWJo-RJE8Ro42Xwp6EvajPLHBwJS0mOP6YIUxJ8tCA-88fq2rPCRTQMgiautlHSUBx9cm9RgZwIS0Qt-4LykJScBnEqoxHjrcRIBvKsdzk/s1600/Dan's%2BShip.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5w-5yzxATbSWN_VjalMD79f5W3XNZiY5PWiFIC9m0ShJuiNBF-SFbH6X9uaDcc7i8mjrBkGiOPQe_KnL-IKYUChwFv4js5cqUN77esXlQHEXmf56hoDSuG6wfeP6TqhkVfZU9HJqP9Q/s1600/ship+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5w-5yzxATbSWN_VjalMD79f5W3XNZiY5PWiFIC9m0ShJuiNBF-SFbH6X9uaDcc7i8mjrBkGiOPQe_KnL-IKYUChwFv4js5cqUN77esXlQHEXmf56hoDSuG6wfeP6TqhkVfZU9HJqP9Q/s1600/ship+back.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back</td></tr>
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This is a Ronnie Rowe Pen and Ink design called Concordia. It's one of 3 ships, I'm pretty sure Dan won't stitch the other 2 but who knows? It could happen. <br />
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Started back to work yesterday and stretched my first piece of cross stitch. I think it went pretty well. I don't seem to have a lot of increased pain because of it anyway. My arm is a little more sore but I also started PT so it could be that or a combination. I plan to take it slow and easy, only working 2 hours a day at this time. Still no stitching, I don't think I could handle having my head down to stretch and to stitch so stitching will keep till I get caught up a bit at work.<br />
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Hope you enjoyed hearing about Dan's stitching. He's pretty proud of himself as he should be!<br />
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Take care till next time!<br />
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Julie<br />
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<br />Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-1401779777973568322014-09-10T15:31:00.001-05:002014-09-10T15:31:21.858-05:00Back on my FeetWow! Where does one start after such a long absence? I'd say at the beginning of the absence but my poor pea brain can't remember that far back! I do know at the time I was busy preparing for our Spring retreat so perhaps I should begin there in spite of it being old news. <br />
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The theme was Voyage of Discovery, based loosely on Christopher Columbus and other explorer's voyages during the Age of Discovery. Everyone there received 2 exclusive charts designed just for the occasion. Dan designed and built the frame to fit either design and these were included in the attendees goody bag. We offered a class where those that wanted to, could discover how to make a button bracelet. We had a Rosewood Manor and a Fabric Flair Trunk Show, a swap table, brag table, massages, and door prizes also. All in all I think a good time was had by everyone. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtZiVROVX5Im6ND76vLgWxeUd0xtAOPLDpGbOGGj6daPf4Pe7WdoHwXQCLtrv7S4sI6VD4msalEQjsc-NzT4t-RAuAF1vFxAogDd3kL28UcpIJ5bfNxSscE21eEVfNa1kYXEX56HHi8U/s1600/RM+retreat+piece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtZiVROVX5Im6ND76vLgWxeUd0xtAOPLDpGbOGGj6daPf4Pe7WdoHwXQCLtrv7S4sI6VD4msalEQjsc-NzT4t-RAuAF1vFxAogDd3kL28UcpIJ5bfNxSscE21eEVfNa1kYXEX56HHi8U/s1600/RM+retreat+piece.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosewood Manor Retreat Exclusive</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM46Pu1i4Drl2MmtIYjxo9E7khF8y-5ZucUZFbMwc_3XFGwpdzcm5wcnz8so-zwku-f-LBYD_89ENlzFfiNcvWyL31XyCy4j7WAYXVChuvHoXIe8eiSxa7jQpJozSDfzt0HBsfurg2xJw/s1600/Voyage+of+Discovery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM46Pu1i4Drl2MmtIYjxo9E7khF8y-5ZucUZFbMwc_3XFGwpdzcm5wcnz8so-zwku-f-LBYD_89ENlzFfiNcvWyL31XyCy4j7WAYXVChuvHoXIe8eiSxa7jQpJozSDfzt0HBsfurg2xJw/s1600/Voyage+of+Discovery.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Design</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipct_oQcUDcpLzysMchuf8V-7QWPIa4XxwxOJQTe0FHnEOClGUg-eRRPfZ_vbLW7y0iboqULJa3ln58TakLUwpbB6mjCv7lemDQ9uVTcp-Ga2ICaLTt9mG1bqIyDJM2OvmAOotA7mr3NI/s1600/swag+bags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipct_oQcUDcpLzysMchuf8V-7QWPIa4XxwxOJQTe0FHnEOClGUg-eRRPfZ_vbLW7y0iboqULJa3ln58TakLUwpbB6mjCv7lemDQ9uVTcp-Ga2ICaLTt9mG1bqIyDJM2OvmAOotA7mr3NI/s1600/swag+bags.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goody Bags</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2_bUUTWEs0NtixQUi5zEPORqqgmgpVG6bRIFFEeSskzTtHrG7fvnjYg_T2FVJssOKoggXoo32rz_42CgtmJDhgev7KC1ZZ5lM8GCY_MfQgzEjmdcK1LaJHoKc-FN2YprpSyQZCjaUSo/s1600/contents+of+swag+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2_bUUTWEs0NtixQUi5zEPORqqgmgpVG6bRIFFEeSskzTtHrG7fvnjYg_T2FVJssOKoggXoo32rz_42CgtmJDhgev7KC1ZZ5lM8GCY_MfQgzEjmdcK1LaJHoKc-FN2YprpSyQZCjaUSo/s1600/contents+of+swag+bag.jpg" height="175" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contents of the goody bags</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfYsLyjQkKEGgGodhxYpMYVmx1cSMnQMROBxMMW8_E68QHYqlZaVPTR0uUa8E31CpIKhsZGbyclm1MkjPX2gb530se90JZSpV5pwtuOCoV_YC5kM-LUCDUT95-44I4o-8wycExtFxDks/s1600/treasure+box+for+orts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfYsLyjQkKEGgGodhxYpMYVmx1cSMnQMROBxMMW8_E68QHYqlZaVPTR0uUa8E31CpIKhsZGbyclm1MkjPX2gb530se90JZSpV5pwtuOCoV_YC5kM-LUCDUT95-44I4o-8wycExtFxDks/s1600/treasure+box+for+orts.jpg" height="261" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this years ort container</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqq1K78sV21fuAQ0uUmpiQAodCIPPk0SKopzSM7GOHlOHb0OBtmF9kGRkRJ19JW9pP9gtk_sZA-LQ-apVGgLCBEWT9-94Wl-XbO4kXHrnnwJgXRnpjywb-S8y-GJ2oHQvAE1diftfsoUw/s1600/treasure+orts+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqq1K78sV21fuAQ0uUmpiQAodCIPPk0SKopzSM7GOHlOHb0OBtmF9kGRkRJ19JW9pP9gtk_sZA-LQ-apVGgLCBEWT9-94Wl-XbO4kXHrnnwJgXRnpjywb-S8y-GJ2oHQvAE1diftfsoUw/s1600/treasure+orts+box.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">complete with gold coins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2xsLoN0G1DAk13noD3XsqCxKIzzFKoddZQFuhWgOV4kTdKZ3EcsQvMoqFQaPnT4XI-zETn_-ILGN7eqQX1bOLZKXSGxKIHia6WLFn-sMyPnPaZv82sQgvP44xxvEg5RBoo6qMHz51KI/s1600/fabric+and+floss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2xsLoN0G1DAk13noD3XsqCxKIzzFKoddZQFuhWgOV4kTdKZ3EcsQvMoqFQaPnT4XI-zETn_-ILGN7eqQX1bOLZKXSGxKIHia6WLFn-sMyPnPaZv82sQgvP44xxvEg5RBoo6qMHz51KI/s1600/fabric+and+floss.jpg" height="320" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone received a brown paper package tied up with string<br /> containing the fabric and floss for the project.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HoKSvqhWfruF0DotNnY9DK5GZqvGBUjoijmcewu19G7xR7dLBrIWrwl4DXuRhOFsvozkziQfwBk6VVG4i0Q8VRsqFQO4xMK7Fp5AhKlzBLfRuoU_T72wEBSEoFnstP7xiMwl6uBcb4I/s1600/Retreat+goodies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HoKSvqhWfruF0DotNnY9DK5GZqvGBUjoijmcewu19G7xR7dLBrIWrwl4DXuRhOFsvozkziQfwBk6VVG4i0Q8VRsqFQO4xMK7Fp5AhKlzBLfRuoU_T72wEBSEoFnstP7xiMwl6uBcb4I/s1600/Retreat+goodies.jpg" height="171" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all the goodies at check in </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvMwPl2AJqYDmk1a3BvBPZlEqoecXjvUCe7YMBUx_8eDvI9Xbx3OOQX4ywC5bVFokeUNvoubozyCuzqPy7iSIAMFrBuRi8iz1_TbQpOIcGVsYl7OAyMl2kWZTOZBFNWyvYrS-SAWsd6s/s1600/treasure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvMwPl2AJqYDmk1a3BvBPZlEqoecXjvUCe7YMBUx_8eDvI9Xbx3OOQX4ywC5bVFokeUNvoubozyCuzqPy7iSIAMFrBuRi8iz1_TbQpOIcGVsYl7OAyMl2kWZTOZBFNWyvYrS-SAWsd6s/s1600/treasure.jpg" height="320" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone had to "discover" buried treasure<br /> by digging in the jewels and coins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98aMg6OZg0TYle1Ky37MnmFsFGVBK28x3CTRW1308vqF3fc1W0mUkRiIy4Z6aFHQQlKcHUs8Yi20ySIroYLPOSc5t4h0lu9B6lhNCU1p2s42xT7sWC2WyL9UuJbNYRqjvifafI_dh7Xo/s1600/treasure+discovered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98aMg6OZg0TYle1Ky37MnmFsFGVBK28x3CTRW1308vqF3fc1W0mUkRiIy4Z6aFHQQlKcHUs8Yi20ySIroYLPOSc5t4h0lu9B6lhNCU1p2s42xT7sWC2WyL9UuJbNYRqjvifafI_dh7Xo/s1600/treasure+discovered.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the treasure was a bottle containing the chart</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXSH3zpSh1yovkHqXmu6LRK7LtLwRIECQ_1CGOLSSn92opXIckTmgBZBVxzNq9nZFpq__eAmCd5SPsd5cvUTnl1IceQ0T8lGXEMdNIRE40Fro6HUMMfc4gHQBWY8pI7q8uWelt_1z3vI/s1600/bb+class.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXSH3zpSh1yovkHqXmu6LRK7LtLwRIECQ_1CGOLSSn92opXIckTmgBZBVxzNq9nZFpq__eAmCd5SPsd5cvUTnl1IceQ0T8lGXEMdNIRE40Fro6HUMMfc4gHQBWY8pI7q8uWelt_1z3vI/s1600/bb+class.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Button Bracelet Class</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPO6mdZ9UU61pJfTwG0HydBL2i0inRajNGoRrejNATPBmomkElKEQqmOtJgxT8GtICKOkW4mgRi0eYjIFwyVClxPFq6WkeximtVcXaac_E1LFflqvHjAlrQ_gw0Haso_F6Pea1yfmEVH4/s1600/button+bracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPO6mdZ9UU61pJfTwG0HydBL2i0inRajNGoRrejNATPBmomkElKEQqmOtJgxT8GtICKOkW4mgRi0eYjIFwyVClxPFq6WkeximtVcXaac_E1LFflqvHjAlrQ_gw0Haso_F6Pea1yfmEVH4/s1600/button+bracelet.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the bracelet when finished</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGHjajxCXLnNykA1U3Qg51Wjl9Re9xjcjwBj81aqArvPnauO9hLwcn3miRtLyDh9D3cZZQcGcUFtxmuZwYaYl6fESQgG0jKiYRG1b13n1OtjRxRdt5y_WZ1hcSpBMHlYrwHw4tbj4LtQ/s1600/DSCN8571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGHjajxCXLnNykA1U3Qg51Wjl9Re9xjcjwBj81aqArvPnauO9hLwcn3miRtLyDh9D3cZZQcGcUFtxmuZwYaYl6fESQgG0jKiYRG1b13n1OtjRxRdt5y_WZ1hcSpBMHlYrwHw4tbj4LtQ/s1600/DSCN8571.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the stitcher's stitching away!</td></tr>
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<br />
It wasn't long after retreat that things kinda went to hell in a hand basket. I had been having problems with my shoulders, neck, lower back since before Christmas. Went to the chiro, multiple times, had a deep tissue massage (never again!!!), went to physical therapy but nothing was making me feel better. Got up one morning found that sitting at the computer was no longer possible, the pain was too bad. Went to work and spent half the time lying on the floor. Went to the Dr. who sent me back to physical therapy. By this time (end of May) I was flat on my back, not going to work, not stitching, not living. I went back to the Dr. who decided I needed an MRI. After the MRI, which showed a slight bulge of my C4-5, the Dr. sent me to a neurosurgeon, by this time if I was upright my right arm had to be on the top of my head and my head had to be tilted to the left as that was the only way I got any pain relief at all. If I tried to use my right arm to do something it would just flop around, I had no control over it. Sitting in a chair was no longer an option. My life was at a standstill. The wheels of medicine spin ever so slowly anymore so it was August by the time I had seen the neurosurgeon, been told I needed a myelogram, actually had the myelogram and received the results. While I did have a slight bulge at C4-5, it was actually my C6-7 that was bad and pressing on the nerve which was causing all the pain, loss of control and weakness in my arm. Surgery was scheduled for August 19th and I am now 3+ weeks out from that. I'm feeling better although that is a double edged sword because you think you are better than you really are so you have a tendency to over-do and then you pay for it! I have a ton of restrictions yet, haven't tried stitching, stretching or anything like that at this point. But I am hopeful that soon I will be able to pick up the reins of my life and move forward. <br />
<br />
Think that'll do it for this episode. My time at the computer is very limited still unless I want a massive headache which I gotta tell ya is a big NO!<br />
<br />
Take care till next time!<br />
<br />
Julie Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-13444732247696870312014-03-02T14:14:00.000-06:002014-03-02T14:14:47.781-06:00A Happy Dance for His Lordship! Hear ye Hear ye Hear ye!<br />
<br />
M'Lord Dan is proud to proclaim a finish! A first finish! A fishy first finish! Gather 'round all ye faithful followers and rejoice, for today marks an important date in the history of the McConnell Clan. Despite working two jobs, plus catering to his lady's every wish (it's retreat time and his duties are many) His Lordship has proven the naysayers wrong and is pleased to share with you his very first, but certainly not his last stitchy finish! Without further ado may I present to you His Lordships <strike>Ass</strike> Bass! Please forgive the un-ironed state, the ladies maid was busy cleaning the chamber pots and I didn't wish to wait till she was available.<br />
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<br />
M'Lord wishes to thank everyone for all the words of encouragement provided on my previous post. He was overwhelmed by your kindness. He also wishes to impart to those who inquired that he regrets to say he will not be starting his own blog. One writer in the manor is enough. <br />
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Next up for his Lordship will be M'Lords Necessities Box and when asked if he was anxious to start he replied, not only anxious but excited. I do believe he is turning out to be a true stitcher!<br />
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Take care till next time!<br />
<br />
Julie<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-32708571253933166942014-02-19T15:08:00.002-06:002014-02-19T15:08:57.962-06:00Thank God I can finally tell you The Dan Story!Hello Ya'll! <br />
<br />
That's my leftover accent from Nashville market coming out. It seems I always tend to pick it up a little bit when I'm there. The nice gentleman that rode in the elevator with us pointed out that it wasn't him with the accent but us. When I asked him if our accent sounds as neat to him as his does to us he replied with a resounding no. I wasn't quite sure how to take that. Oh well...moving on. We had a wonderful time in Nashville and brought back lots of beautiful charts, kits and accessories. We managed to avoid any bad weather which is quite the feat this winter! Met up with some folks we've known from previous markets, talked to a ton of designers, took a great class on social media and generally speaking enjoyed ourselves immensely! Can't wait to do it again at St. Charles. Our market open house is scheduled for tomorrow from 5:30-8:00p.m. should any of you be in the vicinity and wish to come. We're supposed to get snow tomorrow so that could put a damper on things but I hope not!<br />
<br />
I've been trying to figure out what to blog about for the last couple of weeks. My life has really become a bit boring as of late. I either have no money to go thrifting or the weather doesn't cooperate so I can't talk about my recent finds since there hasn't been any. My stitching has been limited to working on the retreat piece which I can't show you until after retreat in May. I haven't cleaned my house much less done any decorating to speak of so that topic is out. The other topic I wished to blog about I couldn't do because I was sworn to secrecy by my husband. But word has slowly been leaking out so he has now given permission for me to tell you all about it. Or maybe I finally told him I was done keeping the secret, either way I'm outing him. So here it is...The Dan Story! I hope you enjoy it!<br />
<br />
Chapter 1<br />
<br />
Once upon a time in a basement much like any other basement there was a man cave. Due to the massive Christmas Village that sucked up 98% of this basement, the man cave was teeny tiny. Tucked away in a corner at the bottom of the stairs, it held only an old big screen TV, a recliner, a bookcase and a recent gift of an aquarium. Even those few items were more than the space could comfortably hold, but somehow once the aquarium was set up, the owner of this teeny tiny little man cave, we'll call him Dan since that's his name, started spending more and more time in his little hidey hole. At first, his wife who/whom? we'll refer to as Julie since that's her name, thought nothing of the amount of time Dan was spending in the basement. After all, he had his new aquarium to get set up and fish to settle in and make comfortable, root beer colored water to change etc...but as time went on and Dan spent every night down there from the minute supper was over until well after she went to bed, Julie started wondering what she'd done to drive her husband away. Too many Lifetime and Hallmark movies that eat away at his man card? Too much talking during T.V. shows? A general aversion to her company? Don't laugh, it could happen. Generally puzzled and confused Julie decided she needed to get to the bottom of the problem. So one night after Dan had gone downstairs to his teeny tiny man cave, she got up from her stitching chair and crept down the stairs to the basement. Ever so quietly she tip toed down each stair, not knowing what she might find when she reached the bottom. As she stepped down to the landing she got her first glimpse of the object keeping her dearest love so well occupied every night. Sucking in a breath of surprise she did a double take. Was she really seeing what she thought she was seeing? The old eyes are bad but they don't usually hallucinate. Blinking rapidly to clear her vision she looked again. Yep, she really was seeing what she thought she was. Stepping down the last few steps, Dan was so intent on what he was doing he failed to notice her until Julie said nonchalantly, head cocked to one side, "what are you doing?" At the sound of her voice Dan's head snapped up and he said "dammit, I wanted to surprise you!" To which Julie replied "trust me, I'm surprised!" There he was sitting in the recliner, her old pink pair of readers perched on the end of his nose, a pair of her good stitching scissors sitting on the arm of the chair and her backup Ott light at his side and what you ask, was he doing? The man was stitching! Cross Stitching! All on his own.<br />
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Thank God that's all it was keeping him occupied at night! Months earlier, Dan had voiced an interest in learning how to stitch. Julie, thinking it was just a passing thought in his mind that would soon fade did not jump right on that bandwagon. But she did show him a Fish kit she had picked up off the swap table at retreat and told him that it might be something he could stitch, never thinking he was serious. Apparently he was and when Julie didn't take the time to get him started he decided to surprise her and do it on his own. Taking the stitched piece out of his hands and swiping the readers off his nose she set about looking at his work. She could tell where his very first stitches were but after that he seemed to have gotten the hang of things and was doing a surprisingly good job of it! Handing his stitching back to him and praising him for a good job Julie voiced the thought that she couldn't wait to share this exciting bit of news with everyone! Dan however, quickly nixed that idea saying he wasn't ready. He wanted to finish the piece and then bring it to stitch group where he could show it off and have everyone clap to celebrate his first finish. So Julie kept his secret but eventually it slipped out in a conversation with Mary Ann and then Connie whom she works with. Still, she tried to contain the secret for as long as possible. <br />
<br />
Chapter 2<br />
<br />
It was about this time that Julie was set to take part in the Snooty Stitcher Stitch Along. Everyone in the group was all aflutter with excitement over the bonus charts Barbara Ana had generously designed for those participating in the stitch along. Scissor Fobs were being made left, right and center with a parrot charm found at Hobby Lobby. Julie decided she needed to have a parrot fob for her scissors to go along with the chart so Dan accompanied her to their local Hobby Lobby. Picking up the charm, Julie then began the process of finding just the right beads to go along with it. Deciding that he too needed a fob for his scissors, Dan searched for an appropriate fish charm and lo and behold he found one! Granted it was a rainbow trout and not the bass that he was stitching but a fish is a fish so he handed it to Julie and asked her to pick out the appropriate beads to go with it. Beads chosen they headed to the check out. Having learned to make beaded fobs at retreat a year or two prior to this, Julie was sure she could make the fobs with no trouble. Menopause however, has robbed her of a good portion of her memory and she couldn't for the life of her remember how to do it and so she asked her stitcher friend Carole who taught the class at retreat if she would help her make the fob for Dan. This meant letting Carole in on the secret since she would know there was no way Julie would ever want a fish fob! Carole of course was more than happy to help and so Dan was able to have a special fob to commemorate his first cross stitch project.<br />
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<br />
Chapter 3<br />
<br />
Weeks went by, long hard weeks trying to keep the secret contained and it was starting to wear on Julie. She knew it was only a matter of time before word got a round. Almost daily she would have to bite her lip to keep from saying something that would let Dan's secret out into the world. Other days she'd have to glare at Connie to keep Connie from saying something to another stitcher at stitching Saturdays. The clock was ticking down on Dan's secret. As the days passed the Nashville Needlework Market got closer and closer. Conversations turned to what might be brought home from Market and Dan, die hard stitcher that he had become, asked Julie if she was going to bring him back a chart for his stash. Thinking back on previous markets, Julie didn't think there was going to be much that would interest him but she said she would look around and see what she could see, never thinking the perfect chart would be waiting for her to find. <br />
<br />
Market arrived and Connie, Mary Ann and Julie set off on their adventure. Having shared Dan's request with them, all three were on the lookout for something that Dan would like, but none felt confident they would find anything. And as the day progressed it seemed as though they were right. Each room they entered was scoured for anything that might interest him but always they exited in disappointment. As they entered the room that housed Milady's Needle they expected more of the same. Choosing charts for the shop they looked around one last time to see if anything else caught their eyes. And there it was! The perfect chart. Right out there in the open for all to see...M'Lord's Necessities Box! How perfect was that!<br />
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<br />
In order for you to know how perfect it really was you need to have the back story. One of the shows that Dan and Julie like to watch is Downton Abbey. Shortly after starting to watch the series, Dan decided he wished to be addressed as Your Lordship or M'Lord. He wouldn't answer unless you addressed him in such a way. He even asked the girls in the office to call him Your Lordship. So to facilitate things everyone at one time or another (except for Judy at his work) will refer to him in that manner. Even Connie when she went to pick up some boxes from Dan's office was requested to call him M'Lord and did so without question cuz you know, she wanted her boxes. So now you can see why M'Lord's Necessities Box was the perfect chart for him. The designer, Gloria Moore after hearing the back story even autographed the chart for him! We were giddy with delight!<br />
<br />
Arriving home from Market, one of the first things Dan asked of Julie was whether she had been successful in finding him something for his stash. To which she replied maybe but it would have to wait since it was late and she was tired. His Lordship agreed that it could wait until the morrow. The next day, knowing that she couldn't just hand the chart over willy nilly, Julie dug out a silver platter and a pair of white gloves. Laying the chart in the middle of the platter she then donned the white gloves and presented Dan's gift to him with a bow and a very respectful "for you M'Lord".<br />
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And thus ends the story of Dan. He is still to this day going down to the basement every night and stitching till the wee hours of the morning, determined to finish his fish before starting the next project...bwahahahaha! How long will that last do you think? Please leave him a comment of encouragement. I'll share them with him and I'm sure his lordship will appreciate them all.<br />
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I mentioned Snooty above so here is my progress on her/him? I'm behind due to retreat stitching, market and general winter laziness!<br />
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Finally, may I present for your viewing pleasure the Sheep Virtues all framed up and ready to hang! Thank you all for the many wonderful comments you left on my last post! I appreciated them all!<br />
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Have a wonderful evening and take care till next time!<br />
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Julie<br />
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<br />Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-77726928472188046432014-01-12T18:02:00.001-06:002014-01-12T18:03:26.917-06:00A mash up finish to shareOh my word do I feel gross and disgusting! Dan and I have been in the basement all day cleaning the craft room and getting Christmas boxes put away. I planned to sort through crap and throw things away and organize other things so I knew it was going to be at least an all day job if not more. I also knew it was going to be a dusty dirty job since it hadn't been cleaned since Fall Retreat. So I didn't bother to shower this morning and now I just feel icky! Soon as I finish this I am hitting the shower! I don't care that it's 5 o'clock and I'll get up tomorrow morning and shower again. I'm one of those people that has to shower and wash their hair every day or I just feel disgusting. So this will be a quick post but I did want to show you another piece I just finished. <br />
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When Little House released their Sheep Virtue series I thought about stitching them up separately and making the pillows out of them as shown. But I also thought it would be cute to do something different. I wasn't sure what at the time though. Then last summer Connie and I were going through charts in the shop pulling things out to put in the 50% off bin and I ran across Country Cottage's Sheep in the Meadow chart. We still had all 4 of our original order of these charts so into the sale bin they went. And then I had a thought...what if I did a mother/daughter mash up? I could use the virtues from Little House and the Sheep in the Meadow in the middle! Well of course it wasn't that easy. I had to make some changes to Sheep in<br />
the Meadow so it would fit in the center and I am not a lavender lover so I had to change some colors on it too. But after working on it for a few days I finally got it all to work mathematically, at least I hoped. Math is not my strong suit so the only way I was going to know for sure was to stitch it! But then I encountered some layout issues with the sheep. By this time I think there were 6 of the 12 charts released and I discovered my original plan to stitch them in the order they came out wasn't going to work for me without some tweaking here and there. For instance, some of the sheep in the series were whiter than others. I didn't want 2 blocks in a row to have white sheep so in some cases I had to switch sheep colors. I also didn't like the blocks with lavender in them so I changed color on those. I wanted the blue color to be in all 3 rows so I made the bird house in the bottom row blue. Nothing major but I did have to think some on how it was going to work before I stitched it and then I never knew what the next block was going to look like either so I had to be prepared to rip some stuff out too. But in the end I think it looks pretty good.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsehFk7eyFsYl27kkW9X9vgJq45hSFNrg8Y4e6TckjY8Mz71-_-Caqr9faU8KjNRZjUgd0qhOBGY9hYUutVKUsPWPfiFHWT9oSykJjWion66ZokC1uOd72ZUdRNvsoXqr1-NA80r0sR_8/s1600/11-1090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsehFk7eyFsYl27kkW9X9vgJq45hSFNrg8Y4e6TckjY8Mz71-_-Caqr9faU8KjNRZjUgd0qhOBGY9hYUutVKUsPWPfiFHWT9oSykJjWion66ZokC1uOd72ZUdRNvsoXqr1-NA80r0sR_8/s1600/11-1090.jpg" height="203" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheep in the Meadow by Country Cottage</td></tr>
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I stitched this piece on 40 ct. cocoa fabric using DMC floss. It measures approximately 15 x 9. OH...and those 4 unsold charts I told you about earlier? After I had my epiphany I pulled them back out of the sale bin and I am happy to say that they are now all sold. When people saw me stitching this piece and were asking for my changes I had them purchase the original chart first. It wouldn't be fair to Country Cottage otherwise! <br />
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Now it's off to the shower and then stitching time! I hope you all had a great weekend and thanks to my followers that are still following and commenting! I appreciate the loyalty!<br />
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Take care till next time!<br />
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JulieJulie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-91892324645813531462014-01-08T20:00:00.002-06:002014-01-08T20:00:30.363-06:00MISSING!!!Hello! Twice in one week! Better right this one down on the calender. Ya never know when it might happen again!<br />
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I mentioned last time that I would show you some of the other things I have stitched on during my blogging hiatus. And so I shall. <br />
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December is the busiest month of the year for me as a custom picture framer. Anything I might personally get finished between Thanksgiving and Christmas is put on the back burner to await the end of the holiday rush. The same goes for Connie and Mary Ann's finishes. And thus it was for Plum Street Samplers Harvest Delivery. I finished the stitching on December 1st, snapped a couple of pictures and took it off to the shop to await it's turn for framing. That turn was supposed to happen last week. Supposed to being the operative words here. I was all set to play with some corner samples which is one of my favorite things to do and I was pretty excited about having the time to do it. I took my happy self to the back room, walked over to where I keep the pieces waiting to be stretched, brought the bag down off the shelf, opened it up and... nothing. It wasn't there. I looked again. Still nothing. I got the ladder and climbed up to get a better looksee in case it had fallen out and being the short person that I am I couldn't see it. NOTHING! At this point I was a bit surprised but not too worried. In the hustle and bustle perhaps I moved it somewhere else. I began a systematic search of all the places I might have moved it to. There aren't that many so it didn't take long. I still couldn't find it. And to make matters worse I realized that Connie had finished Plum Street Sampler's Thankful for Thee right about the same time and it was no where to be found either. At this point I was beginning to worry a bit. Never in 11 years of framing have I lost any art that has been entrusted to my care. EVER. I decided to quit looking for the day thinking that maybe they were staring me in the face and I just wasn't seeing them. You know how you look in your cupboard for something and you can't find it and then you ask your husband to look and he reaches right in there and pulls it out and acts all smug? That was the theory I was going with anyway. Over the weekend I searched my bags of stitching stash here at the house. Perhaps I had brought them home to stretch, and didn't remember since that's not something I normally do. Nothing. Tuesday I searched the shop once more, then came home and again looked through my stuff. Nothing. At that point the only place I hadn't looked was down in my craft room and I couldn't get to it until Dan moved or actually put all the Christmas boxes away and he was teaching a night class so it wasn't going to happen that evening. Fast forward to this evening. During dinner I was telling Dan my sad tale of woe regarding my missing pieces and how the only place they could be was in the craft room and how there was no way for me to check there because he'd piled the Christmas <strike>shit</strike> stuff in front of the doors and I'm not supposed to lift anything heavy right now and and and....lo and behold he moved the boxes to the side and voila! There they were! (insert fireworks here) Laid out on my craft table just waiting for me to find them. Whew! On the one hand talk about a sense of relief, on the other hand what kind of idiot doesn't remember bringing them home and putting them in the craft room! I swear I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached. While I'm forgetting things I guess it was too much to hope that I had forgotten I'd already stretched the 2 pieces but alas I had not which I suppose is for the best since I see that Connie has forgotten a couple of stitches on the "A". And so without further ado may I present that which was lost and is now found. Drum roll please....<br />
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Connie's:<br />
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Mine:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stitched on 40 ct meadow rue using the called for fibers</td></tr>
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And with that I think I shall call it a night and go stitch on something. Have a great evening!<br />
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Take care till next time!<br />
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Julie Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-15295104898565603472014-01-06T15:19:00.001-06:002014-01-06T15:19:09.475-06:00Happy New Year! A brief updateWell hello there and Happy New Year! I should probably apologize for my prolonged absence but I'm not going to. I have done it before and promised to do better and have never lived up to that promise so I don't see the point. I have missed telling you all about things though if that is any consolation.<br />
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Now the question is where to start? Do I back clear up to Fall Retreat and give you the promised blow by blow? I don't think so. I doubt you are still interested at this point. I should at least mention Adam and Marcia's wedding though. It was a beautiful wedding and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. The fall color was at it's peak when we were there and it was gorgeous! Our flights were uneventful if a bit crowded which kept us from sitting with each other. We all shed a lot of emotional tears that weekend. Except for the bride. She managed against all odds to keep a stiff upper lip as she didn't want to ruin her makeup! They had a beautiful first dance together to the Kip Moore song Hey Pretty Girl and everyone had a wonderful time at the reception, so much so that it was extended for an extra hour. I enjoyed seeing my kids and their friends all grown up and having a great time together. It's rare to see and it did this mom's heart good although it is a bit bittersweet as I know it will be a long while if ever before I see it again. <br />Adam and Marcia honeymooned in Mexico and had a wonderful time just hanging out at the hotel pool. Married life is agreeing with the 2 of them and they are as happy as a mom could hope for. The following 3 pics are courtesy of Jennifer Gulley Photography. <br />
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Aside from the wedding there really hasn't been a whole lot going on. Abby and Joe are still dating and having a good time together. Abby said just the other day that they have been dating for 9 months now. That shocked me a bit as I didn't think it had been that long. They took a trip to Purdue and took in a football game this fall and not too long ago they traveled to St. Louis for a Penguins hockey game. Abby is a huge Penguins fan. I don't get it, she's the girliest girl ever and she loves hockey. She's currently trying to arrange a trip to someplace warm. Think she'd mind if I tag along? Warm sounds good right now!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Year's Eve 2013</td></tr>
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Amy has had the busiest and most stressful semester of college yet. In addition to working at the ball park this fall, she was working in 2 different research labs, carrying a full load of classes at college, and working on everything involved in applying for graduate school. And lets not forget she was chosen to present her poster at some big psychology conference in Nashville in November that she had to be prepared for. It was a lot to handle and I received many panicked phone calls from her over the course of the last few months. She was sure she wasn't going to get everything done and if she did it wasn't going to be good enough. Something was going to have to give and she thought it would be her grades. I did not believe that would be the case though and I was correct. She earned the best grades ever although I am not sure how they could be better than ever before since her gpa was already 3.9999....her presentation went very well and she has already been offered 2 interviews for grad school. I was hoping this semester would be a calmer one but then I remembered we have to get through the interviews and then wait to see if she gets any actual offers. Then and only then will things be less stressful unless of course she isn't offered a spot at Lincoln. Then my personal stress level will be off the charts! Note: As I am adding pictures I realize I do not have anything recent of Amy. My bad. I will have to remedy that next time she is home. If I can catch her when she isn't becoming one with the couch like she did all xmas break. <br />
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Christmas was okay this year. I won't say great as Adam and Marcia were not able to be here this year and when you compare it to last year which was awesome, this year was just...there. It was good but nothing special. This year the kids and I gave Dan an aquarium. He has had a little 5 gal. one at work and he dotes on those guppies of his so I thought he would enjoy having one here at the house. I was right in thinking he would love it. But he's having a little problem...can you see what I'm talking about? <br />
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Rootbeer colored water is not a normal condition. Apparently his piece of driftwood is releasing tannins into the water and until he can get it cleared up he can't put any fish in it. (that stuffed fish is as close as he has to fish in this aquarium) So he keeps replacing the water. By now I think we could have filled up an entire swimming pool. I keep telling him to remove the darn thing and soak it in a bucket but that would be too easy! He was also advised to boil it for an hour but we don't have a pot large enough to do that so I suggested we put it in the cooler and poor boiling water over it and let it soak. Nope. Silly man just keeps changing the water. Someday he will have fish in his aquarium, but I don't know when that day will be!<br />
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I've been doing some stitching here and there. I stitched and framed Nimble Netty from Jeanette Douglas.<br />
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I've worked on Tuscan Rose<br />
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before:<br />
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after:<br />
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and several other pieces I don't have pictures of right now so I will save them for next time.<br />
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I've also worked on the retreat piece but I can't show you that one until May. <br />
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And before this morphs into a novel I'm going to call it done and get it posted. No promises on when I will post again since I will be working on retreat stuff from now until May but I will see what I can do. Until that happens you all take care and keep on stitching!<br />
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Julie<br />
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Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-47586382176163647632013-10-13T09:16:00.002-05:002013-10-13T09:16:39.754-05:00And the winner is....The random number generator chose comment #4....Pamela!<br />
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Pam I will be emailing you shortly. You have 24 hours to respond at which time I will choose a second chance winner. <br />
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Thanks everyone for participating!<br />
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JulieJulie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-71911060763727282502013-10-09T16:58:00.001-05:002013-10-09T16:58:51.449-05:00Ort Containers and a Giveaway!I see another month has gone by with no posts. Boy does time fly when you get a few years under your belt! I'd be interested to know why that is. The cause of my absence this time is completely of my own making. I bit off way more than I could chew with a project for retreat. Fall is our no frills retreat but I generally come up with something for the ladies to use as an ort container. Last year if you remember it was the coffins.<br />
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This year I made my own pumpkin patch! (click to enlarge)<br />
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A few months back I saw a cute pumpkin pin cushion on Pintrest and I thought to myself, self, that would make an adorable ort box for retreat. And wouldn't you know it but my own self said ya know, it certainly would be a great ort box. So I set about gathering some supplies to see if I could make one. I'm going to let you in on a little secret here...I am not particularly good at sewing. This project required a bit of sewing, in the round no less so I wasn't exactly sure I would be able to pull it off. I didn't have any directions to follow so I just had to wing it. And when I was done I had a passable copy of the original. Meet Hamish, my very own pumpkin dude.<br />
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Now a smart person would have written down exactly what she had done as far as how large I cut my pieces of fabric. But, and here's another little secret for you...no one has ever accused me of being smart. So when a couple of weeks went by before I was able to gather enough supplies to make these cuties en masse, I couldn't remember what I had done the first time. So back to the drawing board I went. I think I made 6 of these before I got the size correct. Note to self: one should write down important information for later use because as one gets a few years under ones belt one tends to forget said important information. Here's another little tidbit for you. Making one or 2 of these was fun. Making 46...not so much. Big time sucker! Especially when I had 15 customer finishes to do and one ornament to stitch and finish for our exchange at retreat. It wasn't that hard it just took a lot of time due to the many steps involved but in the end I did finish the little dears with 3 days to spare and I stitched and finished my ornament and got 12 of the 15 customer finishes finished. All in all I think I did okay, however don't ask me about my house and the state it's in because it's not good. But I'm slowly working on getting it back into shape. Thanksgiving is going to be here before I know it and I believe I was elected to have everyone here again so getting the house clean is my next big job. <br />
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I made a few extra pumpkins to sell so I could recoup the money that was spent but I also set one aside for a giveaway. I haven't had a giveaway in forever and I thought this might be just the ticket. Here is the pumpkin dude up for grabs. <br />
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He could be yours if you follow a few simple rules:<br />
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1. you must be a follower of my blog.<br />
2. you must leave a comment on this post only and you must include your email address or your blog address so I can reach you. <br />
3. if you share the giveaway on your blog I will put your name in twice if you let me know in your post.<br />
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Everyone is eligible as long as you are a follower including those not in the States. I will draw the winner on Sunday Morning the 13th of October. You will have 24 hours to respond to the email i will send after which I will choose a new winner. <br />
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I think I will call this post done and leave the retreat report for next time. Thanks for all the wonderful comments on my Fair results. I appreciate them. Thanks also for hanging in there between posts. <br />
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Take care till next time!<br />
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JulieJulie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-18490277377310886952013-09-08T19:03:00.001-05:002013-09-08T19:03:53.451-05:00State Fair ResultsHello! Anyone still out there? I'm hoping a few of you are still hanging around despite my lack of posts. I have no excuse other than I am a bad bad blogger. Shame on me! <br />
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Not a lot to blog about today. Work is good. Dan is good. Kids are good. Dogs are good. I started looking for something to wear to the wedding. Figured if the fat hadn't magically melted away by now it wasn't going to happen so best suck it up and find a suitable outfit. So far I haven't found anything that is making my heart beat with excitement. Of course the chances of that happening are slim to none so not a big surprise.<br />
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Been busy planning spring retreat. Fall retreat is just a few weeks away. St Charles Market was good. I enjoyed chatting with the designers and other shop owners and took a wonderful business law class. Been stitching quite a bit but haven't taken any pictures. I'll have to do that soon. In the meantime I thought I would share my State Fair Results. <br />
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I have never submitted anything to any fair, county or state prior to this year. Since I stitch upside down or backwards or however you want to describe it, I always figured that it wouldn't be worth my time. Not because I needed to win to make it worth my time but because I figured they would disallow it because of the stitching being different. But last year I heard there were very few entries in our State Fair in the counted cross stitch division and I vowed to myself that I would give it a try. And then I promptly put it out of my mind until this spring when I talked about it a bit with Connie and MaryAnn and then let it drop again. Finally in July I brought it up one last time, Mary Ann said her stitching was not good enough to enter so she wasn't going to do it. At which point I thought maybe I would wait till next year. And then I got to thinking. How many other stitchers think the same way? My stitching isn't good enough, I stitch backwards, what if something happens to my stitching...there are a multitude of ways one can talk oneself out of entering. Believe me, I thought of them all. But then I remembered the reason I was going to enter in the first place. A lack of entries. If folks don't enter it's just one more way that our favorite hobby is disappearing. Shops are closing, big boxes are reducing inventory, fewer entries at the fair, fewer shops showing up at market, fewer designers and on and on. So after waffling back and forth for a full day I went home and hopped on the computer and looked at the entry form only to find that the deadline was that day! No more time for procrastination! I called Connie and told her we need to do this and we need to do it today! I more or less brow beat the poor woman into agreeing to enter! And then I tried to decipher what the entry forms were all about and when I couldn't figure them out I got on the phone and called a friend of mine that works the fair and thankfully in spite of the fact that she was driving back from Indiana that day, Laurie was able to talk me through it and (this is the best part) she's still talking to me! I think I called her 5 or 6 times that day. Poor Laurie. She was a good teacher though and I was able to help Connie when she called me with questions. Once the online paperwork was submitted the next hurdle was getting everything labeled properly, packed up safely and delivered to the pick up point an hour and a half away. That required a few more calls to Laurie. But it was all good. Until I dropped off our stuff and they asked if it was okay to stack the pictures. I almost snatched them back out of the ladies hands but I restrained myself and calmly said I would prefer that they not stack them as damage can occur to the frames that way. To which the <strike>witch</strike> woman replied that I had them packaged well enough that it shouldn't be a problem. Just as I was about to leap over the table to retrieve our entries, Dan grabbed me and pulled me away from the old <strike>biddy</strike> woman saying they would be fine and we needed to leave. Once we got back into the car the panic set in. OMG!! What Had I Done! The control freak in me was having a major meltdown! Our stitching was no longer under my control. It was not a pretty ride home. So I did the only thing I could do at that point...I contacted Laurie, told her what the lady said about stacking them and begged her to let me know as soon as she could that everything arrived safely. I am happy to report that they made the trip in one piece and in good shape and once again Laurie saves the day! Then the waiting began. Laurie promised to call once the judging was done. Oh, I should mention that Laurie is not a judge, just a volunteer that helps where needed. A few days passed before the call came. And while I was not really expecting to win any ribbons for the reason stated above, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that I had. Connie also won with her 3 entries. Connie and I planned to attend the fair but the weather was excruciatingly hot the day we were supposed to go and I've been having problems with my hip since the fall I took before the shower so we opted out of going. It would have been nice to see the other entries though. <br />
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So you might ask if having gone through the process once would I consider doing it again? I would and I plan to again...next year. I'm going to see if I can brow beat a few of the shops stitchers into entering next year too. The more the merrier right? After all if people start seeing more entries in our division maybe more will come back to stitching. That's my thought anyway. So I challenge all of you to enter your local fair, be it county or state. Not because you want to win a ribbon but because you want to expose the general public to our craft. Winning is nice, but in the end the judging is all subjective and should be taken as such, not as gospel. I stitch to please myself. Not to have someone validate me in some way. So, start thinking about what you want to enter next year and expect me to bring the subject up again come next summer! <br />
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Take care till next time!<br />
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Julie Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-51032148580498809582013-08-07T12:13:00.000-05:002013-08-07T12:13:02.191-05:00Shower photos, Stitching and RIP Sophie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Wednesday Everyone!<br />
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Today is my day off and so far I've been pretty productive. It's probably going to be all downhill from here though. I seem to lose steam after about an hour, get distracted by the computer, a good book, a craft project or stitching and then nothing else gets done. But I did get a lot done in that hour and a half that I was productive so I don't plan to feel too bad if nothing else constructive gets accomplished today. <br />
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Lots I could tell you about since my last post. The shower/reception for Adam and Marcia went well I think. They seemed to be happy with it anyway. It was a kitchen themed shower and their wedding colors are teal and tangerine with a lovebird theme. <br />
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Everyone was asked to bring a favorite recipe to put in the happy couple's recipe book. <br />
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There were a few hiccups along the way. Dan forgot to take the sandwich buns out of the freezer the night before when he was asked to do it and I assumed it was done so the buns were frozen up until about an hour before the shower. Luckily it was really hot out and they thawed pretty quickly in the car. I won't bore you with every little detail. I'll let the pictures do the talking for me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Centerpieces<br /><br /></td></tr>
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I borrowed the vintage canning jars from everyone I could think of. In order to make sure that everyone got their own jars back, we wrote on the reverse side of the love bird tags whose jar it was and how many they donated. Connie did all the hand writing as she has beautiful penmanship and she tied all the bows because I can't tie a decent bow to save my soul.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoaAHowWWhBoxCoWJX_7-WPXDnlao7RLDOrHVaDEBRi6cYaDCUnITP5iaQLAAFRWcjaGgeyMCKnchV1yeett5MkN4sSX8wjNI_6YhlVCU4OUXf_z-B9C3IQMkYpW_a0T5FeHELabnVeg/s1600/tables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoaAHowWWhBoxCoWJX_7-WPXDnlao7RLDOrHVaDEBRi6cYaDCUnITP5iaQLAAFRWcjaGgeyMCKnchV1yeett5MkN4sSX8wjNI_6YhlVCU4OUXf_z-B9C3IQMkYpW_a0T5FeHELabnVeg/s320/tables.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The jars on the table with the nuts and M & M's</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The favors. My friend and neighbor Margaret<br /> crocheted all 40 of the dish cloths</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMwo0Gjzy5f28lTmxgY5kQBb3sKEjuDpUkjVSi6KgCMHOhgduiiwbM29LcR_tEfmQ_1F_yfYzp96L5NjMG_gnsSb9B7AN7hVNeGjaJpVaOE_L4Ep90lmekNR1aufL66g31UO5CJDtB_k/s1600/favor+basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMwo0Gjzy5f28lTmxgY5kQBb3sKEjuDpUkjVSi6KgCMHOhgduiiwbM29LcR_tEfmQ_1F_yfYzp96L5NjMG_gnsSb9B7AN7hVNeGjaJpVaOE_L4Ep90lmekNR1aufL66g31UO5CJDtB_k/s320/favor+basket.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The favor basket</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZVtAWnDvhIxMb6z9SWJtyyNW_qel-0PhpEomg4ng3stoJ0vDGohobN-Rxo07gbIOHZ4oSYE3C8n4Up8AfCGzQyiUB8AIxdnU2FcHN8C8etZmeSKbZhkTOppOFol7gXJydP7lvcaHpig/s1600/gift+table1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZVtAWnDvhIxMb6z9SWJtyyNW_qel-0PhpEomg4ng3stoJ0vDGohobN-Rxo07gbIOHZ4oSYE3C8n4Up8AfCGzQyiUB8AIxdnU2FcHN8C8etZmeSKbZhkTOppOFol7gXJydP7lvcaHpig/s320/gift+table1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the gift table</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOyEfzsN-xlq5s3OwoxXt_4mIu7nRixNWn3dZR7urX3txA-6CO5vrRmf_-NzTCJe-sDdB-kT3B6gqYSfEgM2u7JUoN0mUwwZqpo57T6rO1c5TH0DxqTwno56dLJj_6DOtsBg1aPVC-00/s1600/gift+table+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOyEfzsN-xlq5s3OwoxXt_4mIu7nRixNWn3dZR7urX3txA-6CO5vrRmf_-NzTCJe-sDdB-kT3B6gqYSfEgM2u7JUoN0mUwwZqpo57T6rO1c5TH0DxqTwno56dLJj_6DOtsBg1aPVC-00/s320/gift+table+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gift table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnRRNVU8x3jceJFvNOYPc322GJf5KX9uryVlBKziJeK0NcrGzcmDUkHkVEShYorCNwp90st7dATmlbQdwT5OWHsR5GSZ_yrQGa10B-K4IZEwOOUk4sedOBm9R74RjPF6Z2wpsxcxTjuI/s1600/chalkboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnRRNVU8x3jceJFvNOYPc322GJf5KX9uryVlBKziJeK0NcrGzcmDUkHkVEShYorCNwp90st7dATmlbQdwT5OWHsR5GSZ_yrQGa10B-K4IZEwOOUk4sedOBm9R74RjPF6Z2wpsxcxTjuI/s320/chalkboard.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recipe for Love </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhdRoAa_6r17atHLnEiYfpUhQAn1wQt0zYCvOj7ONcogsHArUJxaq5niQyE9hsxccZn4vjY5WIXQByF8LR2gyApo0OonLz6NeqonY81vx1VibDp9bZ6zfnrjkyy_9k7ohi_5UB9i6tzQ/s1600/cupcake+table+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhdRoAa_6r17atHLnEiYfpUhQAn1wQt0zYCvOj7ONcogsHArUJxaq5niQyE9hsxccZn4vjY5WIXQByF8LR2gyApo0OonLz6NeqonY81vx1VibDp9bZ6zfnrjkyy_9k7ohi_5UB9i6tzQ/s320/cupcake+table+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cupcake table</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjGvD2H6iUZfRcYAAgKg-aog9AtT_5ANdKa2qoPlmFlf5wxdOMXSadAzwC5GJtJjaCm7CvkEcLF9-VvK9gwVOl3q8KgNBiXgmkhghntVYQ4uTE4366BwXFCw4KVn8v6_RTmIuybfvM30/s1600/cupcake+angle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjGvD2H6iUZfRcYAAgKg-aog9AtT_5ANdKa2qoPlmFlf5wxdOMXSadAzwC5GJtJjaCm7CvkEcLF9-VvK9gwVOl3q8KgNBiXgmkhghntVYQ4uTE4366BwXFCw4KVn8v6_RTmIuybfvM30/s320/cupcake+angle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another angle</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHu7x1QfqcGgeLCxqBtQAE8vyyQ_ykDRCLmnQ_YrfLAQSXblbY-i1iI-7MJutY6vZVgBUhRFw8mb9CpQe_klC07tLJEF_GYdSEWsXw0tj0EpqEiKnmOKSCik8022xxKFIXHbRLXsYdK7s/s1600/cupcake+tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHu7x1QfqcGgeLCxqBtQAE8vyyQ_ykDRCLmnQ_YrfLAQSXblbY-i1iI-7MJutY6vZVgBUhRFw8mb9CpQe_klC07tLJEF_GYdSEWsXw0tj0EpqEiKnmOKSCik8022xxKFIXHbRLXsYdK7s/s320/cupcake+tower.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tower up close </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjho5Lu2-NKYB08X7qq8Ysv-16W_B3NiYYs7nW6hyphenhyphen2YjKnAZyZDto6BKBRQ4KOydqAwzkSwD06lF9gpv7gdjuOkJ33oPzvVXBqi6IfS4FfGzGlINhBqzH9TUhNOxwzl5cnpZHjqZcI-NDA/s1600/mints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjho5Lu2-NKYB08X7qq8Ysv-16W_B3NiYYs7nW6hyphenhyphen2YjKnAZyZDto6BKBRQ4KOydqAwzkSwD06lF9gpv7gdjuOkJ33oPzvVXBqi6IfS4FfGzGlINhBqzH9TUhNOxwzl5cnpZHjqZcI-NDA/s320/mints.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby made the mints with my sister and mother's help</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8YsWpr_XzTy3fINwbWE3qfUXegftzzdGZn5Ep4X3tQQ87LsCRCBEgFy1RcE0uxGAmjLSBymq0KhFFsrh6TS3a_N0OuE2nzTm67Uio8C5D9dj2iAApkgreaG2x5-NUJA6bhovkk9dlpI/s1600/Adam+and+Marcia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8YsWpr_XzTy3fINwbWE3qfUXegftzzdGZn5Ep4X3tQQ87LsCRCBEgFy1RcE0uxGAmjLSBymq0KhFFsrh6TS3a_N0OuE2nzTm67Uio8C5D9dj2iAApkgreaG2x5-NUJA6bhovkk9dlpI/s320/Adam+and+Marcia.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guests of honor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6H_MhwMO6O9qg8e3soS7Dxbw5LC4BFdnEpHI7-w5JQA-Bk8Pnn7jOMj02rDClPSJm4bnt-hlHzc30KGDcDeZ-n70eay0ONFT6j1h7gfsovWMLxnuLcsKWIHBA17PrFZeysdFzk7xWanU/s1600/aprons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6H_MhwMO6O9qg8e3soS7Dxbw5LC4BFdnEpHI7-w5JQA-Bk8Pnn7jOMj02rDClPSJm4bnt-hlHzc30KGDcDeZ-n70eay0ONFT6j1h7gfsovWMLxnuLcsKWIHBA17PrFZeysdFzk7xWanU/s320/aprons.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wearing their estrogen and <br />testosterone aprons that<br />Connie gave them. </td></tr>
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I want to thank Connie for co-hosting the event with me and for all the time and effort she put into it. THANK YOU CONNIE! I couldn't have done it without you. Thanks also to Margaret, Nancy, Jan, Lynn, Carole and Connie for the use of their canning jars. <br />
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Now that the shower is over I need to get the craft room all clean and shiny. Adam is coming back the end of this month for his Bachelor Party. Part of that celebration will take place in my craft room. The guys want to come back to the house after their other activities and do some old fashioned gaming and Adam has decided the craft room is where they will do it since the Christmas Village takes up the rest of the basement these days. The craft room is currently a train wreck so I'll be spending some time down there today and see what I can do. Dan and I worked for a couple of hours on Sunday and went through a bunch of boxes of old school plan lessons of Dans. I decided if we were going to clean we were going to CLEAN. He had some seriously old crap in those boxes. Most of it hasn't been used in 15-20 years but he still kept saying, he'd be in trouble if he ever had to teach it again. Me? I'm thinking if he hasn't needed it in the last decade he probably isn't going to need it anytime in the next decade. And it would be extremely outdated anyway so most likely not usable at that point. <br />
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Dan and I celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary on August 2nd. It was very low key as we are trying to save as much money as possible for the wedding expenses. If you all remember last year, the man gave me an onion keeper. This is what I received this year. Gotta love a man that knows exactly what a girl needs!<br />
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I've been doing some work on our Spring Retreat. Got the theme nailed down, am working on various goody bag ideas and I've found a designer willing to design our project. I can't say who it is until we announce registration but I think it's going to be an awesome collaboration. <br />
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Mary Ann, Connie and I are heading to St. Charles for market in 2 weeks. From the list of exhibitors it seems like the vast majority will be needlepoint designers. While I love to look at needlepoint, we don't carry it in our shop as there are plenty of other stores that do in our area. I'm sure we'll find some wonderful treasures to bring home but I wish more cross stitch designers were attending. I've said it before and I'll say it again...everyone needs to attend, shops and designers alike or this wonderful resource will disappear forever. So if you have an LNS near you or know a designer, please encourage them to attend. <br />
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Been stitching every chance I get. Some I can share with you and some I can't. I can't show you my ornament/pin pillow for our retreat exchange. That will have to wait until after fall retreat. And I have another project I'm not ready to share yet. But I can show you my progress on Heritage Sampler by the Nebby Needle. It won't be long till she's done.<br />
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And I have put a bit of time into Midnight Watch too. <br />
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I'm feeling a bit manic about my stitching right now. I have so much I want to work on and there doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to do it all. I need to remember to take a picture of my Cinnamon Christmas all framed up. I'll share that next time as it is at the shop. <br />
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Dan, Connie and I took a little road trip this past weekend to an antique shop in a small town about 25 minutes from Omaha that also carries rug hooking supplies. I needed some wool for a craft project I'm working on and couldn't find anything in town. The shop was in an outbuilding on a farm. It was so nice to be out in the country. The barn cat came out to greet me and there were horses nearby. I was in heaven. The shop was nice too. They were having first Saturday of the month open rug hooking. Pretty interesting stuff but not something I would like to do. Connie thought she might like to try it though. Did you know they call their "orts" snippets? They need much larger ort containers than we cross stitcher's do! <br />
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My mom's dog of 14 years passed away last night. Sophie didn't have much of a personality, mostly she just sat there and blinked, we always suspected she had brain damage. She was much more accurate at predicting when there was going to be a bad storm than the weather guys. And she had a stuffed rabbit that she nursed on every morning like clockwork. Mom has had to fix that nasty thing a million times over the last 14 years. But mom adored her and is devastated at her loss. Rest in Peace Sophie. You will be missed.<br />
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And with that you are now pretty much caught up with the doings around here. I need to get this posted, throw the sheets in the dryer and head downstairs. I hope you all have a great Wednesday and take care till next time!<br />
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Julie<br />
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<br />Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7057604828284131409.post-1594278639840463812013-07-03T10:21:00.000-05:002013-07-03T10:21:16.530-05:00What I did Wednesday!Good Morning! <br />
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I'm not sure I can say that I met my goal completely but...I did get some stitching done. I ran into a bit of a snag though. Tuesdays, So You Think You Can Dance is on. A person (me) cannot just listen to them dance like you can a regular TV show. And boy was the dancing good last night. Lots of talent this season! But I digress. I had to stitch madly during the judges comments and the commercials. And then there was the whole dog issue last night. Between Rags thinking she needed to be cuddled half the night (she's been sick) and Kallie walking all over me because she was stressed out from the fireworks...well it made for some challenging stitching. So progress was made but not as much progress as I might have liked.<br />
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Now I have a different problem. Maybe some of you have it too. Now all I want to stitch on is Midnight Watch and the heck with Golden Ice and Heritage Sampler!! But I need to get Golden Ice finished and I want to work on Heritage Sampler too! So for those of you that do a rotation...do you have any tips or tricks to actually <b>making</b> yourself put the current project down to pick up what's next in the rotation?? Cuz I totally suck at it! <br />
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Today I am supposed to go out and get the paper products for the shower. Plus I need to look for colored sugar in the correct colors. I am trying really hard to get out there and get it done but I think I'd rather stay at home and stitch while doing the laundry. Some company would be great but everyone I know is working. Anyone wanna pop on over and go with me? I'll buy you lunch! <br />
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Guess I should get myself pulled together and head out so I can get home and get the laundry started. <br />
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You all have a wonderful Wednesday and take care till next time! And if by chance any of you picked up the Take it out Tuesday Challenge, I would love to see what you got done!<br />
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Julie Julie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07789823988366183070noreply@blogger.com10