This and That

Been busy with lots of things . . . none of which has been cross-stitch!  First, I was making some fingerless gloves to use up some of my yarn stash.  I had made a bunch of these several years ago for my daughter and her college dorm mates . . . they loved them!  I thought perhaps we could sell them at the Tri-Cities Flea Market.  I know . . . it's not trains . . . but what the heck, I could use a little bit of the space for some of my craft items . . . and really, I have way too much yarn.  So, I made a few and saw my stash diminishing . . . great!  Then . . . they started selling!  Not that I didn't want them to sell, but the point was to get rid of my yarn.  Now . . . I had to go out and buy more yarn to make more . . . this is crazy!!!  I came up with the slogan "all the better to text you with" . . . thought that was cute.  I don't even make a dollar an hour making these (a pair takes 4 hours to make).  If you crochet, the pattern is free on Lion Brand Yarns website:
     
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/FingerlessGloves.html?r=1

I use different size hooks to make the 3 sizes:  Small-G; Medium-I; Large-K








In addition to crocheting, I've been trying to get caught up on Christmas gifts.  I know . . . Christmas is over . . . I'm way behind . . . as usual.  I have recently discovered that I have A.D.D. . . . not even joking.  It actually has been a relief to discover that my inability to get things done on time, my varied interests, difficulty staying focused or hyper-focusing, or an inability to even get started on something I really want to do is not just a lack of motivation or laziness, it's how my brain works.  I'll write a blog soon on what I've discovered about this disorder and tips that are helping me stay on track.  If you think this sounds like you (as many creative people have this disorder) you may want to read:  "Driven To Distraction" by  Edward Hallowell and John Ratey which investigates the nature of Attention Deficit Disorder. .

Back to the Christmas gifts.  Thank you Pinterest for your inspiration for so many ideas . . . maybe too many ideas!  I ran a few pages from my beautifully aged Les Miserables book through my printer printing  blackbirds, paintings, flowers, etc.  I LOVE the way they look . . . gotta go frame shopping now!









And then I made a couple pincushion/scissor holders.  I bought a couple yards of red ticking . . . a little too new looking.  I dyed half of it with a mixture of strong tea and a cap full of Rit tan liquid dye.  The longer I left it in the dye bath, the darker it got.

I then cut out a heart template and cut the front and back heart.  I folded the template for the pocket and folding the contrasting fabric I cut out the pocket.  I stitched the lace along the top edge of the pocket.  With right sides together, I stitched the hearts together.  If you want a hanger loop on the top of the heart, place that loop inside the heart pieces with the edge coming out the top before  stitching the pieces together.  Leave a two inch opening along one side to turn the heart right side out.

Stuff the heart with polyfil or crushed walnut shells and blind stitch the opening closed.  I put a hanging loop on mine to hang from my magnifier lamp to have my stitching necessities close at hand.  I also added a button to loop my thread around so it doesn't come out of the needle.  I printed off some cute thread/lace winders from Pinterest.  I printed them on card stock, cut them out and mod podged them together to make them thicker.  These can be tucked into the pocket as well as your scissors.  I think they turned out cute!


 
I received an email from a stitcher who recently ordered my True Friend chart.  Marilyn writes:

Hi Bonny,

It's Marilyn.

As promised, I've attached a pic of the Friends Pillow that I made.

I sent it to my bestest friend for Christmas, and she loved it!

She also asked where did I ever find that design, so I directed her to your blog.  :)

I love the finish Marilyn!  Those little tuck-in pillows are a great alternative to framing and if you don't stitch the piece in, you can change out for seasons or whenever you want a different look.

If you've finished a piece of mine, I'd love to see it . . . send me an email with a picture and I'll share your work here.

Keep stitchin' . . . I should take that advice!

                                                                ~*

Memories . . . like the corners of my mind . . .

I recently went through my "memories box".  It's a box I think citrus fruit came in years ago.  I have some childhood things in there...newspapers of John Glenn's first orbit around the earth, JFK's assassination, Beatles stuff, notes from friends that we exchanged in high school.  Some of these things I wonder why I kept but, they are still fun to look at every 10 years or so.  There's a neighborhood "newspaper" that a friend and I did when we were about 10 years old . .  .typed on a typewriter . . . X's through mistakes . . . original poems . . . biographies of the "editors" . . . too funny.  I think we only did one issue . . . no way to make copies for mass distribution. We may have used carbon paper for a few copies . . . probably for our parents.  It makes me appreciate modern technology!

Also in this box are a few things I don't remember seeing before . . . or maybe the last time I looked in here was before I got back into cross-stitching.  This first one seems to be stamped on this cloth and very poorly stitched compared to other child-done samplers I have seen.  Of course, these kids were being taught to stitch for a reason . . . I, no doubt, was just doing it for fun.  X's are crossed every-which-way.

It's dated 1966 . . . I would have been 16 . . . would that make it almost an antique now?  (Geez, I must be old!)  Even more embarrassing considering the poor workmanship!

I have no idea when I did these.  They are also stamped on the cloth.  The workmanship on these is a little better.  Maybe my grandmother actually told me how to do it!

This little apron I still remember making at my grandmother's house.  Badly stained now . . . the box must have gotten wet at some point.  I must have been about 7 or 8 years old . . . could have been younger.  It's all hand stitched and even has two pockets.  I've always found this little apron so sweet.

These were in the box too.  I'm sure my grandmother crocheted the little doll dress.  I don't know where the needle book came from.  I'm guessing it was my grandmother's or perhaps she gave it to me since she is the one who taught me to sew.

I think the dress was probably for this little doll that was one of the toys we only played with at Nanu's house.  Most of the toys were "boy toys" since she only raised sons . . . metal cars and trucks . . . which I now have in my "old toy collection" . . . yes, another collection! 

 
I have no idea where this doll came from . . .  perhaps it was her's as a child . . . no idea.  It's definitely older than dolls of my generation.  Actually . . . I just remembered that she used to make doll clothes and dress dolls to donate to some charity.  I think it may have been to the hospital.  She was part of the Board of Lady Managers at the old Alexandria Hospital (where I was born . . . torn down now . . . damn I'm old!).

What "treasures" do you have from your childhood?

                                     ~*

All That Glitters

While visiting Cincinnati with the hubs (on a business trip for him), I happened on a Hobby Lobby store. ( I brake for:  Hobby Lobby, Michaels, JoAnns and most recently Ben Franklin's . . . and any cross stitch or quilting store.)  I LOVE the little Putz glitter houses and have pinned many examples of them on Pinterest.  I had visions of making some out of cereal boxes this year . . . then . . . what to my wondering eyes should appear:

Okay, well . . . it wasn't finished but, this is what I saw . . . or something like it.  Not a little Putz house but, a BIG one (unfortunately they only had one)!  It stands a foot high!  It really looked like this at the time:

Armed with my Mod Podge, an old book, Snow-Tex and sponge applicator I went to work to bring my vision to life!  I had purchased this old, fabulously aged  . . . worn and stained perfectly . . . book at an antique/flea market.  I knew I'd have a use for it eventually!  The book happens to be a copy of Les Miserables.  It would probably be worth something if it wasn't missing the first and last dozen or so pages and it's binding.  It was the perfect exterior wallpaper!  I angled it this way and that overlapping to cover the exterior walls.

Now I needed glitter . . . the "right" glitter . . . off to Michaels.  I bought two different glitters by Martha Stewart Crafts:  glow-in-the-dark glitter (for all the snow surfaces) and then a crystal fine glitter for the house walls, shutters (cut from a cereal box) and the fence (the fence pieces I had in my craft stash from some time ago . . . knew I'd have a use for them someday too.)  I initially mixed the crystal fine glitter with the mod podge and coated the wallpapered house . . . the glitter didn't show up . . . so, I mod podged again and sprinkled the glitter on while it was still wet . . . I could have been more heavy-handed with the glitter . . . may have to add more.  I cut the shutters out of a cereal box (it just needed some color) and painted them with red paint mixed with a gold leaf glaze.  When dry, I mod podged and sprinkled them with glitter also . . . "glued" them to the house with the mod podge.  I love working with Mod Podge.  You get all sticky and then it dries and you can peel it off your fingers . . . it's great!

 The snow-tex paint is very thick . . . seems to be sand mixed with paint.  It didn't go as far as I hoped and I needed more than one jar (this picture is as far as one jar went).  While the paint was still wet I sprinkled it with the glow-in-the-dark glitter.   I heard there was a Hobby Lobby as well as a Ben Franklin's store in Kingsport . . . 40 minutes from the house.  I found more snow-tex at Hobby Lobby and the rest of what I needed to "accessorize" my house at Ben Franklin's: the tiny wreaths and the sled . . . perfect!



The two little trees are compliments of Mark's Trains (the hub's train shop at the Tri-Cities Flea Market).


I used a patterned velum (found in the scrapbooking department) for the window panes and doubled a plain velum sheet for the door.  I "installed" a clip light (like a night light) by cutting a hole in the back.

ALSO . . . at Hobby Lobby I found MORE houses!  I bought another big one and a smaller one too (8 1/2" high).  I had visions of making these as gifts this year but, the hubs brought a brutal cold home from his business trip to Canada and I've been too sick to get much of anything done this past week.  On the mend now and frantically getting the decorating done and house cleaned up for the holidays . . . there's no time . . . we haven't even gotten our tree yet nor the Christmas cards done!  REWIND . . . I need that week I lost!!!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas,

a Happy and Healthy New Year,

Peace on Earth 

and 

prayers of comfort and healing for everyone affected by the Connecticut tragedy.

~*

November EGA Retreat

I got my camera back last night at the EGA meeting . . . yea!  Now I can show you pictures of the Lake Junaluska Retreat that took place the first weekend in November.  We had no "formal" teachers or programs for this retreat . . . we all brought our own projects to work on . . . but there was a lot of sharing and learning going on!  (Can't wait to try the paper-piecing quilt making technique!)

Lake Junaluska is a Methodist Conference and Retreat Center (visit their website to learn more:  http://www.lakejunaluska.com/welcome/ ) as well as a residential community.  "The mission of Lake Junaluska is to be a place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through renewal of soul, mind and body."  We renewed our souls, minds and bodies through our friendships, shared stitches and cool mountain air!

We stayed at the Terrace Hotel (pictured here in the center of the photo).  Our meeting room was located across the street in that low building on the edge of the lake.

 

Meals were provided in the Hotel Dining Hall buffet style. (This would be where I left my camera on the floor under our breakfast table . . . I was going to take some more pictures that morning.  Totally forgot about my plan . . . and my camera!

We had a large meeting room that comfortably held 34 of us with assorted seating for the various stitching and quilting projects going on.  We even had a kitchen (everyone brought snacks).  Stitchers can really work up an appetite . . . we did not go hungry!

 There is a covered porch the length of this building with rocking chairs and a full view of the lake.

I went for a mid-day walk part of the way around the lake (there is a 2.6 mile walking trail that circles the lake) . . . just can't sit all day.  I would have walked the whole way, but the sun was blinding me!  At the beginning of the trail there is a rose garden . . . unfortunately not in bloom the first weekend in November . . . there was one blooming yellow rose bush that must have been a recent plant.  No doubt this part of the path is beautiful in season!

There were signs along the trail forbidding the feeding of the geese because it may prevent them from migrating.  They didn't look like they were in any hurry to move on to me.    

Lots to do here . . . there's a Youth Center, Gym, Pool, canoes, paddleboats, volleyball, shuffleboard, mini-golf, and tennis courts all managed by The Conference Center.

There were some fishermen enjoying the mild weather near a bridge that spans one narrow area of the lake.

There are cute little cottages and larger homes in this lake community . . . some creative landscaping as well!

Couldn't you just sit here all day and enjoy watching the ducks and geese glide through the water?  But how would you ever get your stitching done!

We made a few side trips to a couple quilting shops in the area . . . yes, I added to my fabric stash!  As different groups came back from their shopping jaunts, we had to have "show and tell" . . . it seems everyone added to their fabric stashes!  

One evening, after a few people left for bed, we gathered Sue's "cats" and moved them to the piano.  The plan was to not say a word and wait to see if she could find them in the morning.  Nita, a guilty party in the plan, couldn't hold her guilt in and told Sue that her cats had partied all night and couldn't make it back to her table . . . Nita!  It was still funny and made for a cute picture:

The retreat was great fun and I got to know a lot of the members of our EGA group . . . a group I'm sure I'm going to enjoy for years to come.  I've already made my deposit for next year's retreat!

When we were looking for a place to retire, we actually looked in this area of NC.  We really liked Waynesville which is just a few miles from Lake Junaluska . . . and it's close to Asheville as well.  A beautiful area of the Blue Ridge/Smokie mountains!  Looking forward to next year!

                                        ~*

Can't Stop At Just One

You remember the potato chip commercial:  "Bet you can't eat just one".  Well, I have this problem with not only potato chips . . . it seems to have spilled over into my decorating.  Remember that other commercial:  "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up".  It's more like: "Help, I found something I like and I can't stop getting more".  My newest collection is needlework scissors . . . saw this cute way to display them on Pinterest and went on hot pursuit of a glass flower frog:

 Found the frog and here are some of my needlework scissors . . . some.  Oh look, it's next to another of my new collections . . . sewing machine oil cans. 

 Then there's that adorable punchneedle chick (on an oil can . . . that's what got me started collecting oil cans) that my BFF Jen did for me . . . LOVE IT!  It's sitting on the old decoupaged cigar box filled with my grandmother's button collection.  (I come from a long line of collectors).

There's the tatted and crocheted pieces that my grandmother did (I have more). . . a few of my wooden spools (I have more) . . . you get the picture.










In case you aren't convinced I have a problem . . . there's my doll collection . . .

 This shelf are my dolls from Slovakia . . .

 . . . and the ones from Serbia . . .

These aren't really dolls . . . they're wine bottle covers from Hungary.  Budapest was close enough to where we lived in Slovakia that we made many trips to Budapest on the train.  Each trip I'd buy a few of these . . . they're so cute, I just couldn't stop!




Then there are the eggs . . . what can I say . . . I have over 90.  Only a few stay out all year . . . the rest of them come out at Easter.  I'll have to show them all to you at Easter time.  Here a few:

SOMEONE STOP ME!  I'm too embarrassed to show you the other collections . . . maybe another day.  Is this the beginning of hoarding?!  What do you collect?  Please tell me I'm not the only one!

                                                                            ~*

Cincinnati Chili

Stop drooling all over your keyboard!  Okay, okay . . . yes, I do have the recipe.  This is supposed to be the "official" Skyline Chili recipe . . . don't know for sure but, it does taste like it:

2 lbs. lean ground beef
1/2 gallon water (you may want to add some water after simmering depending on your desired consistency)
4 small onions, chopped fine
1 t. garlic powder
4 t. chili powder
1 t. cinnamon
2 t. crushed red pepper
1 t. cocoa powder (yes, cocoa powder)
5 medium bay leaves
1  1/2 T. vinegar
4 t. cumin
1 T. salt (I start with less and salt to taste)
1 t. ground all spice
2 T. Worchestershire sauce
1 - 6 oz. can tomato paste

Brown ground beef breaking it up in small pieces.  Mix ground beef with water in a large pot.  Stew until beef separates to a fine texture.  Add all other ingredients.  Stir to blend and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 hours uncovered.  Last hour, pot may be covered.  Remove bay leaves before serving.

Spoon chili over cooked spaghetti and top with a generous amount of finely shredded cheddar cheese for a 3-way.  If you want a 4-way add either red beans (not kidney beans) or chopped onions . . . and for a 5-way, add it all!  You must serve this with oyster crackers as well . . . it's tradition.  And why not include a cheese coney.  These are little hotdogs with a little mustard, chili, onions and . . . of course . . . cheese!

                                                                ~*

Home Sweet Home

I'm beginning to understand why my father never wanted to go anywhere on the weekends.  He traveled 3 weeks out of every month for work . . . my mother and us kids were always wanting to go somewhere and he just wanted to stay home.  We have been traveling a lot since we've moved here and I've about had enough!

I recently went to Lake Junaluska, NC for our local Embroiders Guild Retreat.  I will post pictures of Lake Junaluska when I get my camera back.  Yes, I left it there . . . under the breakfast table.  Someone found it and turned it in but, when I went to the front desk to inquire, she showed me a camera from a distance and said it was an Olympus.  I could have sworn our camera was a Cannon . . . nope . . . it's an Olympus.  After I got home and realized that was my camera she showed me, I called them back and luckily someone from the guild was still there and retrieved it for me.

We didn't have any teachers at the retreat, just brought our various projects to work on.  I brought my projects from the Shepherd's Bush Retreat.  I finished the Naughty/Nice scissor fob and put it on the scissors that were our gift at the banquet. It's adorable!

I also finished the R&R piece . . . changing a few things.  They had DMC threads with it and I changed out a few for overdyes . . . just like the look better.  I also changed the bottom border repeating the snow line and didn't do a top border.  I added beads to the snowflakes too.  I love it . . . can't wait to get the box to finish it!

I came home from the retreat, dumped my suitcase out, repacked and we drove to Cincinnati, OH arriving at 10:30 p.m.  The hubs had to work up there for two days and since we lived there from '88-'96, I wanted to go along.  It's always fun to see how things have changed since you've lived someplace.  It's also fun to visit with old friends!  We met up with a few former neighbors for dinner one night and got caught up on their lives and their kids (mostly grown now).  We also had to go to Skyline for some Cincinnati Chili the other night . . . if you've never had Skyline, you're really missing something yummy!  Cincinnati Chili is a greek chili served over spaghetti and smothered with cheese!  You can get a 3-way which is spaghetti, chili and cheese; a 4-way with beans or onions; or a 5-way with everything!  Gotta have a 5-way, a cheese coney and a root beer . . . then we have a peppermint patty (they have them at the cash register) for dessert . . . it's a must!

That's it for now.  I'll post pictures and tell you more about the retreat when I get my camera back.

Gotta go work on my Jeanette Douglas piece now.

                                                                ~*