Tonight I am going to my first class at the Haverford Township Adult School. I am taking landscape design. For the good of the landscape. Our tiny brick cape is being inundated with yew that was planted when the house was built over 50 years ago. In addition to the four great yew, there are two sort of sad, but relatively tall, rhodedendron; they are sad because the old owner used to crop them into cube shapes. There are a few mountain laurel, which I hope to transplant to the backyard because, well, all this stuff is crammed together and no one's happy, least of all me. On the other side of the entrance there is an evergreen bush that blooms with white bell-shaped flowers in late summer--I can never remember the proper name of that one, but I have let it grow wild and it's blocking one of the windows. But truly, this poor plant was so unhappy in its former life as a block of bush. Around the corner, where no one can enjoy it, is a forsythia. That one left behind its legacy of poor haircuts last spring. Now if I could only train it to grow where I wanted it, instead of having it wrap itself around the drainpipe from the gutter...We also have an evergreen azalea accenting the path to the door. It's been pruned so badly parts of it are nothing but wood. (Sense a theme here?) Then there's the Japanese maple that is dying. I think it just needs to be fertilized, but who knows? I hope the teacher does!
So I won't be stitching tonight. I am happy to report, however, this morning on my commute, I finished the alphabet on Tall Flowers. Now to make the flowers grow wild.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
I Got Your Opinion, Right Here!
The EGA wrote to me the other day. They are sad that I didn't send them my $40 last September. Will I tell them why? Check all that apply:
[]I no longer stitch. []I have become involved in other activities. []My chapter dissolved. []Meetings are too far away. []Chapter was not welcoming. []Personality conflicts in my chapter. []I did not receive Needle Arts. []I did not read/enjoy Needle Arts. []I did not understand how to participate in educational programs. []Too expensive. []Did not receive a renewal notice. []Complying with EGA formalities was too confusing. []Not interested in class offerings. []Not enough time to devote to EGA. []Don't understand the benefit of belonging to such an organization. []I felt too inexperienced to fully participate.
Here's the sad thing, they are so out of touch my reasons don't even appear. How can I drag my sorry ass to a meeting when the local organization is completely perplexed by women like me; honestly a recent post on their website discussed how to include working women as if we were some new and strange breed. Also, the local chapters, hell dude, no chapters seem to be doing things that I find particularly interesting. OTOH, I don't want to be sitting in my house by myself all the time. (Nine days to camp!)
I spent several years floating about as a Member-at-Large, and I never really understood what I was a member of. What was I supposed to be doing? I know people will say I should join the Cyberstitchers, but honestly, I belong to a number of boards and listservs, and I don't feel particularly connected to those people either. Mostly I think, why do these people feel the need to share all of their thoughts with us? Why can't they just shut up? Everything everyone does is just super! Good for you! I feel like we should be getting stars pasted to our foreheads. I often have to hold my tongue because I think such antisocial things. Like, this is from a totally different situation, and I feel horrible saying it aloud, but it's totally been bothering me. On a list I am on, a woman's teenage niece was recently killed. The niece's obit said she wanted to open a shop in New Hope, PA because of the "diversity of people" in the area. Diversity in New Hope? I haven't been there in a while, but diversity? in New Hope? When you live a stone's throw from Philadelphia where there is a diversity of people? It's was all I could do not to ridicule a dead girl.
And that's why I didn't renew my EGA membership.
[]I no longer stitch. []I have become involved in other activities. []My chapter dissolved. []Meetings are too far away. []Chapter was not welcoming. []Personality conflicts in my chapter. []I did not receive Needle Arts. []I did not read/enjoy Needle Arts. []I did not understand how to participate in educational programs. []Too expensive. []Did not receive a renewal notice. []Complying with EGA formalities was too confusing. []Not interested in class offerings. []Not enough time to devote to EGA. []Don't understand the benefit of belonging to such an organization. []I felt too inexperienced to fully participate.
Here's the sad thing, they are so out of touch my reasons don't even appear. How can I drag my sorry ass to a meeting when the local organization is completely perplexed by women like me; honestly a recent post on their website discussed how to include working women as if we were some new and strange breed. Also, the local chapters, hell dude, no chapters seem to be doing things that I find particularly interesting. OTOH, I don't want to be sitting in my house by myself all the time. (Nine days to camp!)
I spent several years floating about as a Member-at-Large, and I never really understood what I was a member of. What was I supposed to be doing? I know people will say I should join the Cyberstitchers, but honestly, I belong to a number of boards and listservs, and I don't feel particularly connected to those people either. Mostly I think, why do these people feel the need to share all of their thoughts with us? Why can't they just shut up? Everything everyone does is just super! Good for you! I feel like we should be getting stars pasted to our foreheads. I often have to hold my tongue because I think such antisocial things. Like, this is from a totally different situation, and I feel horrible saying it aloud, but it's totally been bothering me. On a list I am on, a woman's teenage niece was recently killed. The niece's obit said she wanted to open a shop in New Hope, PA because of the "diversity of people" in the area. Diversity in New Hope? I haven't been there in a while, but diversity? in New Hope? When you live a stone's throw from Philadelphia where there is a diversity of people? It's was all I could do not to ridicule a dead girl.
And that's why I didn't renew my EGA membership.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Photoblob
For some reason, when I uploaded these photos (all at once), blogger read them as one, so I can't move them about as I had planned.The two photos of Sampler in the Tall Flowers shows the progress I made after twelve hours in the car--not stitching the whole time. The fabric is totally washed out, but the floss shows it's true colors. How weird is that? This one is just so happy!
The cards are from Tuesday's session with our stamping friends. From the left, is a sympathy card that used versamark ink with chalks, you probably can't tell the green cardstock is watermarked and there is a burgundy ribbon. It's very subdued. The big flower card is ultra-simple with no interesting techniques, but it shows what you can achieve with few materials. (Simple Scrapbooks is my favorite, so you can see why I'd love this card! However, I thought of it on my own--I made a very similar one last summer, with a slightly smaller big flower stamp but outlined with "marker stitches.") The pig is popped off the background, but you can't tell from this picture. And I did a lousy job with the rollerstamp. I hate using those things.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
SBQ: Size Matters
What is the smallest count fabric you have ever used? Did you stitch over one? Conversely, what is the largest count fabric you have ever used? I have stitched on silk gauze, which I believe was 40 ct, and that was over one, and I also did Hillside Samplings Marriage Sampler, and a portion of that was done over one on 40 ct fabric.
The largest fabric I ever used was either over two on 14 ct (so 7 ct) or 10 ct Tula that I use at camp at the Silver Needle. And did I mention that is coming up? Woohoo! I think a Christmas wallhanging by Alma Lynn that I did for my cousin was over two on a count that was pretty high to begin with. Worked up really quickly, but I did have to use all six strands, which made stripping a bitch.
Soon I will be back to stitching--just got back on Monday, then went to stamping on Tuesday (photos soon), and last night took a trip to Buddakan for Sissy's birthday (angry lobster--so yummy). We may like Buddakan best of the Starr restaurants we've tried (Jones, Continental, Morimoto) but it's way too dark. In fact, we kept shining the votive into the angry lobster so we could make sure we were getting lobster, not confusing cauliflower or carrots for the delectable meat. We started the litany of things that mean we're getting old: I can't turn off my I-Pod (actually had to get the young guy in the office to do it yesterday); we can't tell navy blue from black; we are annoyed when "kids" don't pick up their feet when they walk; we can't drink like we used to; and we can't see in the dark.
Tonight, I may have to fetch the dude in the city, but if not, my fat ass is not losing contact with the couch because I'm tired.
The largest fabric I ever used was either over two on 14 ct (so 7 ct) or 10 ct Tula that I use at camp at the Silver Needle. And did I mention that is coming up? Woohoo! I think a Christmas wallhanging by Alma Lynn that I did for my cousin was over two on a count that was pretty high to begin with. Worked up really quickly, but I did have to use all six strands, which made stripping a bitch.
Soon I will be back to stitching--just got back on Monday, then went to stamping on Tuesday (photos soon), and last night took a trip to Buddakan for Sissy's birthday (angry lobster--so yummy). We may like Buddakan best of the Starr restaurants we've tried (Jones, Continental, Morimoto) but it's way too dark. In fact, we kept shining the votive into the angry lobster so we could make sure we were getting lobster, not confusing cauliflower or carrots for the delectable meat. We started the litany of things that mean we're getting old: I can't turn off my I-Pod (actually had to get the young guy in the office to do it yesterday); we can't tell navy blue from black; we are annoyed when "kids" don't pick up their feet when they walk; we can't drink like we used to; and we can't see in the dark.
Tonight, I may have to fetch the dude in the city, but if not, my fat ass is not losing contact with the couch because I'm tired.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
My Mother's Attic
Like many attics, my parents' has suffered rodent infestations. When I was in high school, I remember the squirrels galumphing across the floor (my ceiling) at night. Of course, because my parents live in the country, when the squirrels were moved out, the mice moved in. And then there were the bats, the reason we had to wear masks and gloves during our cleaning. As I made the trek down three flights to the basement in my respirator, I began to breathe a little heavy. We cracked ourselves up by repeating, "Luke, I am your father."
We got through about 1/6 of the stuff up there. My mother has enough Christmas decorations to decorate four houses. She saved everything thinking she could use it in her "summer home" someday. What she did not realize was that when she could afford her summer home, she would be able to afford new sheets, towels, and furniture. The amount of stuff that has to be thrown away is mind-boggling. The amount going to the church is uplifting. The amount I have for e-bay is exciting (I spent almost as much time walking down to the computer as I did bringing trash to the basement; yes, save the Fitz & Floyd candy dish; no, recycle that old Coke bottle).
Among the "treasures":
We got through about 1/6 of the stuff up there. My mother has enough Christmas decorations to decorate four houses. She saved everything thinking she could use it in her "summer home" someday. What she did not realize was that when she could afford her summer home, she would be able to afford new sheets, towels, and furniture. The amount of stuff that has to be thrown away is mind-boggling. The amount going to the church is uplifting. The amount I have for e-bay is exciting (I spent almost as much time walking down to the computer as I did bringing trash to the basement; yes, save the Fitz & Floyd candy dish; no, recycle that old Coke bottle).
Among the "treasures":
- Earring Magic Ken, NIB
- my Sasha doll and a box of other souvenir dolls I collected as a child
- all the correspondence I received, 1980-1990, including birthday and Christmas cards
- MREs from Vietnam
- two of those braided yarn octopuses we crafted as children
- a quilt, cut but not pieced
- April 1972 Cosmopolitan featuring Burt Reynolds, excellent condition
- love letters from my dad to my mom, including a "non committal" Valentine's Day card signed with only his last name (early days)
- a pink stork figurine planter given to my grandmother when my mother was born (1944) and then to my mother when I was born
- technically, this was not in the attic, but I have an album signed by Johnny, Joey, DeeDee and Tommy Ramone. The ones I've seen on e-bay are going for $650 and they don't have DeeDee. Whee!
My sister and I are planning to go back in May. My mom needs help, and we have to find the Blythe dolls (e-bay $750-1000) that we know are up there.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
So Bad, So Sad
Today is my younger niece's birthday. I'm such a bad aunt, I haven't finished the freebie poodle for her. How could I do this to her? Let's not discuss the pillow making, I haven't even finished the stitching. I've been reading. Why is it always one or the other with me?Tomorrow, I'm driving up to NH with my sister. We're going to clean our crap out of our parents' house. They're finally selling it. (It's three stories and there are stairs to get in no matter where you enter, and my dad's been handicapped since the accident in 1986. He can manage--obviously he has for 20 years--it's just very difficult.) Anyway, there are treasures in the attic. And for some reason, my mom needs my permission to throw away the dollhouse that the cat used to shit in and the squirrels ruined when they ran the storage area. Some stuff I'll take to put on ebay. Surely there are a few things that I'd rather have than throw away. Of course, I'll freeze my sweet-patootie up there in the uninsulated garret in the New Hampshire winter. But the sooner my parents are in a single-story home, the better. It's the least I can do. If I find anything good, I'll let you know.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Adorn
So this past weekend, I was in the King of Prussia mall and these punk kids walk by--one of them is wearing a pair of pants my sister used to own, swear to god, red plaid with tapered leg. As we pass, I say to the dude out of the corner of my mouth, "You did not invent that." He retorts, "You kids are so 1983." I laugh and say, "When I was your age, I used to look like you. See what you have to look forward to?" The dude cracks up. Oh we're so jaded, and ironic, and witty.
But I was in high spirits because I found this magazine: Adorn. This is the kind of magazine I wish I had had when I was the age of those punksters. (I'll have to try to scan a picture from those good old days when I am in NH this weekend, clearing my crap out of my parents' house.) It might be a little young for me, but I loved their section on Japanese crafts, "Turning Japanese." Look, it really is all about the early 80s. (You so did not invent that!)
Best, they give links to help you get some of the cool Japanese craft books. Worth the nominal cost alone! I'll give you one, but only because I'm feeling ebullient. Check it (there are links to help you navigate Amazon.jp).
But I was in high spirits because I found this magazine: Adorn. This is the kind of magazine I wish I had had when I was the age of those punksters. (I'll have to try to scan a picture from those good old days when I am in NH this weekend, clearing my crap out of my parents' house.) It might be a little young for me, but I loved their section on Japanese crafts, "Turning Japanese." Look, it really is all about the early 80s. (You so did not invent that!)
Best, they give links to help you get some of the cool Japanese craft books. Worth the nominal cost alone! I'll give you one, but only because I'm feeling ebullient. Check it (there are links to help you navigate Amazon.jp).
Monday, February 12, 2007
To Market! To Market!
Hillside Samplings, "Autumn Willow" You know about the pumpkin obsession, but there's a willow obsession too. Camp is in three weeks and I have three gift certificates to spend.
Workbasket, "Bunny Attitude "Loyal readers will recognize my dedication to spirals. Love it!
Plum Street Samplers, "Dead Man's Chess" The dude (chess rating 1665) took one look at it and said, "Do you know what's wrong with the chess board?" Since I have been subjected to that question a hundred times, I knew right away, the board is set up wrong. The square in the lower left corner should be white. I have been with him in a variety of places where he has told people their chess boards are set up incorrectly (stores, showhouses). In one showhouse there was a "no touching" rule that they broke so he could reset the board--in that case, it wasn't just the right hand corner, but also some of the pieces were in the wrong place. And don't get him started on that ad for some sleeping pill with Abe Lincoln. He goes nuts, e v e r y t i m e he sees it.
Uppity Crafters Unite!
Nuns on the run! Who among us cannot see ourselves in such a position? In the throes of stitching (knitting, crocheting, papercrafting, rubberstamping) passion, we use money that is not ours to get more.I tell you one thing, it's a helluva way to get out of being a nun.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Love is a Many-Splendored Thing
With Valentine's Day a week away, I thought we might be interested in some free hearts-and-flowers craft projects.
Valentine's Day Cross-stitch Patterns
My aunt's favorite candy (scroll to free cross-stitch pattern)
Hearts (xs)
Flowers (xs)
Conversation Hearts (xs)
More Candy Hearts (xs)
Hugs and Kisses (xs)
Cute Valentines from Martha (and on the home page, you can get video to learn to make heart-shaped candy boxes. (paper)
Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve(paper)
A Nice Tin for a Friend(paper)
Okay, this is one you'd have to buy, but you probably won't get the pattern in time. This is might be my favorite pattern for a heart shaped tin.
This project has taken me to all kinds of new places. I hope you find what you're looking for!
Valentine's Day Cross-stitch Patterns
My aunt's favorite candy (scroll to free cross-stitch pattern)
Hearts (xs)
Flowers (xs)
Conversation Hearts (xs)
More Candy Hearts (xs)
Hugs and Kisses (xs)
Cute Valentines from Martha (and on the home page, you can get video to learn to make heart-shaped candy boxes. (paper)
Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve(paper)
A Nice Tin for a Friend(paper)
Okay, this is one you'd have to buy, but you probably won't get the pattern in time. This is might be my favorite pattern for a heart shaped tin.
This project has taken me to all kinds of new places. I hope you find what you're looking for!
Monday, February 05, 2007
Results
My computer froze, so you're going to have to make do without the waxing poetical about driving out to Cathy's--the wildlife, the farmhouses, the Christian radio stations doling out financial advice. Maybe I'll save it for a rainy day.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Meet Up
Went to a GTG at Cathy's in Lititz. That's Lit-itz not La-titz as we've been saying around here to make ourselves giggle. I met Cathy and Jenna and Cathy's non-blogging friend Karen. Who is my new best friend. We caught Jenna's enthusiasm for her new ONS; admired Cathy's children, especially Joshua's Superman costume; and had a virtual museum display of lovely needlework. I'm lusting after Jenna's needleroll (and Jo's stitching prowess). We taste tested some lovely recipes and actually got some stitching done. Photos tomorrow.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Popping Up No Shadow
Groundhog day is the anniversary of when the dude and I started dating. He says that since we're married now, we only have one real anniversary. (Which is a lie, since we got married once for the INS and once for show--though we only celebrate the "show" date.) It's been 15 years. I can't imagine having done anything for 15 years, but there you go...
Tomorrow, I am off to Cathy's to stitch. I'm bringing Carmelitas. Here's the recipe so you can make your own and pretend you're stitching with us.
1 cup flour
1 cup oats
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
3/4 cup melted butter
1 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup caramel topping
3 T flour
Mix first 6 ingredients together. Pat 3/4 of mix into bottom of 8X8 pan. Bake at 350 until golden brown (about 20 minutes).
Spread chips over baked mixture. Mix the flour and caramel together until smooth and pour to cover chocolate, making sure to not to let the caramel touch the side of the pan. (It will burn.) Crumble the remaining dough over the top. Bake until golden brown (about 20 minutes).
Tomorrow, I am off to Cathy's to stitch. I'm bringing Carmelitas. Here's the recipe so you can make your own and pretend you're stitching with us.
1 cup flour
1 cup oats
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
3/4 cup melted butter
1 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup caramel topping
3 T flour
Mix first 6 ingredients together. Pat 3/4 of mix into bottom of 8X8 pan. Bake at 350 until golden brown (about 20 minutes).
Spread chips over baked mixture. Mix the flour and caramel together until smooth and pour to cover chocolate, making sure to not to let the caramel touch the side of the pan. (It will burn.) Crumble the remaining dough over the top. Bake until golden brown (about 20 minutes).
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