Aren't You Clever?

Nice dog hair on that.

My latest new start, Home Sweet Home by Good Housewife. It's stitched on silver 32-ct Belgium linen with the called for silks.

Instead of stitching, I've been working on my homework for the organizer. I've started a number of things but haven't finished them for various reasons. For example, this weekend I started to change the outlets. (When we moved in they were all brown. Who has brown outlets and light switches? Why?) But I was one outlet shy. Yesterday I ran to Home Depot and picked it up but after running all my other errands it was too dark to finish the job. (Since I have to cut the electricity to the outlet--by cutting it to the room, really the whole upstairs--it's a job to do in the daylight.) However, while I was at Home Depot--where three different employees asked me if I was finding everything I needed!--I picked up zip ties.

Part of my homework was to find paper storage. I had found this DIY project online. We had an old nine cube set in the basement languishing unused. Add a few hundred zip ties, and voila. I'd show you a photo, but the few hundred zip ties need to be snipped before I can load it up. I was so pleased with myself that I found a really cheap shelving system. ($8)

Today I pulled into the consignment store on a whim. I'm looking for a bureau and a bookcase but I saw this beautiful oriental cabinet in the window yesterday. The cabinet was too much money (and really dinged up). None of the dressers had tracks for the drawers, but I did find a red bookcase. Twenty four inches wide and five shelves--perfect for the corner! And the price was right. I have five days to find a bigger car and pick it up.

Okay, that outlet isn't changing itself.

Crazy {Modified} Crazy January Challenge

First, I must apologize for that BBQ post. I'm sorry I drove so many of you out for what passes for barbecue in your neck of the woods. Also, I seem to have stressed out the North Carolinians by putting in the crazy, funny, and notsogood. I apologize. We enjoyed ourselves. And we thank you for your recommendations. We'll be back!

Unbeknownst to me, another of the modifications of my 2012 Crazy January is that I don't have to start something new every day for the first nine days. And even when I do, I don't have to show it to you right away.

Lizzie * Kate Snowman '10, my second start on this challenge.

I do still have three starts to make, and I am now armed with all the supplies. The dude is playing in the "It Must Be a Holiday" Open in Philadelphia. That means Stella and I are on our own this weekend, and we plan to get a case of stitch ass. Or at least I do. I can't speak for the dog.

No, you can't speak for me. You have no idea about my life, lady.

Crazy

Thank you all so much for your willingness to shower my grandmother with cards. I am going to talk to Auntie Em to see if she would be willing to pick up from a PO Box. Then I will rent one for the old broad. If not, I guess you'll have to send them to me. I'll let you know the plan. Her birthday is March 13th so we have some time.

We are, however, running low on time before January and the Crazy January Challenge. As soon as I get home, I'm going to have to run out to the Strawberry Sampler to get a few supplies. But I have my list, and the dude gave me a gift certificate including a chauffer out to Chadds Ford. (Glen Mills, actually.)

Here is my final list:

1. With Thy Needle and Thread, Hoppin' Along Sampler
2. Sheepish Designs, That Dern Parrot
3. Sampler Collection, Willow Trees Sampler
4. Sisters and BFs, Button Border Pumpkin
5. Cricket Collection, Frost
6. Sisters and BFs, Winter Peace
7. Shepherd's Bush, Blue Snowman
8. Just Nan, Tricky Tweets {Screamy Mimi}
9. Just Nan, Owl Winder Pocket
10. Lizzie*Kate, Dog Lessons for People
11. Mill Hill Sticks, Love Me, Love My Dog
12. Raise the Roof, Off the Deep End
13. JBW, French Country Pumpkin
14. Shepherd's Bush, Christian's Stocking
15. Hands to Work, Love, Me

The last two are in honor of The Wedding of 2011, and I don't mean that English one. Poor Jersey's stocking didn't match the rest of the family's. He took it like a man, though.