Friday, September 16, 2011

Road Trip?

OMGG I think I’m so tired from all my various stitching etc that I’m getting giddy with joy and anticipation of my very first “all alone” road trip with my newer vehicle – the BABE!!! Gosh will I make it to tomorrow afternoon for departure – better remember my sunflower seeds me thinks???

All the new stuff to play with again (it’s been like 5 years since the Charger had some of these “toys” that to many think of as every day necessities)!!!

1. No more for sure worries about breakdowns on the road – the BABE is in great shape!
2. Windshield wipers (rear too) and washer that work
3. Emergency brake that works
4. All the doors can be used and electronically too
5. Windows all work electronically too and won’t fall out when rolled down
6. Reminder that gas level is low – WOW wasn’t expecting this one – yes I filled up LOL
7. Storage without gas odours
8. AC that works
9. Radio that works and a CD player too – no more hand held jobbies and endless batteries or earbuds that wear out or sore ears (only had one in)!!!
10. Van is higher than a car and visibility is great – also smaller than my BOMB so easier to park - also better gas mileage too
11. And best of all I can have passengers for future road trips instead of worrying that we might have to walk if something happens.

OH MY I think I’ve died and gone to heaven!!! Except please Lord don’t take me yet, I have a zillion quilting projects to sew up yet and many more road trips to make!!! Thank you Sylvia & Len and Daddy too! See the last of his estate gifts made this purchase possible!

Hmmm I just thought of something, maybe instead of an Angel for my mirror decoration I should have a Fish – Dad loved to go fishing!!!  I've put a stained glass Snowman for now but that could easily be a Christmas tree ornament - added to my collection!

Framed Art Piece Completed!

I was given the honour of stitching up one of my fabric postcard images into a picture for one of our Dept's All Charities Silent Auction baskets.  WOW WEE!!!  Now my postcards are naturally 4x6 inch so I suggested to the colleague to purchase a frame to hold a 5x7 inch picture and preferrably a shadow box type of frame.  This also was not an expensive one as everyone's preferences of frames for their home/office are different so we compromised and chose something that can be discarded but yet looked good with the image. 

The one thing I did change was that I added in a lace table runner to add some elegance to the art.  The cups were from a fabric I picked up ages ago and where embellished with silver lined beads and DMC metallic thread before adding a layer of batting and then appliqueing onto the background (a piece of upholstery fabric I still have left over from my girlfriend's remodelling days).  And lo and behold I had TWO teaspoons in my stash - talk about LUCKY!!!  OKAY I'll quit talking and show you the pictures!!!

My original postcard - 4x6 in

5 x 7 fabric art

Shadow box framed fabric art

So needless to say I've left money and my choices and the girls will be making out my tickets and dropping them into the appropriate draw buckets for me as I won't be in attendance for this Deptmental event.  Won't that be something to be the lucky winner of the Tea for Two basket!!!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

It's Finished - On Time TOO!!!

OK these are lovely blocks Lorrie but I find it hard to concentrate on “sewing themes” with the lovely butterfly and dragonfly fabrics. To me this is more for a pastel garden theme but I did sort myself on the proper road!!! I knew there was no doubt about it but tat the butterfly trim (after many false attempts – I persevered). Then while collecting sewing themes online, catalogues and friends I got started.


First the Joint Block (blogged previously): I did a sort of redwork motif with off white floss on the dark purple patch – slightly different layout than the original image. This patch I wanted a “pins & needles” for a seam treatment and came up with the herringbone stitch with Colonial knots strategically placed to resemble a stick pin border. Then the small triangular 3-patch was the dilemma again but our own Kerry gave me the needle, thread and threader idea and I used her raised Fishbone BAS stitch and VOILA – all finished.

Now to work on my whole block: Yes I had mapped out my plans on paper and then just had to carry it through.


As you can see I continued the butterfly tatted trim and overstitched with DMC metallic threads the centre large butterfly and added three heart buttons. I also thank Lorrie for the charms as mine are very limited as yet. Right after I finished the joint block I started on the corset (?) to appliqué in place – HARD!!! Then came the velvet pin cushion and scattered pins and thimble sewn in place. I then sewed the scissors in place and decided they needed a lanyard so off I was braiding some #5 DMC and just looped and stitched in place. Then I found a plastic thread half button and cut off the shank and wrapped matching thread around and stitched in place. I also carried the thread through to meander over a couple of patches and finally into a needle – also scattered pins. I added some sewing words and last was fighting with making the baby button jar. I had the idea but sure struggled trying to make it! A few seam treatments and I think it’s finished!

Body form n spool of thread

Button jar

Butterfly fabric enhanced
 
Pin cushion n pins

Scissor charm n braided lanyard

Hope Lorrie likes it as much as I do – also a co-worker said I HAVE to keep this it’s a treasure and make another to send away!!! NO WAY JOSE!!!

Saturday, September 03, 2011

YEAH New Wheels!!!

Well quess it's Good Bye to my bruised and slightly battered 1982 Pontiac Parisienne that I was to only have for two years (kept more like 5 years) before moving up to the 1990s and a mid-sized compact of some kind.  AND Hello Babe (bAb) to my newly acquired 2003 Pontiac Montana (which I've always enjoyed driving for them), just bought off my sister Sylvia and hubby who naturally bought another vehicle today!

Now I can tell you that it was with much JOY to look forward to having this vehicle sometimes soon, but yesterday after much car shopping they came back sore and disheartened and told me they had decided to keep their van, especially now that it was safetied and I was told it's a great little van and I should save a bundle just on the gas difference.  Well that definitely was not something I thought would happen, a delay until they found a vehicle yes, not a mind changing decision.  I tried to keep a calm face and accept their decision.  After awhile I found out it was a JOKE on me as they already had picked out their vehicle just had to finalize the deal.  Well it was a JOKE backfired on them and left me very upset and kinda ruined my happiness in finally owning it.

So yes we got the registration changed, my car parked until I can get a transfer permit and haul it away for salvage.  It took all afternoon before it kicked in that I'm now the proud owner of a newer better running vehicle for hopefully a number of years to come!!!  Yes, lots better and I even picked up Florence to take pics of me and Babe!!!  Now my racing heart has changed from despair to joy and hope it stays for a while!!!