Cat, Trims, Wardrobe Decisions

Edgar is letting Lucy have her way with him.  She's nipping his neck. 

Usually, Edgar takes the top layer of the tower, Lucy gets the next, and Stinker gets the bottom ledge.  Sometimes, however, Edgar shares his perch.  A benevolent dictator, that Edgar.

Yesterday, I planned all my errands with the hope that time and proximity would allow me a visit to Discount Fabrics.  The last two stops were the library and the post office;  I checked my watch, and yes, I had time!

 I picked up a few sample cuts, but didn't buy any fabric.  Then I began looking at the trims, some of which were as much as $17 and $25 a yard...the fabric is definitely discounted, but the trims are not.  The ones I was interested in were in the $7-8 dollar range for the most part.  I decided on a couple and went to have some 1/2 yard cuts because I thought they'd be good for doll clothing. 

The lady at the cutting table asked if I'd looked at the remnants.  Duh!  No, I hadn't.  She showed me all these little plastic bags of remnants, and I quickly chose several that I couldn't have afforded otherwise.  Little bags of very short cuts (all I'd really need) for $1-5.  The ones I liked best were $3 or less, and several were only $1!

Now, I'll have to find ways to use them all, and above are only a few of the packets, and the pictures don't do these beautiful trims justice.

My tattoo man has refused 3 (THREE!) skirts that I've made for him.  We are going to have another little discussion today.  I'm not sure he realizes that when I made him, I didn't intend for his body to show--truthfully, I'm not sure he realizes I made him. 

He is right about the skirts, though; none of them suited him, but we really need to figure out an attire we can both agree on.

Speaking of wardrobes, I definitely need to get some summer apparel.  My summer things are fine for the house, but not so good for getting out.  I need some nice casual things without any paint on them!

Fusing, Felting, and Hair Clips

I've found my box of fused scraps and have begun playing with them.













I began just cutting tiny pieces and ironing them down...

Hmmm...what about some sparkly stuff?

Now, I think I know where I'm going.

Here is where I've been.  Making hair clips (granddaughters always need these, right?) with felt and scraps and embroidery and buttons.

The third one used one of the Dorset buttons I made quite a while ago.  Several were made with the embellisher, then quilted with gold thread.  The second and fifth were made with fabric,

but I put the fabric for the fifth one through the embellisher and to get a shabby chic look.

Back to playing with one of several ongoing projects!

Yesterday Was Play Day

Fee went out of town yesterday, and I spent the entire day playing.  Such fun! Haven't played with my embellisher and roving in such a long time.

I worked on several different projects, then last night had popcorn for dinner, started my latest Lee Child novel, and read until late.

Have some errands to do this morning, but the house is clean, and when I get home, I'm going to play some more. 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday.

WIP (not Wed.)

I started this during the fall; maybe it is time to finish. I didn't like the way the girl came out, so I put it aside, but all that is left to do is some beading.I really need to use the embellisher, but I haven't done much with it. Somehow, I just don't like my embellisher pieces.

My room organization is down to just a few minutes a day...and is, therefore, moving very slowly. One reason is because I need my husband's help. Mmmmm. So I guess that means it is an infinity project. Maybe I'll just move my chrome shelves into the living room to see if I could get his attention.... No, the day I do that, he will call from out of town to say he won't be home for a while. And I will have to move it back.

What I really need him to do is take everything out of the computer area so I can put shelves in there. About 3 years ago, he turned the closet area into a computer center, but I never really liked the arrangement and would like to use a real computer desk...

If I'm honest, however, I have to admit that I have a lot of work to do before he can help. If I'm honest--and not just making excuses--that is.

Erin, Mila, and Max are coming this weekend! I'm so excited!

Current Project & Complaint Free?

Here is a detail from one of my current projects (I'm losing count of all of the things I've started, all of those PIP's (projects in progress). Love that needle punch!


Christine Kane has issued a challenge: Go 5 weeks (it takes 21 days to form a new habit; I don't think I'll ever get there) without complaining, whining, criticizing, or gossiping.

Well, who could question that this is a worthy endeavor? And who could possibly manage to go 21 days without complaining (or criticizing, whining, gossiping--much less 5 weeks)? The trick, of course, is that when you forget, you just start over. If you have managed one complaint-free day, and then complain on day two, you just start over. If you are five days, ten days into it and forget, you just start over.

Soooo-----I imagine that I will remain on DAY ONE for the rest of my life. At least if you count my silent whines, the ones that are in my head, but never make it to my lips. I will have to work on a complaint-free morning or a complaint-free afternoon. Or a complaint-free hour.

Nevertheless, I'm gonna try--knowing full well that I will fail. And fail again. And again. I AM going to try this challenge for a while. It will be interesting to actually track my behavior.

Kane posted this list: 9 Irresistible Reasons to Go Complaint-Free Starting Today:

1 - When you’re complaint-free, you learn to find solutions rather than staying mucked in the problem.

If you don’t offer yourself the option of complaining, then you might start training your brain to actually find solutions and get ideas. As Maya Angelou says, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.” (note: I love that quote!)

2 - When you’re complaint-free, you shrink your ego.

Complaining builds your ego. It makes your ego stronger because it makes someone or something else wrong. And it makes you right. You become inflated and puffed up. Well, actually you don’t, but your ego does. Ceasing the complaining/criticizing/gossiping habit tells your ego that you are in charge, and that you want to create new habits. (note: I never thought of this, but complaining is a way of laying blame elsewhere)

3 - When you’re complaint free for 21-Days, you’ve started a new habit and created a new you.

4 - When you’re complaint-free, it’s a conversation starter.

Imaginary scenario: Someone rushes into your office to gossip or whine. You get to simply smile and say, “Gosh, you know, I’d love to join in, but I’m in the middle of a Complaint-free Contract. Would you like to look at it?” And the person says, “Huh? What’s that?” Then you get to propel the conversation in a different direction.

5 - When you’re complaint-free, it’s a conversation deepener.

That same person who rushes into your office will listen for a while and then say, “Wow, that’s a really great idea. I always notice how easy it is to complain, and I want to be more self-responsible…” You’ll then share a deeper connection when you each admit that you want to live more happy and focused lives. (note: I some how doubt this, but who knows? I suspect they might look at me, nod, and back out slowly)

6 - When you’re complaint-free, it becomes viral.

You start attracting more positive people to you. The negative people will walk away and just think you’re a complete moron. But then, you’ll start noticing positive curious people coming into your life because you are so much fun to be around.

7 - When you’re complaint-free, you banish lazy thinking.

Think about it - you can’t get much lazier than complaining and gossiping. It’s the same well-worn neural pathway you’ve trudged down day after day, along with 85% of the population. When you’re complaint-free, you find other things on which to focus. With alertness and alacrity, you find new ways of seeing things. (And you get to use words like “alacrity.”)

8 - When you’re complaint-free, you create happiness.

9 - When you’re complaint free with a group, you get to soar on the updraft of the great group energy.

11:24 -- Just started over at hour one!

Adrift

Adrift is 7 1/2 x 9 3/4". The batik background has an embellished piece appliquéd to the front. I love the batik with all of the circles and the combination of colors.

South view of cabin which will face the pond. Do I love this wrap-around porch? Oh, yeah!

Embellisher Trouble and Scarf? Muffler?

The center needle in my embellisher won't stay in. I've tried everything, and I guess I'm going to have to give up and take it to the shop. Which is WAY across town. It works quite well without it, but I get frustrated when I put it in over and over, thinking maybe it will work this time. It needs to be seen by an expert...maybe just a change of the screw.

Received more from roving (Merino) from Try Our Designs, and it is so much finer than the Corriedale. Although it is just as wool as the Corriedale, it has such a silky feel to it. Plan to play with it some today, but have several projects going right now and new fabric from Equilter, too.

Here is the scarf/muffler I just finished. Instead of using batting, I used muslin as the middle layer. The strips of Asian fabric had been cut long ago for a possible coin quilt that never got started.
I've taken all of the machine quilting out of Circles & Squares and am now hand quilting this at night as I watch television. When I get tired of it, I put it away and take out the little embroidery piece and put in more running stitches.