Stitching from Stash

Over the last year or so I have been seeing others posts their "stitch from stash" progress and have had my interest piqued.   I wandered over to Epic Stitching and read up on the rules and rewards.   I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I didn't have to wait until January to join up.  Mel is having a half year enrollment.   How's it work?   You have a 'budget' you pledge to stick to and honestly report what you spent on needlework supplies each month.    You use a $25.00 monthly allowance (your money) and deduct what is spent on supplies each month carrying over any 'left-over' money to the next month.  Framing, needles, q-snaps and the like are exempt from reporting.   You must post by the 28th of each month on your buying and stitching for the month.  There are 'points' to be earned for work completed each month which convert to adding more $$ to your virtual budget.   Non-bloggers can enrolled via email.   So I signed up effective July 1st. I hope I will be diligent with posting my monthly progress and be even more diligent with staying on 'budget'.    This could be a win win....blog hopping with other participants to see their work, stash reduction and preparing for fixed income of retirement!  (which is still a couple years out).   I'd better build up that bank of $$ before I hit Salty Yarns in OCMD in October!  That could be a painful reporting month considering my past spending amounts!


Here is what I decided on to give me my red, white and blue fix......of course a decision really couldn't be narrowed down.    I found these three in my stash, each was already kitted and on my radar to be done.   I quickly stitched up this Pine Mountain - July Expressions.   These are the best for being a little project to carry along and do at lunch time.   It took a few stitches to get used to Aida instead of linen but the trade off is no need for cheaters!

One down and next up....

....this other quickie - July Typography by Pine Mountain.   Not sure about the rest of you fellow stitchers but I for one am filling up my wall space.  I am liking stitching up holiday themed pieces that can be rotated out through the year.  Hopefully this can be completed by the 4th.  I hosting a big  birthday bash for my daughter on the 4th and these will be the perfect accents to the decorations.

Finally finished "To Kill a Mockingbird"and absolutely loved the book.   Just like Steel Magnolias, The Bodyguard, JFK and Pretty Woman are movies I watch over and over, this is a book I will reread.  Picked up and read "The Best of Me" by Nicholas Sparks in about three days.  Still dealing with this nasty annoying Achilles issue but I am actually experiencing some occasional pain free time but still no treadmill or extensive walking.   Oh it is hell to get old!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week all!

Then

See that big beautiful oak tree covered in snow....

 This is tonight after a ferocious line of storms came through.    Somewhere under that mess is my wheelbarrow.  This giant of a tree took a few other trees with it as it fell.  

 I took this from the front yard one winter morning at sunrise a few years ago and you can see the tree towering over the house.   It must have been 60 to 70 feet tall.

And just a few weeks ago when I was 'hosting' the bees, Mighty Mr. Oak was there.  

This photo is from almost the same position tonight.  

 Before/above and after/below
 That horizontal piece on the 4 by 4 archway is probably 6 1/2 feet high.

We were so fortunate.   I have never experienced a storm like tonight's.   Hopefully all my friends have faired well too.   I am seeing on FB some are without power and trees are down all over the community.    For me, I am thankful that myself and my neighbors, no one was hurt.   We lost a bit of siding  and the deck chairs are in the pool but all is well.   I just stepped outside a few minutes ago and all I could hear was chain saws.   I texted my children and told them about the oak tree and my eldest's comment was.....how will we find out way home now.   When they were small and would get lost in the 10 acre field behind our property I told them just find the tallest tree and that was home.   They will all be traveling home for the Fourth of July and it will be a shocker for them to see in person.  My backyard is going to be shaking in baking this summer without the shade of the oak.....and possibly a few less squirrels.......hmmmmm, that could be a plus.  

I'll Keep You Posted

Oh boy......I am feeling like I need to start something Red-White and Blue.   I know I have some different americana designs kitted up.     I know I should refrain.   Hmmmm, I wonder if I have the will power.   Crap!  I have one BAP and one SAL and am expecting some pre-stitching for an October class and then there is Lizzie Kate that is so close to the finish line.   Why does this happen?  So long stitching on something, frustration hits when you have to frog or I get bored I guess.   Variety is the spice of life, right?  Film at 11 people.....maybe literally if I choose a new start!

Hey! It's Actually Worked!

As so often I have these brainstorms which once completed resemble the mess of palm fronds and driftwood after a hurricane.   But this time it came together exactly (almost) as planned.


First I did mega consignment shopping this weekend.   I usually hit my favorite shop once a month and was ever so surprised to pull up to a yard sale in the parking lot as well as deep discounts on the booths inside.

Here's my loot.

Above, a collection of things, including the $2 chandelier which I have plans for!



The seller didn't know anything about the stitcher.   I am such a sucker when thinking of the time and effort the stitcher put into her work.  For $2 I couldn't go wrong.

Liberty sign marked $3, reduced to $1 because I hesitated. And some fat quarters of fabric ranging from $0.75 to $1.50.

Red, White & Blue basket with two Americana hand towels, $4, Watermelon slices, $1 each, $1 silk flag scarf,  and NIB Lenox Snowflake candle jar.  This will be a Christmas present for a friend who will be told where I got it and she will be proud of my shopping prowess!

 My splurge, $20 for this strawberry tote.   I can see this with so many uses.   First up will be picnic plates, napkins and plasticware!

 $1 silk scarf went right out to become a bow on my door decoration.

 The sampler found a quick home on top of my J. P. Coats and Clark cabinet.  I think I will have to wrap that blaring white easel with a piece of grosgrain or bias tape so as to not be jumping out at me!

So on to my plans......

I took the $2 chandelier, removed the wiring, cleaned with steel wool and then spray painted.  At this point if my plans fail I can always make this into a spider for Halloween!

  I bought a can of spray paint for $3.57 and 5 stake style solar lights at $0.97 each.

I took apart the solar stake-style lights and filed down the bases of the lenses.  

 I used my glue gun to secure the lens in place and hung the lamp!    

I wanted this off a wrought iron hook mounted on the house to hang over my round deck table but Mr. W. had some thoughts on that.   Not to be dissuaded, I pulled out a plant hook and hung this gem from my pergola.   For under $12 and under an hour's worth of time (not counting drying time for the paint), I created a little more ambience for my outside room!  Can't wait to see how it looks tonight.  It won't be bright enough to stitch from but I sure can drink a glass of sangria by it!

As always, all photos are clickable for larger filmstrip view.   Thanks for stopping by and have a great week full of stitching, family and friends!

Drum Corp Time Again, aka Mr. W. Hits the Road

Ok, I will warn you this post could be likened to having to sit through your uncle's 8mm home movies so feel free to skip on by if you must ...... but if you wish to awaken a different creative side of yourself, by all means do continue.

You have read my posts and probably wondered  about the bizarre travels of my husband for eight weeks each summer.  I did my stint for several but my traveling days with the group ended. Although I enjoyed every minute trust me I have been cured from ever wanting to run away and join the circus.


I hung up my sewing machine and stopped making uniforms and sewing flags and costumes 13 years ago.  Mr. W.  still hears the music call him to join the group and travels with these talented, wonderful, young people (ages 14 to 21) as they traipse about the country living out of gyms, buses and armories competing in various college and professional football stadiums.   Each year he handles the logistics of getting five coach buses, two tracker trailers and various support vehicles where they have to be while driving an RV or one of the tractor trailers.  It all culminates at Drum Corp International World Finals at the LukeOil Stadium in Indianapolis  mid-August each summer.

It is hard to describe or to even come close to an explanation of the work, pageantry, talent, joy and dedication these performers have as well as that of the staff and volunteers of the Jersey Surf.

Closing ceremonies at Finals are one of the most moving things I have ever witnessed.   The Corps enter the stadium in Olympic fashion circling to the backfield, marching by two's from sideline to sideline until the entire field is filled shoulder to shoulder, end zone to end zone with corp members.   At the University of Maryland in Silver Springs in 2000 my eyes filled as I watched and THEN they played and the tears rolled down my cheeks.  All the Corps on the field and I quickly did a back of the envelope calculation that there were thousands of musicians, playing together to the crowd.   Unbelievable.

Please let Janinia Gavankar (star in True Blood) explain.  The  ESPN video explains her passion; the behind the scenes version explains the making of the video; and the music video spotlights the song only...... you've really got to watch all threee.

ESPN interview from 2014 World Finals

Don't Look Down music video

Don't Look Down music video behind the scenes  with editorial comments from Janina

Now while this is not the kind of performance they do all summer it is the same talented young people performing on the video.




www.jerseysurf.org

.....And now we return to our stitching projects already in progress......