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A little blog about my big loves; family, friends, stitching and yep, chocolate!

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Thursday, May 28, 2009

A little is better than nothing, right?

Since this is supposed to be a blog primarily about stitching, I figured I'd chat about that first. That way, if none of the other rambling thoughts I have appeal to you, you can just move on! I'm all about saving your precious time! First up is my Prairie Schooler Year SAL with Julie. As you'll recall, we're stitching one square a month and an empty May basket tells you, I'm not quite up to speed. My goal, originally, was to do each block at the first of the month. Unfortunately for the last two months, I've barely finished by months end. I will finish this before the end of May but just barely. It is being stitched over one on 30 count R&R Iced Cappuccino linen with DMC. I know I will love this when it's done but I can't say it's the most fun thing I've ever stitched. Luckily, one block a month is doable..... but barely! What do you think? I threw the nickel and my needle in there so you'd have a point of reference as to size. Really, that's about all I've worked on for the last couple of weeks. I am not sure where in the world my time has gone but it hasn't gone to stitching.
The exciting news for me is that a very sweet person (you know who you are!) sent me the BOAF Friendship chart I mentioned in my last post! Whoo Hoo and thank you, thank you, thank you! I can not wait to stitch this chart that I've been on the hunt for since I first saw it. I have to order some linen and fibers for it and I'll be on my way. Isn't this stitching community a wonderful place? I never imagined that I would meet, and become friends with, so many wonderful people when I first began perusing stitching sites or started this blog.

Okay, that's pretty much it for stitchy news.... Forge ahead at your own risk!

Up next is the cabinet I got a few weeks back from my frame shop that went out of business? Remember, it was the Yankee Candle display I got for all of $25!? Do you remember what it looked like before? Here's the original:


Here's how it looks now:

You know, I can remember when my mom used to refinish furniture ~ back in the day when you'd buy an antique and strip it and then "antique" it. I can hear the wizards on Antiques Roadshow now...."Yes, it is a beautifully constructed blanket chest and had you not "antiqued" it this lovely avacodo color, it would be worth $25,000. As it is, it is only worth $25." Of course, I'm not saying that about this cabinet - just re-doing it made me remember......

This is the planted tree I got for Mother's Day. As you can see, the neighbors patio sits up quite a bit from our lawn and they can peer right into our yard - why bother with a privacy fence? They put that up, not us..... Anyway, as you can see the little tree has a way to grow to give me the shielding I really desire but it's a start. I'm sure they were thrilled when they saw it as it will also give them a shield from my prying eyes! I love the chicken I found at DAWN's SHOP checking out the flowers at the trees base. You may have to click on the pic for a better look.



I can't, for the life of me, remember who recommended this book on their blog - but I got it, listened to it and LOVED it and highly recommend you read or listen to it as well. If you recommended this on your blog, please send me a note so I can thank you and let you know how much I loved it. I loved listening to it on cd because all the characters are british and what beautiful accents they have! I would not have "heard" it properly in my brain had I read it. This really should go on your reading list! Really, a must read!!


Finally, I will leave you with some pictures from the Relay for Life we participated in with our Boy Scout Troop a couple of weekends ago. Our tent was amazing and they used glow sticks to light up the whole thing at night - it was AWESOME. We bought 4 luminaries for folks we know that have either had and survived some form of cancer or are currently battling cancer. Tyler walked and worked at this the whole day - Rob and I were there for a good chunk of the day and night but it really was amazing. The entire High School track was lined, on both sides of the track, with luminaries. My pics don't do it justice but it was a really amazing night. To those two that are battling, know that you are in our thoughts and prayers and that we continue to lift you up and pray for your well-being and full recovery. To those that have survived, you can't know how glad we are that you are still in our lives! Be well, all of you and all of you that are fighting, have fought or will fight this awful disease (Doris,I am thinking of your mother as I write this) keep the faith.




Peace,
Terri

41 comments:

Cyn said...

Hi Terri,

You're making progress on your PS design. You'll get there, especially if you'll have more free time in the summer. :-)

Love the antiqued cabinet. Great job!

Love the chicken and DH and I don't collect roosters but we do have a couple and for some reason we've been joking about them for years! LOL!

Glad to hear that you like the book as it was recommended to me this weekend. Hopefully I'll be able to read it over the summer when things slow down a bit. :-)

I can imagine myself at the Relay for Life. Several years ago our Boy Scout troop did he flag ceremony. Very moving. Especially when the survivors started off the walk and several were children!

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

Margaret said...

Wow, what a great blog post! I really love your PS WIP. You're getting it done, which is more than I can say for all of my over one UFOs. lol! It's looking wonderful! I also love love love what you did with your $25 yankee candle bookshelf -- you were so lucky to get that! I can't remember if I recommended the Guernsey LPPP Society book or not, but I certainly loved it -- it was one of my favorite reads! And great pics of your Boy Scout event as well. What fun! And a great cause too.

Love to Stitch said...

Excellent Prairie Schooler project- it is soo tiny! Great job!! Awesome you got the chart you wanted from BOF, CANT wait to see that start, it is a fabulous pattern!! It is amazing how the stitching world is like 1 big family!!!!! So, onto the Yankee candle cabinet---- HELLO!! IT IS FABULOUS!!!! Outstanding job on the refinishing and I can relate to the voices from "Antiques Roadshow" and beyond..... LOL!!

Missy Ann said...

Love that teeny tiny PS, it is too cute.

And your refinish project is brilliant!

Tanya said...

I love how your PS is coming along, some progress is better than no progress I say. As for your cabinet - Awesome!

I can see why you planted the tree, looks like a good strategic spot. Doesn't is make you feel good inside to participate in Relay. Very uplifting!

grace said...

Definitely, a little is better than nothing! And your PS WIP is looking great. :) I have tried stitching over one, but it's just too difficult for me- I am envious!

The cabinet re-finish looks absolutely wonderful! I love the display you did to it as well! :D Pure talent!
Lol, my brother and I like to watch the antiques roadshow when we do catch it on- lots of chuckling and groaning.

And I love the tree! :D

Holly Hills Primitives said...

Wow - I can see why you planted the tree! Isn't it amazing how some people "plan" their building projects? Love your redo of the cabinet! We'll have to talk soon, Dawn

Cari said...

Oh my gosh Terri - what a wonderful post. Love your PS piece. Yes girl it is tiny. Just way too much fun. And your $25 cabinet is stunning painted black. I'm getting ready to paint a headboard and chest black for my guest bedroom. Your yard is just beautiful as well. What a lovely place to sit to stitch and read. I just bought the 'Guernsey'... book and I'm really looking forward to reading it. And last but not least, your Relay for Life. The luminaries are beautiful..very moving. Have a great week!! Hugs and Happy Stitching!!

Melissa said...

First of all, you are one busy gal! The stitching is lovely and delicate. All that hard work over 1 will be worth it! The refinishing you did on the cabinet is gorgeous.

Congrats on the Friendship Sampler - you lucky girl. I'm still lusting after that one so if you want to find a next home for it, let me know!

I did recommend both the Guernsey book and the audio book on my blog a couple of times. It's just become my favourite book to read and listen to. I think I've read it about 3 times already! I'm hoping someone will make it into a lovely little movie in the way of The Enchanted April!

The weekend is almost here - wishing a good one!

Andrea said...

Such a great post Terri, I loved every bit of it! Your PS SAL is lookin' good, it's so tiny!
And that cabinet, WHOAH! Beautiful!
Congrats on getting your hands on the BOAF chart...I passed my copy on to a friend after I'd stitched it, so I really didn't have it to offer to anyone else :-/ Anyhoo, can't wait to see you stitch it up, it was a fun one!
And OMG, I LOVE your backyard! The tree will grow in no time and you'll be able to lay out in your bikini in complete privacy!
Let us all know how you like the book, I've heard about it but haven't read it....
Have a great weekend!
xoxo

Sandra said...

Your cabinet looks amazing. I love those oval boxes on the top shelf and the little stack of baskets too. I wish I lived in America.

Solstitches said...

Wow! That PS piece is really something. I love the look of it stitched over one.
What a great deal you got on the cabinet. It looks fabulous!

Margaret

Annemarie said...

Your PS SAL piece is lovely and *tiny*! I can see why stitching it is not the most exciting thing in the world, but it will look fabulous once you're done!

Love the cabinet too

Christine said...

Terri,
How fine is this Prairie Schooler !!

Sheila said...

Love what you have done with your Yankee Candle cabinet - - and you did make me laugh about the AR comments :)
Your PS is coming along very nicely... and it will be fabulous when finished!
I´m also going to check out that book - what an interesting title.

Anonymous said...

Your PS design looks lovely - it's so sweet stitched over one :)

Love the Yankee Candle cabinet too, you've done a great job in transforming it!

Anonymous said...

Your PS Year is awesome! I can understand it's taking a toll - stitching over 1 gets tiring. And how great that you received the BOAF chart you wanted. Have a nice weekend!

Brigitte said...

Oh Teri, each time you show your PS piece I'm amazed at how small it is. It looks so fine and delicate, you are doing such a great job stitching this over one.
I love your cupboard, it turned out very very nice. And looks so decorative with the vintage things you put on the shelves.
What a great idea this Relay of Life is. Every minute you spend at such an event is a hundred times worth it. One of my students has leukemia and I would like to join such a walk for him.

Lisa said...

Your cross stitching project looks great! I use to do a little myself, but found other things that didn't require as much counting and didn't hurt my eyes as much (lol).

I totally LOVE that cabinet and it looks wonderful. How lucky for you to get it for $25.00.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs,
Lisa

~Judy~ said...

WOW Terri! Your cabinet looks great. Black paint makes everything look good! Your P.S.. is coming along nicely. Have a great weekend!

Judy

Colleen said...

Love your cabinet! I'm into "prim" so this re-do fits right in. Good job!

So far your PS design is coming along. I hate it when you have to "force" yourself to stitch something...LOL

What a sweet thing for someone to send you the BOAF chart! It's a beautiful piece. You'll enjoy that one, I'm sure :)

Deb said...

You're making great progress on the Prairie Schooler piece Terri. You know, that every little bit helps. But if you're like me, the more it drags on you tend to lose interest in it! But don't stop because it's looking great and will look fantastic when it's finished. That cabinet - what a transformation! It looks great painted and with your decorations on it! Can you come over and do a few things for me? LOL

I'm going to have to look up that book because I love to read so much. Don't think I've heard about it but I'll definitely read it.

And great pictures of the Boy Scout event. Perhaps that's why there has been very little stitching time! And about the tree - give it a lot of fertilizer and soon your neighbors will be sight unseen!!

Bertie said...

The PS design is lovely, love the bunny.

Your cabinet looks a Million Dollars and would just love to know how you did it so perfectly.

Debs said...

Terri, the others have said it better than I could have so that leaves just "YOU SO TOTALLY ROCK!" Love the shelf--did you spray paint or brush paint? It's a super job, looks wonderful. Love the PS piece--don't give up on it, it will be fab when you get it done. Your description of the Relay for Life brought tears to my eyes--way to go, family!
hugs
Debs

Cathy Lloyd said...

Oh I LOVE the cabinet! What kind of paint did you use? Fabulous!

Joanie said...

I love your PS!! I am working on the same design over one and I think I am at the same point you are with my piece. I can't seem to get into the May basket and I know I made a mistake somewhere but I am leaving it.

I love what you did to the Yankee candle cabinet. It's beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Hello Terri! Thank you for dropping in to my blog and for your sweet comment! so, of course I wanted to check out your blog too...love it! I love stitching too! The picture of you with your mom is lovely, and yes, you look just like her!(: Will stop by again...have a wonderful weekend!~Kathy

MyLifesAStitch said...

Oh the cabinet looks really really great, Terri!! PS looks great - one over one makes you my hero. :) I love th eposts about your boys just as much as your xs posts! It makes me feel I'm getting to know you blogging buddies. My mom recommended that book as well, and as soon as the library gets the CDs I'm there! I hope you have a great weekend!

My Colonial Home said...

I just love your cabinet! What a deal for $25.00.

How wonderful to plant a tree...we used to do that when the kids were young at our other home...they always had such meaning.

Kim said...

Terri I LOVE the way that cabinet turned out! LOVE the black! What type of paint did you use? I do think that's what I'm going to do to the drop leaf table...I love it!!

And thanks for the book review! That one is next up in my pile to read after I finish Swim to Me!

The chicken looks right at home in your gorgeous yard!! :o)

Karoline said...

Your PS design is looking lovely and your cabinet is gorgeous. Congratulations

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

LOVELY redo of the cabinet...you got that for a steal! Our Hallmark was getting rid of their Yankee Candle display chests just like this...but not for $25...for $150...I thought about it and then thought better of it...yours is a deal and now it is gorgeous!

SiobhĂ¡n said...

Fabulous job on the cabinet, Terri! Your PS design is coming along nicely, too.

Annie said...

Hi Terri,
Thanks for visiting my blog. Yours is so much fun to read (as evidenced in part by the amazing number of comments you get!). I like the combination of stitching-related and family pics.

I love the 'country' style of your stitching. Hang in there with the over-one. That PS piece will be so worth it.

Great job on the antiquing and very funny about Antique RS!

Michelle said...

I love how your cabinet turned out! Gorgeous - and what a find for that price! Your tree is gonna be perfect there too. I love your PS piece. Stitching over one for me just seems to take so much longer. But your piece is amazing! And tiny!!

Stitch Wizard said...

Hi Terri:

I am just so happy to meet you and see your beautiful work!! Oh you and I do love a lot of the same things and I am so glad you came into my blog!! You are an inspiration to me just seeing your stitching here!! I love how your finished Flowers for Sarah! It is gorgeous and I hope mine will look half as good!! Please drop back by my blog anytime! My email addy is stitchergal@gmail.com too. You do really beautiful work!!

Holly Hills Primitives said...

Hi Terri, thank you so much for the support. This has been the hardest two weeks of my life. In the meantime though, I have LOTS of new stuff in the store. Went to pick up a load of antiques tonight and hope to have pictures tomorrow night. Debbie brought lots of goodies today too! The downtown antique show is on Saturday and it is lots of fun - they block off the main street. We'll talk soon, Dawn

doris said...

Oh, Terri, thank you so much. I'll tell my mom.

Your PS year looks great. I love tiny stitching. The cabinet looks absolutely perfect in black. And I remember my parents and friends' parents refinishing furniture in strange colors (gold, turquoise, etc). How about decoupage? That happened in our garage also.

Jane said...

Terri, I just adore how you've painted the Yankee Candle display. I can't believe how much you paid for it! What a bargain!!!

Thanks so much for all your comments on my blog. I've added you to my list of blogs and will drop by more often. :)

Holly Hills Primitives said...

Oh yes Terri, you should come on up! Our Terri is bringing in LOTS of new handmades on Friday (I hope) and I'm just LOVING the new antiques we got! Besides, it would be so much fun to see you again! Just call first, Dad is back in the hospital and I don't want you to make a trip if I'm not there. Talk to you soon, Dawn

Carin said...

WOW, Terri, your cabinet is stunning. You did a great job!

I know what you mean... time flies real hard.

Lots of love.