Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from February, 2024 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:03 pm on February 6, 2024 Permalink  

  It’s a Grammie 

  This is a Grammie checking in.

  I have no coffee left, so it is a glass of water with my blueberry fig bar.  This post is also the last thing going on in the studio.

  I checked into the studio at 9:30.  I had slept on some ideas and now was the time to see if all went accordingly.  The two sided fusible worked out just dandy.  Using a donated choice the focal piece fused on without a single ripple.  The fabric of donated choice was far better than getting yucky stuff on the plate of my iron.  Stapling the focus fabric that was now fussed to the foam went well.  I had forgotten how much pressure the old stapler needed to make a solid contact.  The hog panel has nice rounded edges via the foam.

  I left that part of the project on one end of the church tables for another day.  Loading a bobbin with my wild rice color of thread I practiced my free motion stitching to see if the weight of the quilt batting would give the desired effect.  Nailed it.  I had to make a hard decision on using the copper-looking tacks for the stitched letters to be affixed onto the foam board.  My fingers can’t hold the round tacks, let alone using a tack hammer to get them sunk into the foam board.  On to plan “B” or something like throwing in the towel.

  Out came a tote of treasures from Kersten that included ribbons and such.  The perfect ecru-colored lace.  The linen cloth of the letters will be stapled onto the foam board.  What a perfect solution and addition to this ole Grammie home.  All items of that project is halted for this Tuesday.

  I got into the cistern closet for what I hoped would be a successful find.  I had mentioned some time back that my Santa cross stitch projects were put behind UV glass.  I had saved all the frames that were tricked out.  With my latest cross stitch completed, I was looking for a frame to fit it.  These framed cross stitch projects of this winter are not for any matchie, match.  I found one that couldn’t have been a better size.  In days to come, I will gather together what I need to trim it and put into this frame.  Doing these counted cross stitch projects has been soothing on days when I may very well have felt less than tranquil.  

  The reading, the sewing machine and the counted cross stitch has lead me to balanced days.  I like it a lot.  I have many more plans.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:10 pm on February 5, 2024 Permalink  

  I Am Back 

  I am back in the studio today on the fifth day of February.  First things first . . . turn on all the overhead lights.  Second on the agenda . . .  tuning in KNUJ on the portable radio.

  It felt just plain ass good.

  I knew that puttering around in my Stauffer Avenue Michael’s-like stashes would tell me what and how much I had to work with.  Hmm.  I had forgotten that the foam I had in a roll was two sided fusible.  I had only thought it was one sided.  Never mind, I will make it work.  The piece of linen I used for the machine embroidery is really scant on the bottom.  I have always known I would use quilt batting on the back side of the embroidered piece to free motion quilt everything other than the actual letters themselves, allowing for the letters to pop off.  The color of the thread I will use is labeled as Wild Rice.  A very close match to the linen as I do not want the free motion quilting to take away from the letters.  I have just enough of the silk quilt batting for that job.  Linen fabric ravels super easy.  As I type, Fray Check is drying on that scant bottom of the embroidery.  That aspect of the project, I am still thinking on.

  Dennis cut the piece of the hog paneling for me for the length I needed.  I put off putting the hanger on the back side of the covered panel so it would lay perfectly flat when I needed it to.  I cut the fusible foam for the length and width with extra inches.  I tried out our very old carpenter’s stapler on the piece of paneling I do not need.  That staple was put into the paneling with the fabric I intend to use to cover the paneling with.  I will have enough width and length to bring the covered fabric over the paneling to staple it down.  It held really well.

  The quilted linen piece with the letters will be affixed to the foam-covered green fabric with . . . 

  Ya, about that.  My plan was to turn under a scant 3/4″ of the linen with copper covered upholstery tacks.

  This is a good time to shut down the studio.  All materials have been thought through, measured and laying out on the church tables.  I literally will need to sleep on all of this.

  It’s a good thing I had one more package of a hot dish in the freezer.  My thinking cap has worn me out.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:24 pm on February 4, 2024 Permalink  

  Sunday the 4th 

  Both Dennis and I have squared off in our own corners today.  Dennis in the patio porch working on a project that has required spray paint.  Watch out kitties for the over-spray.

  I am rounding out on some hand stitching that has taken me quite a while.  Threading the needle another three times should do it.  The finish for me will be taking it down to the iron and giving it some needed pressing.

  There is an unfinished machine embroidered piece that I have been pondering for several weeks.  I stitched out the word “HOME” on a piece of linen that was 10″ in width by 36″ in length.  After each letter, I had to rehoop with many times measuring.  The end result looking as if I had stitched it out in one run. 

  As I have been doing the hand stitching, this UFO . . . unfinished object, has been in the corner of my mind.  I do not like to have a project not completed when I have already invested a huge amount of thread and time.   It’s bad enough that I am a “Stable” stitcher.  That would be . . . “Stashes that are beyond life expectancy.” 

  The nice winter weather we have been enjoying does not help the studio’s cool to chilly air temperature.  I may need to dress up with thick soled shoes, a very warm sweater and turn my small heater to turbo.  If there is the will, there is always a way.

  May everyone enjoy a sunny Sunday.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:47 pm on February 2, 2024 Permalink  

  No Shadow 

  Somewhere the groundhog didn’t see its shadow.  Not a fan of that old tale.

  I had a desire for the Campbell’s large can of bean soup.  It is very tasty.  In our store I looked high and low.  Nothing.  I settled for the store’s Best Choice bean and bacon.  Hmm. I purchased three cans.  We tried one can.  Not a fan at all. Very strong taste.

  Today it was time to use those two cans of not so good bean and bacon soup.  I diced an onion and sautéed it in my soup kettle.  That was joined with a pound of 85% hamburger.  A dash of several seasonings including chili powder.  One can of Kidney beans and one can of black beans.  That conglomeration is now on simmer on the kitchen range.  After a taste, I believe it will fly.

  This afternoon, Dennis and I filled our yellow Avalanche case with our personnel papers.  That included Dennis’ military papers to the present, as was my papers, past and present.  What a great case.  There was even room for my parent’s info, grandparents and great grandparents.  A case holding a whole lot of history now on a shelf in the studio.

  I continue reading and stitching in my bedroom porch at all times of the day.  I do take a break for a YouTube video now and then.  Enjoying what others are stitching and sewing is inspirational.  Since dropping out of the stitching group in Mankato, I have increased my own personnel enthusiasm 100%, viewing from those around the world.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:58 pm on January 12, 2024 Permalink  

  Toss Up 

  Today it is a toss-up as to which is less desirable.  We had very little new snow but the wind is moving around as much of it as possible.  Toss-up or . . . either or.

  With the wind from the northwest, the seven foot tall shrub on the northwest corner of our home, that never gets trimmed and acts as a buffer, is a Godsend.

  A testament can be given for the Command strips that mesh together, bonding to hold up to 16 lbs.  I never planned on testing them to that extent.  They are marketed for hanging frames.  I used them to hang my scrappy quilt on the living room wall.  One strip on the wall and the matching strip on the back of the quilt.  This project was taken on with me going solo.  Knowing what and how this was going to be done, was easier on me than trying to explain it to a second party.  I do not take chances. I know and have the logic to proceed one step at a time while stepping on the second available flat area for my feet on the kitchen stool.  Using the third and the highest step was never an option.  If I wake up tomorrow and the quilt is still hanging on the wall . . . I will be thrilled. 

  We have had Jimmy Dean sausage and gravy on hand for some time.  The refrigerated package of four bags had an expiration date far far away towards the end of 2024.  The contents will be heated in the double boiler sauce pan.  I fear it would scorch if the heat contacted the bottom of the saucepan directly. Sometimes the microwave heated item does not stay hot for very long.  There were leftover instant mashed potatoes from last night.  They will be flattened onto a paper plate and microwaved.  Those I know I can get hot enough.  The Jimmy Dean goodies will be spooned on top for each individual’s liking.

  I have not given up on the studio.  My limbs need to recover from doing the two days quilt on the wall project.  It was one day to put the Command strips on the wall and today to get the quilt with matching strips hefted up onto the wall.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   

   
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  Noreen 2:24 pm on January 11, 2024 Permalink  

  A Feeling 

  Today it may feel just like our old clucks on the farm did when they were sitting on a nest that was soon to hatch.  When will the weather that is foretold actually be here?  A waiting stint.

  The weather people have all sorts of timelines.

  Us older ones on Stauffer Avenue are prepared for what may come.

  I spent some time working with Command strips.  Measure, measure and then . . . one more time measure.  The strips were put on the north wall this forenoon.  They are not to be tested immediately.  That’s a good thing, as my arms had had enough.  Where am I going that I need to rush!  Tomorrow will be phase two in the work towards putting up a quilt via Command products.

  Dennis had company in his patio porch today.  Randy from next door, our snow remover, came to BS for a bit.  His retirement will suit him just as all of our’s has.

  Dennis has announced that he is in charge of supper.  Hot diggity dog.  I am going to be as far from the kitchen as our home allows.  No one needs a pesky intruder when plans are coming together.

  I would not mind at all if waiting for the weather didn’t materialize.

  Stay comfortable in this cool to down-right cold, frigid weather.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:55 pm on January 10, 2024 Permalink  

  A Sweet Day 

  This sweet quiet day could only be better if the sun could poke through.

  I have an experiment going in the studio.  At some time when I had a wild hair, I thought the Command product that would allow picture frames to be put on wall surfaces with Command strips clicking onto other command strips.  One or two strips on the back of frames, meshing and lining up with one or two strips on the wall.  Hmm.  I was not going to risk any of the framed Santa’s stitching.  

  But . . . I decided to see how one of those strips on the back of quilted cloth would do meshing and clicking onto a strip on the wall.  The door going into the studio is where my test is taking place.  Each Command strip was to hold 16 lbs.  Ya . . . right.  I am not above using quite a few of these strips laterally on the wall and spacing them on the back of the quilt to match up to the wall.  Time will tell.

  In the meantime, I have taken leftovers out of the refrig to bring them closer to room temperature for our supper.

  I also started a second cross stitch project to have going while working on my focus piece.  This small piece is worked on 20 count Aida, 20 stitches per inch using one strand of floss per stitch over one.  The focus piece is 16 stitches per inch with two strands of floss over one.

  Some of the videos on YouTube that I watch for entertainment are amazing.  The gal known as the Highway Stitcher in upper Utah has 96 hooped designs going, also known as “whips”, works in progress.  How adventuresome for Grammie to have two in the hoop.  With two . . . that’s my max.  After all, you can only work on one at a time, and I take time to glance at a page from my latest book that I am reading.  

  One can never guess what the Grammie on Stauffer Avenue is up to.  It all makes for a sweet day.  

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:02 pm on January 8, 2024 Permalink  

  Dry Snow 

  It may sound ridiculous but an inch of dry snow it was.  It took just a short while and I had the front deck and steps swept off.  I think Dennis feels better as well as he got the faithful “Kevin snowblower” started for the first time this fall and winter season.  Good dose of fresh air all around.

  Solutions are out in this huge world.  Seek and ye shall find.  We have had numerous problems with coffee filters collapsing as the hot water washes over the coffee grounds.  In today’s mail was a box that contained Bunn coffee filters.  Their round bottoms are broad and settle right into the appropriate place.  They are also very tall and will withstand water sloshing into them.  No more coffee grounds in the bottom of my coffee cup.  Sweet.

  In tomorrow’s mail, I am expecting the crushed walnut shells I have ordered.  They work perfectly to fill pin cushions for hand stitching sewing needles.  The pins stay placed as well as keeping the sewing needle’s tip sharp.

  This ole Grammie could run her legs off in Mankato looking and seeking what I require, which isn’t a whole lot.  The right item for the correct expectations in all things great and small.

  I am staying on the main floor today.  Reading for me is like watching television for the ole cowboy.  While I am doing some hand stitching I am contemplating on the finish of my “HOME” wall hanging.  My first step is to try out glue on a sample of a panel to see if it will hold and support the brackets or such to hang up the finished product.  The glue I am thinking of is the same glue Kersten and I used to glue the cement antlers onto the cement deer in the flower garden.  That deer, out in the weather, has shown off that repair for five years or more.  We will find out how that same glue will hold onto the fiberglass.  Of course . . . I have that glue on hand.  Mini Michael’s Craft Store right in my studio.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:49 pm on January 5, 2024 Permalink  

  Some Sun 

  Now as we are at mid afternoon, the sun is really struggling to show itself.

  After finishing a stitching, I am out of the studio for a break. A bit of a backache told me to head for the main floor of the home.

  I had been diligent in stitching out a banner-style project.  Unbeknown to me when I downloaded some letters, it was trial and error realizing these letters were not intended to be shrunk down and minimized.  A strip of linen was my choice to stitch for the banner.  Only so much in height or length to work with.  I have finished the stitching portion of this what-if.  Considering all the measure, measure to achieve the letters to line up as if it was one continuous download into the sewing machine, I feel good about it.  The fabric on top and bottom can be trimmed for the letters to be shown as level.

  What my stitching is laying on is a piece of a PVC panel that Kevin shared with me quite a few years ago when this product was used in construction of confinement livestock barns.  I have been waiting to see what I could use them for.  The width of the PVC panel has given me the idea to somehow use it to mount my embroidery onto it.  All sorts of thoughts.

  Maybe covering the PVC panel with a choice of fabric?  Hemming my banner to allow a border of that fabric showing.  Putting quilt batting under the banner and then stretching the hemmed banner over hard cardboard to give it a pillow effect as I did with the last cross stitched project that I framed.  Hmm.  

  Lots of thoughts.  That is what learning to use what is on hand is all about.  Not rushing . . . just allowing ideas to flow.

  Tomorrow Dennis’ grandson, AJ, is going to pick up grandpa and head to a gun show in Northrop.  How sweet is that!

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:17 pm on January 4, 2024 Permalink  

  Thursday the 4th 

  Slipping into the 2024 without a glitch.

  Dennis had been heard remarking about a friend in the Trimont health care system.  Last night I offered to ride along with him.  This morning after coffee we headed south.

  I find that if I put out ideas for Dennis’ day, it goes a long way forward for him.  His yard work is on sabbatical.  No snow to move around and that leaves keeping me company in the house or snoozing in the patio porch.  I am so thankful that the child in me has lots of interests to keep two of us busy.

  After we got home, Dennis volunteered to mix up a batch of Betty Crocker peanut butter cookies for me to bake out.  Why Not!

  The cookies have been baked and we are having waffles and pre-cooked Jimmy Dean sausages for supper.

  Hmm.  We did get a call from the police department this afternoon.  Jeff was hit while riding his three-wheel bike and they are looking for him.  Sorry . . . not at this address.  Grandson Ryan told his grandpa that Jeff was on probation for drunk and disorderly and they can’t find him.  He was on probation.  Just what an aging parent needs to quiet the soul.

  Thanks to the times when Megan played at our home, I have the perfect storage for all my easy-to-use pins.  Pins are always needed and I said good-bye to the Glad zip lock baggies.  This is much classier.  A traveler case and all of the naughty, hard to use safety pins are in the lower-class storage.  Sweet.

  I achieved success in self-framing my latest cross stitch project.   I have watched enough videos on YouTube to realize people make a very good income doing the “finish” on other people’s stitched items.  All I want to do is satisfy myself.  Was it hard to decide where and how to hang it?  No.  I just took the first available hole on the wall from where the Santas had hung.  Easy does it.

  Tomorrow, the end of the new week.  May everyone I cherish measure for themselves what is needed in each 24 hours for peace and comfort within themselves.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥