Fireworks in my Backyard

The Cedar Valley Chapter (Cedar Rapids/Marion) of the Embroiderer's Guild of America was able to procure the EGA's 20th National Exhibit for showing at the Marion Heritage Center.  Well worth the trip, some very interesting and unusual embroidered works.  The trip, of course, necessitated a stop at the needlework shop in Marion, to stock up on a few things.

Each year, there is a celebration the Friday before the first home football game, and my condo is in the center of the events.  There are food vendors, a merchandise show, fun and games, and a big concert in the evening.  Some years the marching band is here, and I previously posted photos of the marching band as seen from my balcony.  This year, fireworks were added to the festival, at the conclusion of the concert.

I'd never before tried to take photos of fireworks with my camera, but I managed to get several that don't look too bad, if I do say so myself.

And now back on to my English major soapbox.  A newsletter carried the announcement that free "rock corry" sand was available to anyone who wanted some.  I thought about that for a few minutes, trying to figure out what rock corry sand was, before I realized the person meant "rock quarry" sand.  And later, someone asked, on one of the Facebook stitching groups I belong to, what needlework shops there were in New York City.  Several responses came about shops in Manhattan, then someone posted that there were other needlework shops in some of the other New York "burrows." Hmmm.

Ordination Milestone

This weekend we spent in Dubuque celebrating my father's 70th anniversary of his ordination.  We had a celebratory dinner Saturday evening at the Olive Garden, then church Sunday morning, followed by brunch.  The brunch was well attended, and speakers came from the Seminary, from the Synod, and the pastor shared greetings and a certificate from the Bishop.  I shared some thoughts about what it was like to grow up in this preacher's family, and lots of pictures were taken.

I had stitched some napkin rings for my sister-in-law's sister.  She had given me a tub full of DMC floss at Easter time, and had seemed taken with the napkin rings I had stitched for my brother and sister-in-law.  Unfortunately, I neglected to take a photo of the initial napkin rings, but here are the ones I gave to Nancy.

How many grocery bags does one need

I'm currently working on two on-line classes.  One is called "Daisy Chains" by Laura J. Perin.  You should recognize her name by now, she's one of my favorite designers.  I love the colors, all yellow and green, very spring-like.

Two sessions completed - halfway done

I've also started work on "18th Century Sampler" by SJ Designs.  I have struggled getting started on this one.  I first tried tone-on-tone gray, and decided that was way too blah.  Then I tried light pink on wine-colored fabric, that seemed way too glaring.  Then, another student posted a photo using overdyed  threads, and the light bulb went on.  I had initially discounted using overdyes as distracting from the lacy effect of the stitches, but the other student's work was inspiration enough.  I know have the very first block done (many more to come).  And I think, rather than distracting, the overdyed thread actually enhances the lacy stitches.

First square done

First row of five squares done

The chuckle for the day occurred at the grocery store.  I had stopped by for a loaf of bread, and picked up some Twizzlers licorice, a small box of Good and Plenty candies, and a single serving of a desert.  Yes, I know, not much of a balanced diet.  Anyway, as I was checking out, the cashier asked if it was OK if she put all the items in one bag.  What?  Why would I need multiple bags for four very small and lightweight items?

What is the process involved in fiddle renting

I have signed up for an online course sponsored by the EGA.  It's called "Creating Beaded Gardens," taught by Nancy Eha.  It starts with creating a crazy quilt block, and then using beads to create a spider web and spider, vines and leaves, and assorted flowers.  I haven't actually started working on this yet, but have enjoyed watching other stitchers post photos of their progress.

One student, after seeing a bunch of different photos, left the post that all the quilt blocks were so very "fiddle rent."  I think her auto-correct got the best of her on that one!

Anyway, the reason I'm not working on creating my beaded garden is that I've been working on a number of other projects.

First is a piece I found on the "Stash Unload" Facebook page.  It brought a smile to my face when I saw it.  It's called "The Sampler Sampler" by Brightneedle Charted Designs.  I've stitched lots and lots of samplers over the years, but until now, not a Sampler of Samplers.

Second, is a piece I am doing for my pastor.  It's a Lizzie Kate design, "Time for God."  I'll be making this into a bell pull.

And my most recent completion, another Lizzie Kate design, "My To Do List."

When is a Cardboard Box Worth $18.10

I mentioned in an earlier post about needing repair on my magnifying lamp.  When the repair was completed (with six replacement parts), I received a bill for: $20.25 in parts, $36.00 in labor, $20.29 for return shipping, and - get this - $18.10 for the shipping container!  I have never before had a company charge me for the cardboard box! Especially since I sent the lamp to them in a cardboard box that they could have re-used had they wanted to....  I can't figure out why they don't add a penny or two to each of their parts, to cover the cost of the cardboard boxes.  That would be a lot easier to tolerate than having to pay for the box.

On String and Little Dinky Scissors

Well, a number of years ago, a good friend accompanied me to a national EGA Seminar. This was his first experience with needlework.  As we reconnoitered the set-up at the hotel/convention center, we walked past the on-site needlework shop set up by a local vendor.  He asked, "Oh, is this where you buy your string."  I responded that yes, that is where we buy our floss and thread, but that string was for wrapping packages, not for needlework.  Since then we've had a standing joke about string.

More recently, I was in need of a scissors sharpener.  I had used my regular needlework scissors, without thinking, for cutting metallic thread.  Oh, did you really think we needleworkers could get by with one pair of scissors?  We have scissors for cutting regular thread, serrated scissors for cutting metallic thread, curved blade scissors, straight blade scissors, extra-sharp/extra-thin scissors for cutting fabric threads when doing hardanger, I could go on and on.  Anyway, I ended up with a curved blade scissors in need of sharpening and not knowing where to turn.  There used to be a travelling scissor sharpener in town who stopped by various locations, like JoAnn's Fabric and Crafts, on a regular basis.  But no more.  My concern was finding a sharpener who could work on curved blades.

Well, my friend went hunting and found a sharpener.  When he gave me the man's business card, he assured me that he had asked and the man could do "even little dinky scissors."

So, all is good.  My  curved-blade scissors are sharpened.  And guess what, the next time I was stitching, I automatically reached for them as I was about to cut some metallic thread and came so close to making the exact same mistake, but fortunately caught myself in time and set them down and picked up the right scissors.

Perhaps something can be done about that

I've been reading my way through the "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" series of mystery books by Alexander McCall-Smith.  Set in Botswana, it tells about the cases that the female detective solves.  The books give a nice glimpse into life in Botswana.

I just finished "The Full Cupboard of Life."  There's a scene where the young apprentice at a automotive shop makes a comment about it not being good for women to think too much.  Of course, he gets called on this comment, and when he tries to dig out of the hole he made, he is told:

"So now you are changing your mind.  You did not know what you were saying because your tongue is out of control.  It is always walking away on its own and leaving your head behind.  Perhaps there is some medicine for that.  Maybe there is an operation that can fix it for you."

Remind you of anyone in this election year?