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Issue: March 2009

Welcome . . .

to this issue of my e-newsletter! Lots going on here lately, some good, some not so much. I am thankful for the good stuff . . . family, health, friends -all good. So that's what the focus is. Weather is crazy, as it always is this time of year in Ohio - winter one day, spring the next. As Easter approaches, I look forward to warmer days and lots more sunshine. I hope  your corner of the world is happy, healthy, and sunny!

quick links

Quick Links are links to other websites that I think you will find useful and interesting. Places that are fun to explore, articles that are interesting to read, and people I just love!

Subscribers: Do you have a favorite website or shop you'd like to share with everyone? Send me the link in an email and I will share related information in a future Quick Links column.

More Fun Stuff

I had fun one afternoon creating a new rug hooking clock for my studio! I have one for you, too! You can get one at my Cafe Press shop - now you'll always know what time it is -- "Time to Hook!"

Business owners: Want to advertise here? Just  email and ask how.

New Punch Needle Samplers

I mentioned quite some time ago that I was working on this . . . well I have two ready to go. They are each 6 x 6 inches and are best worked with quilting thread or single embroidery floss in a one-strand needle. These are my adaptations of antique cross stitched samplers. I will have them put up as pattern kits, including a black and white pattern you can transfer to the natural  weaver's cloth included in the kit. You select colors and supply the threads of your choosing. I worked the first of these and you can see that model below. I made some changes to the final pattern for this one after I worked the model.

I have not worked a model of the Bannister sampler (it's a time issue) but I look forward to being able to do so. Several of you have asked about this project repeatedly, and I just could not make you wait any longer. I hope one of these tickles your fancy ~

1817 Sampler

I don't  have the example photo of the original sampler of this pattern any longer -- I was not intending to create a pattern kit from this when I originally worked it - sorry.

Bannister Sampler

The Bannister sampler comes with a separate pattern for the verse. You may choose to transfer the verse to your pattern, or duplicate one of the other sampler elements in those areas (for those of you who do not feel comfortable with lettering this small.)

Moving On - Still . . .

Yes, I am still trying to get back to my little house on the Ridge. Are you tired of this conversation yet? I am tired of the work it entails! It has been a difficult process, partly because of the weather. I still need to get help to move my large cupboards, bed, and bigger pieces of furniture from the old house to the new (old) one. With all the snow and ice we've has over the last couple of months, it just has not been possible. Another reason I am looking forward to better weather!

Last month, ice built up between my inner casement windows and the storm windows -- when the sun shone in the windows, it melted the ice and the water ran down my newly painted walls from behind the window sills. And wouldn't you know -- my brand new Johnston Benchworks piece was pushed against one of those walls. Yep, completely soaked up the water and damaged the upholstery!  So now I have an insurance claim to handle and will be ordering a new piece eventually (I hope!) It's always something, huh?

The bathroom is finished (remember the before picture below?) and I really love it -- I had to come up with some creative solutions to the problems . . . like how to cover a big rectangular hole in the wall from the original medicine cabinet, which I exposed when I took out the 1960s monster combo cabinet, mirror and light fixture.

Bathroom Before

I needed to figure out what to do about floor covering that I liked and was practical , after I removed the carpeting and exposed a 1950s ugly linoleum. And the fact that I did not think about the fact that the old light fixture also contained the only light switch and outlet in that room! Here are a couple of after pics of the bathroom.

Bathroom After (same corner as the before pic - covered hole in the wall with old, chippy shutters. The washboard has a mirror inset and my new light fixture is above. Now I need that switch!

opposite side of bathroom below

I am still shopping for the perfect dining table - I have my heart set on a shoe-foot hutch table, and I've found two -- one really expensive custom built and another way less expensive but still nice. Problem is, I think the less expensive one is too small for the room. I'll be making that decision in the future and using a scrub table that I already have for the time being.

Here's the expensive example (mine would have a red or black worn base):

The keeping room (the old dining room) is really the last room where I still have a lot to finish. This week I worked on setting up a  painting area and a hooking area in the finished portion of the basement. Progress is good!

The best news is I am more than happy with everything else I've been able to do at the house and am anxious to get completely moved in. When I am there, I don't want to leave! It's truly going home again.

Happy Spring (almost) . . . Pray for Sun (again!)

Sally

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