Valance Complete

Well, I finished another project today.

As I stated in an earlier blog entry, Tom got me an embroidery/sewing machine for my birhday and I went looking for ideas to create embroidery stuff.  I ran across a book called 'Piece in the Hoop' that had a design for a valance.  The only thing the instructions gave were the sizes of the squares.  (Ant the funny thing is that I increased the size of those.)  The rest I had to figure out on my own.  It has taken me several weekends to complete and I've had a blast doing it. 

Since I didn't have a real pattern to go by, Tom and I sat down a few weekends ago and started doing the calculations based on the size of window, seams, and squares to be sewn into it.  It came out pretty close but did end up (after it was all sewn up) about an eighth of an inch shy on either side.  I figured it wasn't bad for a first try.  It is near impossible without a real pattern to get it exactly right and it wasn't like it had gathers or anything to allow for differences to be fudged.  Below is the completed project.  The embroidery came out awesome!

The burgundy was selected because the living room windows (the room to the left of the kitchen) are also in burgundy and the tans pull in the walls and the couch in the living room.  Better visual of the tie in below.

So ends another project.  It's always kind of sad when it is over.  I guess the next project will be doing the transom window over the room that is supposed to be a dining room (we really aren't formal dining room people) so we call it the library because it has our bookcases in it with a couch to read on.  8-)



Here is some Max for today:

"A Worry-Slapper

By Max Lucado

Become a “worry-slapper!” Treat frets like mosquitoes!

Do you procrastinate when a bloodsucking bug lights on your skin? Do you say, “I’ll take care of that in a moment.” Of course you don’t! You give the critter the slap it deserves.

Be equally decisive with anxiety. The moment a concern surfaces, deal with it. Don’t dwell on it. Head it off before it gets the best of you.

Don’t waste an hour wondering what your boss thinks; ask her. Before you diagnose that blemish as cancer, have it examined. Instead of assuming you’ll never get out of debt, consult an expert. Be a doer—not a stewer!

In Matthew 6:32-33,. Jesus said, “Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. See the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need!”

On that you can depend and never worry!"

By Grace Alone -

Teresa

Stoned

Ok, not stoned with any drugs...just still moving stones around.  LOL

We have this area in the yard that has always been a 'dip'.  Such a dip that if we filled it with water, the ducks would probably live in it.  So, we've been filling it with the leftover dirt from the last project.  (OK, I might not have calculated the amount of dirt we needed for the rose beds exactly spot on.  Whatever.)

Anyway, I was in the middle of putting the leftover dirt in the 'dip' when I thought to myself..."Hmmm....there are 36 castle wall stones left over from the rose bed project.  If I put them in a circle of 12 and layered them three stones high, I would get a really cool flowerbed to plant my bulbs in that I got for free from the place I ordered my roses."  Wheels were turning mightily by this time.  I ran through the gambit of what I would need for the little project.

1.  Energy - CHECK
2. 36 castle wall stones - CHECK
3.  Dirt to fill it with - CHECK
4.  Mulch for the top - CHECK (Yeah, I had leftover mulch too.  AGAIN WHATEVER...better too much than too little of stuff when you're doing a project.)
5.  Bulbs to plant - CHECK
6.  Gloves to protect hands from the rough stones - CHECK
7.  Wheelbarrow to tote the stones and dirt - CHECK
8.  Black weed blocker stuff  - CHECK (yes, yes...leftover also)

It only took me about 20 seconds to run through that list in my head and I started walking towards the house grinning like the cat that ate the canary.  Tom sees me and gets a worried look on his face (he is trying to mow the yard)  He asks me what I'm grinning so big about. 

It took me about three hours but I did finally finish it.  It will take a bit more dirt to finish filling in the dip since I used quite a bit inside the flower bed...but I am very happy with the finished product and it stays with the castle wall theme that I've worked with all spring.

Buried about 3-5 inches down are a variety of bulbs.  I planted them from back to front, tallest to shortest.  They should be a myriad of beautiful colors in about 70 to 120 days.  I'm sure the weeds will grow quicker than that...ROTFL.  I don't think there is any such thing as 'pure' dirt that doesn't somehow grow weeds out of nothing.  I planted Hardy Gladiola, then Exotica (Also known as Peacock Orchid), then Blue Poppy (also known as Anemone), then Shamrocks.  I know I am running a little late getting them planted, but we'll see if they even pop through the top of the mulch or not.

I let Tom know last weekend that I was being so creative so that when I die, he will see me everywhere he looks and never forget me.  He said a big fire would take care of that...ROTFL.  He can be so funny sometimes.

Here is some Max for today...wise wise wise...God really uses Max!

"Give Your Child to God

By Max Lucado

You’ve wept a monsoon of tears for your child, enough to summon the attention of every angel and their neighbor to your cause. But you’re not so sure anymore.

You find yourself wondering if Christ has forgotten you and your child. He hasn’t! Keep giving your child to God. In the right time, the right way, he will give your child back to you.

A quarter century ago, I gave my daughter to God. I remembered the way Abraham had placed Isaac on the altar. I made my apartment living room my altar and lifted my daughter toward heaven. I can’t raise this girl, I confessed, but You can. I give her back to you! Must have been a sight to behold, a pajama-clad father lifting his blanket-wrapped baby toward the ceiling. But something tells me one parent appreciated the gesture.

Abraham. And, of course, God!"

By Grace Alone -

Teresa