Whirlwind...but it's all good

Whew! In the past few weeks, we've watched YDD and fiance graduate, moved both of them out and back into two different places; moved ODD and DH out and into two different places; and they're off on a two week trip.

Here's the very happy graduated couple...


And all the chilluns...

ODD and DH are moving to CA in July, so they will be here with us for a few weeks before they take off. Can you say Skype and webcam?? While I'm thrilled for my children, of course it's a wrench to have them move completely to the other side of the US. So we're trying to plan visits, etc., already. I'm glad technology makes it so much easier to keep in touch now. :)
My son (left in photo) has been nicknamed Super Mule, as he is a master at moving people. Good thing he worked for a moving company for two years. Sure has come in handy - hehe, poor thing.

Alas, my stitching is practically nil, but I did stitch a gift for a friend's special BD.

This is a heavy-duty acrylic box; they come in several different kinds and sizes, from Cooper Oaks; and they are awesome to use for needlework.



Meanwhile back at the homestead, we now have "The Mya" as we affectionately dub the queen, (ODD's pomeranian) racing around the house.

Funny how they both fold the same leg up underneath them. Montana looks woebegone, but trust me, he is thrilled to have Mya around. :)

The Rest of the Story, Scroll Frames and More...

Honest, Mom, I really didn't mean to.....

Wait a minute! It wasn't me, it was Dad!!

To recap-
Frisbee with the dog...that's what DH was doing. Throwing it LOW for him so as not to hurt his hips. Notice how "low" it went for him in the tree? LOL Next, the rope ball -stuck; then the long handle brush -stuck; then the ceiling fan duster -stuck (which did eventually come down); still no Frisbee. Montana's dancing around with excitement, wondering when playtime starts again, DH is disgusted, and I'm laughing. Gotta keep a sense of humor...

Speaking of which, Zoe has contributed her "part" to my cake that I'd COVERED up and set aside to be iced (for the cake decorating class - who knew it would be so much work?!)

Mail this week was an absolute blast! First I received a wonderful treat from Faye. She heard how much I loved this design and sent this to me. Isn't it just so pretty? I love it! Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness, Faye!

Terri featured a giveaway on her blog and I was one of the winners! Woohoo! So I received this darling little Brittercup chart from her. Thanks - it's so cute, Terri!

And last but not least, Jolene thanked me for a small favor by sending me this awesome With thy Needle and Thread chart and threads. I'd not seen this particular pattern before and it is adorable! And many thanks to you, Jolene!

And here's a blast from the past - a friend just sent me a picture of this XS that I'd done for her son back in 1990.

Changing subjects, I've had several people ask me for the directions to make the scroll frames I showed on an earlier post. These are Nancy's creation and she has given me permission to post the information. It is well worth making these; I absolutely love mine!

Scroll Frames - Nancy M.

If you can refer to my photos it will probably help http://ndmurdock.multiply.com/photos/album/21/Scroll_bars

1 Buy a set of wooden toy wheels http://ndmurdock.multiply.com/photos/album/21/Scroll_bars#5 2" X5/8" with a 1/4" hole. Mine were an 8 pack (I found mine at hobby lobby ) The ones my dad did for me are stained and varnished, the ones I bought I just use unfinished.

2 Buy oak dowels, mine are approx 2" diameter, you really want oak though because Pine will split on you!! You can cut the dowels to whatever size you need for you pattern. I have several here uncut and if I happen to have a pattern that I don't have the right size for, I just have hubby cut me the right size. Rarely happens now though since I have so many sizes. After they are cut to length, drill a hole in each end. This way you can screw in the hanger bolts.

3 You need 4 Hanger bolts 10-24 X2 (thats exactly what the package sayes) http://ndmurdock.multiply.com/photos/album/21/Scroll_bars#3

4 You need 4 Tee nuts 10-24 X 5/16 -these are the silver things you hammer into the wheels so they screw onto the hanger bolts. There is a picture of the wheels with these in them. http://ndmurdock.multiply.com/photos/album/21/Scroll_bars#6

5 You need 2 pieces of wood for the sides. Mine happen to be 9 1/2" long, by 3/4" by 1" and I have a second set that is only 7 1/2' long. I personally would like another set that is a few inches longer than 9 1/2", but I haven't done that yet. http://ndmurdock.multiply.com/photos/album/21/Scroll_bars#7 You need to drill a hole in them for the dowels to go into.

6 buy double sided carpet tape. This takes the place of any basting material!!! You can make your material slightly bigger and cut off any "sticky" part when the piece is done. Personally I don't care because most of my things are framed or sewn into something else, so the "sticky" part doesn't matter. But be aware, there will be some residue. Cut the tape to the length of your dowel. It doesn't matter if it doesn't cover the whole dowel, there is enough tension to hold the fabric. I RARELY have to even tighten my material after beginning to work on a piece, it is like a DRUM!!!!! I love my scrolls and I hope I have helped any of you out there who would like to make their own. It is much cheaper than buying them. Nancy

Hope to see other scroll frame handiwork out there!

Carolyn

Prizes, RR's, and Just for Fun

Look at this lovely prize I received from Jolene's giveaway. I am so thrilled with these. I love scissors and this fob is perfect. Thanks so much for your generosity, Jolene!


Finished my part of Paula's RR - Open Heart by Drawn Thread. This is such a pretty, delicate design - very enjoyable stitching.

Before...

After...

These few pics are just for fun - (hope DH doesn't mind). But it was just too funny at the time. Sleuthing detectives, let's see how good you are. From the clickable pictures, can anyone tell me what DH was doing before and after and what each item is? It really was hilarious, but I guess you had to be there at the time...:)




Hint - DH used to play rec softball and could easily throw from the outfield home....above the backstop sometimes. LOL

I Know I'm somewhat biased, but....

...my DH is awesome! Lookee what he made and gave me last week.
These...

...became these and more.

Oh Nancy, you would be proud of the job he did. Nancy has pics on her blog of her own set of homemade scroll frames and gave me the instructions. I saw hers in October last year and have been coveting them ever since. So I've been nagging...er...hinting strongly about them and voila! A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Maybe I'll be encouraged to pick up my HAED once again...

...or stitch some more on Two Birds; there's some actual stitching progress on this one...

...or stitch more on the Travel Sampler, now that I don't have all that mass of material to deal with. I didn't want to move the Q-Snaps to cover the stitched areas on this piece, so I've been waiting. To give you an idea of how helpful it really is, the scroll rod here is 36 in. long. I am just thrilled with all of these frames.
Here's the Man of the Hour...

Thank you, sweetie - I promise I'll put them to good use. :)

My Monday night stitching piece is the LHN Little Women series. Reading is just finished and it's on to Gardening or Baking...

So far...
My brother totally surprised me at Christmas with this lovely Quaker Heart from Shepherd's Bush. Here it is all done - a fun little stitch. Now how to finish it...

Have I mentioned that while I love finishes, I procrastinate in completely finishing them off??

And I couldn't resist posting this - I love this picture of Montana. Dang, he looks big, doesn't he??

Birthdays, Stitch-ins, Endings, and Fun

Birthday Clubs are awesome. I was really spoiled rotten for my BD last week. Every gift was special and I was truly touched with the thoughtfulness and generosity.
Deborah, Heidi, Cynthia, and Dawn gave me wonderful gift certificates; they will be used very, very soon....

Lisa....
Mary...
Heidi (and the GC)...
Rene...
Evalina...
Jennifer...
Tracy...
Ashrei...
Kathy...
Kathy's pin pillow up close - isn't it adorable?
Cards from Debbie Jo and Shelley (who weren't even in my group)
So thank you all once again - I love it all and can't wait to start stitching on each one. And also thanks to all of you who sent me BD wishes - truly much appreciated. :)

Others have already posted pics of a stitching day in SC that Amy set up last weekend, but here are a few more. It was tons of fun seeing everyone again and meeting new friends.






And I had no idea one of the stitchers would be someone I knew in my ILCS Yahoo group. I was so pleased to meet Debra IRL!

My own RR has returned home, and I've stitched my last heart for Sara's RR. It's so hard to believe it's been a year since we started. We hit a few bumps in the road, but sixteen of us have sent these around and they're all just about ready to head home. It's been fun and I've met some awesome stitchers that I now call friends. Here's to each and every one of you. :)

Sara's RR...
This package showed up on my doorstep two weeks ago (I've been slow posting) and was such a sweet gesture. Lory sent me an RAK with nativities, one of my most favorite kinds of Christmas charts. Thanks so much!

And thank you to Tracey - she passed this award to me. I'm giving it to all the bloggers that read this post. All of you deserve this award - you make my day brighter and bring a little sunshine to us all.

Happy Easter

"He is not here; he has risen!"
Luke 24:6

Alleluia! As a Christian, Easter is the crux of our faith. If Jesus had not been crucified, buried, and resurrected from the grave, our faith would be worthless. He died and rose again for you and me to reconcile us with God; and He's waiting with open arms to have a relationship with each of us. I hope all of you have a blessed Easter!

Carolyn