Sunday Status + pool update

Tree Frog:

 

I am done with the first green!  It is called yellow-green.  You can't really see it in this picture, but it is a really pretty color of green.  I figure I'll start referring to the plethora of greens in this project by their actual name.  Just so I don't lose track and can't remember if I'm on the 5th or the 6th green.  The next color will be Dark Yellow Green.  I've highlighted it all on my working pattern, and there is a lot of it, so I will be working on this color for quite some time.

Sunny Thought:

 

I've completed all the backstitching and the french knots, so the top portion is pretty much complete.  I just have to cut it out.  I decided on the sentiment to put in the "frame" area.  Since the area is quite small I am having to keep it simple.  I am working on designing the pattern for the area.  It is going to read: "Shiny!"  Firefly/Serenity fans will know just what it means. 

 

Pool update:

 

We got the pool assembled on Friday and started filling it.  Saturday we finished filling the pool, got the adapter for the Saltwater system, and hooked everything up.  2 bags of salt went in.  The Saltwater system is busy converting some of the salt to natural chlorine.  We were all in it for awhile today.  The water hasn't quite had a chance to warm up yet, but it was still comfortable enough.  Alex, who has zero body fat on him could only stay in for about 10 minutes before his lips started turning a bit blue.  I, on the other hand, with a fair more body fat lasted about 1 hour.  Yesterday we went to Wal-Mart to find swimsuits.  That was a bit of an ordeal.  Took me a over an hour but I managed to find 2 suits, one is a simple black one-piece in which I don't feel too unattractive that is good for everyday.  The other is a cute floral halter top with attached bottom with skirt overlay. It is not all that practical for daily swimming, but I look pretty darn good in it, so it will be perfect for when we have company over to use the pool. Today we put together the new ladder.  The one that comes with the pool is very unstable, so I bought a replacement ladder. Not cheap, but so worth the money. It is much more stable, has a large top deck that makes turning around so much easier, and it has a rolling panel that covers the outside treads when you're not using the pool.  It even has a spot for a padlock.  That way Alex can't decide to climb up it when we're not in the backyard.  Or anyone else for that matter.  I was thinking about putting the original ladder up for sale, but as it turns out, it is a great spot to keep towels handy for when you get out of the pool.  So, we'll hang onto it.  Besides, I really wouldn't feel right for anyone using it as a ladder.

 

Tomorrow, we plan on trimming the tarp under the pool to fit the border we'd set up to mark the circle, and use small paving stones to hold it down and create a nice somewhat finished appearance.  And the grill area is getting moved to the other end of the backyard. 

 

Well, I'm off to bed... hubby promised me a massage tonight.  8)

 

Sunday Status + life stuff

Another week gone...

I got some done on Tree Frog, not much though, still working on the first green:

Sunny Thought is coming along... got all the x-stitching done, so now onto the backstitching and a few French Knots. 

I've been thinking about changing up the design a little bit.  The sentiment block is supposed to be cut out like a picture frame and a slip of paper with "Smile" printed on it to be placed in the frame.  I'm considering filling in the section that is supposed to be cut out of the "frame" with a lighter color and stitching a sentiment in.  I'm thinking something like "Live in the Sunshine" or "You are my sunshine".  I will have to see if I can make that come out good.  If not, I can always remove the changes and go with the original design.

I also gridded out a project that I've had stuffed away for quite awhile.  It is the free pattern from Golden Kite designs:

 

I downloaded this some time ago, got it started and then put it away.  It was still in the hoop, so that is an indicator of how long ago that was.  I had only gotten one length of the first color done, so I pulled out those few stitches, removed the hoop and spent about an hour ironing it to get the hoop marks out.  Then I gridded it, and tried out one of my q-snap configurations; that is the creases you see in it now.  I am having a little trouble deciding on whether to use q-snap, stretcher bar or scroll bars on this one.

While I was on the Golden Kite website to obtain a fresh copy of the Rose pattern, as I had lost some of the pages, I came across a pattern that really spoke to me, and it was on sale, so I ordered it.  It is called Garden of Delights:

I so love that it is a repro of an actual tapestry.  It is gorgeous!  This one will certainly be a long-term project.  Adding another one to list.

The other craft thing I did this week was to buy some more DMC floss.  Now that I have my floss organized, I have an accurate inventory of what I have and what I need, including needs for future projects, all on a spreadsheet.  I love Excel.  So when I saw Joanns was having floss on sale 3 for 99 cents, and I also get an extra 20% off for being military, I bought floss to fill in any gaps in my stash and prep for future projects.  So, Friday I was at Joanns buying the floss, and the next 2 days incorporating the new floss into my system.  Which reminds me, I haven't explained my system yet.  I should start drafting that post tomorrow.

My major non-craft activity was prepping for the swimming pool.  We decided to install an above ground swimming pool this year.  It will give something for Alex to do during summer break.  Our backyard is landscaped in river rock, which it quite popular in this region.  That means we had to clear the rocks out of the area we plan to put the pool.  It was a bit of work but we managed to get it done in 2 days.  Here is what it looks like:

 

Tomorrow we are going to pick up the pool and the filter system from Walmart.  We picked up 20 (50lb) bags of sand from Lowes yesterday.   We'll need to get 20-30 more bags.  Once we get a good sand base put down and leveled, then a pad on top, we can start setting up the pool.  Jason has to call about getting a tanker to come by to fill up the pool.  City ordinance forbids filling pool from the house water system.  Besides our water pressure sucks, so filling with the hose would take a week. 

Hopefully, everything goes well, and we're swimming in our pool by the end of the week.  Keeping fingers crossed.  Now I just have to find a swimming suit I feel comfortable in.  ugh.

Sunday Status

Progress on  Tree Frog...lots of the first green done...

Progress on Sunny Thought... this one is coming along quite quickly...

And now back to watching Defiance...

'til next week, keeping stitching happy!

Sunday Status and LCE

One more week... another status...

Tree Frog has some progress, still working on first color green:

And just for the record, I have abandoned using the railroad method to keep threads laying nicely.  I decided to go for speed over perfection, although given the nature of the piece it wasn't a tough decision.  Although now when I have a twisted stitch, I can't just ignore it, I have to try and get the threads to lay a little nicer by fiddling with it using my needle as a sort of laying tool.  By the way, I am liking the stretcher bars very much.  They are so light.  And there is no adjusting the tension or having to move the q-snap to a different spot.  Q-snaps are still my go to frame for travel projects though.  I have taken this one out of the house, but it is a bit awkward, and it just barely fits in the backpack I use to carry it.

Introducing the new small project... I've had this little kit in my stash for quite awhile.  It is called Sunny Thought by Dimensions.  Interestingly, it is on a small plastic mesh instead of fabric.

I've finished the first color so far.

As you can see, I didn't grid it as usual, since it is so small, but I did have to use a spare bit of thread to do a quick line on two sides to mark the gridline points to help with stitching the separate areas.  Should be cute when it is finished.

 Now for the LCE (life changing event)... I am active duty in the Air Force, and after 22 years it is time to retire from the AF.  Friday was my last duty day...yay!  Tomorrow is the start of my terminal leave (aka using up all my accrued vacation days).  After the terminal leave is done, I am officially a military retiree.  Then I really having to figure out what to do with myself next.  I have to look for a job, since even though military pension is nice, it just isn't enough to pay the bills and keep a family household going.  So, the job search begins.  And I am going to have to learn to dress myself to go to work, no more just throwing on the uniform everyday.  I am very happy and scared at the same time.  One good thing is, until I get hired somewhere, I have more time to stitch and stamp.  Stamping may have to be a priority while I am prepping for the Stampin' Up convention in July.  After that though, I can get back to stitching until my fingers go numb.  8)

'til next time... happy stitching (and stamping)!