Third times the charm...........

Yes, the third time was the charm, thank God because I don't think the corners would have taken another go at finishing.  So everything is done but the tassel on the fob, and I already screwed up the first one this morning so I'm waiting until I'm home again to do a second one.  But at least progress has been made.  To refresh what I told you about this yesterday, the design is a Lizzie Kate called, "Summer Smalls" and I adapted 3 of the 4 designs to create a tool tote.  All 4 designs charted originally designed as pin cushions.  I've adapted them for a needlebook, scissor fob, and needle vial as well as the decorative front on the tote (which we sell in the shop).  An easy stitch with few embellishments, which is strange for me.  I did put on a few beads in spots, but basically that was it.  I changed the needlebook lining from a cotton fabric to a felt simply because it was easier and then attached a scissor sheath with the blanket stitch and  needle pages with buttons.  Now anytime I look at this project I think of all things summer.

The last picture is a close of up the needle vial which is the only piece that is stitched over one.  This is just a small part of one of the designs in the chart pack.  I'm thinking of adding a spool which will use one of the 2 designs I haven't used fully yet.  If I actually do that I will show it to you when it's finished.  Because I was fiddling with this project, and I confess I started another new project just because I wanted to...."Needlework ABC 's" by Little House Needleworks, I got very little done on Theodore....but I'm hoping to get back to it while I'm working today.  Not sure how successful I'll be since I brought 5 projects to work with me (what was I thinking?)  I've got the "American Homestead" Sewing Set, which I haven't started yet but I know the trays are due in next month so I need to get it done.  I've got "Mermaid's Drum" by Plum Street, which came in a couple of weeks ago and is simply fabulous too, so how could I not do it.  Then there's Blackbird's "Lady Liberty" a drum which is another favorite of mine and finally there is Hands on Designs, "Good Ship Sampler".  I plan to be very busy today just stitching, while I'm at work....thank God it's my job.  Life just doesn't get any better than this!  Sara just came in and handed me a round plaque which is the size of the plaque I needed for the Uncle Sam hat which is part of the Blackbird Design pin cushion I finished.  Now all I need is a 4" round box and I can cross that project off my "to do" list.  God knows what all the guys have down in the workshop.  As they are cleaning it out we might find all kinds of useful items.  On the family side, we had a little scare with my Michael which started 2 days ago when Sara called to see if I could come in and work her shift as she had to take Michael to the hospital.  While Mary adjusted hotel schedules so Kelly could take Sara's place since she was working in Sea Trader I was able to continue my stitching at home.  But Sara ended up not only taking him over to the hospital but they admitted him in the end so she ended up staying overnight.  (She actually had the foresight to take her stitching with her.  They talked about doing surgery but in the end decided to drain the knee and if that didn't work they could do surgery next week.  So my Michael came home yesterday with a full leg mobilizer and a crutch where he has received a great deal of sympathy from us all.  We are all hoping this is the end of the drama once the knee heals/  The hope is that the abscess, now that it's been drained, will heal and no further action will have to be taken.  Fingers crossed!!!  Michael is scared to death of needles and a whole lot of that was happening at the hospital so this big 16 year old was a puddle of tears, bless his heart.  But he's out of school for a couple of days and we are on sympathy overload so that should make up for it.  While Sara was in the emergency room she ran into Renee (who worked for Salty Yarns for 40 years) who was there with her husband who they thought was having a stroke or a heart attack.  Turns out it was indigestion and while she was more than grateful by the time Renee turned up here yesterday she was ready to kill the man.  I, of course, am thanking God that two went in and two came out.  Know we are Blessed!  Apparently we are being blessed with nicer weather as well.  I see the sun is poking it's head out from the clouds that have haunted us for days.  The weather has warmed up a tad as well, which I knew it would as I broke down 2 nights ago and turned my heat back on.  And I do see 70's in the forecast for this weekend so cheers to that.  I didn't even realize it was Memorial Weekend until Elaine mentioned it this morning.  When she said she was hoping to have something by that date I asked when that was.  She just looked at me and smiled (I'm pretty sure she was feeling sorry for Sara having to deal with me every day), but you know when you don't work full time you do lose track of days, time, everything (at least that's my excuse and by God I'm sticking with it.)  Well I've got to get back to Theodore...he's longing to get his other leg stitched.  I'm n it and I'll show it when he's really finished.  In case I don't back to you...Have a safe and healthy Memorial Weekend.