Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Weeeeeeeeeeee!

 Lots of new adventures this past week in the form of: BICYCLING.

The husband recently got one to use on the hiking trails in the woods down the road from the house and then he talked me into getting one too. (With CONDITIONS. Like: bike paths only, no woods, no roads, etc. I'm a diva like that. :))

Mind you, I haven't been on a bike in OVER TWENTY YEARS so this past week was *quite* the hoot. You don't TOTALLY forget how to ride one. You basically remember enough not to fall off it - while looking/feeling like a complete moron for awhile until it fully comes back. There was bunch of pushing around with one foot like a scooter until my brain kinda connected with the fact that you have to, you know, PEDAL. Hahaha! We've gone out a few times and it gets easier, as far as handling, each time. (Because physically? Exhausting. And I've been REALLY good about getting in my exercise 5-6 days a week this year so that doesn't seem fair. *pout* I feel like I should be in better shape?) This week has been nothing but rain but hopefully the weekend will allow for a couple more 'sessions'. :)

In other news, Shepherd's Bush was really great about sending me some more chenille trim to finish my pillow. While waiting, I stitched her face again, this time with random Crescent Color floss in a Xmas theme. I think it will make for a cute ornament finish. (Carrot nose has been ordered.)

 It fully hit me that I have a STAGGERING amount of smalls to deal with now (to me) when I went to store that pillow until holiday time so I buckled down this week to at least get my Halloween designs finished.

Turns out if you do one each day it's not super overwhelming. I would cut/pin them while waiting for my kiln to heat before working, do the sewing after I was finished work, and then stuff/close up at night while watching tv.

 It feels good to get these 'done done' now so I can use them this fall. I have four times as many Xmas ones to finish though so....................hold me. The end is no where in sight. lol

16 comments:

Margaret said...

Wow, so many great Halloween designs! I'm glad SB was so good about sending you more chenille trim too. So I'm assuming you got a mountain bike to ride? Way before kids, I made the mistake of going bike riding with my DH after not being on a bike in forever. Went on a trail. Mistake. Not a mountain bike. Broke my leg. Haven't been on a bike since. Aren't I helpful? lol! Be careful! (I'm sure you're a better rider than me!)

Maggie said...

Oooooh you have such a lot of lovely finishes! and that snowman is really cute :-)

You're very brave to go bike riding, i was full of enthusiasm for bike riding once upon a time, so much that i bought myself a second hand one and i was "going to go for a ride every night"....Yeah right, i went a total of about 3 times, boy was i knackered, lol, too much like hard work for me, but i still like the idea :-) I hope you manage to keep it up and the weather improves for you to get out there.

have fun :-)

Beth said...

Biking riding is fun no matter what the age - my only rule is if you are the lead bike you must signal verbally or in some other fashion BEFORE coming to an unexpected stop (yes I'm talking about my mother!). Oh Melanie - you are an ARTIST - but then you know that what with the whole glass bead thing you have going on...your Halloween finishes are so darned cute - your eye for color and design is awesome - I'm incredibly jealous (but dealing with it). Can't wait to see your Christmas finishes. So glad Shepherd's Bush came through with the chenille.

dulcinella said...

The SB design is so cute! Your halloween pieces are all gorgeous. I really think your finishes are so gorgeous...you'll have a beautiful home when halloween arrives.

valerie said...

All your finishes are so cute! And so glad that SB came through for you on that trim!

Karen said...

What cute little finishes! I know what you mean about biking... I was amazed my stamina wasn't the same as when I was 10!

geeky Heather said...

You are an awesome pillow-producing machine!! I really like the snowlady in the darker colors, too. Too cute! Congrats on all the finishes!

So I gotta say...at least you know how to ride a bike! I never learned how, but the hubby's been trying to teach me. The problem is that he can't explain to me how to steer...

Jackie's Stitches said...

You've been busy1 I love your pile of Halloween goodies. The black trim is wonderful on the candy corn piece.

Anonymous said...

You've hit on my favorite holiday. Never can get enough Halloween stitching. Your smalls are ADORABLE.

Nancy said...

Have fun with your bicycle!

I love all of your Halloween finishes - Halloween is such a fun holiday!

Catherine said...

Great finishes!! Glad to hear you received the trim you needed.
Congrats on the biking! I haven't done much over the last years. Now that the kids are older and riding well on their own, perhaps my husband and I should get ours out!

Vickie said...

Good for you and the husband. I wish I could bike, we could go as a family, like many years before. Can't do it with my stupid hip injury. Quite a few finishes, hooray!

Julie said...

Super selection of smalls,. I love the darker colours in the SB design, that's hoping to be gorgeous.

Carol said...

Oh, your Halloween smalls are adorable, Melanie! Well done :) I, agree, finishing one a day makes a lot of sense. Otherwise you just drive yourself crazy!

Glad you enjoyed the bike ride with your husband. Somehow, my husband has talked me and our three sons into taking a ride with him this weekend. I haven't been on a bike in 30 years and my husband is an avid bike rider who rides 2-3 times a week (30-60 miles at a time), so who knows how I'll do. None of the rest of us even own bikes--we have to rent them! Wish me luck :)

Dani - tkdchick said...

Great finishing job!!!

I much prefer your brighter snowman face!!!

Jenny said...

Oh - I love all of them, but Death by Candy Corn is just too cute!
The finishing fabric that you picked is really cool too.

The SB snowmen are adorable - wow, you are getting so much done!