Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Update time!

I'm determined to keep up with this Mystery Sampler thingy no matter what so I stitched like mad all week and got that finished up. Woooooooooo!!

I'm loving it so far, which isn't a surprise because I love fall and fall colors, etc. I did end up making a couple changes to the owl: I put a crooked top on his witch's hat (like that better than plain 'triangle' hats) and I gave him a beak in the same color as his feet (his face seemed a little blank without it?). So now I just wait until the next bit comes out. *tap*tap*tap*

Oh yeah! And I finished the extra little sampler that came with it as well. (Glass candy corns come courtesy of the epic amount of Halloween beads I've been doing lately. You'd swear it was October if you looked at my work desk right now!) I'm a little itchy to whip it into a pillow or something right now but I guess I should wait to see the other two first? See how they go together?


The weather has been alternating between Truly Terrible, with random flashes of Really Nice, but the Truly Terrible always seems to be on the days when I have the most amount of work to do, which is a bummer, as my work area isn't air-conditioned. Makes sitting in front of a 1,000 degree kiln and a 3,000 degree torch, uhhhhh, 'fun'. lol We jury-rigged the portable a/c down there one day last week when I couldn't take it anymore and that made a HUGE difference but, short of hiring an electrician (not going to happen) to rewire the downstairs, that isn't a permanent solution and we hauled it all back upstairs when I was done. (My late 70's house is not wired to run a kiln, an oxygen concentrator, an exhaust fan, various lights, *AND* an air conditioner on the same circuit.) Oh well. It's not called 'work' for no reason, right? Here's to hoping it gets a little cooler soon! :)

22 comments:

L.O. said...

I love your stitching progress. I have been holding out on getting the new LK design, but after seeing your pics I am not sure how much longer I will be able to take it before I cave in.

I hope it cools down for you soon. I am ready for summer to be over with. It has been way too hot this year.

Annie said...

Good job on the SAL. I can see why you are anxious to get the next installment.

I don't know how you can work without AC with some of the heat we've been having. You are one tough cookie.

Anonymous said...

Oh I LOVE when the Halloween stuff starts showing up on blogs! Love the mystery sampler.

Ranae said...

I love the mystery sampler, first time seeing it.
Love what you did to make it your own.
Take care!!

Beth said...

Like what you're doing with the L*K Mystery Sampler especially the little owl and oh your candycorn beads are too cute...and 'Haunted' is awesome. I can't imagine suffering with the heat in the fashion you must with your kiln. Boy but you are taking 'suffering for your art' to an new level!

Alexandra said...

I think I will start mine. I love the fall as well. It my hubby's birthday on the 31st of October so I usually like to decorate.

I'm ordering it now!

Jan said...

Now I'm going to have to start mine. I may steal, I mean borrow, your beak idea.
I know what you mean about electricity in old houses. Mine was built in 1949. Yes they had electricity back then. :-)

Margaret said...

I still haven't succumbed to that mystery sampler, but I very well might have to. It's so cute so far!!!! I love it! Sigh..... The bonus piece is nice too! I can't imagine working with a kiln in the hot, humid weather. EW.

Catherine said...

Oh my gosh - I have tried to stay away from that sampler, but darn it, it's so stinkin' cute!
Love your candy corn beads too.
Ugh! Hope the weather breaks soon so it's not so hot for you when you are working!

Vickie said...

Wow! I am so impressed with your endurance in the heat! Yikes! We are baking away here in Wisconsin, but at least I can hide out in the A/C. Take care.

Carol said...

Your changes to the owl in the mystery sampler are perfect, Melanie--he is so cute and the entire sampler is looking adorable. I really like that purple border...

Your candy corn beads look good enough to eat--you'll have to post a shot of your work desk with all the Halloweeny beads in progress :)

We are having a Really Nice day today--finally. The random nice days help get us through the Truly Terrible weather of the summer of 2012, don't they?!

dixiesamplar said...

Looove all of it!! That mystery sampler is adorable (love the crooked hat)...and a great small finish on the extra sampler. Love, love, love the delicious candy corn beads...you are so talented, Melanie.

Cole said...

The mystery sampler is so cute! Love the owl & his crooked little hat!

Hope you get some relief from the heat :)

Jackie's Stitches said...

I haven't seen any peeks of the LK Mystery sampler. It's cute! Your satin stitches are perfection and I love your special touches.

It's hot hear too but I work in a/c'd comfort. I really hope it cools down for you very very soon.

Cindy's Stitching said...

really pretty. The glass beads are amazing.

valerie said...

Yay! Someone finally finished and posted the L*K Mystery! I've been curious for ages! It's looking good and yes, the owl definitely needed a crooked hat and a beak. Cute! Love the bonus pattern too. I'm not sure how you do all those beads in that type of heat. Oof...I can barely deal with 80 degrees. Hence why I live in fog. ;)

Veronica said...

Cute finish. Love the changes you've made. I agree... the crooked hat looks so much better. Pretty Haunted sampler too. What floss did you use for it? Looks a little purple-ish in the photo. I like it.

Aiks! Soaring temperature. Hope it drops soon.

Hugs,
Veronica.

Maggie said...

here in the UK we have a different definition of the word terrible when applied to the weather - terrible here = rain, cool temps, cloud, i.e the British summer Time, lol.
Send the sun you don't want in our direction, we would be most greatful :-) It's been great this week but we are in for a cooler spell next week, sigh.

I love the Halloween sampler :-) And you did a good job with the owl :-)

Julie said...

Your changes to the mystery sampler look super. I hope it's not so hot for you now. Happy crafting!

Leslie said...

Ohhhhh.... I love the samplers!!!!!!
the temps here have been back and forth but not bad.

Tobie said...

Your beads are awesome!!! Love the bright colors and design detail. How fun!

Tobie said...
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