Washing Machine Drama, Clarence update & Framing

Today we had another household appliance decide to play up - our washing machine got stuck on fill and overflowed, flooding the laundry, hallway, into the dining room and even through the walls into the main bedroom wardrobe! 
We often go out after we put the washing machine on, but we won't be doing that again. If we hadn't been home when it happened, the whole house would be under water! We stopped it as soon as we could but unfortunately, we have floating floorboards in the hallway and dining room so it looks as though they will need to be replaced. We've got big, loud industrial driers on the carpet in the wardrobe and in the dining room trying to dry it and the walls out. Our insurance company has been pretty good with the whole situation so far, hopefully that continues.
Isn't it said that these sort of things happen in threes - I hate to think what's going to die next.

Clarence survived with his socks throughout the weekend but I will definitely need to put some gaffa tape inside the sock where his nails are. They need a trim as well. The 2 socks we've gone through both have huge holes at the tips of his foot so he obviously needs some extra protection on that part of his foot. Hopefully that will help it not to wear through so quickly. Luckily, he seems to have gotten used to the idea that he has to wear the sock.

We're both home again tomorrow for the Australia Day public holiday which will be nice - gotta love an extra long weekend. We might go looking for a new washing machine - the one we have has lasted over 17 years so it's done pretty well.

Oh, I almost forgot - I picked up the framing that I put in before Christmas and I'm very happy with the results. Sorry about the reflections in the photos...

The elephant ABC has a dark grey and dark purple matt with a plain white frame. This matches all the other ABCs I have framed in one of my spare bedrooms. This one will join them.

The Stitching ABC is very pretty. It has a distressed dark brown wood frame that looks really good with the browns in the design. I am very pleased with it and it will most likely go on the wall in my other spare bedroom.

The final frame I picked up was for Footprints and I think this is my favourite of the three. It has a pale, sandy wood frame with pale cream and blue matts. I am very happy with this one. This will most likely go on the end of one of the rows of books in my theological library. I might put it right across from my desk so I can look at it every day. I can't believe this has been sitting waiting to be framed since 2014! I think it was worth the wait.
They were all framed by Framing to a T in Hallam, VIC.
Happy Stitching,
Kerrie

Footprints #28 - Finished

Well, I couldn't help myself - I got it finished last night - yay! I have to go over it carefully as I wasn't awake enough to check it properly but I'm pretty sure it is now completed and I'm super pleased with the end result.

 

And here is the completed project... 

It'll look much better after an iron of course!

And now that means I can start something new and exciting at the craft weekend starting this afternoon. We're staying at Philip Island (about 1.5hrs away) and I'm really looking forward to it - I've never been to anything like this before... as my husband has told me - we'll be "nerdin' it up all weekend!" (He calls my cross-stitch "nerd-stitch")

So I hope you all have a great weekend, and I'll tell you all about mine next week...

 

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie
 

Footprints #27

I didn't think I'd got that much done last night, but when I look at it now, I'm almost finished! Tonight's my last night before the craft weekend so I reckon I'll finish it off there. Just a bit of leaf and some back-stitching to go. The weather has turned wet and chilly again so it is perfect for staying inside and crafting all weekend...

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Footprints #26

It's coming together nicely. 

We had big dramas at work yesterday with a fierce storm flooding the library! A large section of carpet was under puddles but thankfully, none of the books got damaged! We might have some stinky carpet when it dries out, but insurance should cover its tidying and possible replacement. And my car got hail damaged too, so not too excited about that! At least I can relax on the forthcoming craft weekend - I'll need it more than ever!

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Footprints #25

I got started on the top left block, but not a great deal of progress overall. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with this when I'm done. I'll get it framed of course, but I don't really have anywhere to put it. I might donate it to our church auction where things are auctioned off to raise money for missions activities. It would also be appropriate for the theological library where I work, but I still don't have permission for the smaller Heartfelt designs yet, and not everyone loves cross-stitch as much as me! Crazy, I know!
 

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Footprints #24

Here is the progress I made over the weekend - really only 1 day of stitching as I saw a movie on Friday night (The Hundred Foot Journey) and we had Father's Day celebrations at my sister's on Saturday night so I didn't do any stitching on those nights. Now I've just got the left top block to do... then I have to pick something else to start!

I can recommend The Hundred Foot Journey as a real feel-good movie and a lovely story. Beautiful countryside too! The only problem was that I came out of the movies feeling hungry - too much nice food!

I also packed my cross-stitch bag for the craft weekend away this coming weekend. I've got plastic canvas for Christmas decorations, the remaining Heartfelt designs and I'll probably take Footprints as well. I'm surely won't get bored with so much to do. Plus I've got all my threads so I'll have what I need depending on what I choose to do (I hope!). I'm really looking forward to it. The weather here lately has been beautiful but according to the forecast last night, there could be rain next weekend - won't matter though, we'll be inside stitching and crafting away!

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Footprints #23

Yay, the top right block is now finished, one more to go!

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Footprints #22

I'm almost finished the top right block - hopefully I can get it done tonight or tomorrow night.

I have to start thinking about what I'm going to take with me on the craft weekend I've signed up for which is only 2 weekends away. At this stage I think I'll take some Christmas plastic canvas things, and maybe one of the remaining Heartfelt designs that arrived last week. I am looking forward to a whole weekend with nothing to do but stitch! No distractions. Can't wait!

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Footprints #21

Clarence was collected safe and sound last night - we are glad to have him home - although all he did was sleep. It's always this way when he comes home from a night or two away - I think the two dogs forget to sleep when they're together!

I did most of the background shading last night. These top corner blocks don't have many areas in the one colour - lots of little bits of many colours here and there so they are a bit fiddly. I am pleased with how quickly the design is coming together.
Here's a view of the whole design as it currently is:

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Footprints #20

Here is last night's progress on the top right block...

This afternoon I'm flying to Brisbane to meet up with my husband who's been there all week for work, and then we'll be visiting my sister and her family for the weekend. I'm looking forward to spending some time with them, but that means there won't be any posts for the next few days...

I hope everyone has as good a weekend as I'm hoping to!

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Footprints #19

I got the wording all finished last night...

I really love the effect of the water - it looks so inviting!

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Footprints #18

I started on the top wording last night and got a reasonable amount done...

I made one mistake but luckily I saw it before I got too far ahead and was able to rectify it without too much pulling out. I really am enjoying stitching on this linen. I'm not sure what count it is, but it is fun!

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Footprints #17

I'm really pleased with my progress over the weekend - the right side block is now completed!

It seemed to come together very quickly as there was a lot of white, blue and green stitching and just small bits of other colours. I've just realised the picture above doesn't look very straight - but rest assured, the design is straight and even! Now it's on to the top half of the design.

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Footprints #16

I got some stitching done last night, but there's not a lot to say about it... It is what it is...

 

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Footprints #15

More of the water got done last night...Not much other news though.

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Footprints #14

The water is coming into focus and I really like the effect.

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Footprints #13 & New York?

I'm pleased with my progress from last night. Filled in a lot of the blanks so the right block is almost half done now.

I have to admit, I'm getting distracted - we're contemplating taking some long service leave next year and heading off to New York and around the coast to Quebec for a couple of weeks. I just can't stop thinking about it! Can anyone recommend any cross-stitch related things in New York or Quebec or along the coast (Boston, Portland, Bar Harbor, Charlottetown, Sydney-Nova Scotia or Halifax)?

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Footprints #12 & Heartfelts framed

 Here are the final 3 Heartfelt designs all framed up. I'm very pleased with the overall results and am sure they will look great together on the wall. When I get them set up, I'll post a photo of them.

 

 

 And below is the progress shot for Footprints...

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Footprints #11

Again, it's mostly all one colour but it looks like serious progress has been made! I'm looking forward to sitting down for a few more hours than usual over the weekend and getting some more done... after all the boring jobs of housework, cleaning, washing etc...
And I'm looking forward to a craft weekend coming up in September that I've signed up to attend. It's a weekend of just crafting, doing whatever you like. I have to get into my cupboards and work out some stuff to take with me. It will be fun.

Hope you all get some stitching done over the weekend!

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Footprints #11

Looks like a lot of progress on the second block, but it is mostly the one colour!

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie