Ugh! Holiday not what I hoped
rob333 (zone 7b)
4 months ago
last modified: 4 months ago
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Hope-Chest type holiday collections for teen daughters
Comments (30)I love my hope chest and I'm only 18! When I started mine it was because we were cleaning out my grandma's attic and there were quite a few sets of dishes as she didn't have much when she was a girl (she lived on a farm) so she always kept any dishes that came her way in case someone needed something. But I found a set of 3 pretty blue dishes that you can still get replacements for online (yay! I want at least 4), but my mom suggested that I keep them in the toy box my dad made for me when I was a little girl (5 I think?) but I've put in things I've done, a quilt, some embroidered pillowcases and a family tree that's almost finished. But I was also given 2 quilts, one from my great grandma who gave it to my aunt, and one that my grandma made as a girl. They're both so pretty that I don't know if I want to use them. Maybe they'll go on a guest bed so they won't be ruined. But as for china, I received a set from my grandma, as did my brother who didn't care which of the 2 sets he got, actually he was all for me getting both sets, but my insisted. I believe he got her wedding china and I got her mother's set, but it could be the other way around. Either way I'm looking forward to using all these things one day in my own house. The chest will definitely be going with me when I move out! Now just to tell my family that I have one so they can add things if they want! Especially my two aunts who had only boys because they like doing girly things with me! Good luck to any who are making one, especially Jennifer! I hope you're having fun storing things in yours! I know mine provides me hope for the future when everything else seems so confusing!...See MoreUgh! oak floor stain is not what I had hoped!
Comments (19)Well, went home last night hoping to see the floors looking great. They are better but not great. Most of the footprints are out. The area where he sanded again is better. Now, the whole floor is considerably darker than what I had planned and there are some very dark gummy looking spots. Of course they are 1/2 way across the room so I can't get to them. Today the contractor is coming back and he says he is going to use a super fine grit sandpaper and sand the floor lightly again--especially in the areas that are too dark. Then wait for my approval...he is hoping to poly today. I'm really just sick over the floors. The contractor is trying super hard. He wants to make it right. He is a general contractor who has done some floors but it is not his specialty. The dining room floor which he refinished looks pretty good. The stain is much more even and no weird footprints or dark spots. I think we do have a case of old wood vs new but also a case of an less experienced floor guy who didn't know what to do with the new wood to make it work. I'm not sure that even if I ask him to resand it entirely down to bare wood and start over that the result would be what I want. At this point, I'm not sure what to do other than let him finish and hope it looks better when it is all done and everything is in it. My plan was to redo the floors in my living room this summer. Hubby is suggesting that if the kitchen/dining room floors don't suit me that we wait until 2011 and refinish the entire first floor...including the kitchen and dining room we just did with a person who only does floors. To stop right now and get a flooring guy in here will probably delay moving back into the kitchen by at least a few more weeks.... I'm so annoyed that I chose poorly. The contractor has done a good job on everything else and he is very easy to communicate with. He's just not as skilled as we needed on floors. I really wish they just would have turned out great....See MoreUgh what do I need to make a quilt?
Comments (26)You sound like me when I first started. I did all my sewing by hand - both piecing the blocks and quilting - because I didn't have a machine, and used scissors because I didn't have (and was sort of afraid) of a rotary cutter. (still am, mostly!!). I found that measuring before sewing was the most important part or else squares and edges won't line up. The measuring is key. Jeanne's suggestion to make templates is a great one, and something I used a lot. I used to draw both the outer measuring 1/4" line AND the inner sewing line that I would match up on 2 squares, then sew together. I have eventually gotten myself a machine because I found that hand-sewing just didn't hold up that well under alot of washing, for those items that were meant to be used (and therefore washed) a lot. So I machine sew the blocks together now, although I still like to quilt by hand whenever possible. I like the old-school feeling it can give to a quilt, something handmade that helps to connect you to a past where this was a much more common skill. This forum is a great resource ... I learned just about everything I know about quilting here, from reading all sorts of posts and also from asking my own questions. Everyone is really helpful and patient with beginner's questions :) Also, the block lottos are a great activity to join ... they encourage/force you to try new block patterns and designs, so you can get a lot of experience that way ... only 1-3 blocks at a time ... and you start feeling more comfortable with your skills and ability to make a block when you start making more this way. Plus, there is always the possibility of winning the lotto! I still get by ok without using my rotary cutter all that often (it is very sharp and I've heard so many horror stories that it scares me, lol). I think a good plastic ruler is essential. I only have a 12" but I'd really like a longer one. If you're going to buy one, get a longer one. A cutting mat is nice too, they have measurements on them to help you out. Also they have some really nice square quilters rulers to help you make half-square triangles and other shapes for quilt blocks. I don't have any of those either yet, but one or two are next on my "to buy" list, so if you see any of those ... they might help get everything the right size too. My first couple squares looked absolutely AWFUL :) But you learn from your mistakes, and get better!! And it is an amazing feeling when you finish your first (couple) projects ... especially if they are made to be used and you can actually curl up underneath or on top of them!!...See MoreHave You Met Your Holiday Deadlines? Still Hoping?
Comments (14)I did get the DR drapes finished, and they actually got pretty good reviews from our Thanksgiving crowd. That green chair fabric...not so much. Although one nice lady commented that it looked so interesting and different, just like something you'd see in a magazine. I have the new chair fabric, but haven't redone the seats, yet. Next week looks like it's going to be a good time for some small projects, though. We replaced the ceiling light in the living room, which sparked a snowball effect of mini projects and a makeover, all of which got top priority for the holidays. That living room looked 100% better this year, and we got lots of compliments. I have a handful of other projects that were originally on the list to be done before the holidays, but I've declared them "winter projects" so check back with me in March! LOL!...See Morerob333 (zone 7b)
4 months agolast modified: 4 months agoI was very worried, and somewhat frustrated. So now I'm just a little frustrated and not worried. I was worried that it was going to go downhill very quickly for this person. The person who lives with them directly, went to the doctor and received some sort of medication, so I assume they did too.
rob333 (zone 7b)
4 months agolast modified: 4 months agorob333 (zone 7b)
4 months agolast modified: 4 months agorob333 (zone 7b)
4 months agolast modified: 4 months ago
foodonastump
4 months agorob333 (zone 7b)
4 months agolast modified: 4 months agorob333 (zone 7b)
4 months ago
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