Well, Hi again.
I know I just dropped out of sight again for two weeks. Thank you to those who made more kind comments on my last post. Life has been a different kind of challenging these last few weeks, but estate things are moving forward and progress is being made. Never mind that I constantly feel like I'm trying to catch up. I think that's the nature of something like this.
The closing on my brother's house is scheduled for later this week. Looking forward to having that behind, but it's not without mixed feelings and thoughts. I'm telling myself to prepare to feel something I hadn't quite anticipated when that is done. Let's hope the feelings are mostly of the positive sort.
So the last time I was here, I was working on a cute-as-can-be bunny cross stitch. Well... As I was adding the final color I became deeply disappointed. It was obvious to me after I started it, that I had purchased a pattern off of Etsy where someone had changed the colors from the original, but I plugged on. When I printed it out, I noticed the seller called it a "vintage" pattern. I don't know what that means, or what she intends others to think that means. I have since found the same pattern sold by two other sellers online. It is in no way clear who the original designer is, or if any of the designs available are original. I was so frustrated at this realization, combined with the disappointing colors, I just put it away for now. Maybe forever.
I took a bit of a break and then decided to start May's Snowflower Diaries: Joyful World pattern:
Nearly finished, this one does not disappoint. I love the whimsy in these little monthly stitches. I will admit, though, to changing the cats' "called-for" colors. After digging through my stash of DMC floss I came up with a mottled gray cat and kitten. I think I've decided to turn this (and whatever of these designs I stitch) into a small pillow. I like the idea of working my way toward a bowlful of small pillows of various cross stitch designs. Knowing me, I may just about have enough pillows to fill a bowl (or basket) about the time the trend dies off. That's how I roll.
And that's a wrap! Thank you for stopping by! 😊
How sad tonhear the cat xstitch is not to your liking. That is a lot of work. Hopefully when you pick it up later it will make you smile a little bit? The one you are working on now is precious. Little bowl pillows are such a cool idea. My daughter loves the one I gave to her. Hopefully when your brother's house closes it will bring some closure for you. Hugs coming your way.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marsha. You know... I've often thought a little cross stitch pillow, plucked from a bowl of them, would make a sweet gift. We'll see if I ever manage to accumulate that many. ;^)
DeleteI'm so glad to see you again. I missed your posts and even did a search in case I'd missed any.
ReplyDeleteSo annoying to put in the work and find the project a disappointment. Your current one isn't though it's very appealing.
Thank you, Liz. I think I need to inform hubs that if something happens to me, he should come in here and let people know. I, too, wonder about my blogging buddies when they disappear for a while.
DeleteAww, I'm sorry the bunny cross stitch turned out to be a disappointment. It's so cute. I hope you find a way to finish it. Best wishes on finalizing the sale of your brothers house. Allow yourself to feel the finality of the loss.
ReplyDeleteThat last thing seems so elusive. I know I'm not there yet where I can truly feel that finality. I suspect I'm going to have to grow into it.
DeleteThat is frustrating about your bunny x-stitch. I am happy to hear things are still progressing with your brother's estate. You deserve lots of kudos for all you have done in the last year. Your little mottled kitty is sweet and bowl pillows are new to me, but a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI am rather amazed when I look back over the last 3 1/2 months and recount what all we have done. I could not have gotten this far this soon without hubs. I've done (and will continue) the sorting through personal things, but he has done a ton of work sorting through less personal items, inventorying everything, doing a lot of physical work when I was home making phone calls, writing e-mails (both estate-related and just personal), talking with sisters who live far away, soothing or just breathing through my overwhelm... It's not that I haven't done a lot of the physical work, but he has more than picked up the slack.
DeleteWell your May one with the cats is super cute, so hopefully makes up for the disappointing bunnies...maybe by next April the frustration will have subsided
ReplyDeleteNext April - that sounds like something to shoot for. :)
DeleteHopefully the next stage will bring some form of closure.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about the bunny cross stitch- maybe in time you will find something to do with it, but in the meantime the cat one is adorable!
I think the next stage will bring the opportunity for new things. The freedom to process differently - maybe more fully. Or maybe it will bring welcome distraction for a while. I wouldn't mind just escaping entirely for a while.
DeleteI hope you find closure once everything is finalised with your brothers estate it's never easy but hopefully you will be able to move forward and remember the good times your shared together, What a disappointment with the bunny x stitch, you did right putting it away there's no use wasting your time on something if you don't like it. I love the May X stitch it's really cute.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. Good thoughts here. I originally felt like a failure on the bunny project. But you're right. I just need to think of it as not wasting time on it anymore. At least not for now.
DeleteI haven't done any of the Snow Diaries patterns but I have printed them off. So cute! So sad about the bunny as I was loving it! You have really been through a lot these past few years....sometimes I can't imagine why they call them "the golden years". I pray that when it is all over with that you will be able to find peace and rest your weary soul. Hugs ~ Sam
ReplyDeleteYou can certainly speak with authority of the contradictions of the "golden years". I am mostly well in my spirit. I will get completely there eventually, I'm sure.
DeleteWell, your comments about the bunny cross stitch made me look back. That bunny is ADORABLE. I love the colors. You really should finish it and if it really isn’t to your liking give it away. I will bet some of your readers would love a chance to win such a winsome and perfectly executed bunny! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe bunny is adorable. To be honest, it photographed better than it looked in person. Which is why, I think, I didn't realize that the seller's photograph wasn't up to snuff. The final (darkest) color just wasn't dark enough, so I went back and starting adding some colors on top of what was already stitched - to the point that I ended up ruining it, actually. If I complete the bunny, it will be that I started over with new colors.
DeleteI love the little kitties and the robin. Often those colors on pictures don't represent the true colors of the floss. I had that same disappointment happen this week. I put it aside but will go back and choose mine own colors.
ReplyDeleteWishing you the best as you close up things. None of that stuff is ever fun at all. Good to hear from you.
I didn't think to mention that I also changed the color of the bird. The designer had it has a white bird (I suppose a dove?) I didn't think that would show well on the light mottled blue fabric I'm using, so I turned mine into a blue bird - or a robin, if you like! :) I need to catch up reading your blog. I'm often inspired by how you make a pattern your own.
DeleteSo good to see a post from you, Becki! I'm thankful that things will be wrapping up with your estate responsibilities. I have one more piece of property to sell this year, and then mine will be done.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of cats, but I do like this little stitch and the colors you used. I completely understand about the bunny stitch. I've donated more than one unfinished project to the thrift store! 😉
Thank you, Mrs. T. I don't know everything you've been through, but I was aware you are clearing out a property. More than one? Sounds like you may have had a year similar (or more challenging) than ours? Hub's family did a record-breaking turn around on his mother's house, it seems to me, and then we ended the year facing another loss. We still have some of MIL's things in the living room as I'm finishing sorting through my brother's things. It has, at times, been a bit mind-numbing. On the other note: I rather like the idea of a someone coming upon a little unloved project in a thrift store and saving it. :)
DeleteI like that idea, too!
DeleteWe were clearing out my dad's house -- my childhood home. We did accomplish that in 2020 and it feels so good. That house has already been sold -- bought back by my uncle as it was originally part of the family farm.
My dad also owned a number of properties -- basically woodlots, just land with standing timber on it. Our plan for those was to sell one per year. 2021 is when we're scheduled to sell the last one. It will be the most complicated (my parents co-owned it with my aunt and uncle and all are now deceased, so it will be me and my cousin trying to figure this out -- and she's seriously indecisive). I'll be thankful when it's done, but realize it may not happen till near the end of 2021.
Hi Becki :)) Your cat cross-stitch is lovely! I hope the closing of the house goes well, mine was a nightmare and I was so relieved to have it done. Nice to hear from you! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Rain. Fortunately, we've been able to sell this house "as is" - which is common enough practice here if property belonged to someone who has died. That doesn't mean we didn't do a lot to get ready for this day, and a number of les-than-major items were fixed, but we did not have to worry about finding and fixing major things before listing it for sale. That was a huge relief - and a major reason we were able to move forward as quickly as we did.
DeleteI love the kitties!!! The mottled look is so perfect. I'm sorry you were disappointed by the bunny pattern/kit you were working on. Its tough when you put in so much time into something that doesn't meet our expectations.
ReplyDeleteOh, don't I know it. :^/ Thank you for stopping by, Cinna!
DeleteAw, what a cute kitty cross stitch! Love!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'll get it finished this week! :)
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