Victorian Elegance from “The Ultimate Tissue Topper Collection” by Sara Denny, April 2023.
There is a Lady in my life that is just like a sister to me and her birthday is today. She loves handmade gifts so I asked her what colors she loves and I was able to adapt a very intricate pattern from my book with those colors. It’s actually very close to what the colors are in the book but with a fancy flair for her.
Fun Fact: She was with me when I found this book of Tissue Toppers and encouraged me to buy it, of course I had to make her one!
From awhile ago: My Mom and I at the traveling exhibition of Disney’s Heroes and Villains Costumes
Several months ago I came across a book called “The Ultimate Tissue Topper Collection” at a used bookstore near my house. I was very excited to purchase this book because it seemed like a very good crossover to my burgeoning cross stitch skills. Something I could do in the evenings since cross stitch can be a little intense on the eyeballs at night. I also have 3 million pounds of yarn in my art supplies stash, so something to do with that. Couple this book with the large plastic canvas stash I found at a store, it was kismet. I’m to make these tissue toppers.
So making them I have been.
Design: “New Mexico” from “The Ultimate Tissue Topper Collection” by Sara Denny, January 2023
I will say I’m not a huge fan of many of the color choices from this book, so I’ve been making up my own color schemes to use for these designs. This Tisse Box is for my own mother and she loves a SouthWestern Design.
Peanuts Tissue Box Topper from Vintage Leisure Arts Pattern from Etsy Seller: StarShopPatterns. By Sara Denny, March 2023.
This is another Mother’s Day gift for a special lady in my life who loves the Peanuts Characters, I happened to find this pattern while perusing Etsy. There are 4 more patterns I didn’t use of other characters (namely Snoopy) so I may revisit this pattern in the future.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there! But especially mine!
Just a couple of Fuecocos.
Literally that’s it. That is the Post.
Pattern from the Book “Cross Stitch for the Earth” February 2023.
One of my good friends is having a baby and she is doing a Woodland Themed nursery. I knew I needed to make her a decoration for the nursery that would fit and I had just received a book called “Cross Stitch for the Earth” that would have a perfect pattern for it!
This was done on an 18ct Linen that is more of an off white cream color. I also have been learning how to frame my finished cross stitches, so I mounted it on foam core with stainless steel flat head pins, found the frame at my local small business frame store (shop small, shop local!) and then finished it off with craft paper, wire and hooks for hanging, and foam padded corners to make it lay straight.
I’m so excited for my friend’s upcoming bundle of excitement. She is gonna be the best mom.
Not me, but the feeling is there.
So my bedroom was a mess.
I was never happy with it. I had gotten a new bed and frame several years ago that I love, but my Comforter never really went with it, my bedroom furniture while perfectly utilitarian left a lot to be desired looks wise. I had a bathmat on the floor because my doberman needed it to be able to jump up on the bed without skidding out. I also had a clothing ladder that was always a mess.
I reached a breaking point. I needed a change. I never even really was cleaning it because I was just so unhappy with it I didn’t know what to do.
I’ve done this twice so far in my house. When I redid part of my basement (not a finished basement but nice enough to use now!) and then my office. I adore my office. I moved into a smaller room in my house for my office and made it the most cozy of spaces for me. Bright white and pastel pink walls. White Cork boards to hold interim projects and supplies. Multiple types of wood tones to bring in different levels of light and dark textures. My gallery wall of art. A cozy loveseat for me, but mostly for Braeburn.
Case in Point.
I knew I wanted a change for my bedroom. I needed a change for my bedroom.
The first thing I wanted to tackle was the furniture. Namely the nightstands. When I purchased my new bed it was quite a bit lower than my nightstands so I removed the legs and they were just sitting flat on the floor forever. I started shopping for new nightstands. Then I saw how much a nice nightstand is. $$$$$
How about a refurbishment instead. I’m pragmatic like that.
Before. Flat on the ground, dark wood, dark knobs. Boring.
I found some two inch mid century modern style wood legs, just enough to get the dressers off the floor, I watched several videos of how to use contact paper on rounded corners and then purchased a fancy marble vinyl contact paper (not the usual white and gray marble style, but a marble that had purples and gold flecks in it) and then bought some gold sphere knobs so they would pop out on the front and add some contrast but also bring in the gold from the marble top.
The Gold Knobs are already making this look better.
Contact Paper added. I ordered a roll wide enough where I didn’t have to worry about seams on top of the table.
Legs! We have lift off.
This was only the beginning. I had a whole other dresser. I wanted new paint, I picked a wall paper (I’ve never done it before!) I wanted a rug instead of a bathmat, I wanted something else for my messy clothing ladder. I even wanted something other than the sliding doors for my closets (which I could only access half a closet at one time). I wanted actual bedding so I could be fancy and make my bed look nice. I embarked on a journey.
Spoiler Alert: I LOVE LOVE LOVE my bedroom now. I can’t wait to share more!
Finisher’s Medal for the Full Marathon.
The Lost Dutchman Marathon 2012
So on February 19th, 2012 I ran a marathon. I’ve blogged about previous races that I’ve done but this, THIS was the one that this was all for. I trained for 23 weeks to run a marathon. I ran a 12k, a half marathon, and a 5k, in preparation for the race. I ran for hours every Sunday building up mileage, every Tuesday I upped my time training in speed and hills (mostly hills), on Thursdays I built up slowly with regular running. For 23 weeks I ran 4 days a week. I only missed ONE run due to illness and if I couldn’t do it on the day I rescheduled my week and made sure I got it all in. I did stretching, yoga, ice baths, ice packs, reading and more reading, juices and gels. Then I went and did the cutting back at the end, the wind down, so I could heal and have all my energy for the race. I was full of panic, thinking this was going to hurt me in the marathon, I was going to lose my running ability, but I did not…
And I ran a marathon. In the mountains. There was elevation changes, terrain changes, weather changes, and it was crazy. It took me a while to write this blog because it was such an immense event in my life I needed it all to settle and I needed to remember the event as best as I could. So let’s start the night before the race…
I had everything ready. My number was pre-pinned to my shirt (Batman, naturally), my running socks and shoes together, all of the pins for my hair, my water pack filled and snacks put in, I even premade a smoothie to drink in the morning, since I knew actual food was not an option. I wanted to go to sleep and be able to wake up seamlessly with the only thing I need to do was get dressed and wake Evan to drive me.
That’s exactly what happened. I got up before dawn, got dressed and ready, and got Evan up and we were on our way. He dropped my freezing self off (dude, it was cold) and I climbed into the bus that would take us up the mountain to the start. I’m really glad we left when we did because when I was on the bus I heard the radio go off and that there were not enough buses for people to start the race on time. Getting early really helped me stay calm and ahead of the game. We got up to the starting area and it was like a marathoner refugee camp. There were pads of carpet on the ground with tiny little fires between them and we were all huddled on them freezing. They had some breakfast options for people to eat but my nerves and cold were too great and I drank my smoothie in silence.
The Campsites.
It started getting light out and we were nestled in the mountains of the Superstitions. We were
instructed to go to our corrals and wait for the start. There was about 600 people at the start and with a small cheer the gun went off and off we went.
The Start.
Actually me! I did pretty good smiling for all the photos.
I was not concerned with my time too much. I needed to keep about a 14 min a mile pace and once I made it to the halfway point I knew I’d be able to relax more. I had ran my half marathon without stopping and I was determined to do the same for my marathon. We started off and it was amazingly beautiful and I got to see some Big Horned Cows, they were watching us run very confused. They were giant Cows, not just the horns, the cows were the biggest cows I have ever seen. I was slightly afraid they would get pissed and start running after us all, but they were content to chewing their cud and watching us crazy people.
It was a gorgeous run.
I did really well for a really long time. I wasn’t really passing people like I did for PF Changs half marathon, but I kept up a good clip. I reached a mile 11 and I had to start taking walking breaks. Oh my goodness, the hills. It was just this steady uphill motion that would last for multiple miles with a slight decline and then more incline. It was too much and tried so hard not to stop until the halfway point but my legs said, “If you are going to finish this thing you best start walking” So I listened and walked for a bit. I alternated about every three-quarters of a mile, I would run the .75 then walk a quarter. There was just so many hills.
I know it looks like power walking, but I promise I was running.
At about mile 15 it started to get cold and drizzle, it never fully began raining which I was thankful for but I started texting Evan on my walking breaks. I texted blue the entire time, you’d have thought I was a sailor. I kept going though. I even started passing some people who started off too strong and were falling behind, and some people who I passed at the beginning passed me near the end. I didn’t even care, my goal was to finish. I had too many people waiting at the finish line to give up.
No seriously, I had Evan, my parents, my 3 teacher friends, and 2 geek girls who were there. Plus all of my friends in MI knew I was doing this and the rest of my friends who couldn’t come. I couldn’t let everyone down, including myself. 23 Weeks is a long time to train, I’ve never kept up something like this for that long. I was going to do it.
My friend Rochel started texting me every once in awhile with praises and cheers, she was super excited I was doing this. I was texting Evan about every 15 minutes (what it was taking me to finish every mile, thank goodness I had done all my math correctly on pacing.).
At about mile 20 I started getting misty, I was 6.2 miles from my goal and I was about to achieve it. I was going to finish, I wasn’t going to quit and no one was going to sweep me up from being too slow. The enormity of the situation was almost too much. I couldn’t cry yet, it’d mess up my breathing. I persevered.
Breaking through “The Wall”
Then at about mile 25 I saw someone running the wrong direction. Rochel. She had broke onto the course to run the last mile with me and cheer me on. I cracked up I couldn’t believe it. She was bounding along, took pictures with her cell to post on Facebook, and to keep me going. It really was what I needed.
My friend Rochel! Her and another girl Rebekah really helped me get into running in the first place!
Rochel has done multiple marathons. She’s a beast.
We ran the last long stretch of road together and then we turning the corner to the path to the finish. I could see it but my legs were set on one running pace: slow. I didn’t care I was going to finish with my head held up high, posture perfect, and a smile on my face. So we ran and then Rochel broke off for me to cross the finish in my own glory. On the left side of the finish lane were my friends, and on the right were my parents and Evan, and they were all yelling and cheering at the top of their lungs, I thought I would cry right there but I smiled big and crossed the finish. I got my medal and waited for everyone to come and meet up.
The Finish Line!
Hugs for all! I was giddy from being done, my parents; although supportive were absolutely amazed. My dad said, “I never thought I’d be doing this.” “Doing what?” I asked. “Cheering you at a race.” (I’ve never been one for athletics; this is a new hobby/passion for me.) But they were really proud of me. I got a huge hug from my hubby who had rollerbladed with me the entire time I was running ( a big shout out of thanks to my rollerblading, hottie husband/bodyguard!) We then walked around the grounds of the marathon, where I got some food, a picture with the “Lost Dutchman” and got my medal engraved with my finishing time.
My Dad!
My Mom!
It really made my finish really special to have all the people there and it was an amazing experience.
I was sore for a week and ended up sick as a dog during my recovery. Which apparently is pretty common. I’ve wandered from my running path but am starting again strong and full of vigor and I have a new running partner. My husband. He caught the running bug and has given up the roller blades and begun his own training. We are going to do a half marathon on my birthday. I’ve also begun incorporating swimming to my regimen as my big goal for 2013 is to do triathlons. I will probably do another marathon (one that is less hilly) at least one, if not more. I will NOT do the Lost Dutchman again. It was beautiful and gorgeous and a great life experience but it was so painful by the end. I won’t do it. But I am glad I did.
My cheerleaders!
So here is the race low down:
Distance: MAR: 26.2 miles
Clock Time: 5:13:20
Chip Time: 5:12:37
Overall Place: 457 / 531
Gender Place: 172 / 209
Division Place: 20 / 20
Pace: 11:56
Halfway: 2:21:49
In my original post I forgot to mention this older couple that were along the sidelines for the whole marathon. They were probably my favorite part looking back and I cannot believe I didn’t mention them! This old couple were near the beginning cheering everyone on, then they must have drove to another spot and cheered everyone one, and then they drove to another spot and cheered everyone on. All in all I think I saw them 7 times along the course, when you run a marathon you are usually alone for most of it and there are not many spectators for those 26 miles until you get toward the end. Their cheers really helped me power through some of the more painful times during the marathon and I as I saw them for the last time they were so happy for me. I thanked them for the cheers along the way and I went and finished strong (slow and strong and according to my dad thankfully upright unlike a lot of other marathoners who were crawling and hobbling to the finish).
A couple notes from Sara from the future: I’ve basically been running ever since. I took an extended break at one point due to an injury but I’ll never stop running if i can help it. My ex never ran a half marathon, he could not keep up the cardio. I’ve never done a triathlon, I get water in my ears to easily which gives me vertigo which sidetracks my whole life. I’ll stick to land and running. I also have absolutely no inclination to run a full marathon ever again. I practice a lot more moderation in my exercise nowadays and I’ll push it to a half (which I have a lot of times) but I won’t put my body through a full marathon again.
Sailor Moon and Her Star Locket
Many Many Many years ago, I looked at this image and drew a picture. It wasn’t very good:
This was my version. Not the full body because I couldn’t fit it, I obviously thought the bow was very important even though in the OG pic it was under her arms partially. It’s also drawn on old Dot Matrix Printer Paper because I had an entire box of that my mom had given me she had got from work when they switched from those types of Printers.
My Dad liked this image enough where he threw it in a little plastic protector and literally stapled it onto the wall of the garage and it has been there ever since. I probably created that picture when I was 10? 11? For Christmas I decided I would revisit this image to gift him (I am currently 37 years old).
The Finished Product
I could have done this digitally but I wanted to keep in with the spirit of the original drawing, so this is primarily watercolor with some acrylic paint and gel pens thrown in. I’m very happy with how it turned out and it was a lot of fun to see how I have changed as an artist with this image. It’s amazing what happens when you learn human anatomy.
I told my Dad he could hang this one up in the garage too, haha.
Handframed by me. I cut the mat and added all the backings to hang it and what not. I’m loving learning this new skill.
I am doing so many creative things but I’m in the middle of all of them and a lot of them are presents so I can’ even do a proper update on what I am working on! Just know that it is getting done.
I’m even in the middle of two books. I think I’m going to give up on one even though I find it interesting, “House of Leaves” is a book I got into but the author has things written backwards and upside down and in a circle and you know, It’s just a literal pain to read and I’m gonna give up the ghost on it. I like a hard and interesting book to read but this is kind of ridiculous. I just don’t have the patience.
I have some new graphic novels on my kindle to also read, so once I finish my other book I’ll start up on those!
I really like having a backlog of things to get through, it really makes decision making a bit easier.
Pop’s House, Nov. 2022
This is my first fully self-drafted piece. This house has great importance to many people who are special to me, so I made this in honor of that. I’ve blocked off the name of the city and the state for privacy reasons.
I purchased cross stitch software (I’m not saying which one yet, I‘m not sure if I like it yet) and used a photo reference and then picked all the colors. I chose a lot of different greens because the area is so lush. In the OG pattern there are a lot of thins I had to fix as I went but I have a much better idea how to do these things for the next time now.
I learned a few new embroidery techniques in order to make this really pop. French knots for bushes, satin stitches for grass and hedges, and bullion knots for vines. I think I’m going to need a cross stitch stand to help hold my hoops if I want to continue to learn different embroidery for my projects. It’s hard to balance it and pull tight enough for these techniques.
I really am proud of this, it worked out so well. I’ll probably do my own house and my parent’s house too.
Las Vegas, Dec. 2022
Pattern is from XStitchByTA on etsy.
Another Christmas gift! This will be the 2nd Vegas pattern done for my mom. I chose this one because this Had Cesar’s Palace on it and that’s where she loves to go the most when she does get to go to Vegas. So I’m happy to find a pattern that included it.
I’m very happy about having enough of this Aida to do the previous project and this one, I love the look of it for this style of Cross Stitch.
Hand Matted and Hand Framed by me, again not perfect but I’m going to get better and better as I go on. I think I need a new blade for my mat cutter, so we’ll see how it goes.
London, Dec. 2022
Pattern is from XstitchByTA from Etsy.
I love these City Patterns! I had this Burlap-esque Aida fabric that I thought would go really nice with these simple outline designs and there was a learning curve with the fabric but I was right, I love the look of it.
Hand cut mat and hand framed. I made a little mistake with the mat but it is what it is. It happens. It’s not that noticable in real life.
Made as a Gift for Christmas!
Jurassic Park, Nov. 2022
Pattern is from PatchyAtBestCo from Etsy.
This I had to really make my mark on. Mr. DNA was removed from the pattern (They were probably hit with some sort of copyright, so no hate to the pattern maker) so I redesigned Mr. DNA to be in the cross stitch again.
The pattern was also only in black and white, so all the colors were chosen and added by me. This was inspired by someone else who had also made this pattern and the added color to theirs but I chose a lot more colors and different ones.
On the egg block, I left one cracked open to show that the dinosaurs had “Um, found a way” and I also moved some of the blocks around to make the design more balanced with the colors that I chose.
Lucked out with the frame, perfect size and the perfect wood grain I feel like. I love it so much.
Sailor Pluto Galaxy Gameboy on Yellow Aida
I thought I would start writing on the blog when I update the artwork in the various galleries! I can talk a little more about each piece and it’ll be nice to look back and read some of the thoughts I had!
Cross Stitch Pattern is from NeedleMinderLair on etsy. Done on some yellow Aida that I had leftover from another cross stitch project.
I love the colors of this cross stitch but I have one critique, which is Pluto’s Garnet Rod, I added some gray back stitching to add some extra pop to it, but I feel in the original pattern that the rod blends in too much to the design. Other than that, A+.
The Wood frame was premade. I found a local frame store that you can buy these really nice premade frames from the leftovers of other framing jobs on the cheap. I’ve purchased several items to let me frame my own items, so I have framers points and the gun used to shoot them in the frame. The cross stitch is pinned to some foam core, and I have craft paper on the back and screwed in my own hangers and wire.
I’m very excited to be learning new skills to really create my own pieces of art.
Zoo Lights, 2022
As I straighten up my office I am confronted with SO MANY PROJECTS.
There is a pile of clothing that needs alterations, a box of yarn put aside for a branch weaving, a half painted wood pumpkin for a handmade fall decoration, a half finished weaving on a loom, and a drawer of tiny things I want to try….
Not to mention the plastic aida canvas for the 3D projects I want to try out.
So, I need to make a plan to actually finish these projects and get them out of my closet and my life, haha. The sewing is probably the biggest pain. I have several days off for the holiday so I think that is when I’ll tackle those items.
The loom is large and unwieldly. I would put that up in the attic once I finish the weaving on it, so that and then the branch weaving.
I believe that’s a good start, and that would free up a bunch of space in my closet. Fingers crossed I actually stick to my own plan!
Wind at the Windmill Island in June 2022
When I was in high school and college Michigan winters broke my spirit. Then I moved to Arizona for 11 years. It was beautiful….but it was HOT.
Part of being back in the midwest is just me trying to appreciate the absolutely stunning days we do have.
It is really pretty here sometimes.
This has nothing to do with anything, I just like how it looks. I took this back in July.
I am done with four cross stitch projects all together and am furiously working on a fifth because apparently I like to wait until the last minute to make Christmas present decisions. I have to finish the fifth in order to complete the present that is the fourth because I’m doing them on the same fabric and it holds better in the Q-snap with extra fabric. Those fourth and fifth projects will have to be matted and framed first before I can even touch the personal ones because I might not make it to Christmas in time. Aggghh.
I did buy some beautiful frames for two of the earlier projects, no matting neccessary but I will need to mount them on the foamcore. I could do that at the same time I’m doing the mounting and matting on the other two. The last one is getting framed in an embroidery hoop and that is all different materials so that will be last one done.
I really have found joy in cross stitching. I love not looking at a screen all the time and having an object to hold and to touch when I’m finished. Even though I give most of my work to my loved ones. It’s a two for one hobby, I spend hours doing something I enjoy and then I don’t have to go shopping for presents. It’s perfect.
I went for a little bike adventure over the summer and found this building. I’m not sure what it is but I find the gradient it has absolutely beautiful.
Patio Snow
My 2020 Thanksgiving Decor…it’s only gotten worse. Damn you, Target Birds.
The only thing I need to make for my Thanksgiving this year is the mashed potatoes, cause I ordered EVERYTHING already made and the only option for mashed potatoes had milk in it, which I can’t have. I’m gonna pre-make those potatoes and then I’m gonna do absolutely nothing for Thanksgiving. It will be glorious.
I hope everyone’s Thanksgiving is boring and uneventful and full of delicious food that you didn’t have to slave over for hours on end. It’s a holiday. Go relax.
We had a truly beautiful fall this year. This is from late October from a walk before all my neighbors started raking.