Blog Archives - Lots of Knots

Cross Stitch

6/29/2010

I have decided that I want to learn how to cross stitch. I know that many of you already know how to do this, so maybe you will be able to help me out. I ordered a couple of beginner kits from a company online. It is impossible to find anything around town. I went to four stores, and they don't carry anything anymore.

I should receive them in a couple of days, and I think I will be able to figure it out. I am starting with these little miniature kits that come with all of the supplies. I wish they were a little bigger, but they will be cute things to give to the grandchildren. I don't want to do anything too complicated, bu I like to be able to visit while I am doing my work. That is why I like the no-sew blankets, the easier cross stitch, and knitting scarves with the knit stitch only. I can still visit and discuss a book while working on whatever handwork I am doing.

Just thought I would let you know in case you can help me with it. I should be getting the kits by the end of the week, so I will let you know how I do. I love learning new things!

Fiskars Scissor Information

6/28/2010

Having a little trouble with your Fiskars Spring Action Scissors? One of my pairs had a defective orange button. It would not stay in place, and every time I tried to cut material, it would fall forward and not work properly. I finally ended up taping it into place, but I was a little aggravated that I had paid good money for these scissors and they weren't operating like they should. The other problem I had was with my Rag Quilt Snippers. They had a little nick in them, and would not do the short clipping that needs to be done on a rag quilt. I think that is part of the reason I got so frustrated with those rag quilts. They are a lot of work!!

Anyway, I noticed on the back of the carton that they have a lifetime warranty. I contacted the company, and all they required of me was to send them a photo (through e-mail) of the scissors. They mailed me a brand new pair of Rag Quilt Scissors and a brand new pair of Spring Action Razor-Edged Scissors! Brand New! I told them about our group, and someone called me personally and said they would take care of it. He said that fleece is a killer for scissors and gave me a phone number of someone that can sharpen my older pair for me. The man lives in Georgia, so I haven't called him yet.

I have new scissors to use, and boy can I tell the difference. I bet I have cut close to 40 blankets with my original pair, and they really are getting dull when compared to the new ones. I got so excited that I cut out and tied another blanket last night.

If you want them to replace you scissors, contact them at: www.fiskars.com, click on customer service, and it will take you to the warranty page. It was sooooooo simple and now I have brand new scissors! I will look into sharpening the other ones as a back-up pair, because I'm sure I will wear these out too. I don't think they will replace them just because they are worn out. You can get a new pair if the orange button is slipping, or if you have something else wrong with the scissors.

Skype

6/27/2010

We downloaded Skype to keep in touch with out-of-town family, and it is soooooo cool! We are making video calls just like they said we would be doing in the future (when we were little). It is a lot of fun to be able to see everyone when we are talking to them, and it keeps our faces fresh in their memory. The only down side to it is that you realize how bad you look when you are dressed in your "hanging around the house" clothes and no makeup. If the calls are a surprise, you don't have time to "spruce" up :)

Averie has decided that she wants to come back to visit and this time she wants to stay a month! They are all going to try to come at the end of July before school starts. I don't think she will be able to fit in a month, but maybe another week? I have discovered the children's arts and crafts department at Michaels. I didn't realize that they had so many wonderful things to do. We already bought some stuff, and I am ready to play with it. I don't know if I can wait for Averie to get here! I'm glad we didn't go there when she was here. We would have been in there for hours, and I imagine spent more money than we should.

If you want to know more about Skype, let me know, or you can google Skype and download it for free. The calls are free between Skype users. It is simple, fun, and free! Who could ask for more?

Check out the Book Club Blog

6/24/2010

Selections have been posted for August 2010 to February 2011 for the Book Club. Let me know if these selections are OK. They are posted under the 6/23 post. The first book is posted and reviewed today.

We are not meeting in July due to so many vacations. The meeting in September has been pushed to the 4th week due to my vacation. Hope this is OK with everyone.

Please be thinking about the Star of Hope visit in November. It will be here before you know it. The more the merrier. It is a wonderful feeling to take a tour of the place and see how we are helping. They are truly appreciative of all we do, and it gives a very warm feeling to the heart.

New Video Published

6/22/2010

The new updated June video is now published on the Homemade Products page. It includes more members, from all three groups, and some of the new blankets. I still don't have photos of many of you, but since the summer is here, and we are all scattered around, I don't know if I will be able to get more photos. The new video is the one on the bottom.

Watch for the new book list on the Book Club Blog.

Be thinking about our November delivery to Star of Hope and if you want to come with me. It is very gratifying and I know that the people that work there would love to meet more members of the various groups participating in our blanket making. They are very excited about it! Please come if you can. This visit will be scheduled sometime in late September or early October so that everyone can mark it on their calendars.

Allegria

6/19/2010

We went to see Allegria yesterday. It is an older Cirque du Soleil performance that
they are reviving, and it was wonderful. Lots of good music, laughs, costumes,
and acrobatics. Wonderful. Don't miss it if you get a chance to see it.

Updated Statistics

6/18/2010

I thought I would update our numbers after the two meetings we had this week. We are all doing a wonderful job, and as you can see, are well on the way to meeting our goal of 50 blankets to donate in November.

number of completed blankets (in Claire's closet) - 33
number of blankets being worked on at the present time (by members of various groups) - 13
number of blankets fit and cut (by Claire) and ready to be purchased and tied (by others) -  8
number of blanket kits (at Claire's house) for sale or donation (to be made into blankets) - 10
number of baby hats delivered to hospitals - 36
number of baby hats to be delivered - 10
average number of different people viewing the website daily - 35
average number of different page views daily - 50
number of blankets already delivered to Star of Hope - 30

Thank you so much for all that you do. Together we are making incredible items that the children at Star of Hope and the babies at the hospital will love, need, and remember for a lifetime. Keep up the good work.

No July meeting

6/17/2010

We decided not to meet in July because too many people will be on vacation. We also did not decide on a book for August, so if you have any great suggestions, please let me know. I will write more about the evening and the meeting tomorrow. Thanks to everyone that participated tonight. I will update the count on blankets and hats as soon as I can. You are doing a wonderful job!

We have been crazy busy!

6/15/2010

We have had a wonderful couple of weeks. Zack, Tara, Elizabeth, Averie, and Adyson came in for a visit, and we tried to eat and go as many places as we could. We went to the zoo in almost 100 degree weather, but it was great. Then, we celebrated Averie's 6th birthday. Photos are posted under the link - Landrum/Hebert June Visit - if you want to check them out.

Then her parents left, and Averie stayed with us until the following weekend. We swam, went to Build-A-Bear, painted pottery at Glazed Over, had picnics, went on a nature walk and made art with what we found, made more art, swam some more, walked dogs, read books, watched movies, and so much more. It was a great week!

Averie is back at home now, and I am getting the house picked up for our meeting Thursday evening. I will be making Sangria again, and hopefully I will be finished with the book by then. I didn't have time to start it until this week, and I am having a little trouble getting into it. I have posted some more photos of blankets that the Word of Life donated at our Tuesday meeting, and hopefully will be posting more after our Thursday meeting. I will send out a count of what we have after that meeting. I know many people are out of town. See you soon.

Happy Birthday to my Wonderful Husband!!!!!!!!!!!!

6/3/2010

Hope you have a wonderful day. It will be so much fun celebrating with the family this weekend!