Laundry Schedule - Updated 8/28/25

August 28, 2025--Framed!  I love the quirky colors, and they look great in my laundry room.  Had a little problem though.  As with many "inexpensive" canvases, the warp and weft are not squared, and even though I stitched this using stretcher bars, the warped canvas could not be straightened and is a little skewed inside the matting.  But it'll hang in a room that rarely has visitors, so it's no big deal.  Next time I am purchasing a canvas where the brand is unknown (not a Zweigart canvas for example), I'll immediately check to see if it's square, and if not, will leave it behind.

Laundry Schedule Finished

June 15, 2025--Done!  In the last post (see below) I had concerns about not having enough green thread used in the 16 boxes around the main sign.  Well, I did have enough but with only one length left over.  Whew, that was close, especially since my thread was 14 years old and I feared there would be a very noticeable dye lot change.

I don't plan on stitching another painted canvas anytime soon--unless it's stitch painted.  I have a hard time figuring out where to place stitches, constantly ripping out through trial and error.

Once framed, this will be a fun addition to my laundry room.

Laundry Schedule Completed

Please see the posting(s) below for more information about this canvas.

June 11, 2025--Everything is stitched except for the green background in the little boxes.  I fear that I might run out of the beautiful Gloriana green thread used for the background, so I stitched up one of the 16 boxes to see how much thread it used, and I calculated I will have just enough--barely.  It's going to be tight and there's no room for error.  Just in case I do run out, I posted a notice in the "Help, I Need Thread!" Facebook page asking if anyone might have it.   This thread is 14 years old and I'm sure dye lots have changed over the years.

Here's my progress to date:

Laundry Schedule at 2025-06-11

June 3, 2025--I ran out of the bright fuchsia thread that was purchased in 2014 for the borders, so had to order more.  As I feared, there was a very distinctive dye lot change (at least to me) between 2014 and today, but I decided it wasn't jarring enough to rip out what was done before.  What do you think?  Can you see where the difference is?

I like the dimension of the thick thread for the borders and the twisted, couched down memory thread separating the segments around the main sign.

BTW, the more I look at some of the items in the boxed segments, I believe the 6th one is a pile of folded laundry, not a box of powdered detergent.  Also, the one I labeled as a hanging hamper may be a folded dress shirt.   

Here's what everything looks like so far:

Laundry Schedule at 2025-05-02

Laundry Schedule at 2025-05-02 Side View

May 29, 2925--The main portion of the sign is stitched.  The letters look haphazard, but that's how I saw them painted on the canvas.  I chose to use a diagonal Gobelin Stitch for the background--much easier to compensate than the Byzantine Stitch recommended in my guide.  It also reminds me of shiplap or bead board.

Next up are the items surrounding the main sign, most of which will be done in tent stitch.  From what I can tell, they are (clockwise from upper left):

• Sock
• Coins and coin slot (as in a laundromat)
• laundry basket filled with clothes
• Self-Serve sign
• Bottle of liquid detergent (Tide?)
• Box of powdered detergent Stack of folded laundry
• laundry basket/hamper (empty)
• Ironing board
• Stained T-shirt
• Sprayer bottle
• Clothespin
• Iron
• Hanger
• Bottle of fabric softener
• Hanging hamper (really not sure about this one) Folded dress shirt
• Wash board

Please let me know if you see something different.  Thanks.

Laundry Schedule at 2025-05-29

May 25, 2021--Look what I pulled out of my projects bin/basket.   It's a painted canvas by Shivering Sheep Designs called Laundry Schedule.  I purchased this canvas at a deep discount while at the 2012 ANG Seminar in Philadelphia, PA.  Then put it away, not having a clue what to do with it.  

Then in August of 2014, Fireside Stitchery had a 15% sale on threads along with free stitch guides (when you purchase threads).  I took advantage of that offering and was given a delightful set of instructions for stitches to use.  Of course, it's called a stitch "guide", so I can change/embellish, etc. the stitches as I like.  This should be fun.

Laundry Schedule by Shivering Sheep Design Project Photo

Diamond Painting Coasters - Updated 5/1/24

May 1, 2024--Ta da.... done!  This project couldn't have been easier.  I've even placed the cork backing on each coaster.  Now to figure out how to "seal" them so they aren't stained by red wine, coffee, tea, etc.    See the blog posting below dated April 28th for more details about this project.  

All Eight Coasters Done

All Eight Coasters in their Metal Carrier

April 28, 2024--Recently I was at a friend's home where she showed me a diamond painting kit she was working on.  She found it akin to using adult coloring books except you are coloring with faceted, flat backed diamonds or "drills".  It looked more like "painting by numbers", but I could appreciate the Zen-like feeling you would get when doing this.  Sooooo....purchased one of these kits from Amazon and I must admit, it is very relaxing!!!  For $9.99, the kit included 8 different patterned coasters, 8 cork backs, 1 metal holder, drills in individually numbered/lettered packages, a tray, holding wax and a pen-like device to pick up the drills.  So far, I've done three of the eight coasters and don't want to stop until they're all done.  

Included in the kit:  Metal Holder, 8 Coasters, 8 Cork Backs (Drills are in separate envelopes)

Information on Side of Box

Below is a photo of a coaster before the drills are placed on it.  The surface is very, very sticky or tacky, so the coaster has a thin plastic film on it that you can keep placed on half of the coaster portion you aren't working on while exposing the other half of the coaster's sticky surface for drill placement.   The surface is color coded as to where to place which drills--easy peasy.   The pen like device used to place the drills is first filled with a waxy substance which holds the faceted side of the drill while you place the drill's flat side onto the coaster.  The positioning doesn't have to be exact, just cover up the number or letter.  

Here's an example of one of the coasters beaded so far. 

A coaster fully beaded, photographed top down.

A coaster fully beaded, photographed from the side.

I will probably coat each coaster with something that will make it waterproof, but not sure what yet.

Online Security - Test 2 - 4/29/30

4/29/30--This is a test only.  Please ignore.  Thanks.

March 19, 2024--Wow, have I been busy, but unfortunately not with needlepoint.  Recently my husband and I have become aware of the need to “lock down”, for security purposes, all of our online dealings, such as with email, financial, shopping and entertainment accounts.   This has entailed educating ourselves on the meaning and use of MFAs (Multi-Factor Authentications) that go beyond 2FAs (2 Factor Authentications where, in addition to using a password, a code is sent to your telephone via text to verify your identity).   

You can stop reading here if this subject is of no interest to you (and I wouldn’t blame you for that).

We felt secure with 2FAs, but not so much now that "sim swapping" has become very popular.  We understand that even if your mobile carrier requires a security code before they’ll work with you, or someone claiming to be you, there is no guarantee that a disgruntled employee of the company will not sell your data (and security code) to the highest bidder (and that’s already being done).  So now, as part of the MFA arsenal, are online authenticator “passkeys” which give you a code to verify who you are, but the code changes every 30 seconds or so and is not sent through a text, but through an authenticator app.  This means anyone who obtains access to your phone probably cannot move quickly enough to cause you any financial hurt. 

But I understand the very best thing for online security now is to use hardware passkeys like those made by Yubiko*.  The idea is to set up two passkeys (one to keep with you and one to keep in a safe in case you lose one).   The process is a bit involved, but supposedly worth it since your accounts cannot be hacked at all without your hardware passkey.  This last process in setting up the hardware passkeys is the one that's stressing me out the most.  We're also using biometrics (fingerprint and facial recognition) as often as possible.

Of course, the first line of defense against being hacked is to use a very long and complex 20+ character password that is different for every online account.   So, I purchased a password manager to help me keep track of it all and to generate those convoluted passwords.   This too took time (I love alliterations).

Lastly, we stamped the following phrase on our foreheads—thou shall never open phishing links from any source whatsoever (emails, texts, etc.).  NEVER, NEVER, NEVER!!   

If you’ve gotten to this point, congratulations!  And I feel your pain since you’ve probably gone through this too.  It has taken us some serious time to learn about, and set up, all the security measures--time I really wanted to spend needlepointing.  Oh well, and here’s the big sigh……

PS:  We haven't been hacked, thank God, but are aware of how sophisticated hackers have become in their attempts to bleed you dry, so we are taking preemptive steps to protect ourselves as much as possible.  And I hope my explanations are not too far off base.

*We have no financial affiliation with this company--just like their product.

Eye Surgery - 9/12/22

September 12, 2022--I haven't done any stitching for the past few weeks due to the need for left eye surgery which was done last Wednesday.   So far, the results are very promising, and I hope to have needle in hand again in a few weeks.  

A couple of years ago, I was diagnosed with a macular pucker and my regular eye doctor told me surgery could not be performed without first taking care of my cataracts, which was done in February 2021.  Due to lots of traveling in 2022, I waited until September to get the surgery.  Now all I have to do is give my eye time to heal.  

Tulip Time Rhine River Needlepoint Cruise - Updated 4/18/22

April 18, 2022--I've returned from one of the most eventful trips I've ever taken and after a week of recovering from a horrific cold, days full of catching up at home, hosting a wine club event, doctor visits, financial meetings, etc., etc., etc., I'm finally able to sit and write about the experience.

Firstly, the Rhine River Cruise by Uniworld is definitely first class all the way.  From the beautiful riverboat with well-appointed rooms to the delicious meals with unlimited wine, friendly and efficient service, well designed tours, etc., I lacked for nothing.   I met some wonderful fellow stitchers with whom I shared meals and touring adventures--the best part of the trip for sure (a shout out to Nancy, Charlotte, Melanie, Mike, Deedee, Sue and Ellen).  I didn't take many photos because a few fellow travelers (Bruce Hart in particular) posted lots of gorgeous shots on the Tulip Time Facebook page set up by our host, Sandy Arthur, a fantabulous needlepoint designer and instructor.

Lunch in Amsterdam

Bruce and Ginger Hart (the taker of marvelous photos throughout the trip), Ellen, me and Liz, our travel agent)

Our Amsterdam canal cruise boat.

Photos from the Keukenhof Gardens:

Sue (Sandy's co-host), me, Deedee and Ellen)

Yes, it was friggin' cold!

My room on the riverboat, the S.S. Antoinnette

Three riverboats tied together (my boat is in the middle) at a dock with limited space.

Menu for the last dinner on board.  Delicious offerings.

And speaking of Sandy Arthur--we managed to get in some stitching classes given by her with a few surprises and goodies.   At our first class while still in Amsterdam, we received the stitch guide to the Tulip Time canvas designed specifically for this trip (windmill project photo is below).  As usual, the stitches are imaginative and perfect for the project.   Then at other stitching events during the week, Sandy surprised us with a tulip themed eyeglass case kit with canvas, threads and stitch guide; instructions to put together a peyote beaded needle case (my favorite which I will write about in a future blog); and lots of adorable charms handed out each day to place on a chain.  Each charm relates to various tours and places visited along the Rhine.  I won a few prizes too--a beautiful painted canvas from Duo Designs and two beautiful, zippered needlepoint tool bags from an anonymous donor.  

Eyeglass Case Project Photo

Peyote Beaded Needle Case Project Photo

Charms:  2022, Tulip, Stein, Bicycle, Bar(?), Castle, Laraly Rock, Diary of Ann Frank, Germany, Riverboat, Wooden Shoe, Windmill, Cuckoo Clock, Fleur de Lis, Airplane

Below is a brief itinerary we followed:

Amsterdam for 2 nights to visit the Rijksmuseum, go on a canal cruise, and walk the Keukenhof Gardens.

Then 7 days aboard the S.S. Antoinette riverboat to cruise the Rhine River from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland.  Even though we traveled south along the river, the river flows north from the Alps to the Netherlands, causing us to travel "up river".  We had the pleasure of visiting the city of Cologne, walking tours of the towns of Koblenz and Boppard, wine tasting at Castle Vollards in Rudesheim, a Mannheim vineyard tour and tasting, viewing many ancient castles situated along the river,  Strasbourg panoramic tour, and finally a visit to two Alsatian villages.  There were additional tours and trips available for the more adventuresome among us, but not for me.

OK, there was a downside--the flight home.  I got up at 3 am on Sunday, April 10th to get my suitcase outside of my room by 3:30 am, then prepared for the transfer to the Basel airport for a 7:15 am flight to London.  After a six hour layover, I boarded my 2:00 pm flight home to the Philadelphia International Airport, arriving at 5 pm (11 pm Amsterdam time).   By the time I got home and into bed, I had been up for over 24 hours (and didn't get much sleep the night before).  The walking that was required in both airports definitely put my back out of whack and I believe that's where I caught the nasty cold that laid me up for a week when I got home (two COVID tests were negative)😰.  To top it off, I lost my iPhone when my husband picked me up at the airport.  I thought I had securely placed the phone in my purse, but somehow it fell out and was picked up by someone who took it to San Francisco with them (I could see this using my "Find My Devices" app).  A new one was ordered but doing without a phone for a few days is an eye opener as to how dependent we are on the darned things.

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March 18, 2022--I am so excited to be going on the March 31 to April 10, 2022, Uniworld Tulip Time Rhine River Needlepoint Cruise hosted by the famed designer and instructor Sandy Arthur.  I've been eyeing her trips for a number of years now and am finally able to do one.   The cruise starts in Amsterdam, Netherlands and goes down to Basel, Switzerland along the Rhine River.  Two days in Amsterdam and seven days on the river boat.  Wonderful!

Now, I've been to Europe before (granted, my past four trips were over 20 years ago) but I have never had the amount of paperwork to do as I've had for this trip.  There are volumes of contracts to read and tons of economic issues to contend with that I should get collegiate credit for dealing with it all.

I comprised the below list of everything that needs to be taken care of.  The last few items are tongue-in-cheek and I'm sure I'll have more before I get on the plane.  How does your list compare?

Tulip Time Rhine River Cruise Preparations

• Read all available literature about the tour, ship, etc.
• Reserve room on the ship (fill out reservation form paperwork) and make airline reservations with travel agency
• Purchase travel insurance (17-page document)
• Pay for all of the above (ka-ching)
• Renew passport because it expired within six months of trip’s end (expired 9/22 and needs to expire no earlier than 10/22)
• Insert TSA KTN on tickets via airline website (unable to get global pre-check number—interviews not available locally and those at distant international airports were too busy—waste of $100 application fee)
• Read health requirements of Netherlands
• Fill out Netherlands Health Declaration for Travelers Intake Form
• Fill out Netherlands Vaccine Information Form
• Fill out Medical Information Form to give to travel agency
• Read Uniworld’s Cruise Companion
• Register on Uniworld's website and fill out personal information forms
• Review itinerary, docking information, etc.
• Read travel tips sent by travel agency
• Sign travel agency Terms and Conditions form
• Note:  Am concerned the name the travel agency is using for my airline reservation won’t match my passport (have been told if they don’t match, I won’t be able to get on the plane).
• Note:  Have questions about Uniworld cruise ticket/contract having items not covered by travel insurance—questions to travel agency
• Read IMO Athens Convention as it pertains to loss of luggage, life, limbs, etc. and amounts to be paid based on SDR as referenced in Uniworld’s Ticket/Contract document
• Order Passport holder with window pocket for vaccine card
• Put together packing list—what will go in checked luggage and what will be taken aboard the plane.  Place liquid items in separate, clear, one gallon zip lock bag
• Put together list of needlepoint stuff to bring
• Place cruise stitching project canvas (photo below) on stretcher bars
• Purchase TSA luggage locks
• Arrange for COVID PCR test to be administered 1 day before leaving
• Purchase travel purse with slash proof sides and straps.
• Find local bank that sells Euros, open account with said bank in order to purchase those Euros
• Call cell phone carrier to arrange for international calling and data plan
• Call credit card companies to put them on notice that cards will be used overseas
• Copy important documents (passport, KTN, driver’s license, COVID vaccination card, credit cards, etc., etc., and have available on iPhone.  Download for offline use on iPad.
• Setup WhatsApp on cell phone for communication with travel agency – review how to use it and test with husband
• Set up American Airlines Verifly App to confirm COVID vaccinations
• Download PressReader App for free access to international newspapers and magazines
• Show husband how to use clothes washer and dryer, dish washer, etc.
• Leave information for husband to deal with housekeeper
• Confirm that husband knows what to do when picking up my exhibits from Woodlawn at the beginning of April
• Worry about the effect COVID and Ukraine will have on the trip
• Learn to speak Dutch and German--ha, ha
• Build up leg muscles with an exercise program so the walking tours will be effortless--yep, well, it's going to take a lot of effort to do those tours.

OK, I'm all set to go now--I think.

Map of Rhine River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel

Tulip Time on the Rhine Project Photo

May 26, 2021--I'm happy to report that I've signed up for the Tulip Time Along the Rhine Needlepoint River Cruise hosted by the wonderful Sandy Arthur of Duo Designs.  I've never done a river cruise and since I'm traveling alone (hubby hates cruising), doing one with a needlepoint bent is absolutely perfect!!  This cruise takes place in early April, 2022.  

Here's a photo of the project Sandy developed specifically for this trip.  Love it!

Additional information and lots more can be found on Sandy's blog at:

Sandy's Stitching (sandyarthur.blogspot.com)  

I'm so excited that I've already "packed" using my Stylebook app.  If you want more info about this app, let me know.  It's a really fun way to keep track of clothes you own and wear.  Here's my first stab at mix and match outfits for the trip.  The app migrates the pieces of clothing into a "packing list" for you--easy peasy.  Note:  I'm certainly not a style or clothing obsessed person, but after losing a lot of weight and buying new clothes--the app gives me a  lot of fun putting together "looks" and will show me what I wear a lot and what I'm not touching.  

My Stylebook of What to Wear Each Day on the Cruise

Stylebook Packing List

I'm not the best photographer of clothes, but the pictures are good enough for my purposes.  Can you imagine the possibilities of working with an app like this.  PS  I have no affiliation with Stylebook, just having fun with it.

A Little Fun This Morning

January 16, 2022--These are three of my favorite needlepoint eCards.  If you have more, please let me know.  Thanks!

Have a nice Sunday, and to those in the East, stay safe and warm.  We will be just a few miles from the edge of the upcoming blizzard with expected temperatures in the mid 50s.  We are dodging a bullet on this one.  Whew.

Nothing To Blog About--YET! - 10/1/21

October 1, 2021--I'm doing lots of stitching, but there's nothing I can blog about except to say I enrolled in ANG's Master Needlepointer Program and am busy working on the first stage of four.  Hopefully I can blog about the piece I'm working on once it has been critiqued.  Stay tuned.   

Also, I volunteered to work on a couple of pilot projects so won't be able to write about those until the instructor gives the OK.  Maybe I can sneak in a few quick ornaments to write about.

In the meantime, happy October!  This is my favorite time of year--temperatures drop and holidays will soon be upon us.

Knitting--Exercise for Needlepoint Fingers - 3/12/17

March 12, 2017--Have been traveling for the last 2 weeks and find it difficult to needlepoint in the car--too many little tools and bits to get lost under the seat, etc.  So thought I would knit some dish clothes--they are fast and easy.  However, I wanted a challenge and what better way to do that than to learn a new technique--continental or left handed knitting.   The beginning was a bit tedious--kept dropping stitches, couldn't figure out yarn tension around my left hand, had to continuously look at You Tube videos to check my technique, etc.   But the results are below and am very confident that everything I knit going forward will be done using this style.  Of course, my needlepoint will be resumed shortly, but doing something different with my fingers is great exercise.

Dish Clothes Knitted Using Continental Technique