Well, we all knew it was going to happen sooner or later. I fell off the wagon - and not off the wagon onto a gorgeous, soft bed pillow. I fell off the wagon onto a big 'ole pile of bricks. I finally caved and bought a chatelaine kit. I've had the pattern for a couple of years. (I also already have the fabric in my stash, so I "just" bought the kit. I have been wanting to do one for a long time and since we graduated our youngest from homeschool, I decided that this was as good a time as any. I have a gut-feeling that this is WAY above my stitching ability but the instructions look fairly clear. I also have an on-line friend that has promised to hold my hand during the entire stitching process. She's completed many chatelaines, but I don't think she has any idea what she's signed on for....lol. I won't be starting it until November, so here's hoping that my rad stitching skills will improve by leaps and bounds by then. I figure at worst, I just won't stitch it at all; I'll just fondle the beautiful silks and ogle the lovely beads and crystals that come with the kit. In case you're interested, this is the kit I've chosen....
http://europeanxs.com/cgi-bin/chat_detail.pl?CD022-So, with all that said, here's my break-down for this month's budget-busting....
Kit
SFS allowance
Money remaining gifted to me for XS (for birthday,Christmas, Anniversary, etc.
$71.75
-25.00
-32.00
So, my grand "out of pocket, over-budget expense" is -------------------------------- $14.75
So, moving right along, my #3 son, Matthew, is a biker (as in bicycle, not motorcycle). He loves it. It's nothing for him to ride well past 100 miles/week. On Wednesday, I got this text..... "I'm okay, but..."
I know that I could have received a much worse text but still, my heart dropped. He wasn't really completely "okay" but he was very blessed that it wasn't as awful as it could have been. Matt was riding his bike to work and was hit by a "distracted driver". I thank God that he wasn't more seriously injured but ... PLEASE DON'T text and drive!!!!!! I'm climbing off my soapbox, but this is a hot-button issue for me, so no promises that I won't be climbing back up again.
Little tidbit of "bonus" info: when Matt was little. he was always the ring-leader of trouble. (every family has one!)
He was the one that repeatedly said "I wonder what would happen if..." or the family favorite...
"Hey, y'all, watch this!" His nickname was and still is "Haz-Matt". Ladies, he's single and minus the bruises, is pretty easy on the eyes. Someone please marry him so that he can be someone else's "problem child"!) LOL
Here's a picture of my latest progress on the wedding sampler for #5 son and his fiance:
As a reminder, here's the top part:
And here's what it will (hopefully) look like when it's finished:
I appreciate all your responses in regards to rotating projects. I've decided that I'm going to loosen my reins as far as working on more than one project at a time. I am going to work on this wedding gift until it's finished but then, I'm going to have an adventure in choosing a few different pieces to work on. I know that I'll definitely be including some holiday designs in my rotation and some small quick-finish pieces too. I'm going to wade through my rubbermaid "tote of stash" and see what I come out with! :)
My non-stitchy give-a-way will start over the Labor-Day weekend. I'll put up a post that you can comment on and enter.
Hugs and Grace,
*Sharon
