New Tools...

 

I ordered a few new tools and they arrived yesterday. These are for working with stretcher bar frames. The first set is the Lacis Corjac™ Tack Kit. It includes sixty steel tacks, a magnetic pusher, and an extractor. These tools are used for attaching (or removing) your needlework fabric (linen, cotton, calico, or needlepoint canvas) to your frame.

The second package is a set of FrameLok™ brackets to stabilize and lock your stretcher bars in place. I don't know about you, but the set I have always wants to slip one way or the other and then the bars aren't square. These are perfect for fixing that. They secure to the wooden frame using the same tacks that are in the tack kit.

I ordered both items from Needle In A Haystack (California) HERE and they arrived faster than I'll actually use them. giggle I did see (after the fact), that you can also order the tack kit online from Walmart.

I think both sets will be really useful, considering that attaching and removing tacks into wooden frames is something I'd rather not do solely by hand anymore. These little tools will make my life so much easier. Something you might want to purchase if your hands give you occasional grief, too.

 

Note: I'm in no way compensated for sharing these products with you. (It would be nice if I were, though.)

Mailed...

All my February "Love" artist trading cards went into the mail and are on their way to new homes. I made two changes to the one I shared yesterday. I kept the darker thread on three I'd completed before deciding to go with a lighter thread. I also moved the heart-shaped button to the top corner, rather than the bottom to balance out the design.

Now, I'll be able to concentrate on other things. Like moving some things out of my fabric studio. It was pretty exciting a couple nights ago. I was sitting in the recliner in the living room and would occasionally hear Crystal bouncing around upstairs. The first time I went to see what the ruckus was about, I turned on the hall light to find her reclining at the top of the stairs, looking innocent.

The second time, I didn't turn on the light until I'd quietly climbed the staircase. I found her in Handsome's room and she was staring, first under the bed and then at the bench at the end of the bed. I'd been doing laundry through the day and had a basket on the bench. I moved it to see a mouse scampering down the length of the bench. I calmly moved the basket into my studio and called Claudette.

Understand that I love all living creatures, however I do not like them pooping in my home. I knew there was a mouse because I'd occasionally find "signs" on my machine table. If I can catch said critter myself, I happily relocate them to the Compass Barn. However, Crystal was on the hunt, and I called Claudette to help. At first, she thought I was just bothering her, but when I moved our cedar chest Crystal was scoping out, the mouse ran right across Claudette's feet and into my studio. Game on! Both girls spent the night guarding those two doorways. Nothing was going to get past them again.

So far, the critter has eluded them, but I'd picked up all my baskets and containers and put them on my cutting table, so now is the perfect time to go through the containers and make some purging decisions. After I take care of the big girls this morning, I'll be returning to that room and I'll definitely be filling some bags to take to St. Vinny's. I'll let you know if the girls have any success, or if the mouse is fortunate enough for me to capture it first. Right now, I've got other things to do, so I'll leave that task to the little girls.

Almost Ready To Mail Out...

I came home from work yesterday, fed the girls, ate my dinner and then started stitching. This is what my February 2025 artist trading card looks like for the Love theme. I haven't finished all of them, but will do that today, in between other tasks. They'll all mail out tomorrow.

In retrospect (especially after photographing), I would have made my cherub image more saturated and perhaps a tad larger, but I've already put together twelve, and am not going to start over. I do love the image, and chose "hugs and kisses" rather than "Love" for the bottom.

Once these are completed and ready to mail, I can turn my attention to other things. I'm not sure what's next, but rest assured, you'll be the first to know once I make my choice.

Happy Hump Day!