Tuesday, November 16, 2010

I love fall when it's not raining

It's a dreary rainy day here in Ohio and I'm feeling a little blue.  Made a mistake that may affect some customers and I always take those mistakes so seriously.  It's just that the mistakes were so stupid and unnecessary!  It isn't brain surgery, but still...

I haven't even felt like stitching for the past couple of days and I was on such a roll and excited about doing some quick Christmas gifts.  Hopefully by tomorrow I will come around and be the happy self I was a few days ago.

Thanks to everyone who offered me bits of the burnt orange thread I was looking for.  I appreciate it so much!  Lee, who was in town for a day, brought what she had and it was just right.  Thanks again Lee!

This is a little Mary Garry sampler I started this past summer.  The fabric is Weeks Cappuccino, thread is GA weathered barn.  
I love the color of this fabric, but not so crazy about the feel of it.  It is very soft and my stitches don't look nice and neat.  I had forgotten to start at a vertical thread and it was kind of bugging me, but I stitched up a bit to the side starting on the vertical and it didn't seem to make any difference.

There are some other Mary Garry charts I'd like to get my hands on but man, the prices on EBAY are ridiculous.  I did pick up a couple at very reasonable price, but they are not my favorites.

As some of you know, I work retail.  No, it wasn't my chosen career or a calling, it just happened.  At this time of year, it is retail hell.  I am constantly amazed by to what lengths people will go to save a buck and how little control some people have over their finances.  And in this sour economy, businesses have decided that they can make do with fewer employees, especially full time employees.  That means everyone gets very overworked and stressed, and when you think you can't do one more thing, they add on even more responsibilities.  I'm not talking about my own responsibilities necessarily, but when higher ups are stressed, it all trickles down to the rest of us.

So much for economic recovery and hiring more employees.  Big business has found they can just "make do."

10 comments:

Deb said...

I find Weeks fabric hard to stitch on and usually stay away from it. Sometimes I can't see the holes at all depending on the count.

You should mention what Mary Garry patterns you are looking for. Maybe someone in the blogging world can help you out. I know that those prices on Ebay are just outrageous!!

valerie said...

Great progress on your Mary Garry project!

I'm glad Lee was able to give you some of the burnt orange color! Yay!

Good luck to you during the holiday season and working in retail. I've been there. Worked in retail throughout highschool and some college and worked all sales and holidays. It's hard work. I just returned from the mall. This girl was freaking out trying on bras and asking her BF to go in the fitting room and then the saleslady is yelling at both of them since men aren't allowed in the fitting room. It's a 3-ring circus at the mall! Can't I try my bra on in peace thank.you.very.much.

Carol said...

Your Mary Garry is looking great, Barb! I've heard so many warnings about the Weeks fabric, I guess I'll just avoid it...Wish I could help you out with Mary Garry patterns, but I don't own a single one.

Hang in there at work--I can't even imagine how crazy it will be. I do almost all of my shopping online anymore...Just can't face the nutty crowds at the mall!

Dani - tkdchick said...

We're very grey and dull up here in ONtario today as well and all I want to do is curl up and sleep when its the last luxury I have!

Your stitching is looking lovely and I hope you feel better soon.

Siobhán said...

I love your Mary Garry! I came to the Mary Garry party late, too. There are a lot of designs I'd love to be able to do.

I hear you on the Weeks fabric. Beautiful to look at, not so fun to stitch. I prefer a meatier linen, preferably a Zweigart base.

Karoline said...

Your Mary Garry piece is looking lovely, great progress.

Joy said...

Love your Mary Garry! Wish I had found your blog before starting a project on 35ct weeks...it isn't the easiet to stitch on. Glad to see someone else needs to start on a "vertical" thread. What MG charts are you looking for?

Happy Stitching!

CalamityJr said...

So sorry you've lost your stitchy bug, as well as your joy. I don't understand people's attitudes when shopping, like suddenly nobody else matters except themselves. Chin up - you've got other people cheering for you!

Deb said...

Barb, I'm so happy to have found your blog. Thank you for visiting and commenting on mine.
Your Mary Garry is just beautiful. 'though I know what you mean about some fabrics being less than agreeable to handle.
I've worked retail, believe me, it can be soooo disappointing! I used to have an online needlework shop and a shop in my home, as well. The most disappointing was to find that nobody is a loyal shopper...even your friends. After a while I began to accept it, realizing that I also wasn't always loyal to just one shopping place either. Nowadays, with the horrors of the sliding economy and job losses, I can just imagine what you experience and hear on a daily basis!

Fun to see and read your blog, Barb. I'll be back to visit again.

Deb/BookishDame

Margaret said...

I can't imagine what it must be like right now in retail. Argh! Love your stitching! Beautiful Mary Garry! Love your finishes too. What's the design that's 6th up from the bottom with the beautiful alphabet and the butterfly toward the top? That's wonderful!