Framing finishes and a little griping

Ok, just need to get something off my chest first.  Bear with me.  A friend of mine had been trying to reach me for a couple of days but didn't leave a message on my phone.  When I did get back to her, she only had a question about a restaurant here in town.  "Do you know if they are open and what their hours are?"  I had no idea since we haven't been there for ages so I suggested she call them or look on the web.  So logically I asked her why she needed to know and she said that she and her "girlfriends" go out to lunch once in awhile and were thinking of trying that place.  ?????  What's that all about?  Plan a lunch with your friends and then ask your other "friend" about the restaurant they want to go to???  Nothing like feeling like THE HELP.  You know, I almost called her back (I was so mad) to express my feelings but I just don't feel like it's worth it.  This is not the first time this has happened and it probably won't be the last.  I don't think she'll get it anyway.  Enough said.  Not that it makes me feel any better...

Here's what is making me feel better these days.

Bitter Flower, Birds of a Feather

Look at this!  Finally had some framing done!  This was the big test, to try out Michael's.  Overall I am happy.  I like the frame and the work seems to be good.  With 60% off, the price on this came to about $72.00.  When I picked up my pieces, I realized they had left out the spacers (due to a miscommunication when I placed the order) but the clerk took them apart and put them in while I did my other errands.

Frame detail

I am not quite as happy with my other piece but I take most of the blame for this.  I really didn't know what kind of frame I wanted and ended up with this.  I don't think it was the best choice.  Maybe someday I will reframe it and use this frame for something else.  I think there needs to be more linen showing around the edges and it's also a little crooked.  This one cost about $67. 

Spring Has Come, Prairie Schooler

Michael's doesn't have a huge selection of frames but I will probably use them again.  I will just take more care next time to choose the right frame and be sure of the size. I still plan on doing some of my own framing soon and I really should check out some of the small framing shops in our town.

I've been stitching away but no photos today.  Got a list a mile long and blogging was not on the list!

Taking a breath

Thanksgiving has come and gone and that means that Black Friday has come and gone. The phrase Black Friday sounds so ominous to me, like it should be a day of mourning or something. I did mourn when I had to get out of bed at 12:45am in order to be at work by 2am. That means I got maybe 1 1/2 hours of sleep, shorter than a good nap. I was home by 11am and justifiably wiped out so I slept a good part of the day. I worked 8 days in a row and have a brief respite today with way too many things to do! I don't want to complain about having the hours, but man, I feel burned out.

I am trying hard to at least be helpful and pleasant dealing with customers, but suddenly there are many many needy shoppers out there, asking us to do what seems impossible at times. And the phone calls, OMG. I have to answer the phone while waiting on customers, but first I have to find the phone beneath the piles of returned merchandise. I am sure I sound impatient and rude when I ask to put someone on hold while they are in the middle of a long winded explanation about how they bought something but forgot to get the gift receipts and could they now get the gift receipts? Yikes!

I am stitching a little and still so excited and inspired about it. This is my recent finish which I was furiously working on at Camp Gottastitch. Ran out of 3 colors of thread and had to wait for 1 color that I had forgotten to buy in Berlin at the little cross stitch shop there. Hoping I can get this "finished finished" and sent to my mother for Christmas.

Birds of a Feather Bitter Flower
32 count BOAF barn owl linen
WDW and DMC

Speaking of my mother, she sent me a touching birthday gift last month. This is a letter sent to her by her mother after I was born. I was so touched by receiving this letter. I had no idea mom had saved all of her letters. My father dragged my mom around from state to state when I was young. I was born in Texas and my grandparents lived in Minnesota where my parents were born and raised. I wish we had stayed in Minnesota or in Iowa, which I really liked. There really is something to be said for having roots and family nearby.

Last but not least by any means, here is a snap of this cute Prairie Schooler ornie that was given to me by Lake Stitcher Lee. Thank you ever so much Lee! You are the best!!!