Check-In Post October 31st 2022

[badly_knitted]

Hello to all members, passers-by, curious onlookers, and shy lurkers, and welcome to our regular daily check-in post. Just leave a comment below to let us know how your current projects are progressing, or even if they're not.

Checking in is NOT compulsory, check in as often or as seldom as you want, this community isn't about pressure it's about encouragement, motivation, and support. Crafting is meant to be fun, and what's more fun than sharing achievements and seeing the wonderful things everyone else is creating?

There may also occasionally be questions, but again you don't have to answer them, they're just a way of getting to know each other a bit better.


Today's Question: No question today.


If anyone has any questions of their own about the community, or suggestions for tags, questions to be asked on the check-in posts, or if anyone is interested in playing check-in host for a week here on the community, which would entail putting up the daily check-in posts and responding to comments, go to the Questions & Suggestions post and leave a comment.

I now declare this Check-In OPEN!

Comments

[badly_knitted]

Well, that's Halloween over for another year. Late post is late because it's taken me forever to clear things away as well as I can for the moment.


Forecast was for light rain showers, so of course we got continual heavy rain from about 5.30 onwards. I think it's finally stopped. I had rigged a cover for the table I set up, but of course the rain kept collecting in it, so I had to keep going out and pouring the water off it. Even with an umbrella I got drenched, especially water running up my sleeve. I bitterly regret putting shoes on instead of my wellies because I kept stepping on the bottom of my trouser legs. Had to wring them out over the sink before draping them over the radiator to dry off. Bringing everything in, taking down all the lights and everything, was a nightmare, trying to work one-handed while using a torch to see by, especially as the torch wasn't working properly. I've done my best to dry things, but it's all just lying around now. I'll put it away tomorrow. The table is still up outside, the rain was coming down too hard to deal with that and the canopy.


The Trick or Treaters were undeterred, must have had about 40. Parents were telling me their kids were so eager to get to 'The lady near the shop', because apparently I have the coolest stuff. That made it all worthwhile, even the getting wet. lots of meeces and other things have gone to new homes. Still got lots left though. Now I'm just tired and looking forward to bedtime.

[smallhobbit]

That sounds wonderful - I'm so glad it went well, despite the weather, and that the kids like coming to you.

[badly_knitted]

It was good, apart from the rain. Such a struggle taking everything down by myself though. Some of the lights are in a hopeless tangle.

[wiseheart]

I'm so glad that all your work wasn't done in vain. Apparently, you've got quite the reputation among the little tykes. Go you! And have a good night's rest, you've more than deserved it.

[badly_knitted]

Thanks! It's nice to be appreciated. One little girl was talking about the mouse she got last year, and got another one to go with it.

Tomorrow I'll have to finish clearing everything away though, and it's raining again.

[peaceful_sands]

Well done for all of your efforts - so pleased that the weather didn't deter the visitors. You've done a fantastic job.

Hopefully things will dry out quickly and the final clear up will go easier than expected.

[badly_knitted]

Thanks. My coat is so wet it could take days to dry, even now I've brought it indoors. I left it in the porch overnight with the umbrella to drip. My vampire cape, which I was wearing earlier in the evening, is
thankfully already dry since it's mostly waterproof.

We had high winds and more rain overnight, but I managed to take the table and its canopy down first thing this morning, about forty-five minutes' hard work. Everything that's already indoors will just have to wait. I'm done in.

[sister_raphael]

Sounds like a very successful time despite the rain. being the "Lady with the cool stuff" is very cool and the meeces will be loved all year round!

[badly_knitted]

That's the wonderful thing about meeces =)

It was successful but exhausting, and I had to change all my clothes when I came in. So wet! My first 'customer' was a lady and her daughter who'd just been to visit grandma and was driving past and saw my Halloween stall, thought it was cool, and stopped =D Word might get around!

[yarnofariadne]

The weather sounds absolutely awful, I'm so sorry. Kudos to those brave trick-or-treaters, though!

[badly_knitted]

And the valiant parents accompanying the younger ones! The things parents will do for their kids, getting into costume and getting soaked so their kids can collect enough candy to keep them on a sugar high for the next month!

My coat is still soaked. I left it in the porch to drip overnight.

[wiseheart]

We've got relatively mild weather, with cloudy skies; so cloudy that it's basically half-dark all day. The only time one can do anything without artificial light is the morning, so I was doing my crafting at that time. Half the Velcro work is done, and I've even moved on to the removable letters (which, naturally, also work with Velcro - what else?). One letter is completed, three more to go, several fingertips seriously ruined. I've also sewn on the press buttons for the decorative little hearts (and the hearts themselves), so I hope to finish the page in about two days. *ruined fingers crossed*

[badly_knitted]

Well done with getting crafting done, but sorry for your ruined fingers. I hope they feel better soon. Sounds like you've made good progress though.

[wiseheart]

My fingers are used to hard treatment. *g*

[badly_knitted]

I know, but it still can't be enjoyable.

[peaceful_sands]

I admire your persistence in the face of the torturous Velcro! Good luck for finishing things up soon.

[wiseheart]

Unfortunately, Velcro is inevitable when you make quiet books. Some "experts" say you shouldn't use felt and Velcro, but the truth is, that's what works best. Because kiddies enjoy tearing things apart very much, and this way they can put them together again. No other fabric would bear that treatment in the long run.

[sister_raphael]

Hope your fingers recover soon, but I know the results will be worth it. I was amused when my daughter-in-law was talking about "quiet books" which are a thing here now, and she was surprised that I even knew what they were. Your work is always so lovely!

[wiseheart]

I was so surprised when I discovered quiet books a couple of years ago. Now every family with small children close to us hopes for one. ;))

[yarnofariadne]

Well done! Hoping your fingers heal quickly.

[wiseheart]

Fortunately, my fingers are tough.

[peaceful_sands]

I didn't get chance to post on Sunday, but I actually got some serious time in on the tapestry and also made flapjacks and banana cake.

This evening I did a little more on the tapestry. The dolphin is nearing completion - a few odd bits with just a few stitches and then the tail fin left to do. Then it's back to working on the background - moving towards the sea and its waves/ripples etc. Once I've got the odd bits in the dolphin done, I'll be able to wind up about 3 inches maybe 4 which should put the bottom of the tapestry in sight.

I've found 4 possible cross-stitches for the upcoming baby so now I just need to decide which is the right one for the occasion ( 3 more are Winnie the Pooh related and the other is a scene from Disney's Jungle Book - decisions decisions!). I had hoped to get a few more Christmas cards stitched but if I'm going to manage the bigger project, I don't think I have time for both.

In other good news, it appears that all the repairs in the bathroom have been successful (should I keep quiet about that... am I tempting fate? Oh well, too late now *wink*)

[sister_raphael]

You certainly are a hive of activity! Well done on getting it all happening.

[yarnofariadne]

Well done on all your projects!

[badly_knitted]

Wow, you've really done a lot on the tapestry, AND baking as well!

Ah, choices, so many lovely designs. Choosing is always so hard!

Fingers crossed for your bathroom, may it remain leak free.

[wiseheart]

That sounds like an impressive workload!

[sister_raphael]

Here's a progress pic on the R Shield! Depends how I feel I might make a start on tracing the R on and getting a base coat of gold on before I start on the flowers. I've been looking at the "A" shield, and I feel that the gold shadows don't stand out enough, so I may redo them, although I do have a sealant on the shield which may thwart that.

[yarnofariadne]

It looks fantastic!

[sister_raphael]

Thank you!

[badly_knitted]

Looks awesome! I admire your talent!

[wiseheart]

This is great!

[sister_raphael]

I made another new icon for my journal, which is this "doing art" one because I felt I ought to have a painting icon since I've been doing so much of it lately! I love making icons. I really do.

[yarnofariadne]

Very cool!

[sister_raphael]

Thanks!

[badly_knitted]

You make amazing icons, and that one is really cool!

[wiseheart]

All your icons are so very original and funny.

[yarnofariadne]

Bat cupcakes!

[sister_raphael]

Very cool!!

[yarnofariadne]

Thank you!

[badly_knitted]

WOOHOO! Are they edible bats? They look yummy! The cakes, not the bats, lol!

[yarnofariadne]

They are; they're made of rice paper!

[badly_knitted]

Ah, perfect bat material! Melt in the mouth bats! *grins*

[wiseheart]

Oooh, they do look very appealing!

[yarnofariadne]

Thank you!