Saturday, September 11, 2010

Remembrance and a Finish

Everyone in blogland is remembering September 11, 2001 today. A day all Americans will never forget.
The past two days have been a tad strange and sad. When you spend a good amount of time in front of the tv with your jaw to the floor in disbelief, it's never a good thing. There was a huge gas main explosion in the town adjacent to where I grew up. 38 homes were destroyed, 4 people perished and there are people still missing. An entire neighborhood gone in flames. It called for a multi-county fire response that went to six alarms. Six alarms is really bad. This is the worst that most of the career firefighters in this county have seen in their lives. And if they've seen anything worse, it was because they went to New York post-9/11 to assist. In my line of work, this causes me to worry for my co-workers who normally drive me nuts and will create a whole realm of paperwork for me. Watching the news coverage just tears at my heart; not only for the people affected but to see and hear the community coming together whether they donate food, clothing, money, donate blood or volunteer to help. Luckily, no one I know lives in that neighborhood or was affected but so many were. It's horrific.

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Onto the stitching news. After one week, I finally finished *one* angel ornament. How did I think I could do two in a weekend?! I still have one more to do! :::bangs head on table:::
I do have to say that struggling with the frogs and the black fabric is worth it. She comes to life! There is one little area I'm not happy about due to the cursed frog. I'll ask the ladies at the stitch in what they think tomorrow.

And here is my TUSAL update. The new moon was on Wednesday, which also happened to be my dad's 82nd birthday. Dad's getting old! No cake or party since he's off gallivanting and traveling with my mom.
All that yellow and gold at the top is due to Angel stitching.

And have you seen the new Ginghers?! LOVE!! Black and white swirly mod...these are so me! I'm glad I was able to buy a pair and they will of course go in my frog!

Well, that's it for now. Time to head to the gym so I don't feel so guilty stuffing my face with sangria and tapas later! :)

Until next time...

20 comments:

Margaret said...

It was so sad hearing about the disastrous gas main explosion over there. I'm glad you didn't know anyone -- but how awful and horrific. And 9/11 -- I still remember and always will. Talk about life changing.

Love your angel! Gorgeous! Don't we all underestimate how long something will take to stitch? I so understand! Good luck stitching the second one -- hope the frogs stay away!

Chris said...

I love those Prairie Schooler angels.

Jackie's Stitches said...

What a horrible thing your community is going through. I hope they find what caused this so they can ensure it does not happen again.

mainely stitching said...

Great work on your PS angel. You really expected to do two in one weekend? I couldn't manage that even if I stitched around the clock!

Katrina said...

Cute scissors!!!! I got a pair too :-). Love the Angel too.

I've been watching the news coverage, it's so sad. And I hope they don't find out that a failure of the utility company to deal with complaints about the gas smell was the cause.

Anonymous said...

I heard about the explosion on one of the BBs I read and then I checked out the news sites. It sounds absolutely horrific, what a terrible thing to happen.

Your angel looks fabulous, the colours really pop on the black! I like your ambition of trying to get two done in a weekend - I've often made a similar mistake, so now I overestimate :)

Sylvia said...

I was greatly saddened to hear about that terrible explosion. My brother lives in SF, and I know the area well. I hope that none of the missing people were actually there, and they pop up safe and sound somewhere else.

Love your PS Angles - on black fabric, they are stunning

Hazel said...

Love your angel on the black! I have just won a pair of those scissors from Deborah at Cranberry Samplings. I am so thrilled. Can't wait to get them. x

Julie said...

Your angel looks magnificent on the black fabric.

What a sad thing to happen in your community.

Nice scissors

Sally said...

I heard about the gas explosion on our news. It is awful. I don't think anyone will ever forget 9/11. Even though I live in the UK the images we saw on the news will always stay with me.

Love your PS angel.

Blu said...

So terrible hearing about the gas explosion.

Love the angel! It looks amazing on the black fabric.

Carol R said...

We saw this on our news here - my heart goes out to all those involved.

Angel is lovely.

Happy birthday to your dad! 82 what a grand old age!

Are the new Ginghers called 'Ella'? I have been asked to look for these on my trip.

Andrea said...

Valerie, I'm so relieved to see you post....I know SF is a big city, but you're the first one I thought about when I saw that explosion on the news! Whew, glad you're ok. But it is so terribly sad. We had a house a couple of blocks over from us blow up a couple of years ago. An eldery couple was killed, died in their bed...so sad. I really hate gas, but even if it's not in your house, it's probably running under it or around it somehow.

Anyway, GORGEOUS finish!! OMG, I love most anything stitched on black, but WOW! That angel is stunning! YGG!

Stay safe, keep stitching :)

Christina said...

I read about the explosion on the BBC website - truly horrific, I couldn't believe what I was reading.

I agree your PS Angel looks stunning on the black fabric - well worth the frogging!

Your scissors are fabulous - I will have to see if we can get Ginghers in the UK.

I drool every time I see your pumpkin pin cushion, please can we have it in every shot!

Carol said...

I was so sad to hear about that gas explosion, Valerie. What a nightmare. Perhaps this will help to change a few regulations and enact more safety standards so that it will never happen again...

Your angel is just glowing on the black fabric--wonderful job :)

Daffycat said...

Sangrias? And you didn't invite me? Noooo!

That's horrible news about the gas main! Those poor people affected, just breaks my heart too.

LOL About you overestimating your stitch-production. I do that all the time! Your angel is charming though!

Shelleen said...

I am so sorry to hear about the catastrophe by your town.
I will always remember 9/11.
Congrats on a finish and for buying the new scissors.

Giovanna said...

Congrats on the angel, she's beautiful!

Pumpkin said...

That is very sad news :o(

Congrats on your lovely angel. Very appropriate.

Ginghers!!!! Are they new? What are they called? I can't get any information!!!!

Siobhán said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the gas explosion. I hadn't heard about it before now. I guess the international news is consumed with that stupid idiot who wanted to burn the Koran.

Love your angel!! I hear you on underestimating the time spent on it. PS designs are so deceptive--I always think I'll have them done super quickly and it will take me days of solid stitching. It's worth the effort, though--looks great!