A visit to Texas

Last weekend we took a quick trip down to Texas to visit my family.  We flew into Austin and then drove to Huntsville.

We ate great food.  We visited with my parents and saw their house.  It was a great trip.

Here’s Stefan and I super early in the morning on Friday waiting for the bus from economy parking.

One of the main attractions in Huntsville, TX is this giant statue of Sam Houston… giant and strange…

Our trip meant we didn’t get any work done on the house. This weekend we are heading to Galway Lake and Saratoga Springs with some friends so it will be another no-work-weekend!

Sarah

Next Hand-work Project

As soon as my crochet blanket is done (I’ve only got 12 rows left!) I’m going to start working on some embroidery.  Here are some projects and patterns I’ve had my eye on.

I’d love to make some guest pillowcases.

In addition, it would be awesome to get a set of dishtowels done.  These look pretty simple with the cross stich

I think these would be great framed in the laundry room. I’d do the Wash, Iron, and Sew ones.

Mr and Mrs pillowcases would be great. They would make great wedding gifts as well.  I’d like to play with applique as well.

This is another pretty pillowcase design and a sweet one for a girls room.

I really think these word play designs would make a cute quilt.

Here’s one that would make an excellent gift. So trendy right now with the Tandem Bike Embroidery

 

I sure hope some of y’all will take a stab at these patterns with me.  Make sure you let me know how it goes!

Sarah

Patching Drywall – The Wolpert Method

We’ve done a good bit of patching lately.  Here’s the tried and true method.

Step 1: make your ugly hole:

Step 2: make a template of the hole:

use any circles or other shapes you need to make it perfect

Step 3: Cut out template from drywall. We used a Roto-zip but a drywall saw works too.

Step 4: test-fit and adjust if necessary.

Step 5: tape using mesh fiberglass tape:

(different hole but you get the picture.)

Step 6: Mud:

Steps 7-10: sand, mud, repeat

Step 11: Prime

Step 12: Paint

 

(Stefan’s blurry but look how good that ceiling looks.  Also, this is THE book.  I was holding it up so Stefan could see the diagram for how to wire a 4-way switch.)

Step 13 (Optional): cover your mediocre patch job with a ceiling medallion

And Voila… no more holes in the ceiling.

Oh, and I forgot to mention steps 14 and 15… vacuum, mop, repeat to get all that sanding dust off the floor… lots of dust…

The real key here is the sand, mud, repeat step. If you don’t worry too much about getting it perfect and plan on several rounds of sand-mud-repeat, you’ll end up with a nice smooth finish. It’s messy but once you’ve sanded once, another round isn’t going to add much in the way of clean-up.

We’d love to hear any of your patching tips in the comments!

Sarah (and Stefan, mudder extraordinaire!)

 

Happy Independence Day!

I LOVE the 4th of July.  I love the flags and the colors and the patriotism.  I love the smell of grills cooking all the way down the street and all the kids dressed up in cute Red, White, and Blue outfits that are dirty and rumpled because they’ve been running around and screaming.

I really like regaling people with my Flag Etiquette facts.  These are all direct quotes from the Congressional Joint Resolution on June 22, 1942. and the US Flag Code.

We all know that the flag shouldn’t be out in inclement weather and that it shouldn’t be out at dark or touch the ground but, there are other very specific rules as well.

There are the commonly confused ones:

• When the flag is hung vertically on a wall, window or door the Union (blue) should be to the observer’s left.
• When displayed over a street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street, or to the east in a north and south street.
• On a platform, it should be above and behind the speaker, with the union uppermost and to the observer’s left.  When displayed from a staff in a church or auditorium, the flag should occupy the position of honor and be placed at the speaker’s right as he faces the audience.

And these are the ones that really bug me:

• It should never be used as covering for a ceiling.
• It should never have anything placed on it. (no table cloths or coasters please)
• The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose, nor embroidered on cushions or handkerchiefs, printed on paper napkins or boxes, nor used as any portion of a costume.
• When the flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
• The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal. (This is a big thing at the Olympics every other year)
• The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

• The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard
• The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
• The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
• The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

If you’re more interested in Flag Etiquette, I recommend this Senate Document clarifying flag regulations.  The gist is that most of the rules are voluntary and that the states have the right to add any specific regulations.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little bit of knowledge  and now for the dirt.  Let me highlight some “improper” products.

PartyCity:
     
Flags should never be disposable and you should never set anything on the flag nor should it be used for carrying or delivering anything. Paper napkins and plates are out as is this tray.

Old Navy:

Now, I’m on the fence about this one. On the one hand, you clearly aren’t supposed to wear the flag. On the other, some patriotism is good. It’s a judgement call I suppose.

Amazon:
 

I’m just going to say it: trashy. Flag undergarments/swimwear are most definitely out.
I suppose I’m a bit of a Flag etiquette stickler but it’s in the blood.  My mother has been known to walk into a bank or other building and talk to the manager about the distressing state of a worn flag or to quietly mention to the pastor that the flag is on the wrong side of the alter.

Again with all things, the real crime is in the intentions not in the actual rules.  Flag napkins can be fun and patriotic or they can be distasteful and vulgar, it’s all in the intentions.

If you’re interested in more of my thoughts about etiquette, check out this series of etiquette books I wrote in college.  I really do have  a thing for etiquette!

Happy Independence Day!  Take a moment to thank a Veteran either by word or letter for the Freedom you are celebrating today.

There are many “letter” campaigns you can find online but for a more local approach, contact your local VFW branch for a veteran to thank.

Sarah