Well, almost completely finished-finished. I just have to paint the bellpull hardware white and permanently tack down the top flap.
This took me several hours because I took pictures at every step to help guide the completion of the SAL and because the sewing beast was most uncooperative.
I did not have the grand finishing session that I wanted to have today. I stayed up until 2:30 AM just pulling out all of the ornaments, deciding how to finish each one, then picking coordinating fabrics and threads for cording and/or tassles, where needed. Five hours of sleep and I was up at 7:30 AM because we had to go pick up a moving truck that we reserved for the day. We then packed up our measly little dining room set (oval cherry table and 4 chairs), drove over to Terry’s dad’s house, ate lunch, unloaded our old dining room, and then packed up his parents’ dining room set (16 years old, solid cherry set with larger, rectangular table, 6 side chairs, 2 arm chairs, lighted china hutch and side table), his parents’ china (a lovely, retired pattern from Noritake) and crystal (which, ironically, appears to be the exact same pattern as what we were starting to accumulate) plus his mother’s souvenir spoon cabinet and basically anything else from the dining room that his dad could pawn off on us. 😉 We also went upstairs and went through all of his mother’s jewelry, which his dad gifted to me. After over 30 years of marriage, including all of the birthday, anniversary and Christmas gifts, there was a good bit to go through. It was overwhelming and tinged with sadness. A bittersweet time, considering I now have enough nice jewelry to last me a lifetime, but at what cost?
Anyway, so we packed all of that up, headed back home, unpacked the furniture, then folded up the 24 furniture pads that we had rented, stuff them into the truck, drove over, dropped it off and came home. I then washed dishes, made dinner, ate dinner and then went upstairs to work on the bellpull. At some point, I’ll have to go through all of the china and crystal, wash everything and put it into the china hutch. Plus go through all of the other miscellaneous stuff and sort it into what we want to keep and what we’ll give away. But that’s for another day, because I’m out of time! It’s nearly midnight, I’m more than exhausted, it’s been an emotional day with lots of physical labor thrown in, I’m running on not enough sleep (for me) and the dog still needs to go outside for the last time tonight before I can brush my teeth and crash into bed. Terry’s already asleep, of course. 🙂
Yeah… busy day. And tomorrow, I’ll try to do some ornament finishing, but we’re also going to the grand opening of a good friend from college’s game store. At this point, I’m really looking forward to next weekend, which is the only real weekend that we’ll be able to relax all month long!
Heck with everything else you managed to cram in, I’m amazed you found the time to get the bellpull piccies done … you must’ve been wearing your blue cape and red tights 😉 It’s wonderful that you have some pieces to remember Terry’s Mum by – and each time they’re used will bring back positive memories. I don’t look forward to the day that I have to deal with the same sort of thing, so don’t envy you the chores today. Hope you manage to find time during the week to get some relaxation in :)))
Your bellpull looks wonderful! And take things easy OK – that’s an order! ((Hugs))
Like Anne said – it is amazing you found time to do the bell pull at all. Be sure to take a few minutes to yourself this week, k? {{{hugs}}}
Oh Jenna, it was a big day for you. Having been through it with both DH’s mom and mine now, I know the dread, denial, and resignation of having to go through all the beloved’s things. I hope that these things bring you a smile as you enjoy them now just as your DMIL did, and the twinges are fewer as time passes. I recently pulled out a box of an incomplete set of dishes of my DMIL’s that I always admired (such a lovely blue) and decided I was going to use them every day as a tribute in my heart to her 🙂
That’s a gorgeous bellpull!
Take time to smell the roses…
Your bellpull looks gorgeous Jenna!
Sounds like you need a {{{hug}}} today – I know how hard it is to go through the belongings of a loved one. Take care of yourself.
Jenna you have done a beautiful job on the bell pull. It was one I really enjoyed doing too! You have been very prolific in your stitching lately! Good Job!
Connie
very nice! I enjoyed stitching it too!!
bravo
Wow Jenna, this is stunning! You finished it beautifully! I love the ornaments you finished yesterday as well. They’re all gorgeous! The cording on the Poinsettias is fabulous! You should definitely keep it for you and Terry.
Sending big ((((hugs)))) to you my friend. Hope your headache is gone today! You’ve been through such a lot lately…
I do hope you’re feeling fine today! 🙂