It's a Beautiful Day

I love my mug rug here!

We're back after a week in Ohio visiting family.

I finally finished laundry.

 {again!} 

Part of my plans for today were put on a hold.  

I wanted to pressure wash the porch and deck but when Hubby went to the shed to get the pressure washer to set it up for me he discovered an important part was broken into pieces.  

I'm so tired of the cheap use of plastic in appliances on parts that need to hold up to wear and tear.  

This pressure washer only lasted a couple seasons and that is with only using it less than a dozen times.

  

Loved my time in Venice!

So Hubby went off to give our travel van a much needed drive because it's been sitting so long.  

He told me not to wash down the porch and deck with the regular hose..wait until we can buy a new pressure washer.  

Burano, Italy

Well, after he left I looked at the deck portion and it was so dirty with green mildew all over the rails.  

So I went and got a toothbrush and cleaner and scrubbed down all the rails on the deck and hosed it all down.  

Now, at least, that part is done. 

Deck rails all clean.

We don't want to put the deck chairs out until the porch is clean too.   

June's almost over and I haven't had a chance to sit out there yet!

Burano, Italy
Doesn't everyone have a pink house?

Hey!  

How do you like my coffee mug rug, "Gimme a Break," hanging in my kitchen coffee bar?  

It's too pretty to use. 

Someone has to hold up the Pisa Tower!

Thanks for visiting!

More photos of our trip to Italy coming.

Gimme a Break !

I missed my embroidery while touring Italy.  

When I got home and attended my sewing store's Embroidery Club I picked up 

May's Party with Patrick 

project...

Yes, I should have lined the cherry fabric so the background wouldn't show through.

This mug rug is called "Gimme a Break!"

You know how I love my coffee.  

I thought this was such a cute project. 

I have some fall colored fabrics that would look fine but my ❤️ Is with my favorite color...RED. 

After choosing my fabrics I selected the threads colors.  

I finally learned how to download the designs into my MAC and look at them in my digital software program, TruEmbroidery (thanks Hubby!).  

I can print out the actual size of the design and play a video to see how it stitches out the design.  

The last step is downloading the design onto a flash drive to put in my embroidery machine. 

Ready to stitch out on my embroidery machine.

I've learned so much about my embroidery machine this past year especially with taking the lessons, attending the Embroidery Club and Party with Patrick sessions.  

I stippled the background grid in black embroidery thread.

Such a busy background but I love it.  

It looks like red flowers & leaves falling.  

Added a quilting design, project name & my name and year to the back.

Just have the back to embroider and then add the binding in the black and white chevon fabric.

  

I used Roxanne White Glue to tack down the binding and then machine stitched it in place.  

That is so much quicker than hand sewing.  

And sturdier too. 

Have I mentioned I love these binder clips - no more pins sticking me.

Gimme a Break!  Mug Rug

It turned out beautifully.   

Now to have a cup of coffee!

I think I earned it.