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Greetings from Home Improvementlandia

May 14, 2014 By Cathy Habermann 4 Comments

Home Improvement…2 words that strike fear into many people. Last time I talked about how we were starting back into Home Improvementlandia – a country from which we have hidden from been absent for a few years.

Normally, I can handle it – I am strong…back when we did a lot more of this type of work, I did not run a business from home! Some might say it’s like a forced vacation…umm, not really. We will survive and be the better for it – in the meantime, I will share pictures!

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I have passed this spot a lot on a local highway going back & forth to my son’s college – my goal by the time he graduates…get the perfect picture of this setting!

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While cleaning out some of the flower beds, we discovered that our bushes went condo with the bird nests this season. (Could we call this waterfront property once the pool is opened?)

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This was my son’s room, now freshly painted & ready for carpet!

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Our room, ready for paint…we had yet to move the world’s heaviest king size bed! I tweaked my back removing this carpeting but was saved from moving the bed by a well-timed visit from our son!

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Our closets…in the dining room! (blinds closed so neighbors didn’t greet us each morning as we selected the outfit of the day!)

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…and this is why I got almost no work done for a few days…hard to get in my studio when it’s loaded with furniture!

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Well, I did get some finishing jobs done…these are pretty easy to work on in the car as we logged drive time to the last few tennis tournaments of the season!

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Carpet is now installed & we are moved back in…still things to do, but at least the house is mostly put back to order! This morning I spent some design time playing with a few stitches for a new counted canvas piece.

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Under the heading “I’ve never done this before, but I’m willing to try” – walnut crystal staining…interesting.

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Yeah!!! I have now turned in all of the months and stitched models to Cross Stitch & Needlework magazine. I am more than a little sad that my part of this series is done! I am thrilled with the positive response it has gotten.

Here are DMC colors for June & July:
June: blanc, 350, 597, 3809, 838
July: blanc, 666, 310, 3852, 312

Keep sending those pictures as you stitch yours – I love them!

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Not that I am a huge Andy Warhol fan, but I ran across this & it really spoke to me…so I’m gonna’ go make some more art & have a great day!

Cathy

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Comments

  1. cucki says

    May 15, 2014 at 1:00 am

    Beautiful stitching …
    And lovely goodies..
    Sending you big hugs x

    Reply
  2. LaNelle says

    May 16, 2014 at 6:03 am

    Love your finishes and good luck with the house! Will be beautiful when your done….

    Reply
  3. Flower Pond Studio says

    May 16, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    Love seeing your experimentations Cathy! Can't wait to see your finishes! Rachelle ~ The Cottage Needle πŸ™‚

    Reply
  4. Jessica Yoder-Jones says

    February 12, 2015 at 6:37 pm

    June and July is the only two I don't have!! I can't find the magazine anywhere lol

    Reply

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color, design, finish - #stitchsomehappy

I chose my own Top 9 for 2025❀️ Starting top left I chose my own Top 9 for 2025❀️

Starting top left to right:

- another needlework market, another sweet little bug - my fav part of Ladybug Picnic? - those feet 🀣
- I over-fertilized the strawberries - thanks for loving my 13” produce πŸ“ 
- Friends. It’s what makes this job so much fun❀️
- This was the inaugural greenhouse season - our zinnia game was strong 🌺 
- Our pumpkin game was a little stronger πŸŽƒ 
- Thank you Joseph Chilton Pearce for this fabulous quote 🎨 
- I love that we are a Special Olympics family πŸ… 
- Home Sweet Home - it was fun helping a friend create an original concept class with this brand new design πŸͺ‘
- Stand Up For Santa - I love seeing so many stitchers try a new finish πŸŽ…

It was very difficult to pick just 9 moments from this past year - I look forward to 2026 and hope the choices are just as plentiful a year from now❀️

Thank you!πŸͺ‘

#handsondesign #topnine #whatayear #stitchsomehappy
How embarrassing…we all showed up in the same shir How embarrassing…we all showed up in the same shirt πŸ€¦πŸ»β€β™€οΈπŸ˜‰πŸŽ„β€οΈ

Merry Christmas 🎁 

#handsondesign #familyforchristmas #griswoldchristmas #stitchsomehappy
Cleared for takeoff ! πŸ¦ŒπŸ¦ŒπŸ¦ŒπŸ¦ŒπŸ¦ŒπŸ¦ŒπŸ¦ŒπŸ¦ŒπŸ›·πŸŽ…πŸŽπŸŽ„ #handsondesig Cleared for takeoff !

πŸ¦ŒπŸ¦ŒπŸ¦ŒπŸ¦ŒπŸ¦ŒπŸ¦ŒπŸ¦ŒπŸ¦ŒπŸ›·πŸŽ…πŸŽπŸŽ„

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True confession time - I accidentally nudged the o True confession time - I accidentally nudged the ornament tree as I was filming and didn’t realize that they were all swinging (in time to the music I might add!) it’s like they’re saying β€˜we’re so happeeeee!’ 🀣

Merry Christmas πŸŽ„ 

#handsondesign #shinybrites #hohoho #stitchsomehappy
Put some sand in our toes, visited with feathered Put some sand in our toes, visited with feathered friends, sampled the local flavors, indulged in some catch & release. Argue with me if you want (please don’t) - a lit up palm tree CAN help with the holiday season 🌴

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Sea ya' later! πŸšπŸŒ΄πŸ¬πŸ–οΈπŸŒž #handsondesign #coastalholi Sea ya' later! πŸšπŸŒ΄πŸ¬πŸ–οΈπŸŒž

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