DEATH OF A BACHELOR IS AMAZINGGGGG omg Brendon Urie’s voice on Impossible Year has killed me A
Day #4 - 15/1 Recap
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Throwback: Meet Elle.
This is me with my favorite doll. Her name is Elle. ‘Yan yung unang birthday present na biniga
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Traditional and Tech-Based Activities Co-Exist in Kids’ World of Play
Today’s kids are growing up in a technology driven world, but that does not mean they are trading in dolls and board games for tablets and video games. The latest report from The NPD Group, Kids Share of Time and Wallet 2015, found that traditional and technology play are co-existing as kids are devoting about [...]
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DC Collectibles 7" Batman: Arkham Knight Wave 4 Figures Revealed
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New Assassin's Creed Saga Series 05 Figure Images
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My Review of Frosty Snowman Beaded and Buttoned Cross-Stitch Kit From Mill Hill #MH14-1304
I was not someone who was hoping for a white Christmas. In fact, given the horrendous snow season we had last winter, I was hoping we'd have a mild winter and maybe even - no snow! Unfortunately Mother Nature was not cooperative. We had our first horrible snow storm last Tuesday and, horrible it was! There was only 4 inches of it, but it was heavy and wet. It was like trying to move concrete. Impossible to push. Needless to say, hubby and I were not happy campers.
Given how much we dislike snow you would think I wouldn't like crafting snowman or snow ladies. Au contraire! I love crafting snowman and snow ladies. Go figure!
So, when deciding what cross-stitch kits I wanted to make this year I decided to do one with a snowman. This time I decided to do Mill Hill Frosty Snowman Winter Buttons and Beads Counted Cross Stitch Kit, 5 by 5-Inch
.The Mill Hill Frosty Snowman Winter Buttons and Beads Counted Cross Stitch Kit, 5 by 5-Inch pattern uses full counted cross-stitch and beaded half stitch as well as beads of various sizes for emphasis and depth. It also uses straight and Smyrna stitch for highlighting and emphasis. The pattern also calls for certain areas of the perforated paper to be left untouched as the background. In this case they were leaving sections of the navy blue perforated paper background untouched.
I decided to frame my finished cross-stitch picture using a Mill Hill wooden frame with snowflakes on it versus the Mill Hill Wooden Frame, 6 by 6-Inch, Matte Blue
that was shown in the pattern picture. My frame is a 6" x 6" handpainted blue wooden frame painted with snowflakes but without glass. Unlike the shadowbox frames I had been using more of the perforated paper would be seen surrounding the cross-stitch picture.The pattern called for certain areas of the perforated paper to be left untouched as the background like the picture shown below:
However, I don't like seeing the different perforated sections in the background and since a lot more of it would be exposed with this kit and frame I opted instead to finish all of the background. I thought a background of navy blue embroidery floss would really enhance this picture so I finished the inside square background with two strands of DMC navy blue embroidery floss sewn as a half cross-stitch and the area surrounding the square with two strands of DMC navy blue embroidery floss sewn as a half cross-stitch.
The pattern also called for a single white strand of embroidery floss to be used for the straight and Smyrna stitching on the snowflakes. I opted instead to use two strands of the white embroidery floss for the straight stitching and Smyrna stitching as I wanted the snowflakes to stand out a little more.
I didn't realize until I was writing this blog post that I actually had made a big mistake on my snowman's cross-stitch. I had forgotten to embroider his mouth and eyebrows with one strand of gray embroidery floss. As I'd already glued my cross-stitch to it's backing I couldn't correct this with a cross stitch. I could lightly draw this in, but I wasn't sure I would like that result. The ink might run on the embroidery floss. So, my snowman does not have a mouth or eyebrows. I should have known better and done a final check before gluing.
I also decided to once again utilize the rectangular wood frame jig that my darling husband built for me that I could tape the edges of my perforated paper to. The wood frame jig is a rectangular embroidery hoop of sorts, but without bending the perforated paper. He had made it out of 1/2" x 1" pine wood strips with an adjustable center strip that I used for this 5 x 5 square design.
I had learned from previous mistakes that I needed to draw diagonal lines to locate the exact center of the perforated paper and also drew diagonal lines across each corner of the pattern to get the center point as well.
While the end results of this design were wonderful some things in the kit and in the instructions could be improved upon so I'd like to offer the following constructive suggestions:
The cross-stitch chart was in black and white as was the floss color code and symbol key. Both were easy to read and very clear. While I had no problem with the chart and keys I did have a problem with the way the DMC floss was presented. All of the floss was tied together in one big knot so you had to separate the floss pieces yourself, sort them, and try to interpret which color belonged to which floss # and symbol key on the color chart. If you only have a few colors to deal with this isn't a problem. However, if you have several different colors to choose from that are close in color then interpreting the chart can be tricky. You may assign the wrong color to the wrong symbol if the colors are too closely aligned.
As I have done with other cross-stitch kits I've completed I had to design my own thread color sorter and symbol key. I took a piece of thin cardboard and cut a 1" x 9" long rectangular piece out to use as a thread sorter. I then punched 10 holes in my cardboard strip in which to tie each of the different colors. Just above the hole I wrote the DMC floss # and & the respective cross-stitch symbol. I then inserted the floss threads that went with that # and symbol through the hole and tied them in a loose knot. This kit could be much improved if a thread sorter with respective #'s and symbols was provided.
This kit came with two envelopes of beads. Usually there are plenty of beads left over. This time I thought for sure I was going to run out of the orange beads. I ended up with only one to spare. Good thing I didn't lose any. They should have supplied a few extra orange beads.
The kit included a small star. The button was okay except it was glued to a small piece of cardboard which did not easily come off and the glue used had hardened and extended over the sides of the button. It was very difficult to cut with scissors it was so hard. I managed to make it presentable enough to use in my picture. I have found over time that the buttons used in the Mill Hill cross-stitch kits are usually of poor quality and the worst parts of the kits. Sometimes I use them sometimes I don't.
The wooden frame came with a 6" x 6" cardboard mounting board for the picture but had no back so I I decided to cut a 6" x 6" white foam board as filler for the back. I also cut a piece of heavy decorative paper and taped it to the back of the picture with double sided tape to finish the back of the frame. The frame could be hung as a picture or stand with an enclosed dowel peg used as an easel and I opted for the latter.
My results with the totally finished background, square edges, and decorative frame is shown below:
Despite the relatively small issues I had encountered with the kit I was happy with the way my Frosty Snowman turned out.
It took me 36 hours to complete this picture including the framing. As always, my comments are meant to be constructive to enable future purchasers to benefit from my experience and to enhance their ability to create a wonderful little cross-stitch design.
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Desk Diary 20160106
It's been awhile since the last Desk Diary (4 months!) and things have changed quite a bit again. I a...
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Zootopia Pop!s and Mystery Minis on the way
Funko recently released images of its Pop!s and Mystery Minis based on the upcoming Disney animated film Zootopia. Future fans may recognize (from the trailer) Flash the sloth, Judy Hopps, and Nick Wilde who will appear both as Pop!s and in the Mystery Mini assortment.
Zootopia won't be hitting theaters until March, but you may see these figures as early as February.
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set database: LEGO 41026 sunshine harvest
set database: LEGO 41026 sunshine harvest
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set number: 41026
set name: sunshine harvest
theme: friends
year: 2014
pieces: 233
price: us$20
minidoll: 1
new friends theme.
image courtesy of amazon
image courtesy of legosip
image courtesy of target
set name: sunshine harvest
theme: friends
year: 2014
pieces: 233
price: us$20
minidoll: 1
come with a big wheels tractor, a trailer, a fruit stand, a cash register, fruit, cake, an apple tree, a garden and a dog house.
minidoll included olivia in white shirt and dark blue skirt.
great playability.
overall design is great.
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BB-8™ by Sphero
“This is the droid you are looking for ” ใครเป็นสาวก starwar คงจะกรี๊ด เสี
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Introducing Mel Odom's "Heart of Gold" Ivy Jordan
The much awaited appearance of Ivy Jordan was announced today by Jamieshow Dolls. For those not familiar with the name, Ivy Jordan is a character in the Gene Marshall line-up. The back story is that she was Gene's best friend and ally in Hollywood and was first produced in 2008 by Integrity Toys as part of their "Colour Deal" collection.
"Heart of Gold" is a 16" resin BJD and the first Ivy produced by Jamieshow Dolls.
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Ivy is a limited edition of 125 and will be available for pre-order on January 15, 2016 at 6PM Central Time. The price is $450. payable in full or with FuturePay. Shipping will be the first week in February.
Here is the link to the full announcement which also contains a link that will go live at the stated time.
http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=723f87002a100e3e930eb1312&id=0b1bdc67b3&e=fdfffcdaf2
All images on this page are copyrighted by and the property of Jamieshow Dolls.
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"Heart of Gold" is a 16" resin BJD and the first Ivy produced by Jamieshow Dolls.
Ivy is a limited edition of 125 and will be available for pre-order on January 15, 2016 at 6PM Central Time. The price is $450. payable in full or with FuturePay. Shipping will be the first week in February.
Here is the link to the full announcement which also contains a link that will go live at the stated time.
http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=723f87002a100e3e930eb1312&id=0b1bdc67b3&e=fdfffcdaf2
All images on this page are copyrighted by and the property of Jamieshow Dolls.
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First Look at 2016 Chevy Camaro Shows 6th Gen Car and Continuing Love for Transformers Bumblebee
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Thanks to EDFHOBBIES who offers a first look at the 2016 Chevy Camaro 6th generation car release. While this one has been customized somewhat, it cannot be denied that Chevy is continuing to how love for Transformers Bumblebee namesake. According to the post, the black stripes and Autobot symbols ,and other custom touches were added after delivery. So we don't know if this is an official Transformers model, but it is still a Bumblebee to the owner and many fans.
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Botcon 2016 Pre-registration Getting Ready To Begin
Coinciding with the reveal of the combined form of the 2016 exclusive box set figures today, Fun Publications has sent out an e-mail to let people know that registration for Botcon 2016 is planned to start next week. While a specific day is not indicated, the message does promise alerts by e-mail and social media when everything is ready to go. But for anyone who's been around for a pre-reg cycle, you'll know it's pretty hard to miss once it gets going. You can click through to read the text of the update message, quoted below in the full article.
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Zickybug Downs a Dozen
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Hasbro’s Transformers: Robots in Disguise Returns to Cartoon Network for Season 2
The kids television series Transformers: Robots in Disguise will return in Q1 this year for a second season on Cartoon Network in the U.S. Set years after Transformers: Prime, Robots in Disguise stars Bumblebee, summoned by Optimus Prime to lead in a fight to save Earth from a new faction of escaped Decepticon prisoners by [...]
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Beetlejuice 1/6th Scale Figure Teaser
Sideshow Collectibles is teasing their upcoming Beetlejuice 1/6th Scale Figure. “The ghost with the most” will feature the likeness of actor Michael Keaton from the 1988 film (sorry...not the cartoon version). Both Beetlejuice and the Tombstone Environment will be available to pre-order on Thursday, January 21st 2016.
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Ford and Lego Launch Mustang and F-150 Raptor Sets
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TheToySource SourceNews! S.H.Figuarts, Absolute Chogokin, & 3rd Party Restock
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The Rainbow Batman Figure Boxset Coming From DC Collectibles
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Video Review of Robots In Disguise Warrior Class Quillfire
On our forums we have yet another video from chuckdawg1999, this one following on Warrior Thunderhoof with a look at Warrior Class Quillfire. In the video we see some elements of the toy's design not clearly revealed previously, plus an extra accessory that helps make this figure a better representation of the character than initially believed. Click through to check out the embedded video!
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