Progress & Free Retail Therapy

First, progress pics... not as much as I'd like, but it's coming along. Thank goodness! :) I'm trying to finish this as quickly as I can (it would, of course, help if I could count!!) for two reasons: 1) Amy has been waiting way too long already, and 2) Then I can stitch a project I've been dying to start for ages - which, of course, will give me an excuse to make my first visit to the LNS Glenna helped me discover in Baltimore... I thank you greatly, Glenna... I suspect my wallet won't, though. ;) So, here's where I am with the Wheels Announcement:

On to the retail therapy portion of this post... How does one go about getting free retail therapy anyway?? Why by signing up for Visa Extras on one's check card, then forgetting about it (for several years) until one receives a politely worded letter from Visa Extras informing one that one has accumulated a ridiculous number of points and, well, one really ought to use them sometime before the return of Jesus...

Ahem. Yep. Early last week I got a reminder letter from them, so I dug around and found all my log in info, then went to their online catalog to choose my "gifts". Can you say "SCORE"!!!?? I cashed in for a $125 Amazon.com gift card, and a $15 Sephora gift card. Here's the loot I ordered:

I fell in LOVE with this perfume a few months ago, but couldn't bring myself to spend the $90 for 1.6oz (Yes, you read correctly - $90). I am borderline obsessed with perfume - especially non-sweet, non-flowery scents. I've been on an unceasing quest for about the last 10 yrs to find a fragrance that doesn't turn to powder, dough, or some other unappealing scent when in contact with the bizarre chemical make up that is my skin... I think this might be it. So, anyway, I found it waaay cheaper on Amazon, and into the cart it went.

This looked like a nice book to use for making pillows... plus it was really cheap. :)

This is the mac daddy of the motherload, though. I saw this on Joanns.com a while ago, but didn't buy it due to the price tag. A frame isn't an absolute MUST after all... but, lo and behold Joanns sells thru Amazon, so I was able to use the free moolah to make the purchase. Supposedly, this will hold my Q-Snaps nice and tight. We'll see. I'm all for anything that will help the stitching be more comfy and faster...

I hoofed it to the local Sephora at lunch today and bought a lip gloss (yes, another addiction) I've been eyeing... and maybe a few other things. ;) That store is seriously dangerous!! They really ought to post warnings at the entrance...

Well, I hope you've all had a great beginning to your week...

P.S. I have an (used, but gently) Art Bin hoop carrying case. I bought it at Joanns, but can't find a pic any more. Anyway, it was designed to carry round hoops and other stitching accoutrements. There are two zippered sections, and an outside zipper pocket. Since I don't use round hoops any more, it is sitting lonely in my craft room feeling horribly unloved. If you are interested, please let me know. It will go free to a good home.