Bent Creek WIP & Alex's Crabbies

Managed a few stitches:Autumn Rowc.2000 Bent Creek- - - - - - - - - -Our son, Alexander, has a few hermit crabs. He took these pictures.
Now that the season has changed, the humidity was becoming an issue for his pets. Even with a heater under the habitat, the humidity wasn't high enough. Alex tried to put rocks, sand, distilled water in the habitat. The problem was that all the sand was damp all the time. Spent some time re-thinking the habitat & changed from this:
To This:I found an old tray & put brand new, special sand inside. That way, the rocks and water stay clean -- the sand stays dry -- and the humidity so far is constant. Should be easier to clean, too. Just need to take out the sand tray, wash the gravel & put in fresh distilled water. I think there are five in the habitat -- at night, they like to go under the piece of wood (tunnel).

Pin Cube WIP, Alexander's crabbies

Q&A's - I realize I tend to put photos on my blog without much wording. So, here are a couple photos to answer questions. I finished the stitching for 2 sides. The other four sides will have applique pins inserted.I doubt I'll get to the finishing until this week-end. As always, you can click on the photos for enlarged view.

Q&A's: This is a photograph from Just Cross Stitch Magazine, December 2004. This is what the pin cubes look like. Pins inserted on 4 sides & stitched designs on 2 sides. I don't know if these kits are still available. It is one of the items from my Basket of NAY*. The finishing instructions say to lace the linen around cardboard squares & whip them together. They are not stuffed. Perhaps other stitchers have already made them??

Alex has two pet hermit crabs. (another longish story) Yesterday, Alex & I went to the pet store (where Alex works) and bought new habitat gizmos for his crabbies. We have a new tank, new lid, humidity thermometer, temperature thermometer, overhead lighting, day & night bulbs, new sand, new climbing material (not yet in the tank).

We almost forgot to buy the 'lid' - could you imagine the cats in the habitat? Perhaps they'd think it was a litter box?

Aren't they exciting creatures?? NOT!!Thank goodness he didn't want those little snakes that they sell (at the pet store -- yikes). They are in similar habitats and just give me the creeps.

*NAY = Not another year