Hiya. I've been finished with the body of the boat people sampler, but can't seem to cross the border.
Elaborate borders such as those seen on many a sampler blog are very appealing, but I have trouble with them. I prefer doing an alphabet and very simple border working from side to side, not top to bottom. I hate that. And this is how clueless I am - why didn't I remember from 20 years ago to turn the piece upside down, rather than have a bunch of fabric in my way to the right? It's easier for me to stitch and scoop with bulk on the left.
Lots of heart designs floating around for Valentine's Day which reminded me of a box I have stashed. It was purchased 20 years ago or more and I'm not sure if it is from Sudberry. Thickly padded mount for the needlework and a heavy beautifully constructed box.
I wanted to start the needlepunch Tulip Heart. JoAnn's had an Senior Discount day so I decided to get all the floss I needed before I order a punchneedle. Well, with my patience, this project is not going to happen. First off, the floss list calls for #3021 which isn't in the pattern instructions, and 2 skeins of #3033, also not mentioned. For a first time puncher, having doubts deters me. I read and re-read, and it's probably just a misprint and won't affect the design, but these days I just give up rather than investigate. No patience.
Are you ready??
Right now, this evening, in my garage, in a carrier, are two female cats!!!! I got 'em!!! I feel terrible. They are so afraid but I covered the carrier and hopefully they will stay warm enough and tomorrow at this time, be done with surgery and back here. It has to be done and I dread the thought of what will happen at the vet's with feral cats.
I'm done. I should be back with the finish before the drawing. I made a decision about the 14th's offer, and it's basically letting YOU make the decision since I can't make a decision, except to make the decision that it would be best for you to do that. Yep.
Thank you for visiting and to new followers - a big personal thank you.
Be kind to critters, keep strays out of evil hands and take them to shelters, use locked pens instead of tie outs. Kiss your furbabies for me!
25 comments:
Cute valentines box
Hi, Marly ~
There's something special about your boat sampler. I think all of the objects besides the regular alphabet and numbers. I have a terrible time with borders, the antique repro I'm doing says to stitch the border first. Ughhh... then for some reason some lines don't fit, and I'm ripping out before I know it. Also, I ran into trouble too with the floss numbers, I can't find the logo for some of them anywhere on the chart. Frustrating, but when they are finished, they sure are beauties aren't they?
Hugs,
Susan
Your boat people sampler looks great! Yeay for catching the cats--good for you. Hope things go well at the vet's office. I can't get over how much of a difference there is the dye lots!
Marly ~
You have made great progress on Virginie! So very close to completion!
I've never noticed a difference in DMC colors. That is some difference.
Congrats on catching the furbabies. I'm sure they will be fine.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren
I hope the distressing situations are all resolved by now. Not fun. Good for you for catching the cats too! How do the vets feel about it? lol! I love your Woodlawn piece -- hate it when borders don't meet though. As for turning your project upside down -- doesn't that make your x's backwards?? Never done that -- too confusing to me. Nice Sudbury boxes!
Good Marly, yes turn the linen around, that's what I do too! Beautiful sampler!! Old DMC colours are different from the newer ones I find, but think of it as overdyed lol.
Beautiful heart boxes, am sure you will make something beautiful on that:))
We also have a feral cat around our house that I think I need to catch. It's an OLD tomcat, badly lamed up and in terrible shape. I'm a bit scared of him because of a case of blood poisoning I got years ago from being bitten by another cat I was trying to rescue, though ....
I love your boat sampler - it's utterly gorgeous. And if you do decide to part with those Sudberry items, especially that box, please do let us know! I love the sturdy way they're made, and they look so nice.
UGH...just reading the word BORDER gives me the hee-bee-gee-bee's. Your sampler will be gorgeous when finished though.
Good news about the kitties! No scratches or wounds this time I hope.
Have a great weekend.
*I'll be contacting you in a week or so about those boxes*
Beautiful sampler!
I used to have trouble with the borders meeting correctly. Now I stitch each side and and make sure matches up with the inside design while I'm stitching. This method seems to help.
Like you I love stitching letters! I in fact found a sampler I just HAVE to do ... it's 6" wide & 33.5 inches long & it's mostly all letters. Borders are definitely not one of my favorite things. Your sampler looks gorgeous! Give some love to the kitties for me : ) Blessings, Shirlee
I love your boat people - even that little armless woman!! Hugs - kelley
Love your sampler for Woodlawn. OMG I can't believe the difference in color in those DMC skeins.
You are a truly good person for capturing those kitties and taking them to the vet. I hope all goes well for you and them.
Your sampler is looking great! I find I turn my big projects upside down too, makes it much easier for stitching the top, although someone who looked at one of my pieces said she could tell it was stitched upside down?? I really doubt that can be the case. Anywho, love that heart box, can't wait to see what you make with that. And I am so surprised at the DMC differences, I thought that was the one thing in the stitching world we could depend on! lol
Your sampler is looking wonderful! Love the heart box and can't wait to see what you create. BTW, I covet the santas you stitch...and I love your blog.
The only time I have noticed DMC differences is in very old floss(over 20 years old) compared to new. HOORAY for you! You are doing a great thing for those girls. I hope you are still in one piece! I used to be a veterinary nurse. When we had to neuter/spay a feral cat, we used a big towel to grab it up straight out of the carrier, quickly wrap her up burrito style and the vet plugged the anesthetic shot right in the rump we unwrapped a wee bit. Do not worry, it will go fine and they will be fine. Oh and I am going now to kiss my two furbabies!♥
I, too, love stitching letters! I HATE doing borders -- they never meet up. I might have mentioned to you the anniversary sampler I stitched where I absolutely could NOT get the border correct, so I just fudged it and made it work. Still gives me a little angst when I look at it!
Love your boat people sampler -- it is fabulous. Good luck with the kitties at the vet. We once had a cat that although she wasn't feral, she bloodied up the vet on many occasions!! She was not the nicest little furbaby, but we loved her..... I'm sure your friends will do just fine....
Have a happy weekend.....
Hi Marly - Your boat sampler is beautiful & thumbs up to you for looking out for feral kitties.
I find punchneedle so fun & quick - its very easy & forgiving...you will need a locking hoop to keep your fabric taught.
A friend recently told me about stitching upside down - I thought it would be confusing but its not. Makes it easier. I always start in the middle & stitch right to left & do the border last but the next sampler I start I'm going to stitch the border first, sometimes changes it good? maybe?
I don't have a kitty to hug but my little poodle love hugs & kisses as much as I love giving them. Hope your days are peaceful! Terry
beautiful sampler and cute valentine box..
love and hugs xxx
Your sampler is gorgeous and I love your blog header.
Margaret
Oh my Marly, I don't comment for just a day or two and you're almost finished! I always find it easier to turn my fabric and pattern.
Happy Stitching!
Glad you've made your life easier by discovering turning the fabric and chart, Marly! It really is easier :)
Love your progress--hang in there with the border!
I can see where the DMC variations alone would be daunting-- then add to it the silliness of the pattern. I'd probably be swearing in frustration.
Congrats on beautiful stitching and the potential fisnihing forms you have on hand. And good luck with the kitties.
Good luck with the feral cats and great progress on the sampler.
hugs, Kaye xoxox
I LOVE the sampler!!!
I too have noticed some of the DMC dye lots are a lot different from each other. hmmmm... wonder why because they were bought within a few weeks of each other.
Mary
The sampler looks fabulous! Can't wait to see it finished. I hear you on the border thing. I do love the look of borders, but I can't believe how much I hate stitching them!
Good luck with your kitties! We rescued a Ferrel kitten 6 years ago, and she is a little more snippy than a domesticated one, but we love her, and my kids just can't get enough of her. I would love to see a picture!
Have a great day. :)
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