Jul 2, 2012

Frogging season

Hiya.  Hope you are staying cool and safe!  Lots of stuff happening and I hope the worst is over and everyone has come through unscathed. 
We finally got a little rain yesterday and these positions should tell you how hot it is. 










She slept for hours like this!


Eliza is not going as well as I had hoped.  Not only did I have to remove and restart twice because of positioning, but as I did the alphabet, I realized these beautiful bright colors were not sitting well.  I've seen designers use the original bright colors and also offer the faded versions created by time.  So I thought I would stick to the same color family and choose a more subdued version.    The charted skein is top and my choice beneath.  Those colors in the top border are charted and I decided to not remove them and see how they fit in.  Alphabets and another border, still not happy.  Is there a tutorial on frogging?  And how did that term come to be? 




I have always removed the thread from the top instead of using the Lift 'n Snip. 

I've only had one mishap with those but it seems to take so much longer to remove the threads and I have a mess to clean up.  I guess it's up to the stitcher which she prefers since both methods are favored in certain areas.  I used both (for variety) since I've done it so many times already.  But if it doesn't feel right or look right to us, better to take the time to remove and get what we want before going any further.  Maybe it's the 32 count that looks more refined and smooth compared to the rougher 28's I usually use.  Maybe it's the color of the linen that isn't warm or dark enough.  Something.  I may end up going back to the original colors on darker linen and have a very nice sampler that isn't my style, or cut down on the number of colors and stick to the ones I prefer.  I hate to change the linen but a few letters with these colors on another piece wouldn't hurt.  Look at the time I've wasted already!   Better grab a small freebie or another Santa while I'm thinking.  I am determined to stitch her and don't want to change designs.  We'll see. 
I also want to mention that I downloaded a program to check for spyware and ads which seems to be throwing a lot of emails into the junk pile.  I rarely check it but did recently and found that even some comments (which are emailed to me) end up there.  If you emailed a question and I didn't get back to you, try again!  I'm sorry if I missed you!  I guess I better change the settings to not delete or block any messages.

Leaving you with a picture of the babies.  The mid day raccoons that I've been feeding (all moms) have now brought the babes out!  One big momma has FIVE little ones.  Yesterday one came running up to me and I had to get that bread out quick!  Several of my brother's friends trapped and removed their mid day visitors so I doubt if the babies survived.  They are coming later and later in the day and some not at all now that the babes are out of the nest. 
I'll be working outside today and thinking about what to do while I'm on the tractor in the dust ball it creates.   Hopefully, something will click and it won't be a bone.
Thank you so much for visiting and have a wonderful week!

p.s.  Ever since I scolded spellchecker about not having menobrain or hysterectobelly is its database, it quit working.  Please excuse any spelling errors until we reconcile.
The boys are back in town!


27 comments:

Jeanne said...

LOVE your color selections for Eliza...much better than the original bright ones. Your Santas are wonderful!!

Melissa said...

That photo of the baby raccoons is so cute.

I love the Santa Foursome! They are perfect. I gotta find my three (no Gold) and get them kitted up!

It is a little frustrating at times with the colours for repro samplers. I'm sure you will come up with a beautiful palette for yours!

village folk art said...

I do prefer your color choices ... but that is me as I am not one to choose really vivid colors. Your Santas are charming ... of course they are, your work is flawless.

Ohhh, those little raccoon faces are adorable. I know they can play havoc with your surroundings, but my parents (years ago) had a neighbor that kept one as a pet, successfully(as far as we knew).


Take care and have a 'Sparkling 4th' with Peace & Joy,
Barb

TheCrankyCrow said...

Oh my heck - those raccoons are ADORABLE!!! That photo is absolutely perfect - I thought it was a professional photo. Too funny. I do like your substitutions so much better, but that comes as no surprise since I'm not a bright color person (except for clothing....now, that can be a different story at times.) ;o) I am always amazed to visualize the "real" or original colors used in some of my favorite samplers.... Makes me think "what were they thinking?" Guess I'm just an old and faded kinda gal. Good luck on your color quest. Happy New Week! Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

Margaret said...

Too bad about the frogging. I do like the colors you chose though. And your Santas! Loooooove them!!!! Those raccoon babies are adorable! My my! I hope it cools down, don't you?

Deppen homestead 1862 said...

How adorable the baby coons~ & kitty belly up~ loving the color choices~
enjoy the "Dust" achoooo~ just like here~ dust & more dust~ Achooo~ I keep dancing for the rain~
smiles
Teresa

Carolyn said...

I love your color choices much better, too. I think they are much better for a reproduction sampler. You asked how the term "frogging" came about. If I'm not mistaken, it's because we have to "rip it, rip it", and it sounds like ribbit, so the frogging was born! LOL

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your Santas! And the raccoons are just too cute for words.

Stay cool!

Shirlee said...

Wonderful Santas, adorable raccoons! I also love your more subdued floss substitutions over the brighter originals. When frogging I usually cut a thread & then pick it until the end becomes too long, cut it & then pick it again.

Primitive Stars said...

Hi Marly, I also love the colors you choose. Raelly love the kitty relaxing ,to sweet,also the baby racoons are adorable. Blessings Francine.

Christie said...

Love your baby raccons. They are so cute. You stitching looks great. I have all those Santas. After seeing yours maybe I will get mine started soon :-).

Carol said...

What a special shot you got with those baby raccoons, Marly--looks like it should be in National Geographic or some nature magazine :)

And I love "The Boys"--quite a macho looking group of Santas and all so beautifully stitched and finished... The less bright colors on Eliza are so much more "you"--can see why you want to tone them down a bit. Looking forward to following your progress (and any stray small or Santa that may appear in the meantime!!)...

Jan - Life on Buttermilk Hill said...

Great post as usual--adorable coon babies, unashamed kitty, and beautiful stitching. Love the santas--Jan

Vickie said...

Your raccoon picture is soo good. My teens thought it was a professional one also. :)

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Five days of triple digit temps--it is hot. I think the cat has the right idea!

Your sampler color choices look awesome.

Do the critters eat for plants?

Chelle said...

I love the sampler so far - both colors. But don't give up until you have something you're happy with. Like you've said, you've put all of this time into it.

I started an HAED and have finished about one half a page. If you've seen them, you'll know how many stitches that is - probably 4,000 - 5,000? Anyway, I'm not happy with it and I think I'm going to change fabrics. It's a 20 page pattern, so it will be absolutely huge if I go to a different count, but that's what I want, so I'm going to and I guess I will be making it into an afghan or a wall hanging or something!

The raccoons are absolutely awesome. So, so cute, but they can be so destructive. Still, really cute and love the hot kitty!

Hugs,
Chelle

Barb said...

I love those Santas they are so cute!!!In fact so are the baby racoons and that adorable cat!! I like your new color choices. I seem to always be changing colors.Better to frog than go on with something you don't really like!

Rugs and Pugs said...

Marly,
I, too, would love to know where the term frogging came from.
Your stitching is always so lovely and you accomplish so much. LOVE the Santas.
That is a prize winning raccoon pic, I do believe!
Happy 4th to you and your family.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Chris said...

Whoa, why can't I sleep like that? Crazy cats :)
Sorry that Eliza is being so difficult. I hope that you guys come to terms soon and you find a pleasing color/fabric combo. Those boys are pretty fabulous.
The babies are so cute.
Keep cool and keep stitching.

Isobel -Argante- said...

Oh dear Marlyyyy, you stitched my free, I love it, thanks so much!!!
A bunch of hugs!!!!

Cathy B said...

Lots of cute pictures in this post - the kitty cat trying to stay cool and the raccoon family! I positively like the collection of BOAF Santas!

Good luck with your sampler - you definitely have to make it work for you otherwise you won't enjoy stitching it!

Keeper of the Crowes said...

Love the "boys"! I really like your Eliza conversion. I think you're going to be really happy with it. The raccoon picture is "priceless"!
Linda

Penny said...

That kitty is so cute! What's important is that you are happy with the colors for Eliza. I love the colors you have chosen. Hope you are able to make some progress without all of those pesky frogs. I've wondered where that term comes from too. :) Those raccoons are adorable. You sure seem to have quite a variety of visitors. :) I think the word is out that you will be kind to them.

Kay said...

Love the santas. it is painful getting the colours just right sometimes. I usually go on my instinct because sometimes I can over think for hours otherwise. I also have a daughter with a good eye for colour that i get asecond opinion from.

Linda, NE Iowa said...

Marly ~ you definitely made the right decision to change colors on Eliza. I don't care for the bright colors. I saw a post a few years ago where the woman had bought a large amount of DMC at a Wal-Mart closeout and then tea-dyed them. The cat looks so comfortable, even in the heat. It's up to 96 here in NE Iowa today.

Patty C. said...

I don't think it matters how you frog - Either way it's a bother !!!

I do like the colors you have chosen !!! Looking forward to viewing your progress ;)

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Great shot of your 'coon girls - how ever did you get them to pose? Love your Santa boys! I've been thinking of changing that metallic gold, too!

Marsha said...

Could somebody tell me what "frogs" are in cross-stitch, since I'm new to cs?

I know what you mean about the darling raccoon babies; we ended up feeding a mom and 4 babies until I read a wildlife rehabilitation newsletter that said "do not ever feed raccoons" or you will be enabling some of the raccoon population to possibly starve because there are too many for the environment in your area. It's hard to not want to feed them, but I guess it's for the best not to. :-( That mom did the same thing: brought them all up for us to see them and became almost fearless; then knocked down all our bird feeders and things off the patio table, etc., etc.

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