Bristle feather style tree

Hi folks. Visited Meander Hill in Austintown Ohio yesterday and as usual, a lovely colonial shop.  In case you are looking for a feather style tree, they do have these and are willing to ship.  A large version is available I believe.  The branches are fairly stiff and can hold your stitched ornaments and glass, not sure about really heavy ones.  This is their Facebook page where you can contact Evan.

 

https://www.facebook.com/meanderhill/

 

 

 

They had another short one that had more stems off the branches rather than singles, really really nice, more expensive.  The photos of that one did not come out!  Stringing lights on this style isn't easy but they are a perfect way to display stitched pieces, plenty of space to hang free.  Same goes for vintage or family glass balls.  They also have the German twig trees in two sizes.

 

Just thought I would mention for those of you that have no access to these sweet primitive trees.

 

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Almost!

The door and windows need painted but without cooperation from the weather, they may have to wait until spring.   I do like the contrast of dark and light which is one reason I wanted the beams for this room.  This light gray which I thought would never work, has turned out to be the perfect color.  Yes, I am amazed.
















Not sure I am loving the black hinges but they will stay.  I've decided against farmhouse style decorations, will stick with primitive/colonial but on a much lighter and more sparse note.

And someone is getting comfortable on these cold and snowy days.

Hope you are!!

I'm still a crabass.

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Another add

to stash I will never stitch.  But maybe, just maybe, I will have enough confidence and patience to pick up Sharon Cohen's designs one day.  I've managed to snag the pockets on Ebay, last month the Tree of Life, and yesterday this beauty.  Tent stitches on 32 count and I may be able to handle that.

 

 

Even if I never stitch them, having them is a good thing.  I'm sure many of you understand wanting to possess special designs that make us smile, even if we only look at the photo!

 

Have a great day.

 

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Interior white is OK

but exterior white makes me snarl.  And it's been off and on along with rain for weeks.  This is the most cold, wet, gloomy, and miserable fall in memory.  Which is short but that's beside the point.  And I am certain that you are bored and annoyed with paint posts, but I search and read blogs about color choices, many have helped me.  So just in case some of you have an undertone phobia as I do, here 'ya go.  Can't believe I found what I feel is exactly what I wanted. 

 

So if you're wondering how I'm liking the white room, here's the scoop.  I had to change the color, just a bit.  The walls of BM White Dove with a reduction in the yellow tint is perfect.  The same color on all trim (which experts advise against) was nice, but looked like the room was primed, not painted.  Maybe it was the soft look (I chose eggshell), or maybe the experts know more than I do, but Mark did not care for it either.  So before the final coat, I got a few samples, one of which looked to have a pink undertone but I was out of options.  Bingo.  Even in this room that always shows a pinkish cast, this color did not. 

 

Classic Gray from BM (mixed by Behr). 

I've seen it on blogs paired with Simply White which is lighter and more yellow than White Dove, and did not want the modern vibe of gray.  But here it is.  It doesn't look gray, it doesn't look beige, it looks like a darker version of the wall.  Very neutral.  Do I see the pink that I saw in the swatch?  No.  Is it a noticeable difference from the wall?  Yes, but not much.  No color really, just a slight difference from the walls, as if a dirty white.  If I didn't remove some of the yellow in the wall paint, I don't think it would have worked.

 

The sash isn't painted yet but as you can see outside, it's snowing.  If it's not snowing, it's raining.  If it's not raining, it's blowing frigid air.  Maybe one day before June I will be able to open and paint it!

 

I'm really glad I used my trick on the hinges.  Just in case they would have to be removed, I did not want them to lift the paint from the cupboard which has happened on other pieces.  I back the hinges with 3M scotch tape and trim excess.  They won't stick into the paint and we had no trouble when removing them, even with fresh paint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for your help about the DNA kits.  I ordered them for the two people that really want this.  And because of the sale price, ordered an extra that I may take.  Why?  Well, to see why my mother's wedding photos that only my immediate family have, are there and by whom.  Also, there is a village in Switzerland by Italy's border with my father's family name.  I do not plan to be public, nor do I have intentions to contact anyone, and I understand that I can delete my results with this company as long as they were not shared by another member.  If I'm not public, there is no way to be shared.  We'll see.  I've done some research after your emails and comments and found that as time goes on, the location of your heritage can change as more people submit their ... well .. spit.  So it's certainly not written in stone, and although for some it may be very accurate, for others, it's a guess.  Would I have ordered for myself if it wasn't half price?  No.  I only buy on sale or with coupons (thank you Kohl's!).   I have a year to take it, and if I change my mind, I can gift to another.

 

No stitching, no decorating, but heading in the right direction.  This evening I plan to bleach the osnaburg curtains I made since they are so very dark, and then take some time to fringe the edges and hang this week.  Not sure if I will like the look but until I decide on a style to purchase, they're a cheap and easy alternative.

 

Hope your week goes well.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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A question

Hi folks.  Have any of you taken the DNA ancestry test kit?  Two family members want this for Christmas and we were wondering how invasive they are.  To my absolute surprise and dismay, my mother's photos and wedding pictures are on a site that a cousin tried.  No one else in the family has these photos, nor did she, and I am really upset that privacy does not seem to be a concern with these companies.  How the hell did they get photos from over 70 years ago?  They are not on Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media in fact, the cousin did not ever see these photos and wasn't sure who they were.  What the hell?  I need to investigate further through phone calls and whatever I need to do to find out where they get permission to use, and sources to find, such personal items.  I am really ticked. 

My nephew is adopted and has never desired a search for biologic parents.  When his son does this test, they will obviously be listed.  You don't have to contact others, but we understand that once you submit your sample you will become part of the database and your information will be out there for contact from others (that you may not want to hear from).

 

If you submitted your DNA, would you mind sharing the experience and what was available to you from which company?  I would appreciate any input.  Thanks.

 

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Can a crabass be thankful?

Of course.

Does that mean gratitude can change your mood?
Not necessarily. 

Can you be thankful for what you have and still be a crabass?
Living proof.

Does knowing others are worse off lighten your mood?
Not necessarily.
It just makes you more grateful, not less crabby. 

How about when you spend a lot of money on a fresh and natural no antibiotic and no hormone turkey and breast, and the meat squeaks when sliced?  Tastes unusual?  Must be swallowed whole for fear of breaking a tooth?
Not really.

How about when the fresh market squash you bought has a secret inside?
Nope.

How about when there is more pie filling on the bottom of the oven than in the pie?
Keep going.

Maybe when you shop at 10pm for another breast and will be up all night thawing it for an early roasting?
Getting close.

Or when the doors on your new expensive cabinets are so warped you need to buy wood and make new ones yourself?
Not quite.

How about when you sit down and think about all the things that DO go right, and the people that are still with us, and the fact that we are still here to crab?
Bingo.

Many people go through mood swings, depression, sadness, isolation, grief, stress, loss.  And how many times do we tell them to be grateful, even during hard times, because there is always someone worse off?  It's true, but in many cases it is not that simple and their burden cannot be lightened with that thought.  They may believe it, and know they are better off than some, but don't be upset with them if that fact doesn't make them feel better.

Just a thought on a day of Thanks.  I'm doing well, hope you are too.

Happy Thanksgiving to you.

 

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The pony

Hi folks.  Thought you might like to see the adaptation by Pam Gill (http://primitivespast.blogspot.com/) of the infamous pony wallet we all saw on Pinterest.  It's not easy to recreate from a photo!   I really like her addition of another pony to the front.  And I so love her offerings.

 

 

 

 

Oh - I made a box for those gourds, most fit, a few are too long.  But the box is 3# and oversize and a lot to ship.  Can't win.  So they are in the attic.

 

 

I may be gone for a bit.  Can't explain what's happening, not sure where it's coming from.  Restless, emotional, sad, unsettled, getting to the point where I am accomplishing very little and if I do, questioning why I bothered.  Weird weird.  Yes I'm sure the issues with finding trades people and having things in upheaval for too long may be part of it, but I have to ask, why the hell are they so important in the first place?  So I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, and hope to return with something to show, or explain, or announce, or share, or giveaway, or rant about.  Any guesses which?

BTW, I did a little something to the PS charts to recognize them if they showed up on Ebay for much more than I offered, and some have.  Am I ticked?  Yep.
 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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The pile up

 

Ahhhh.  That's much better.  Benjamin Moore's White Dove.

 

Pile up in catchall room 2!  And it's not over.  I have several cupboards in the beamed room that will be moved here too.  The narrow bookcase will be painted and used in my sewing room and maybe all the others will be relocated to the spare room of whats (that's what I call it). 

 

 

 

 And if you are flustered because of clutter or untidy rooms, these should make you feel swell.

 

 

 

The upstairs whats room is holding the finished needlework and items that need to be sorted for usefulness. 

Wicker holds wool, to-be-refinished chests hold fabric,

bins hold the Heirloom Weaver fabric I will never use.

 

I may hate winter, but methinks I'll be busy enough to ignore it and hopefully just whiz by. 

 

Have a peaceful day.

 

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Mining for gold

 

Over and over I have tried various shades of gold threads, this one 831.  Just not enough contrast on this linen which I chose because of the rough and wrinkled appearance.  I think it's 26 count and looks very similar to the coarse linen of the original.  But I think I have to look at a lighter shade of 28 because I do not have the patience to try more threads.  A light yellowish shade was too ... well.... yellowish, so maybe I should look to the gray beiges?  Those usually show well on very dark linen but something tells me they will also be a fail.  This doesn't look bad in the photo but in person I can't distinguish letters.  One more try and if it doesn't work, start over on a different linen.

 

We started the walls in the beamed room with the dining room's Behr mix of Rare & Radiant.  It's a very soft and neutral white, but my pink eye is glowing.  I am just too sensitive to undertones.  This room is not bright at all like the other room this color is being used in and it seems to show a pink tone with most paints.  No one sees it but me, but I think I must go back to the very light and brighter BM White Dove.  It's really hard as you well know to choose a white with all its various hidden tones, let alone making such a drastic change.

We have very cold, rainy, snowy weather and I am beginning to doubt whether Jason will finish.  I saw his excavating equipment leaving his shop so he is still working, but for how long is the question.  I'm taking Thanksgiving dinner to my sister's this year rather than worrying about the mess.  I do not like cleaning up afterward in someone else's home.  Do you put this dish in the dishwasher?  What about glassware?  Where are the clean towels?   Should I pick a cupboard to put the specialty pieces where you will never find them?

 

I checked for kid's coats online to order since the sales are so early, and those that I chose are already out of stock.  In store and online!  Ridiculous.  I'm too tired to fight the black Friday crowds even though I've always enjoyed it, but with my choices unavailable from the comfort of home, not sure what my options are.

 

Nitzy has been sneezing for two days and we'll have to take him in for a shot.  The vet may ask us to Valium-inize him because he caused so much trouble for them before.  Bud's eyes are runny too and I would like to make it one trip but need to buy another carrier first.  No time and it seems like the holidays are closing in quickly.  Correction.  Warp speed! 

 

Hope your week is going swell.

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Early winter

And I hate it!  How is Jason going to finish in this weather?  That pallet of pavers may be there until spring and we will be tracking in mud all winter. Two mornings of snow, one day over 40 next week and that's it.  Nothing on the horizon over 35 after that.  What the hell!! 

Under this light snow layer is a thick layer of leaves, now topped off with newly fallen.  And several trees are still half with leaves.  Wet leaves do not blow and certainly not after being stuck in the mud.

 

Another show of whiteness, such a soft beautiful shade.  Even if I knew what it was, it would never look the same in here.  I purchased Magnolia's Shiplap online (not sold here) thinking it would be the ticket, it is lighter than the sample and even with two coats, has not covered well enough for me.

 

Enjoy your weekend folks!  It will be an unusually crabby one for me.

 

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And we have cupboards

Wow.  These babies are heavy.  Poor Dominic could barely hold up his end when bringing them into the house.  They are 4 foot wide and almost 6 tall.  I could not wait to put a basket on top.  My dark brown crocks/jugs or baskets will be displayed there.  Shelves for crocks or baskets to hold items will be made for between them beneath the window so the entire wall be utilitarian.

Lots of storage inside. They will be attached to the wall, painted the same white with more black hardware.  He doesn't have the shelves made yet and that's OK.  Lots of work on my part to ready them for paint. 

The interior is finished but there are door details that need some attention and sanding.  Dom is not used to my style and makes beautiful kitchens, but they are overlay profiled doors, all finished and ready for installation.  He didn't even know what an H hinge is and has never done inset or plank doors.  I'm not complaining because at least he was willing to come out and doesn't turn down jobs.  These details don't detract from the strength and utility of the cupboards.

As for the antique sampler, if anyone held a copyright it would have been the stitcher for the design she created, which expires at death + a number of years and can be transferred to others.  If it's a family heirloom and the rights were passed to them, that's different.  But if it's not your work, you cannot apply for a copyright.  Technically, the chart I created for the pony wallet could have been sold by me.  The wallet owner cannot hold a copyright on the antique, but requested I do not sell the chart so I obliged.  Many pieces do not identify the creator or the location.  If you tangibly work out a pattern for a piece, such can be copyrighted as yours, but not the actual piece.  The image you prepare or photos you take of anything are products of your work, are tangible, and can also be copyrighted if you choose.  Not reproducing, selling, profiting from what you are creating from something you have seen, and there is no way to determine the author or any applied copyright, I cannot see the harm.  But if you wanted to make several and sell them, who are you infringing upon?  You can't copy someone's photo, frame it, and sell it.  But they don't hold the rights to the subject in the photo unless it is from their hands.  And needlework is a different medium than a copyrighted photo, which opens up a new discussion.  Antique furniture pieces, quilts, weavings, have all been reproduced and many to be sold.  The laws are extensive and defined, but also confusing and sometimes impossible to verify when old pieces are involved.  An interesting article on patterns (relating to clothing) is here.  And I'm assuming that quilting, furniture, and other items may be considered in the same category.  An example from the site....

Here, while the drawing of the dress may be considered a creative expression of the author and therefore eligible for copyright protection, the pattern instructions and any dress made from the pattern would not be protected by copyright.

How confusing is that????  I've checked many sites and Googled until the cats came home, there is a lot of info out there.  Sellers may post a legal notice about their work and when you agree to their terms and conditions of usage, that is binding.

 

I need to go play with the paint again or Mark is going to the store and coming home with basic white.  Poor guy has been living with painted plywood pieces at every angle for a loooooooong time.

 

Thanks for visiting!

 

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I did a bad thing

Well, I think I did, but I'm not really sure.  If we see an offer to purchase an antique sampler and decide to stitch it ourselves instead, are we wrong?  It's not a chart, not offered as a chart, just an item for sale.  Well it's too late!!  I saw it, immediately knew the colors to use, it's small, and my style.  Sorry Santa, you'll have to wait. 


This was the offer (Ebay photo).  If DMC 501 is used, I'm all in, and that's exactly what this looks like to me.  I had no trouble determining the other colors but I will use one shade of gold instead of two, and a brighter red like 355 (this looks like 814 which I do not like).  Because the linen appears to be a looser weave, I plan to pull 28 count.  It would be very nice on a high count but I want to recreate the look of this and part of the appeal is the coarse fabric and aging. 

Reminds me of one of my favorites, Dorothy Allen from R&R, haven't figured size yet but it may be similar.










That's it!  The sun is out today, very windy.  Since we could not get anyone to cement our front area where the natural stones were removed, we've added a full length step to the front and Jason will be installing pavers.  Not happy.  There is no way to match man made color to natural stone and they all have way too much orangey reddish tones (even though they are gray), but I have no choice.  It is what it is!  Hopefully he will be out Friday or Monday and Dominic is delivering the cabinets then also.  Guess who still can't decide on the white for that room?  Yep.

Have a good one!!

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Getting closer

I pulled some thread today, for someone else, but I was in the floss box.  And it made me want to pull a few for myself.  Can't believe how quickly and painfully these nodes on my right fingers are growing, but I think I can stitch.  I keep saying I will start something this weekend and don't because of the house projects. 

 

Thanksgiving day will be here soon and I know we won't be done or even close.  Jason was here today and we need to get pavers or something for him to install and finish up Wednesday.  One day to find them and choose, not easy in the summer let alone this late in the year.  Hot flashes are raging. 

 

It's after midnight and I'm still up waiting for the boys to come home so I can lock them up for the night.  Their day of relaxation was disrupted by the landscapers and they must have gone on a day trip.

 

Isn't this foyer stunning?  Simple and soft.  Pinterest of course.

 

 

Cheryl, I've tried many ways to contact you and express my sympathy in your loss, but Google+ just won't allow it.

 

Hope everyone's week goes well.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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November

November 1.  And I am already tired of seeing "black Friday" in ads.  Countdown to Christmas movies will be boring and stale by December.  Why start them so early? 

 

It has rained and rained and rained and will continue. The brats have decided it's too wet and returned to their inside room.  I can pet Bud, he will sleep on my lap, but the other two are still as untouchable as ever.  I do not think it will ever change. 

 

My sister failed to trap a long haired calico this summer so along with her two adorable kits, she is ready to pop another litter.  There's a separate major issue brewing at her house and she is not happy with the side I am taking.  Not a good time for this as we wait for her 5 year old great grandchild's biopsy results. 

 

It took a while but the ceiling paint around the beams is cut in and ready to roll, walls too.  I have read that when using a shade of white on the walls, a similar but different white should be used on trim.  But I can't find one that isn't too yellow or too gray so I'm not following that advice.  Everything will be one.  I chose Valspar's Rare and Radiant shade of white, mixed by Behr who has the formula.  Leaving the darkside, heading toward the light. 

 

My cabinets were to be finished over a week ago and I haven't heard a word from Dominic.  Hope he isn't having a family crisis. 

 

Every time I go into Walmart, our one remaining store, I can just smack the lips off of some mothers.  This time, a several month old baby was beet red and crying as she held him horizontal at her hip as if he were a clutch.  He was crying so hard he could barely breathe.  My 15 minutes of fame may come one day under a headline, "mouthy elderly shopper attacked by useless idiot of a mother".

 

Hope you all have a great weekend.

 

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And an answer

The seller informed me that the chart appearing to be a copy was purchased at her local shop, which she named including the owner.  If it came from a shop, it must be original.  And although I believe there were 4 pages to the chart and should include the photo, there must have been some that did not. 

 

Looking at the chart itself, I don't know if I would ever stitch it.  There are a lot of half stitches and symbols that are already crossing my eyes.

 

Just wanted to update my query.

 

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