Hiya

I'll be gone for a while.  We start in Cleveland August 1.  They wanted her tomorrow but for several reasons, she requested a few more days.  Her doc told me to kiss my summer goodbye.  Last year it was the month of August with her sepsis and gall bladder surgery.  I have no idea when the surgery will be, they are trying to work out a plan since she is high risk, but her heart is critical right now and they need to work fast.  The doctor in charge is the head of the Heart Failure Center.  It's still shocking that you can be in such a dire situation when your cardio exam went so well, and you had all testing done last year at this time.  Whatever.  I just hope they can correct or at least help her, and quickly.

 

I will let you know the outcome once it's over and we are back home.  I am not driving, nor could I.  Mark got lost twice on the way home and we never know if a test result will require an admittance or return the next day so we have a driver lined up also.  He can't stay in Cleveland with me because no one can take care of the wild brats.  I don't want them left outside day and night and they won't allow anyone near enough to coax them in at night or to feed them.  The raccoons will take their food if left outside.  They refuse to use the litter box, locking them inside is impossible, and the garage is terribly hot.  Chris saw the new doctor (who is only staying three months) to find out his new pump is not working properly, hence the continual emergencies, so Mark needs to be close and get to him if he fails to answer the phone.  There is never an easy solution is there?

 

Say a prayer if you are so inclined that this will end in a good result for her.

 

Thank you.  Take care.

 

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One more and the last one

with binder holes.  Stoney Creek's The Lord's Prayer.

 

This is mine, lovely border and dove, the prayer is backstitched.  Some metallic thread is used but you can change that.  My dove is white metallic and the crowns, wheat, lions and a few letters are gold.   I recently saw this completed on FB, beautiful piece.

 

Here are the holes and there are also markings, and I colored in some of the symbols.  If interested, email me.  It looks like I changed the top butterflies beneath the sheep to hearts. 

 

samplersandsantas@gmail.com

 

 

I will be working on Ann tonight, but I've chosen two small projects to work on when I'm staying at Cleveland Clinic with Carole.  After a great exam and good numbers, her echo showed otherwise.  I always go to her appointments but the last one was excellent and this was just a follow up for results with the nurse that I did not attend.  Needless to say, she is in shock.  They are fitting her with a life vest Monday and rather than screw around with the yokals, she is going right back to Cleveland for another valve surgery and pacemaker change.  We will know when next week.  I wish there was a way to get to the clinic without that multi lane drag race route that I cannot handle.

 

 

 

 

The heat is returning for a few days and the brats are already enjoying it.  And a little tip if you plan to paint outdoor furniture.... black heats up like a toaster and will fry your butt in seconds.

 

Have a good weekend.

 

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McCarthy

Not as widely desired as Yellow House.  But still about a dozen requests.  This time Kris Butorac was drawn.  I will be scanning a bunch of samplers I know I will never stitch for a sale but I don't know if it will be through the sampler chart selling FB page or here or eBay.  It's so much easier when the address and mailing label are available without revolving emails especially when there are two dozen or more charts.  I'll see.

 

Little Santas are in ornament/pillow/tuck form and so stinkin' cute.  Tiny!  Probably add hangers but not yet.

 

 

Hope your week is going well.   August next week.  Can't believe it.

 

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Wow.

There were over 20 readers that wanted Yellow House!  I scrambled and pulled a number, it matched Mary McMaster.  Sorry to disappoint the others, did not expect that many requests.

 

This is the Sheepish Designs McCarthy sampler.  I did mine on a unbleached linen that is very gray and dull, do not like it at all.  Emails only.
samplersandsantas@gmail.com
 

 

The holes are shown here and the crease is worn, a few marks centering the over one verse.

 

 

If I ever get the gumption to remove it (the thought of mounting again is holding me back) I will dip it in a bit of yellowish tan dye.  I know some of you just fell off of your chairs.  The unevenness is the reflection from the other wall and it doesn't look too bad in this photo, but it does when hung with the other samplers on warmer linen.

 

 

 

 

 

And while waiting for Carole's heart testing at the hospital, I got a good start on the corrected Polish piece and finished it last night.  Much better.  Just in case you plan to stitch it, please download the latest chart.  I changed it so many times and this final one looks more balanced and better than the others.

 

Again, I'm sorry for all the changes.  I didn't plan it as a freebie, just as a gift, and I appreciate Alice's help with the proper lettering/slash.

I'm sitting on my swing with a light jacket!  It's chilly without the sun and such a drastic change.  I have my home made cold brewed iced coffee and it is divine.

 

Have a great Wednesday! 

 

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Two charts

Sheepish Designs Yellow House Sampler

Sheepish Designs McCarthy Sampler

 

Both are original publications and both have been stored in a binder and have 3 holes.  Back then, I discarded charts I completed since selling was not practiced so I wasn't concerned with markings or condition.  The holes are in a stitched area but those missing stitches can be easily recognized from the border pattern.  Neither can be sold so I am offering to you rather than tossing.  

First will be the Yellow House Sampler.  I'll contact the new owner Tuesday evening and post the McCarthy chart then for Wednesday.

If you'd like the Yellow House, EMAIL ONLY so I have a way to contact you.  Click the address below, it should work.

samplersandsantas@gmail.com

 

p.s. Cinderella is back in her castle since it has cooled off. 

 

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I can always shut the door

The power returned but the nearby lightning strike fried the compressor in her air conditioner.  It's very old, the repairman does not know if it can be replaced.   That cost would be bad enough but if a new one is needed, our estimates here are over $2000.  Wonderful. 

 

So it looks like she will be staying here for a while until it's ordered, repaired, or replaced.  Her house is only 73 but she claims she can't breathe, and the temperature will rise as the day progresses.  I don't have a heart problem so I can't relate but she is always overheated and humidity makes her breathing worse.  I'm sure it does, it did for my MIL, but it doesn't seem to bother her when she is sitting outside watching the great grands play.  So I offered to buy her a tent.  Proper etiquette would have been "no thank you" instead of the snarky response.  I told her she could borrow my bracelet.  She did not take that offer graciously either.

 

Mom's bedroom has a TV, recliner, queen bed, private bath, and separate controls for heat/air.  And a door.  I have the key.  Poor Cinderella.

 

For the first year, I cut the hydrangeas at the right time!!  They always wilted within days but after reading a few tips, cutting them when they are just starting to dry is perfect.  They are staying beautiful and turning that green that I love.   A pop of white that would not have been noticed if I had not cleared out the clutter.  It may come back after all the rooms are painted, but I doubt it.

 

Have a good day! 

Keep an extra key handy, just in case a mean sister comes your way.

 

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Fabrics for Santas

Greetings folks.  I sure hope you and your critters are handling the heat wave.  It is hot!  I sat outside on the swing for an hour and my body adjusted to it rather quickly.  Coming into the cool house actually felt chilly.  My sister (who cannot take heat to the point of breathing trouble) has lost her power since 7am, will not be fixed until their estimate of 6pm SUNDAY!!  Today is the worst day of the heat!  Only 16 homes were affected by the loss from the torrential rains and bone shaking thunder early this morning.  We are fine and I need to straighten up a bit because she will be coming here later to stay until tomorrow evening.   I told her to purchase bags of ice and throw them in the fridge and freezer so she doesn't lose it all but of course, she won't so we will have to get them.  She can get in her (MY!) car and pick them up here.  The understanding when I gave her my beloved vehicle was that it was to be kept in her garage.  Instead, it is outside always with the sun baking the paint, the oak's tails and leaves eating the paint, because it's more important to have the great grand's plastic big wheels and the rest of Toys-R-us inside.  You have no idea how that frosts my butt.  She has more excuses than the Kardashians have injections.

 

I haven't been stitching because of another two day bout of vertigo but today I am fine.  I decided to choose fabrics for the latest Santas since I found them last week in the floss basket.  I forgot all about them so as usual, I get excited all over again. 

 

 

Here's the center area of my petunias.  You can see how full they are from the pruning.

 

Even after all the cuttings and damage from the June rains, these Vista Silver Bells are outperforming all the others.

 

I had to stop in a vet's office to pick up pills for my brother's cat Peanut, who became very ill very quickly with some sort of infection.  It's been two weeks and she is recovering but still needed more meds.  I stood at the counter for over 15 minutes waiting and listening to the most gut wrenching howls and moans from a dog with a head injury.  I could not take it and crying without producing tears burns like hell.  I wanted to ask if he would be OK but I just couldn't get any more words out. 

I stopped to drop off the pills and also this little jar of heaven for his birthday.  We don't buy gifts other than little treats and since he loves figs, he should love this.  I do!!  New to me and fabulous on a cracker.  Problem is the jar's contents seem to vanish like magic.  I don't know why. 

 

My sister will be coming soon.  She is very upset about her friend's 40 year old daughter being diagnosed with uterine and breast cancer.  Physicals every year, but the tumor was cantaloupe size.  She is coming home today but needs chemo to start next week and breast surgery following.

 

I hope everyone is having a pleasant weekend.  Don't sweat the small stuff.  You never know when the big stuff may come.

 

 

Thanks for visiting with me.

 

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Annabelle

The biggest they have ever been.  The garden is the worst it's ever been.  Some thrive, some suffer.

They are with the irises and peonies in an area where sand was dumped.  Still poor soil, but no where near as bad as the hard pan clay near the house.   Many have broken stems because of their weight after a rain.  I'm holding this one up for the photo.

 

Budman in his new favorite spot.

 

 

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Polish patience

I don't have it.  Nor the Italian!  I am so sorry!  A reader kindly informed me of the correct way to write God bless our home.  When seeing this translation many times online, the mark over the Z was there but I did not see the diagonal slash on the Ls.  So once again, the chart is changed!!  And I think my needle should stitch another, as charted, no more changes!  I was in such a hurry to chart and stitch this that I didn't give myself time to really look it over.  So the second line is 2 stitches wider with the slash added, the bottom area is wider to balance it more.  I think another symbol or floral border would be nice and when I stitch again for Carole, I may do that.  But after SEVEN changes to the chart in directions and stitches, that's it!   I apologize for jumping the gun and making so many changes after the original offer.  I will have to change the photo too once finished.

 

Mark was golfing out of town today so I took advantage of that and ripped down some drywall.  Some women shop, some tear down walls.  The doorways were taped off with drop cloths because let's be honest, drywall dust is worse than flour.  It's a toss up as to which sticks to sweaty skin more, and I was tempted to throw a quick cake recipe together to test it.  I don't need cake.  Yes I do.  Anyway, I need to get into that room for floss because I just may change the color to 321 or a different red.  Why?  Missy (a.k.a. Monkey Mona), that's why.  She got up on the chest next to my chair and started her own floss toss.  My fault for not putting it back in its bag.  Rather than buy new ones to utilize the notebook, I thought I would use a punch to add the side holes to my existing bags, but it doesn't work since the plastic has no body.  Paper beneath didn't matter, it still would not cut cleanly.

 

So there you have it!  Ann must be put aside for another quick project and I won't be able to settle myself down until I do that.  This little design takes very little time so not a big deal.

 

Mark drove by to check on the lush elderberry bushes and someone cut them all down while clearing that small area.  I have no idea why!  It's not easy to spot those tiny berries once the bloom is gone so finding them now will be next to impossible.  Sure hope we do because although a royal PITA to harvest, our favorite pie.

 

Have a great hump day!

Again, my apologies!

 

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Floss bags

Greetings to all in MID July.  Damn.

 EDIT - FOUND A SOURCE

I needed to pull new floss bags for the latest DMC colors I bought, and although the same size, they didn't look like my others.  They aren't!  I don't ever remember using or purchasing this style. 

I separated the bags by style and cut two covers from a heavy something-or-other, and I have a little book for a large project, floss in order by number, and neater than a bunch of bags on a large ring that twist and turn.  To replace my other bags with these would take some time, and my online searches did not reveal availability of this style.

Marking them with the color numbers can be removed with alcohol so I can use over and over and over.  But for the number of large projects I plan to stitch, over and over and over will be more like … over.

 

Have a great day!!
 

SOURCE
Mine were by Westex, but Hobby Lobby carries them under another brand and also the binder.  Here's the info in case you are interested.  Sullivan's also makes the same.

 

 

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Polish chart

Hi folks.  What a gorgeous day we are having.  I'm going to grease my mouth, lips, and eyes and we'll take a ride in the country with the windows down.

 

The chart is posted under the FREE tab.  I want to mention that you can adjust the bottom area by another two stitches in length to make a perfect square, would fit nicely in a little 4" frame.  Initials or the name of the home owner would be nice.  Too bad I didn't think of this before I shipped mine off to the recipient!!  Damn.  Carole, I'm sorry!!  Always a day late and dollar short, but still too tall.  

 

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A little project in Polish

I sure hope it's right!  I found two translations to Polish for God bless our home.  Well, three really, and I chose what is found on many antique pieces.  I made this for a woman who is always giving of herself and offering help.  I hope she likes it.  I made the hanger knotted so it can be adjusted to fit over a large door knob or other display.  Polish colors are red and white.

 

If anyone is interested in stitching this (nice gift for a Polish relative), I will post the chart.

 

I get asked as do most stitchers about finishing so here's a few pics of the way I do it now.  Because no one told this nitwit to put the interfacing on AFTER sewing and I was doing it bass ackward.

First is counting the same number of threads from each side to create an even margin and marking it.  Love those Frixion pens.

  

I then pull a linen thread out three to five threads away from the margin mark, depending on how much fabric I have to work with.   The presser foot will follow this line, or I will use the Frixion pen to mark the thread.  I leave the bottom open but run the machine sewn seam about an inch to create the corners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

THEN apply the fusible interfacing extending it over the seam.  Press the seams open and then trim the fabrics.  I also clip on each side of the clipped corners. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I use Poly-fill Royal Silk fiberfill because they stopped making my favorite.  This material does not melt with heat like the other fills, so the steam and smash with the iron to create a dense fill takes more time and more steam.  But it makes a much nicer feel.  I do that as I am stuffing, not once it's done.  Having the corners already sewn makes stuffing them easy and I used a thin line of Tacky for the close.

 

 

 

 

All done.  I'll be mailing tomorrow and if she sees this post, I think she'll know it's hers!!  Sure hope I have the Polish right.  And her address.

 

Have a great weekend!!

Thanks for visiting.

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For the kids

I have two cards, one is Schooler's Mary had a little lamb, the other is Cedar Hill's Now I lay me down to sleep.  Could someone use them??

EDIT - BOTH CHARTS WERE REQUESTED.











 

This one is combined cross and backstitching.

Email with your address and I will mail them. 

 

I want to share a photo of my dear customer's collection of my boxes!!  WOW!!  I don't even remember most of them but counting the ones hiding in the middle, I think there are 18.   I  really like George but no longer have the file and that size box is no longer being made. So nice to see that my work is being enjoyed, makes me all warm and fuzzy.  Not because it's 92 degrees and the humidity frizzed my hair, this fuzzy is inside.  Thank you Mary!! 

This heat spared the life of a chipmunk (a distant relative of Karin's Steve) that ran by Missy unnoticed.  I always enjoyed seeing what Steve was up to.

Email if you want those two cards.

Double digit July!!
Damn.
 

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Framing Sally

Hi everyone.  We're approaching the double digits of July already.  Seems like we just started summer in PA!

 

I filled in Sally's door surround with the house color and plan to steam it, maybe the lines won't show as much.  The door frame was filled in with the window color and I like the result.  It's been a very long time since I mounted/laced a sampler and I am not looking forward to it, but she will be framed.  The boning has worked very well for hanging and there is no distortion in the linen.  Her 22 x 24 size will be the even larger with the wide frame and I plan to hang her on the dining room wall with a sconce on each side, keeping it simple.  I'm really glad I filled this in and it's made a big difference in the overall look.

 

So will we attempt making another frame?  Go to Michael's?  Hobby Lobby?  I have two local framing businesses that I will visit first, but my small pieces were all over $100 30 years ago.  I can't imagine what this one will cost now.  I've seen posts about a framer many stitchers use but I don't know about sending something this large.  There are several Ebay sellers that make custom sizes and since I will be mounting it, that may work too.  Not sure about glass, probably not.

 

Now I will return to ….  is it Ann?  I think so.  She's been tucked safely into a canvas pouch and hanging on my drawer knob to prevent another round of lost and found.

 

Have a good week!!

 

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Sally's door

Tough decision on the door color.  I really liked the 924 but looking at the large sampler overall, the lighter brown seemed to pull it together with the darker brown in the border and upper sections.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But what do I do with the other areas surrounding the door?  I see three options .. the same light thread on the windows, a shade darker than the house thread, or filling it in with the house color.  I also don't like the end rice stitches in the green below the door but will leave them.  To me it looks like they are messy, probably because of being singular.  But I do like the look of this piece much better with a stitched door.  Sorry Sally. 

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Paint sample tip - final!

You all know I am psychotic when it comes to beige or white paints.   I chose a white for the rest of the first floor trim that goes nicely with my custom White Dove.  Since those neutrals have very little tint in their bases, one drop can change it.  I thought it was my phobia making me see yellow or pink in my projects when the sample seemed perfect.  I now know why.

Do you see the difference in the two drops?  The one on the right is from the gallon I just purchased.  The one on the left is from the sample I tested.  Those sample jars from Behr are 1/16th of a gallon.  If I multiplied that sample formula x 16, it should match the gallon.  It doesn't.  Because they can't break down the tint (for samples) into small enough increments, the gallon could be off and it is.  The LL tint (raw umber) is 58 and to match the sample it should be 56, hence the yellowish white that I did not want and a major color change. 

So if you find a white or very light sample of paint,  DO NOT have them mix it from the formula in the computer.  Work out the tint numbers from your sample label depending on the ounces (or have the store do it) for a manual mix and it will be exactly what you expected.  No returns since the formula is for the color I requested.  No choice but to purchase another gallon with a reduction in the umber, and then mix the two gallons together.  That makes it easy for me to decide that this white will be all of the trim, even second story, I certainly have enough of it!  No more looking at samples and seeing pink or yellow, no more little jars everywhere.  I throw them all into a container, mix, and use as first coats since the whites are similar.  This discrepancy probably doesn't matter in colors as much, but one or two drops of tint in white certainly does.  If you can see a difference in just a dab of the paint, imagine the effect on a wall. 

 

Have a great Sunday!! I should be home from the birthday party in time for the sale.

 

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Box sale Sunday 7/7

I hope these photos are good enough!  Shipping is US only.  Prices include $5 shipping cost.   Remember that all lids have additional cardboard padding to raise them, otherwise the square labels would need to be much smaller in order to not be covered.  Make sense?  LOL!!

These are the two 5" boxes, each has the same labels.  Not four boxes, this is one box showing all four sides! 
BOX ONE IS SOLD - THANK YOU
BOX ONE $18.00    (plus 50 cents if Paypal) 
BOX TWO IS GONE
BOX TWO $18.00   (plus 50 cents if Paypal)

This is one of the two 4" boxes, each a little different.
SOLD - THANK YOU
BOX THREE $16.00 (plus 50 cents if Paypal)

The second 4" box.
SOLD - THANK YOU!
BOX FOUR $16.00 (plus 50 cents if Paypal)

And the cutest damn 3", both the same.. showing all four sides on two boxes.
BOTH SOLD - THANK YOU!
BOX FIVE $13.00 (plus 50 cents if Paypal)
BOX SIX  $13.00  (plus 50 cents if Paypal)

 

Sale starts at 8pm ET Sunday 7/7.  Check is fine, Paypal invoices will have an additional 50 cents for fees. Sorry about that but even though the boxes are not top quality, the work and ink involved was more than my others and fees add up when you try to keep prices low.

 

Questions please email!  Since some have purchased multiples (boxes and linens and charts) and offered them on Ebay, I am limiting sales to one each unless requested by someone I know.  If there are a lot of requests, I can order or purchase more box sets in the future but don't really want to!  Cutting/fitting lid fillers and all the other fuss is really not worth the price for me!  I did one for myself with two sides samplers and two sides houses.  

 

Have a good day!!

samplersandsantas@gmail.com

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