Decision

After working with the photo I realized I would not be happy unless the vase was level with the opposite side and should be moved up.  Since I am a crabass, not being happy is part of my persona.  Why mess with perfection?  Extending the border over to the right edge is good enough.  The older I get, good enough is most times easier and more acceptable.

Got another row of the alpha done and one over one word.

Going to Carole's this afternoon and made the Peaches and Cream dessert (recipe here).

Ordered this through Home Depot and will let you know how it works.  Too many cats using the mulch and shrubs around the deck and on a hot humid day, not pleasant.  Great reviews for it so we'll see.

What the hell is wrong with blogger's photo uploads for posting?  Driving me nuts.

Have a great Sunday!!

******************************

Comfort zone

Ahhh.  This is better.  Switched to cross stitch, counting the squares for placement.  Much easier for me to see.  The light colored threads are really giving me problems, darker is more conducive with much less eye strain, but stitching cross vs. satin is better yet.

Some of the issues I was having in determining satin placement is whether a corner/turn was the same hole, one over, even, or not.  Some did/were, some didn't/weren't, and I am not one to continually look at the chart once I get a rhythm.  Not sure I am explaining it correctly but you can see what I mean in this snap.

I had to remove the border beneath the first row, failed to see that there is a space between the two which moved the alphabet.  Should have only been by one thread, but it's wasn't, so somewhere along the way I erred.  Again.  Not a concern. But I was three threads off and needed to correct that before continuing.

I'm disappointed that the top alpha is not satin, but I'm young, I'll get over it.  Still a great sampler and I can't wait to get to the bottom.  This top alpha will go a lot quicker now.

Have a great day!!

**********************

Little red steps

While in the attic trying to decide what stays and what goes, I came across mom's little red steps.  How stinkin' cute.  I had her other fold out stool but have no idea where it went.  This is stationary with the hinged top to open when using the steps, or not when using as a stool.  I hosed the dust off and saw that the red paint is chipping to show white beneath, maybe the pressure washer will remove most of it.  Probably oil based since that's all they used back then.   My small kitchen cannot take even a small piece like this, but I may be able to set it by the back door.

 

I also found a huge glass apothecary jar with lid, a small square table needing rid of that same red paint, and a few other items for donation. I have a very heavy writing chair from a school with shelf beneath for books and it's so comfortable, also an old lift top child's desk with fancy cast iron legs.  No where for them to go.

This is what we had to do for Petey.  He doesn't want to use his rain protected housing out back, prefers to stay close to the house and he was using a box beneath a makeshift roof, covered with a vinyl tablecloth to keep it all dry.  

I don't want to look at that mess all summer so I moved the brats shelter (my black table with paneling nailed to three sides) over to that area.   His box is there for him and the upper shelf is where the boys lounge.   My oil cloth covering from JoAnn's makes it more appealing, and I couldn't think of another shelter during storms and rains that would not look like a homeless shelter for cats.

We're getting a new furnace and air conditioner, need a garage door badly, and are still waiting for an insurance policy of Mark's aunt.  Even with a will, an attorney, all the necessary paperwork, the PA unclaimed property office has had this for over a year and still hasn't reviewed it.  It's a few thousand and we expected to have it long ago, especially with her will!!  But no.  That's my PA.  And even though it's life insurance which is exempt from tax, PA will still take 15% inheritance tax on it since they hold it now.  I promised Carole a grand so after the attorney and fees and taxes, she may be the only one benefiting!!

Removing the satin stitch letters is very tedious, even with the Lift 'n Snips.  Without them, there would be no way for removal.  JoAnn's did not have the seam ripper with the rubber end for cut thread removal (thank you Marlene) so I ordered one.  If it doesn't arrive soon, duct tape!!

Happy hump!

********************

Throwing in the towel

Uncle!!  Geez.  This sampler is a little unusual and I like a dash of quirky.  The top alphabet is somewhat odd looking letters done in satin stitch over two threads.  I think this section makes the piece interesting and I am disappointed in my difficulty to work them.  Its not only my vision, it's placement of where and when direction changes.  Stitching through the entire alphabet would take forever and maybe I will adjust, darker thread may help.  But what if it doesn't get any easier and I have many more letters to remove?  I already redid the first two from one strand to two.  One was impossible for me to see.  I should be able to work this as regular cross right?  Since it's charted in satin over two (36 count) single cross stitches can be substituted and if there is one thread difference in a letter, it won't matter.  Plenty of room at the row's end for a little fudge.  I really hate to have to make this change, but I am afraid to continue only to give in later.

My tunias need a second haircut already.

Glenna, thank you very much for the description of Parchment linen.  You saved me the cost of a half yard that I would not like!  I really appreciate your help.

4th of July is around the corner and since I gave away the few patriotic pieces I had, I may indulge in a short diversion to these two of my designs.  Knowing what fabric I used would save time but the four journals purchased for that purpose are of course, lost.  I could buy a fifth one but we all know it will disappear too.  

 Hope you're all having a good start to another week.  June will be gone soon.  

Thanks for visiting.

*************************

Pink pop

Instead of my usual red geraniums and sometimes white tunias out front, I switched to the Bubblegum.  I kind of like the pink pop!

Like mother like son.

My birthday gift to me was a chart I will never stitch, but had to have.  

Mary Barres by Stacy Nash.  Still have a problem with linen.  Is Parchment pinky?  Yellow?  Gray?  What about Wren?  Trying different online shops doesn't help because most have the same stock photo, and others have a photo that isn't even close.  Will order the smallest piece to see color when they are in stock, the best and only way for now.

Matt was ignoring us Sunday, but no more than usual.  I asked Jess what the school and other help has been doing these last months (he's autistic).  She said the teachers emailed once a week to give the new lesson and instructions to the online site.  They called daily to ask if the student was present or absent for study.  That. was. it.  Grading and all else was done by the online study class. 

Mark took me for a ride in the country, my favorite thing for relaxing, but a storm came quickly.  We stopped at McD's to get my iced coffee.  It was a small instead of the ordered and paid for large.  Sent it back and received a vanilla flavored coffee, also not what I ordered.  Then came home to sit on my swing and enjoy a yucky fake vanilla taste and a downpour once again hit me.  On the way into the house I felt something sharp on my tongue.  It was a large portion of my tooth.  Can't get an appt until July 6.  All in all, a good birthday!!

Enjoy your day!!

**************************

Annie's Keepers

Totally new to me.  Not many shops carry this system, very few online also.  It looks like a marvelous idea, especially when paired with the needle keeper.  But where do you keep it while stitching?  No hoop to hang on a hook or stand, and with all those threaded needles, an easy way to lose a few when picking up and putting down.  Am I missing something?  But I do like the snap in keeper for storage, easily pulled to add to a ring.  Do any of you have this system?  Mark made the wonderful floss ring stands for me but I also have high strength magnets on the lamp's metal stand/pole which the ring attaches to.

I went to Michael's today for more silk flowers for the gravesite.  I tried to stay in the store and look around, there are so few customers since it changed from Pat Catan's, but I cannot handle the hot mask for any length of time.  Signs on entrances to grocery and other stores state that a face covering is required for entry but only half of the people are wearing them.  Who isn't?  Young people.  My nephew's grandson is autistic and trying to get a mask on him causes a melt down.  The walk-in hair cutting salon told them to leave if this 5 year old with a problem would not wear one.  He has slipped into such a bad place since the schools closed and there was no contact with the teachers except for a weekly email.

I really hate to mention this, but the nest I was protecting is no more.  I am used to wren distress and warning calls, but this momma was chirping something I had never heard before.  She went daily for food, but I never heard the babies chattering for food.  I decided to use a flashlight and peek inside.  This poor creature was not normal.  Needless to say, a few days later the odor hit me as I left the garage.  Our single baby bird was dead.  We don't know why there was only one, why she called continuously for two days, but there was something wrong with her baby.  The other houses are full of chatter and hungry nestlings but I am still upset about our baby in the bucket.

I'm making pistachio cake and icing this evening to take to Carole's tomorrow.  Chris's grandkids both have birthdays in June (and mine) so I am taking cake over.  Matt usually hides from us so I am assuming his setback will be worse, we probably won't be able to stay.  Carole hasn't seen her great grands for 3 months and is ready to have them over.  No kisses or hugs, but I have my doubts.

We got my parents' spring chairs from the attic and gave one to Carole, sanded and painted ours.  The comfort and gentle motion is just so relaxing.  They have high shaped backs and it feels sooooo good!  I get carried away on the single swing until I am flying high as if on a playground set.  I wonder how far I can go with the spring chair before it launches me out.

Enjoy your weekend.

Thanks for visiting.

******************

Well that hurt

I TOUCHED PETEY!!!

I stretched my arm out through the door which pulled a muscle in my back at the same time the rag rug my knees were on started slipping on the wood floor and once in motion, nothing I could do to stop it until my chin hit the door's threshold.  But before the slow motion mishap, I was able to reach him as he laid on the bench.  Once I smacked down he ran but I stroked his back three times!!  Now mine has a hot pack on it.

Thanks for the suggestions on the Hickling vase caper.  I plan to take a better photo, upload to Paint, and manipulate to find the best of these options.
1.  Extend the top border to the right over the flowers.
2.  Remove the flowers and space them further apart.
3.  Remove and stitch the flower section as they are but higher and add to the top of the vase.
4.  Remove it all and stitch again 3 rows up and extend the diagonal stitches of the border beneath.
5.  Have an iced coffee and do something with the uneven piles in the sewing room.

*******************

It's curious

that a person whose sewing room is always a complete disaster would be bothered by a design being a few stitches out of balance.  Symmetry is pleasing and important to me, yet my fabric and scrap piles are varying heights.  I did not realize the top vases on each side were not level.  I do now.  Should I have checked this before?  Not if I planned to follow the chart of a reproduction, but yes if I need balance.  Will I remove and re-stitch to align those vases or let this irk me every time I see it?  You tell me. 

Not every day produces progress. Poor Petey.

Have a good day folks.

*******************

Winner #2

Yeah I know.  I did this last time too.  Why not spin that wheel for another name.  So I did.

Anonymous (Cherie in WI), you can choose between Ohio Treasure or the Marking Sampler.  Maryann took the Pennsylvania Pillowe.  Please email me!

If Cherie has or does not want either, I will spin for another name.

Cherie mentioned in her comment about a neighbor's cat using her flower beds as litter boxes.  Seems that is a common problem!  There is a product by Simple Green (Outdoor Odor Eliminator) that comes in a spray or a refill that removes the odor/ammonia with microorganisms.  It won't prevent them from using the area, but it claims to remove the odor left behind.  I wonder if it's offered by the case.

*************************

Winner

In case this is too hard to read, after randomizing Maryann Olsaver became #6 and that's the number generated.  Thanks everyone!

My hanging galvanized tub planter was everywhere and even offered for sale with it's own shepherd's hook.  But I can't take credit for the tire planter.  There are so many images and ideas for using tires, plain or painted, on ground or hanging.  Even painted and stacked and filled with a cushion as a seat or footrest.  Lots of great ideas.

Tons of other ideas and images, even for raised gardening as high as you'd like.

I am in sweat clothes and have been for several nights.  By morning we will be in the mid 40's.  It's mid June!!  WTH?  June will be over before we know it and this summer will be the shortest ever.   How crabby can a crabass get?  Stay tuned.

***************************

Time to come on down

Geez.  When will a name be drawn?  I never thought about it.  How about Saturday evening at 8.  Sounds reasonable.  And so it will be!

About the Vicks.  When I was using it to protect the bunny nest, I had plastic containers upside down with a large area cut out, cotton balls or a piece of rag inside with the Vicks.  I added more every 4 or 5 days because the strong scent seemed to dissipate in open air.  Petey is not bothered by it one bit and has already tried to scale the barrier.  The other cats are avoiding that area.  The landscaping we had installed last fall has dead foliage on the bottom foot or so from them spraying.  Never had trouble until Petey showed up and now all three males spray everything.  What I found online and tried in one area seemed to work.  The plastic runners that are laid over carpet have little grips on the back side to keep it in place.  I cut the width in half and laid it grip side up around the shrubs and that worked.  The grips are not pleasant on their pads and has kept them out.  It's too late for the other side of the house but I will certainly follow that idea throughout.  I use a large rock or drive spikes to hold them in place.

We had to replace the pull down stairs over the garage and I saved two sections to use for plants.  There isn't much room so a large pot or planter would not fit on this narrow unit. I would like to paint this in blotches to mimic an old worn out ladder, but may just leave it as is.  The other piece will go to Carole and I need to grab another $5 plant from Home Depot for her.  There either wasn't the same amount of flowers offered this year, or everyone bought a lot early, not much left at all.  They had 8 packs of impatiens for $2 at Lowe's so we drilled large holes in the bottom of an unusable tire and I filled it with them.  They're very close so when mature, they should be a great display.  Decided against hanging it with heavy rope from the tree, but that may change.

My latest 123 order with linen is coming today, more of the same, PTP Legacy and more Heartland.  I recently visited a site new to me with lovely hand dyed linens, can't remember their name or the site.  I'm sure I will when there isn't a piece of paper or pen in sight.

Happy Friday!!

****************************

Come on down!

You may be the next winner on The Chart is Right!

Birthday giveaway this year will be your choice of one of these charts.  To enter, leave your initials or email in the comments of this post only.  If you can't, email me.
samplersandsantas@gmail.com
No need to list your preference, you can choose when you win.

Here are your choices.

#1 - Threadwork Primitives Ohio Sampler 

This is my finish on dark brown linen with thread changes.



#2 - Homespun Samplar's Marking Sampler

I don't know where mine is.


#3 - Notforgotten Farm's Pennsylvania Pillowe 

This is mine that was highly distressed and sewn into a bag.

Not my birthday yet, but considering how my mind has been working lately, it's best to act on current thoughts for they may be gone tomorrow.  

**************************

The width of things to come

For some reason, I am not fond of samplers with more width than length.  I can see the actual size of Hickling now that I stitched to the full width.  Long and skinny, what I was 40 years ago.

 A wide short piece can pull together a wall grouping and create interest.  There really aren't many reproductions of that shape, but plenty of designs.  I haven't decided how many of my finishes will be hung with pins as before, or framed.    Several are quite narrow and long (Pumroy is really long) and currently they are all rolled and stored in a spare bedroom (that is really a total mess of odds and ends and fabrics).

I found a few pieces of scrap in the shed and had Mark create more protection for mama bird.  She is feeding now, and the cats have spotted her flying in and out.  I also have a jar of Vicks out which has helped me many times to protect baby bunnies from coons and cats.  It is so strong that it either irritates their nose or masks the scent of prey.  I use a plastic storage container that is taller, from soup or salad, turn it upside down, cut out a section, and add a weight on top.  It keeps the jar dry from rain and still allows the scent to disperse.  You can also smear the Vicks onto items and create a perimeter, but this one is in a corner so that wasn't necessary.

Hot hot hot!!  Possible storms this afternoon.

Garden is not looking good, par for the course.

Carole is doing OK.  I'm going for a review Friday and this may be the final showdown.  I am so tired of her pushing plant based diets and I have to deal with this every single appointment.  Because of the Sjogren's, I can't eat a variety of veggies that contain acid, no oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, peaches, and a lot of other foods.  Absolutely no vinegar base recipes or salad dressings which makes salads pretty bland.  And I don't even like veggies or most of the recipes she gave me to try.  Enough.  Doesn't she understand that a diet not enjoyed is a diet not kept?

Gotta get moving, blood work this morning.

Have a great day!!

Thanks for visiting.

************************

Social distancing

I think it's only four feet for cats.

The eyelet alphabet has been completed.  Sort of.  I did not change the 712 of the F to the lighter thread I switched to but it's fine.  It shows well in the photo but not as much in person.  I much prefer the darker 922 of the XY that I subbed for the lighter 407, and planned to change them, but they look fine also and will stay.   I should have worked that out after one letter if I wanted more contrast, not at the end!!

I always stitch left to right and top down but since this chart is many pages, I am trying one side first, then moving right.  Again, sort of.

As you can see, I couldn't help myself and already worked some of the right side chart pages.  The very thin alphabet composed of satin stitches is the top portion and I may do a little at a time, removed most of what I had stitched because I did not like the look.  Moving on to the right border rather than completing the bottom left is my thinking, simply because the motifs and polka dot critter will be fun.  If I do that now and leave what I consider to be more tedious for last, it will drag me down and pull the crabass up.

Hope your weekend is going swell.

I may work outside today until the old lady within calls it quits.

Be safe!!

**************************

And after all that....

we just arrived home from Cleveland, sister in seat.  "I won't live through a surgery", "you won't live without it".  Sure.  Dammit.  After the anxiety, dead of night patient transfer that could not wait, the dire consequences of her condition, and another trip to Cleveland, they send her home.  Yes she has a  60% blockage in the carotid at the base of the brain.  No it does not require surgery or treatment at this point. We are all relieved, but also ticked off.   Certainly grateful that it was discovered and they sent her to a place that could handle such a delicate surgery, but the drama and scare was not necessary.  

With all the dye injected the last two days from repeat testing, she should be glowing and not need a night light for a while.  Even though she is having occasional garbled speech and visual disturbance symptoms, we will side with Cleveland's findings.  Angiogram once a year to keep an eye on it, any symptoms lasting longer than a few minutes and she will report to the hospital.  They added a statin and a baby aspirin (which I thought was proven to be useless) to her drug list.  So the ending is good, a diagnosis that could be life threatening is now in the books, doctors are aware, and the condition will be monitored.  Mark and I are pretty worn out from the Cleveland trips this week and lack of sleep.  Carole will sleep soundly tonight!  The changes at the Clinic because of Covid were so obvious.  Only one entrance now, a sign in desk, and very few nonprofessionals walking about.   I asked to be admitted for restroom use, was not allowed elsewhere.

I worked a little on the Hickling, completed the left side border after removing the light threads THREE times.  That's right ... THREE!   The final change of blue in A&B is good, but I don't want that same blue throughout the alphabet so more changes are coming, I'm sure of it.  I don't mind because I love this sampler and the extra work will be worth it.  Otherwise, I will grumpout every time I pass it.

If you're wondering how the hair treatment went, it didn't,  Had to cancel but I will reschedule when they can fit me in.

Plain old tuna casserole tonight.  Comfort food for a comfortable evening.  Hope yours is too.

Thanks so much for your concern and well wishes and prayers!

*****************

Diagnosis - edit

Edited - Just got a call at 9:45.  They are rushing her to Cleveland Clinic.  Won't know more until morning but they feel surgery is necessary now.  She told the doctor she would not live through a surgery, and he said you won't live much longer without it.  I will keep you posted but won't have my laptop with me, and will probably be outside in the car anyway.   One visitor is allowed briefly after surgery.

***********************

I appreciate your prayers and best wishes.  We have an answer.  She did not have a stroke.  Her carotid artery has a blockage that is very high and too close to the brain for treatment here.  That is what's causing the visual and speech disturbances.  The doctor recommended seeing a vascular surgeon at Cleveland Clinic, but she is not a candidate for any type of surgery because of her heart failure.  She already takes the drugs recommended for this condition so tomorrow morning she will discuss options with her long time family doctor.  It is very serious as blood flow becomes more restricted to the brain.  Maybe her heart doctor in Cleveland can relay the tests to the vascular department and see if any treatment would be feasible.

As I sat outside waiting for a call, I admired the flowers and thought I would show you how well the bargains are doing.  This three Vista petunia has already been trimmed back in the center, it's very large, $18!  

This Vista Silverberry has also been trimmed, almost doubled from two weeks ago, $13!  The nurse with my doctor went there after I gave her directions and bought 18 baskets.  

My peonies are starting, and the hydrangeas aren't quite ripe enough for the deer.  But soon, they will be chomped down to fence height.

As I sat on the swing, I of course had to take the M&M challenge and yes, they do melt in your hand.  But didn't on the back of the latest issue of Primitive Place.  Please don't think this is all I had.  I just set them down to run into the house after downing an iced coffee.  And run I did.  Stitches removed, toes are still bandaged for two more weeks, but less bulk than before so I can run when necessary (always after coffee - hot or cold!)

Guess what color the light threads ended up being on Hickling.  3865.  Even the 3866 which is quite light was not enough for me.  Except for pure white, there is nothing lighter.  Thank you Mary for your floss gift!  

I'm still not completely sold but it's better.  You can see how nondescript the lighter thread is in the last floral of the border which hasn't been changed yet.  The first bird at the top is the light blue that was A & B, which are now changed to a darker shade.

And if you want to see my hair before treatment, here it is.  I will let you know if it's helping in a month, before the second treatment.  Nice huh?

Have a good day folks.

Stay safe.
And thank you again.

**********************

In the position

that so many others have been and continue to be.  Just came back from Carole's and watched the ambulance leave.  She had a mini stroke affecting only her speech last night, another this morning.  They don't last long but against her pleading, they took her for testing and observation.  But I can't go.  Can't visit.  Can't be there to hear test results.  So like the majority of citizens with in-hospital family members, here I sit.  And wait.  

*********************

Thank you

for the well wishes regarding the Cleveland trip.  The place was practically empty.  The nurses told Carole and Mark to leave as early as they can and what areas to avoid.  They said downtown was destroyed and the people excited to return to jobs after Covid, have nothing to go back to.  Many workers had apartments downtown, afraid to return, and one was burned down. 
Unfortunately the staff was not as efficient as usual and they waited an hour for the echo.  A few workers came out and asked what they were waiting for and when told,  "I'll be right back" was said.  Three times, and no one ever came back so Mark had to roam the hallways to find someone, most everyone had already left for the day.  Finally found a technician who apologized that they were told to go to the wrong waiting room, had the test an hour late.  Ran into several groups congregating but drove through, the "little Italy" section was gaining a crowd also.  Everything was closed, they made it home without incident.  Carole will get results tomorrow.

For those asking about the bottom of the last post's sampler, it's Ann Smith's work 1833.

Hopefully the doctor will remove all the bandages on my foot tomorrow and set that little piggy free.  Friday I am having the PRP injections on my scalp (for hair loss) and I am becoming very anxious.  The top scalp is numbed with a block before the injections, but any time I have lidocaine it lasts five times longer than it should.  Some patients experience excellent results, some do not, and some shed twice as much hair after.  I will call and talk to the nurse for reassurance tomorrow.  

Have a good day folks.  June!!  Holy crap.

*************************

A gem I missed

A Miniature Quaker Sampler by Kathy Barrick from 2017.  Love this tiny gem (69 x 113).

I will follow personal protocol and change a few colors.  The bird and buds in the border will be a bright something or other, and I may shorten the design ending with the border beneath the house.  Maybe not.  But I do love this little piece, am so glad I spotted it when browsing.

What's going on with Hickling?  I'm embarrassed to tell you.  Should I?  HA!  After years of exposing my reckless and sometimes senseless stitching escapades, why not!  I removed some of the eyelet alphabet to use a darker shade.  Aaaaaand to take it even further, I removed the yellow in the border which originally was 3024 and did not show, to 822 which did not show enough, to 3866 which is a little lighter.  Not done with that yet so the jury is still out.  After studying the chart photo, I wanted more definition of my border and needed much lighter threads.  So there has been stitching, but it's been repetitive.  I would like to see the details without having to be up close.  Does that make sense?

Tomorrow (Tuesday) Mark is taking Carole to Cleveland.  They only allow one person in with the patient and I had no intention to sit outside in a hot car with no restroom for 6 hours.  I am so concerned about their trip.  All the large shopping centers that we pass on the way are closed because of rioting.  Did you see the older woman beaten in the street to unconsciousness?  The couple that were leaving a restaurant?   The woman dragged out of her car and kicked to the ground as her car was destroyed?  We don't know our way around, just the route we always take to Euclid Ave.  I doubt we will be sleeping much tonight.  

Stay safe everyone.

****************************