Spinning

 Vertigo again. Hoping to be able to recline and nap this afternoon without the walls spinning but still cautious to attempt that position.  

I have one more flower to complete this row, the same design as the far left only done in tent stitch. The interior outline is 3768, also all tent which looks unfinished to me, so I may cross it yet. 

I received my Ultimate Sampler Motif book and am disappointed.  Wonderful resource and so many options, but it is printed on tan paper.  I need stark contrast, especially when recognizing symbols, and a bright white paper would have been a great deal better.

As for the mag lights, I bought a five inch round gooseneck LED floor lamp (no magnifier) for Carole's room which gives a great deal of light directly on her book.  Tons of them online and elsewhere for low dollars.  I want and may order in the future the Brightech floor model which has great reviews from stitchers and hobbyists.  The unit I received a while ago was too stiff to bend and rusty so returned.  I sometimes wear my 3.5 mags and use the Dazor light only, higher count I pull it down and use the mag too.  I plan to move into the tiny parlor to stitch and would need a light in there, not sure if I want an LED floor lamp and separate clip on magnifier that can be used elsewhere, or a magnifier/light combo as the Brightech and others.

My cheek swelling is reducing, the root canal and crown are doing well, but not the others.  Good news to report, Carole has a small section of the incision that is finally closed.  Next week is mammogram, taxes (we owe every year), her echo, my eyes.  Every day a new adventure.  And we finally found a dealer that will deliver a new garage door so we can paint it before installation.  We are south facing, very dark color, and any overlay designs will warp and lift from that heat on a steel door.  Wood costs more than my car.

Sloppy joes with bread and butter chips on it, bakery buns, and avocado salad for dinner.  All soft, all good.

Stay well, thanks for visiting.

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No title, no words

 Whether to change the flower stem from the charted 927 blue to 3012 green as shown, is so foolish.  What the hell does it matter?

People fleeing for their lives.  Terrified children being separated from family for safety.  Pets being abandoned and running after cars and trains their owners are leaving in.  Some of the elder residents in her facility are in a panic, remembering the war during their youth, and can't believe what is happening.

Protestors and those not in agreement with aggression, are silenced.  Their broadcasts are banned, fired from their job, their online postings are removed, they are not allowed the freedom to their opinion or discord.  Russia?  Anywhere else?

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In the pink

 Hello people.  Except for a massively swollen cheek and soreness, all is well and I was released from dental jail after three hours.  When swelling subsides, we'll be at the bank getting a loan for the rest.  Could buy a fricking car but without saliva and its enzymes, decay is unavoidable.

Now about that pink.  The chart's photo of the original sampler looks fairly bright, combine that with a quick and inaccurate check of the symbols, I stitched the lighter area with 761 which was incorrect.  After completing one flower, I didn't like it.  Too much contrast.  The charted pink interior is 407.  What?  That doesn't look compatible at all when skein to skein.  But looks pretty damn nice when stitched.  A keeper. 

Cheryl asked about magnification/light I use.  Here's my set up.

This Dazor at 3 diopter, was purchased at a shop forty years ago and until recently, was only used to locate splinters.  I wonder if my brother still has Pat's, we bought them at the same time.   It's just the last several years that higher count linens were considered and used, then mag glasses were needed.  Currently 3.5 to 4.0.  The Dazor lens view is better and with the additional focused light, optimal.  A 5 diopter lens can be added on and the units now come with LED which I would prefer.  No way I am spending that amount of money.  They are the best, not only in the glass lens and light, but the flexibility in positioning.  I considered getting rid of mine several times, glad I didn't.  Mine also has a clamp for a table and the arm section pulls out of the floor stand to convert.

This little chest of four drawers holds my fabric and some other items, extra needles, scissors, journals, on top.

The TV tray with raised edge is my catchall.

Multiple magnets hold various items on the very heavy lamp base.

I have husband working on a project that I've wanted for some time, and I think will be a great addition.

And the table to my left has Biotene gel and water bottles, along with this.

New to us, found at a sub shop near my dentist.  Holy nut dunker, they are good. 

Have a great day.

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Progress and purchase

 I found Meg Adams at Hobby House and ordered her along with Frosty's Night Out.  I have a little piece of Murky and every time I see that little guy, I smile.  Had to have him.  I added the Ultimate Motif book that I've been wanting since no extra in shipping and that takes care of the gift from anonymous.  I sure wish I knew who that was so I could send off a little thank you!!

Posted my progress on IG and I think there is an error in thread color on Jean.  The chart photo appears to have a red/orange backstitch around the C, not the blue as listed, so I used the DMC 921 and I like it.  The smocking section called for a pink that was too light for my taste so I chose a shade darker.  The flowers are next and depending on how their pinks look, I may re-do the smocking thread even darker.

I did chart both sides border flowers to be balanced and evenly spaced but I do not like border stitching so haven't gone further.  

Carole's appointment was so-so, she needs to go back in another two weeks instead of a month.  It bled A LOT.  There is some healing, but not as much as he would like, and a wound vac's tape would do more damage than good so not an option.  Slow progress, but progress.

Have a good evening.  

Pray for the world.

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Lots of preview photos

 Hi folks.  Today is Sunday, the sun is shining, blinding me in my own home.  I am seeing the doctor in two weeks regarding my wrinkled macula.  Good grief, I even have wrinkles inside my eyeball.

Ready to outline these letters and do the pink smocking in the corner, hopefully this afternoon.  Meeting Carole at the surgeon's again tomorrow, Tuesday dental panic.  Not because of possible pain, but my dry lips split when opening wide and my jaw locks.  That's my fear!  And no, topicals do not help since the dryness is within, and not near an issue as the locking jaw.

So I received an email from Jane Mckinney (Crazy Annie's Stitchin) featuring a lot of Nashville eye candy with prices and preordering instructions.  Can't get them all and I appreciate sneak peeks so we have time to ponder purchases.  

Thought I would show what I am considering. Many other samplers are stunning but I know because of border complexity or a good amount of over one, I will not stitch.  These were all snapped from the their newsletter which you can see HERE.

I see this as a pouch with straps on darker linen.

And from Attic's Newsletter

    I WANT IT NOW!

Brightneedle's Meg Adams

And I am ticked that Wordle is now using repeating letters.  Crapp.

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Limping along

 with leg discrepancy.  As many times as I counted, as many errors I corrected, as many visual studies looked perfect, we're limping.  Not a crippling limp, but nonetheless, a limp.  So glad I started the dividing band beneath, a helpful tool that usually proves I'm wrong somewhere.  And I'm thankful for that or the B would have been aligned with the shorter leg and then the entire row is off.  Oh well.  An easy fix that only needs a few stitches to lengthen.  

I checked IG and have been loving the Needlework Show previews.  Plum Street is the best ever, Barrick knocked it out of the park, NWP is what I've been waiting for, and then Kitten Stitcher's duo made my sherbet melt.  So what do we do?  Choose an online shop and preorder?  Where can we see it all before the show in case there is a chart we would prefer over another?

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Not feeling it

 But will soon!  Once this satin stitch band is completed, the area of this sampler I was attracted to will begin.  I do not and never did like alternating red and blue letters and only a few would need changed to the bronze, thinking about it.  Insignificant isn't it?  But you know I'm weird and that second row is annoying this crabass.

I had to change to a darker blue for the satin stitch band because any threads that aren't contrasted enough to the linen are very difficult for me to see. One shade darker was enough to solve that, and no harm done.

Taking Carole's friend to see her today while we visit a furniture store a few miles from there.  She is ticked at me because her last call yesterday was to complain about the new cable box and she couldn't get the tv to work.  ASK SOMEONE!  HIT THE BUTTONS ON THE REMOTE!  She calls me for every little thing as if I am in the next room and I'm 40 minutes away, and most always it's something she or the staff could solve.  She'll get over it, has before, and will again.  

I am still searching for a female doctor, may have to stay with one that I was sent to for covid.  She told me to come back in a year, and that tells me she is casual.  I don't think a hot flashing 70 year old with auto immune, high stress, balding, and a-fib should be seen annually.  I don't understand why after almost a year of anxiety, fear, and extreme stress ended, and a brief time of relief, it feels like it's starting again but less intense.  

Heavy rains are melting the piles of snow into lakes, and the filthy black piles along the roads are sure making a mess on cars. Winter in PA.  Crapola.

Enjoy your day!

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Hanging poms

 Half of the month gone, closer to spring.  So many appointments coming up (mine) and I dread them.  A few more of Carole's but they are follow ups.  

Carole decided that she would like the same finish on the bluebird as mine, not the bright green.  I have more of the poms and fabric, backing boards were fleeced and ready,  how much easier when no decisions are needed.   I didn't think inserting the pom hanger ends between the boards would be ideal because of the bulk, and removal if hangers are no longer preferred.  I cut the poms off and then held a lighter close enough to seal edge from raveling.  I added a few buttons over the edge, glued it all and weighted for a good bond.

 The hanger is long enough for a doorknob, she will ask why I made it so long.  If I shorten, she will ask why I made it so short.   But I think it's too long so I may remove before the glue hardens.

I plan to re-chart Jean's sides which are not balanced so they will be last, but wanted to get the sawtooth border started.  My eyesight has worsened quite a bit (not related to the dryness) and I am making a lot of errors, so ran purple thread to make sure they are the correct length.  This is the last row before the fun begins, and how nice that every OTHER letter is eyelet!  Another error because of not paying attention to those directions but the letter had to removed anyway because once again, the wrong color.  I'm on a roll with mistakes but catching them early helps.

Have you noticed that the still advertised as 6"x9" envelopes are just a little too snug for items that used to fit inside?  They are now 5 7/8" x 9".  

Have a good day!

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How far will I go?

Changed the 830 to 831 on the darker linen and 832 on the Affogato lighter linen.  Quite a few errors originally, some in mistaking the symbols and since I did not like several of the letters with two colors, they are now one.

Mark prefers the darker linen, I am favoring the lighter.  I need to choose today before I end up with two samplers.

I watched my favorite floss tuber, Saltbox Stitcher, last night.  Almost exclusively samplers, and holy hanks of floss is she proficient.   She featured some outstanding framed pieces and big gals do not deter her.   Brenda and Laura had my dry mouth gaping wide with their show and tell from The Attic.  Those extraordinary needlewomen are amazing.  The backs of the projects were stunning.  Remarkable work and we're all grateful for their on the spot reporting.  

 And I have to say, NO ONE should feel the need to explain their abundance of stash or purchases.  I have friends that abuse benefits they are not entitled to and buy expensive recreational toys and twice yearly cruises.  Young healthy people that don't even look for work and are in line at Starbucks nearly every morning.  Add that up per month!  My local store's drive thru patrons block a large intersection daily.  Three drinks are a sampler chart.  Several friends use marijuana daily, some still smoke cigarettes.  Add that up per month!  How much do some pay for monthly hair color at a salon?  We start around $90 here and those ridiculous neon heads are over $150.  They're wearing shower tongs and pajama pants but want to spend their money at a salon.  That's their business.  Some prefer to buy books to read in hand and keep in their vast collection, a diversion from stress and solace for the soul.  Just as it is for needleworkers whose expenditures actually result in creations worth much more than their cost. 

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Bluebird journey

 Hi folks.  A little late, for some reason the email entries were not staying in the giveaway folder, and kept going back into my inbox folder.  Move 'em again!  Finally gave up and wrote email and comment entries by hand for the drawing.  Microsoft Edge kept telling me I need to switch to them because IE is no longer supported.  Maybe not, but it won't be to Edge.

Anyway, Amanda from the comments, please contact me with your address and the birdie will fly your way soon.  Thanks to all for entering.

Have a nice Sunday!

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Frogtown

I plan to do this over with the lighter threads.  Question is whether to frog or change linen.  Not much margin so removal is necessary or I could save for a shorter project.  It's not too much to frog, but it's the second time.  In fact, these four buds are all that is left from the completed row.  Frog was full after eating eight others.  Seeing this photo is making me lean toward a darker linen.

Hogbristle is recommended, mine is very pink, not yellow/gold at all and the bronzy threads are not nice on it.  I have a WDW Beige that I dipped long ago, and although I do not like that linen at all, the color is good and maybe the best choice.  My start was on Affogato but my other piece of Affo will not work.  Totally different and too dark.  Probably best to start anew, don't want to chance another linen cut no matter how cute that frog is.

Jean Donaldson's cover photo is not very clear, but oh my her chart is the BEST.  High quality glossy paper with very large magnification.  Splendid!  And the designer is also very thorough and thoughtful by including four thread conversions.  Wow.  So NPI 315 is DMC 830, what I used, but looking at the photo it appears lighter with a striking bronze contrast to the two reds and I like it much more.

Carole's pacemaker/cardio visit went very well even though the expected 20 minutes visit was close to two hours.  Unfortunately, the records and medication list sent with her were for someone else, and three calls were not answered to fax the updates.   I won't see him for another month, he recommended finding a PCP and having a physical and complete lab work done beforehand.  Just realized her vax card that was copied was not returned.  Rosanna danna, it's always something.

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The Bluebird

My first flat finish, added mini poms.  I tried Tacky, Fabric Fusion, and except for the fabric to the cards, rick rack would not stay, even had issue with the poms.   I was expecting a quick grab to hold it, did not happen. This will be mine for now so I changed to the backing and colors I prefer.

She does not want it there now for several reasons.  The green looks sweet and cheerful, but I so prefer this!  The backing board for hers is already covered, I'm using the same threads on the same linen, the second one will be an easy and pleasant project and a quick finish.  

If you are interested in the pay-it-forward giveaway, please leave initials or email in the comments on this post, or email me directly,

samplersandsantas@gmail.com

This is for chart only, With Thy Needle and Thread's Bluebird Out My Window.

I will draw a name on 2/12 at 8 pm.

I request that you pass it on to another stitcher when you've finished this project and continue the bluebird's flight of kindness. 

I'll be back on the 12th, not feeling well.  Meeting Carole at our cardiologist office Friday and hope to talk them into a sooner appointment for me, or testing before then.

Enjoy your days!

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Color me drab

 Carole is bright.  When I think about it, our color preference reflects our personalities.  She is very outgoing, has more friends than anyone I know.  On the other hand, the last two decades I've become more reclusive, snarky, less patient, less tolerant, and not a lot of fun. I can't stand most people.  That's a shame.  Drab.  Then again, I have a friend whose favorite color is black and she's more sociable (and highly opinionated) than most.  She annoys the hell out of me.

So here's the plan! Carole prefers bright (which is how this post began), so bright it will be.  For me, I would prefer the taupe vase color for trim.  I've never racked a rick before and hope it goes well.  Barely noticeable is my attempt to tone the green somewhat but polyester does not accept dye.  Still, there is a slight difference and I believe it's just enough.  Whatever I dye, I keep a small wet piece to compare and it's on the left.  We'll see how the sewing portion goes.  The chart will be listed for the giveaway tomorrow morning and I will have enough time to stitch one for myself before it's mailed.

Carole's weekly gruesome appt went well.  The surgeon said it looks a little better, less debriding, still looks like a scene from a horror movie.  Better is good.

And Rachel healed nicely from her wounds.  Once the new linen thread reaches the stitched area, I pull the broken and the new to the back and run them to secure.  I've been waiting for a NWP sampler release to spend my gift, but I may purchase the B Keyes Ultimate Motifs book.  Highly rated, may solve my dilemma with Rachel, and offer a lot of options for tree ornaments and the multitude of changes I usually make in samplers.  Until then, I will stitch my Bluebird and two samplers are ready to go after.

My root canals are not for two weeks since although in practice only four years, he only works three days a week.  He could see how bad my lips and mouth were and said to wait for the Sjogren's flare to calm down.  I agree.  I just hope those weeks do not tilt this to an extraction.  How you can go from no problem to borderline save in such a short time baffles me.  

Have a good day!!

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Running out of options

 and patience.  Plenty of frustration is pushing me to a bad place.  I guess holding my breath for almost a year has caused pressure to build because I am losing my temper like the release on a pressure cooker. For everything.  If a jacket gets stuck on a hanger in the closet, the hanger flies and the jacket follows.  As quickly as control is lost, it is regained.  

Now about those fricking sheep.  No chart, pattern, just adapting from other samplers and as easy as it sounds, the proportion is off.  I think the fence is the reason since the animals need to be higher and smaller, but then look like rodents. Too much frogging and a little white fluffy critter caused me to accidentally cut the linen.  I didn't even realize it but eventually saw two breaks in the weave.  So.  Reweaving as I remove the broken threads up to the stitching.  I didn't want to take the time to chart the bottom of Rachel but I must before I add one more stitch.  Should have done this in the beginning but I thought a simple critter and some grass would not be a problem.  If that task causes the slightest annoyance, that will be it.  Or should I put her to sleep as is and try again in the future?

I'll post the chart giveaway in a day or so, and I hope Jan isn't upset that I am paying it forward.  I found a bright spring green fabric that matched the 471 perfectly and I will stop at JoAnn for jumbo rick rack trim.  Angie sent me a link to a BBD chart that listed DMC equivalents, one of which was the CC Avocado.  Their conversion was 733, darker than the 470/471 and may show HOME better.

Need to settle down for a while before bed.  I have to say to myself .... drop your shoulders, drop your arms ... and that really releases those taut muscles.  Why do I have to say it?  Right before bed and several times when lying in bed.  It helps.  But I can never remember whether lay or lie is correct in any case.  And don't care.

Goodnight!

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Heart tutorial links

 Several of many tutorials online for paper craft hearts.  Etsy has kits to make and also finished paper strip hearts and others.

This is my all time favorite (for me, not her window) and I am attempted today.

wrapped heart 

3 -D paper hearts

more 3-d with pinked edge

Paper strip heart  This is the one I used, many others as the following with book pages, are more open.  I used an Extreme glue stick and attached all at the same time, no staples, and then clamped overnight. 

Paper strip heart with book pages

Have fun!!

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Crafting

Because we're snowed in and I don't want to clean.  Robin's post showed wonderful dimensional paper hearts, had to make a few.  My JoAnn's has so little, not interested in shipping a few pieces of paper, so I used what I have for the boxes.  

These are so easy and look better with double sided paper (I can't even find one sided here) cut to one inch strips.  So I cut two inches wide, ran my glue stick the entire length, and folded over.  My paper is not heavy card stock so it was easy to handle.  I think several hanging from a dowel rod in Carole's triple window would be cool.  

I plan to work on what's her name today.

A heated indoor house is cozy until the furnace removes the night time chill.  His right eye gets cloudy, common in cats, and anti-inflammatory drops correct it.  As soon as I get near him, he bolts.  Not an easy job! 

Be good!!

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A few free hearts

 Hi folks.  Got snow?  

I thought I would share a few free heart designs.  First two are from DMC.

HERE

I would use a darker linen and muted threads, greens for leaves.

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I really like this.  Maybe colors like BBD's My Dear Hearts that Robin featured.  Beige threads on Tango linen.  

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This is from The World in Stitches.

HERE

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My freebie to which I added more vines than originally.

Have a good day!

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