Amy

 I did not know.  Amy's needles from Thread in Hand were put down forever in May.  I previously mentioned her blog and the interesting and intricate needlework projects that she featured.  Just amazing talent.  She received a new Amy Mitten kit right before she passed.  She passed away the day after her final post.  She will be missed.

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I've not finished updating my linen inventory, and Lori's Spools of my Thread is being worked on until the kitting is done.  I have loved this little bag for years, and am finally stitching it.  I should have used 28 count for a larger bag, but I'm using the leftover from the last project and it will be tiny and sweet.  And I spy an error in the following photo.  

When I started samplers decades ago on 25 and 28 count from Scarlet Letter, alphabets were my favorite.  Now, I see marking samplers in my files and am no longer drawn to them.  Years ago I could not get enough of Sampler Farm Carol's albums.  Her work was certainly not all alphabets, and I started slowly dipping my needle into new territory.  I did stitch a few with limited motifs, none with elaborate borders that I can recall.  Love love love those borders, hate hate hate to stitch them.  But nothing worthwhile comes easy so put those big girl cottons on.

Some in the stack I have chosen have unique and beautiful borders.  Not a wimp in the bunch.  Which means I better get those cotton whiteys out, ready for action.  In the meantime, sorting linen and enjoying Lori's chart will keep them dry.

OMG.  AUGUST??? 

 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

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Kit!

I've decided to kit these charts that are considered every time I need a new project.  My linen pieces are not large, but so far only two samplers require more than I have and have been set aside for now.  I tagged these with the minimum cuts in three different counts.  I have more 28/30 from years ago than any other, but prefer one strand of floss now.  This will take some time but well worth it.  Since DMC is not expensive and I don't use silks, purchasing for each and including in the kit will be a plus also.  Those ghost colors that I do not like will already be changed and I am so looking forward to being able to just choose a sampler, and start it without frustration and decision making.  It's ready!!  Not the first time I planned to do this but this time .... I am resolute.  

My menomania flashes have returned, patience is nonexistent and anger is hair-trigger.  For the sake of these wonderful charts, KIT!!  And when that task is done (hopefully without issue), how do I decide which to start?  If all are at the ready, is it possible I may start a few and then decide?  No WIPs to show, ever, maybe it's about time.

Enjoy your day!

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Miss Petite

 Catherine had a valid question... why didn't I move the arms out by one stitch?  I wasn't counting the space between arms and dress until the leash.  That's when I realized my error.  I snapped a photo and moved her arms in the Paint program before I decided to remove the stitching.  It sort of looked odd, maybe because they are already extending outward.  One row further made her look as if she was ready to raise her arms to shout out a song.  I agree with you and she's wearing patent leather shoes. 

Miss Petite is completed, and I have not been able to capture her richness with the camera, tablet, or phone.  I changed the 3064 to 435 for better show on this linen (36 count C&C Oatmeal). The red is dmc 347.

Doctor yesterday and dentist tomorrow.

Yippee.

The doctor is close to an hour away and we stopped at a grocery store, found FRESH figs!!  They aren't the large darker ones with pink flesh that I had decades ago and were not cheap, but they came home with me.  My 12" high fig trees will hopefully become strong and productive.

Have a good day!

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Patent or pink?

 Whenever I got new dress shoes some sixty years ago, they were always black patent.  And I loved them.  So I am debating if Miss Petite would like hers to be the same, or the pink she is always wearing.

I didn't realize I had left off an entire row at her waist until it was too late.  To compensate for her total height difference I stitched another red row at skirt's bottom since her pantaloons allowed it.  Not important, didn't really change the look.  But that missing short single row affected quite a few areas that could have been a problem if I wasn't aware of my error -

... the flower vase motif which was counted off her sleeve is down 

...the floral clouds counted off the vase already down one row 

...the arms are one row closer to her dress

...her "finger" at the end of the arm had to be moved in one stitch

...the leash is closer which changed position to the dog

...the dog would be touching her dress and had to be moved to the left.

 Why is everything moved one row to the right if the error was not in width?  Because one row higher would have started her arms in the narrower area of the dress.  If these elements weren't stand alone and I hadn't realized the error, it shows how our projects can be totally off by an error opposite of what we're searching for.  I would have been counting horizontal stitches and they were not in error, it was a vertical error that threw off the horizontal! 

I also removed that extra stitch on the left side of the skirt, and added a stitch down the right side to make each side match (charted narrower on the right).

I am having a hissy fit that July is ending.  

Enjoy your day!

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Well that didn't last very long

 I do not like the bottom's green.  Recommended 3011 and I found an overdyed that was very close, thought the gentle variations would be nice.

I am so upset about the background situation that I don't really care.  I was half way through when I realized it was too something-or-other, but continued on.  Depending on how it's finished, I could hide six of the rows and only keep two visible.  My pile of pieces to finish is large and with Hobby Lobby opening today locally, I may have some options for framing the large samplers.

Rain last night, enough to knock down the large heads of Annabelle.

My southern peaches are starting to fragrance the room.  Soon.....

They offer shipping but it's much more expensive than ordering a box online and picking up at the location specified.  My 25# for $50 contains 48 peaches, all very large and perfect.  They are grown at the farms in Georgia and southern states.  The refrigerated semi had a cab that was impressive and I wanted to sneak inside.  Sleeping bunk plus an area beneath, the driver seat seemed about five feet from the ground.  What a ride!!

Stay safe.

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Surprised?

 I'm happy with color!  Yikes.  That doesn't happen often, and the process is usually quite frustrating along the way, but not this time.  I still have a very short fuse that could be lit by a match at 20 yards.  Surprisingly, this project has been peaceful.

I plan to stick with the lighter blue for the basket and work on the bottom area this evening.  Again.  Hopefully.  Now would be a good time to remove this slub and weave a new thread.

The Peach Truck has a schedule on their website of pickup locations, you order (25# boxes) and pay, pickup the designated day.  I plan to offer some and freeze half.

I'm still itching, not quite as bad.  The existing bumps are turning as hard as pebbles, a few new ones still coming.  You would think a dermatology office would hold a spot open several days a week for unexpected breakouts, but they do not.  I can be seen in October by the PA.  I told them I will bring photos of the outbreak for his review.

Be safe!

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Just peachy

 Hi folks.  Our first time waiting in line on hot asphalt in 90 degree temps for a peach.  We've heard about the lusciousness of The Peach Truck's bounty, so we jumped on board.  Sitting on a counter for three days is the recommendation for juicy ripe fruit.  Honestly, I did not expect rock hard light yellow and green peaches.  But people that get them every year say they are the absolute best.

Still stitching, not as much as I'd like, the background noise is very upsetting and on my mind.  We visited Carole yesterday with cannoli and brioche from .... Walmart.  I went in for her Hills Bros and passed the bakery, spotted these small cannoli in a package and oh my, they are wonderful.  Five in a pack.

 I had to purchase a new LED floor light with remote and flexible neck (Amazon), it's much nicer than the previous one we got her, now broken.  She was pretty darn happy.  And I removed several stains on her tops that the facility could not, all ink and marker.  The 70% rubbing alcohol removes both, so with a cloth beneath and several squirts and wipes, gone.  With the number of residents there is no way they can check and treat each item.  So I cleaned the very small hand sanitizer bottles and have one filled with Lestoil for the greasy stains and alcohol in the other for her to apply before laundry day.

Enjoy your day folks.  Hope it's a peach.

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Bite me

 And something is.  Or is it?  More on that later.

I'm really pleased with the colors I chose and the light floral clouds are exactly what I hoped they would be.  I used 761 for the pink and this looks really close to the chart photo.  Bingo.  I reversed the right floral so they are facing each other rather than both facing right.

We went to dinner with my cousins Saturday (I had only water).  An hour later I started breaking out with what I thought was hives, they were not.  Intense itching, mostly chest, neck, and arms.  I removed/cleaned the mud and moss bird nest early that day after they left it.  Bird mites are extremely tiny but visible with magnifier.   We checked with a magnifier for anything moving, nothing.  Plus I handled the baby bird several times the day before without a reaction.  This break out was so many at one time and much later so I doubted that cause.  I heard that panty liners in your bra absorb the dampness on hot days.  I added one to the band of my bra to prevent more irritation and it did feel better.  But that self stick back didn't stick well enough and I had an odd protrusion in the center of my t-shirt like an alien birthing through my chest.  And I just watched a rerun of that movie the day before.  Oh well, hopefully this will subside before I run out of creams and wipes.

July is more than half over.  Good grief.

Be safe folks.

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And now the green

Are you thinking I'm a little overboard?  I'm actually not frustrated at all and enjoying this project very much.  Because it isn't filled with alphabets, bands, motifs, its few elements are the focus.  Thread color is important and actually what drew me to this design, especially the two floral clouds.  I'm trying to get the same look as the chart's photo and my linen color is close, but not the recommended which usually requires some adjustments in threads.

Overdyed (both linen and threads) is hit and miss as many stitchers have found when comparing their project to the photo.  I think I've found the right green.  Called for 3013 is far left and barely noticeable, even though it looks great in this photo.  The next is 3348, more of a chartreuse, too bright.  The next THREE are the same GAST color from three different cards.  The last one is C&C, not striking enough.  So I chose the first of the three GAST, not too light, not too yellow, and I'm happy with it.

The flower is charted 224 (bottom thread) not my favorite pink since (to me) it is too cool. 3773 (top thread) is perfect.  If it doesn't show well once stitched, brighter 754 or similar may work.  On the Cocoa linen, those colors may be perfect, but what I'm pulling seems to be closer to the photo on  my Oatmeal.

My Phoebe was on the deck this morning, unable to fly more than a few inches off the ground before a beak dive.  With the hawks and stray felines, we put him back in the nest.  Well that was a mistake.  The other four took off as did the little one, not the best flight ability.  I watched them for over an hour as they kept getting closer to the woods and frantic mom and dad.  Little at a time, they made it into the brush.  I'm hoping they will be fine, mom is there and the babes knew enough to go to her.  

Visit at the facility with the cousins to see sis this afternoon.  She is quite upset as we all are since that background situation hit the fan yesterday. 

Our Hobby Lobby is coming soon.  Mark's retired friend and his wife are working as temp workers to stock and set up.  There were 80, but over 20 quit.  They rest are all older and retirees, and understand that when someone is paying you, you have to work.  

Enjoy the day.

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And now the blue

 Recommended conversion is DMC 926, I think a darker blue will look great with the very light floral above.  One is 3768, the other 924.  Both are good, I'll decide later.

I noticed an extra stitch mid-way in the skirt on the left, but that is charted.  Following my need for symmetry, I'll add one on the right.  Really enjoying this design.

Wonderful dinner out with cousins.  He is so great and his wife could not be sweeter.  We are going Italian again on Saturday, I just get sherbet since food is a problem for me and that's fine.  What to serve here Sunday hasn't been talked about yet.

I discovered that tunics can hide thighs, but holy hotcakes don't get a mirror to look at your backside!  It's like a tent.  An A-frame style.  I knew I had to lose weight but had no idea how wide my load is from the back.  I can wear a tank with an open tunic creating three vertical lines which breaks up width, but that thigh length solid fabric on the back needs a jackhammer to break that width.  MUST lose.  

What a difference in sun exposure with the tree gone. 

Have a good day folks

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Hazelwood

 Actual size is 13" x 19", 36 count,  I paid $16.25 and that is your cost.  I will pay shipping (US only).  Either a check or online gift certificate from 123Stitch as payment.  I have a piece of 14" x 18" Mayflower in 36 I may also be offering.  Too much going on to think clearly!  This linen's brown is taupe-ish and the mottling a very greenish brown.  I don't want to mess with correcting to my preference.

Cousins from CA arriving today, my other cousin is still in hospital, another doesn't want to forfeit any lake days at their camp so will only be here to have dinner with them one day.  So it's me.  And they want to take the ride to visit sis also and need me to accompany them.  Chris was told yesterday that the driver of their 4 day golf weekend has covid.  It wasn't heatstroke, it was a fever!!  Tested negative of course since it's only been a few days, he will continue to test daily, but he can't enter her facility until 10 days after exposure.

As for stitching, my test of the other two reds showed that 347 is the right choice.  It is very close to the Buckeye Scarlet and I will not admit to my shenanigans which brightened it just enough.  I would be kicked out of all stitching groups.  I don't plan on filling her body color and accents until later since I stitch in hand.  Best to add ecru and white at the end.

My Eastern Phoebes are ready to fly!  So crowded in that nest and although I scrubbed the area clean after the first brood, another mossy mess was built the next day.  Will there be a third?  This is at my front door and very hard to scrub in that cramped corner.  

My husband knows I haven't felt up to par lately and this morning he ran to do errands and brought back my newest favorite ....  the cold brew brown sugar foam from Dunkin.  Yowza!  

Mom's loon whirligig is in background.  Love that bird.  She also had what is called a mobile, it was a large goose whose wings had monofilament line from which it hung.  It would gracefully bounce up and down with wind mimicking flight.  I have never seen another.

Have a great day folks!

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Well....

 is my chosen red bright enough?  

The chart photo on darker linen features a fairly bright red, but the conversion lists WDW 2240 as DMC 3777.  That was my starting point but other sites list the comparable color as dmc 355.  Brighter for sure.  The Buckeye Scarlet (bottom thread) is the brightest and 347 is the comparable dmc, but it doesn't pop as much as I would like and not as much as the Scarlet would. 

I may stitch a sample with the Scarlet and also the 355 to compare before I go further.  The 355 might not appear much different than what I have done so far even though it has more yellow/orange to it but no harm to try.  

I'm surprised I'm even taking the time to stitch since this background situation is distracting me.  I just deleted a long rant because no purpose is served or outcome resolved. 

My dad was thrilled when he was able to purchase a used lathe decades ago, and practiced turning on pieces of scrap oak.  A few of them were to be candle holders with the recessed center.  I need to get organized (of course I will) and have something to hold my scissors nearby.  Perfect. 

 Mark drilled the holes and although I don't spend the $$$ for good scissors, these look fine and dandy.  Function trumps fancy these days. I will make a pincushion for the recessed center or add a tomato. 

Hope your week starts darn good and ends even better.  

Be safe!

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The chosen one

 of all the gorgeous reds is 347.  On this darker linen, 3777 was sort of moody.  DMC 22 was shy, 221 was boring, 816 was harsh (mine is not the shade in the DMC book), 321 was AUGH!, 498 was serious.   My favorite red, GAST Buckeye Scarlet, was good.  But I'm hoarding it.  DMC 347 is close, not orange, certainly not pink, no sign of purple or blue, strong without overpowering.   Holy hairnets girl, it's not house paint, it's thread.  In my defense, the red of that dress being the focal point needs to be free of color regret.  And it is.  

So I'm moving on with this piece, and already had counting errors.  The girl is charted a stitch or two (I quit counting) off center and once again my errors were because I did not study the chart and assumed placement.  Ended with centering her which really does not interefere with the design one bit, and I don't have to remove stitches again.  Plus I prefer perfectly centered. Yippee ki yay baby.  

I look younger today.  Has my hair filled in?  Not a strand.  Have I lost weight?  I planned to lose 20, only 30 more to go.  Did I get a few pounds of eyelids removed?  Not yet.  So what's the deal?  The dental work I had done involved injections in both front quadrants and I am quite sore.  But also swollen.  From under my jaw to the lip corners - jowls are gone!  All filled in with swollen tissue.  And I only get 1/3 the usual numbing because I am so drug sensitive.  Shots at nine, wore off at 6 pm, and that's the quick recovery stuff (not Lidocaine).  

My cousin is recovering after family was told she would not, from sepsis. She's pulling through because they found this is tick related and the right meds are already making a difference.  Wow.

Marti asked to see the finished berry, I only have one done and it is a gift.  This is part of what posted to Instagram, a place where 95% of what I see is not from posts I follow, people I know, or ads I have interest in.   I plan to make another and also a larger one, perfect project for those few inches of leftover linens.  I'll show those finishes soon.

Hope your weekend is enjoyable!

Be safe.

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What up?

 Does anyone still say that?  I hope not.  

The same large projects that I consider starting after every finish, are back on the table.  If they were kitted and I did not have to find a linen that works and is also large enough, it would be easier.  I should do that.  Sure.

So I chose (in keeping with all the reds lately) Gigi R's ... Petite Fille en Rouge.

Another small, quick, darling project.  I pulled threads, some left over GAST and some DMC to my liking.  The linen is 36 count and was originally C&C's Oatmeal.  It was dark, more like a taupe-ish cocoa brown, but my other small pieces were too gold.  So I crumpled and dipped in a bit of Goldenrod/Dark brown dye and the change is barely noticeable.  Just a bit warmer, just enough.  May start this evening after the Advil kicks in to calm the 3.5 hours in the dentist's chair this morning.

We're having a maple tree cut down tomorrow morning which is a terrible feeling.  It was originally three trunks, now two, and leaning.  My neighbor owns the business and just stopped by to let us know.  Oh crap.   I just realized we have to pay him!  It's been so long since we hired him that I didn't even think about cost!  Damn skippy.

Have a good day tomorrow, be well, be safe.

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Mary Bell 1811

 Finish!

Changed the feather eyes to blue, red birds' beaks to brown. 

40 count unbleached that I bleached, gently mottled.

The single row of brown defining the house corner looked bad to me.  So I went over the stitches with a half cross and it helped.  Even on 40, I was not happy with coverage and surprised at how the linen shown through. 

It proved to me that my stitch tension pulls those wimpy threads closer together and coverage is worse than on a lower count fabric.  It's just not substantial enough.  Lesson learned.  

This is the photo I posted before starting Mary and you can see how sheer this 40 count is, but it was the right size without having to cut a larger piece. 

Have a good one!

Be safe.

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Happy 4th

 Still working on Mary.

Sewed two finishes.

Enjoy the day, be safe!

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