Welcome back Bettsy

 Hello people.

My stomach and churns and heart aches seeing Texas.  

Before starting another small, I found this in my bag while searching. 

 Sheepish Antiques Bettsy Wood that I no longer loved.  After changing the second row motifs and a few borders, I decided to save the top and create a little drum.  Not too small, perfect save.  

I have much sewing to do but with the disastrous mess, can't accomplish much.  I do think my BP is doing much better and I paid for my Synvisc syringes which will be arriving soon.  But I can't blame inaction entirely on medical issues.  Without a plan in place, clutter is moved, rotated, and still a problem.  Storage pieces with layout needs to be done first.  So this little project will add to my pile, and I hope my sewing machine doesn't fail again when I get back to it.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Thanks for visiting.

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Done.

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Three Toms

 Time for Toms to strut.  

The females are mostly ignoring them, but courtship won't be a problem with a flock of over fifty.  

OK ladies.  We're lining up for your approval.

Slow pageant turn.

And now the rear view.  Hey ladies!  You're leaving?

Can you imagine the number of poults from the flock?  

Julia is finished.  I used option #2 and I like the result.  Too lazy to climb stairs, will press and post her tomorrow.

Stay safe.

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Border bulk

 Even before the two color buds are added, this is way too distracting for me.  

I wanted to match size of Julia's companion piece that I stitched and its Ale linen color.  The chart photo is very different because of its lighter and softer look overall, not as fussy as mine.

One of the two charted colors for the bud's center is stitched in four at the bottom left corner.  But maybe reducing that sharp contrast would calm the racket?

These three alternatives are used in the body, I'm leaning toward #2.  The option to follow the chart and alternate two light threads for the bud's center would not be a good idea.

Too lazy to work this in my Paint program, which is always a great help, but this isn't a major issue.  Any of the three will work and close this project.  

I've pre-ordered just a few 2024 show charts, am tiring of the highly mottled linens (and new prices).  Minimal aging and solid colors allow more focus on the stitching, less background chatter.  I guess I am craving simplicity and peace!  

I hope you have a sweet Sunday.

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Burn, freeze, fill

 Hiya!  It's me.  Border bitch.  

Stitching is not going well, the border's little pain in the a** sprigs are very close in color to the linen.  The first half of the cross melts into the back and running the thread tail beneath is next to impossible.  So many errors and frogs in first and second cross.  

Two candles purchased from BBW during their holiday sale were not the usual clear glass, many new scents are in opaque colors.  When expired, freezing makes scraping the wax off sides and cracking the bottom chunk to remove, very easy.  I only purchase candles with straight containers for this reason. The bottom labels soak off, and the front label peels off.  So many are used throughout my sewing room, linen closet, and bath for organizing, been saving them for years.  I like the crystal clear glass to view contents rather than cloudy plastic bins.  

With the opaque, I thought adding a padded stitchery to the lid would make a really nice container to set out.  Those small items like clips, post-its, and my lip and eye grease can be hidden and handy instead of having to search for them. 

These linens are pretty close to the jar colors (well, not on my screen!), I'm sure a ribbon or other trim can be glued to the edge.  The flexible gasket in the rim may even allow room for the linen to be wrapped under.  But I'll probably become lazier than I am now and just glue batting and a pretty print over.

If my friends appreciated needlework, I could fill with goodies, a lid stitched with something personal, and gift!  But they do not so forget it.  

Now, wasn't this post a boring waste of time?  Anything to delay returning to the border.

 

We have soggy ground and sunny skies.

Hope your day has a bright spot.

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No bingo yet

 But close.

Complete except for the border's fill.  

Damn.

Progress on the blood pressure finally, but not ideal as yet.

The Synvisc injections (gel) ordered for my knee may not happen.  This ortho office turned the drug into my prescription plan, specialty tier 4.  Everyone we know that received these injections had no separate drug cost.  At $600, who could?  Injections administered in office are to be billed to medicare, covered, according to my research.  My sister, cousin, friend, never owed, all through a different doctor.  As usual, having someone actually be able to answer this, is impossible.

Be safe!!

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Another border issue

 Love the look.  

That's about it.  I struggle with stitching them!

I considered removing the portion started and finding something more simple, but The Hunter which is the other sampler in the Two by Julia book, is the same size.

I used the same piece of Ale for both, and decided to continue the charted border for size match.

But I dislike working on borders that have spaced stitches of different colors.  

Another afternoon trying to clean Carole's room.  She is sentimental, has way too many tchotchkes, decades of cards kept in boxes, clothing she can't wear but won't get rid off.  Ordinary baskets taking up half of a closet because there is no where to display them, ten boxes of vacation souvenirs that haven't been opened in decades, and so much more.  There comes a time when you need to keep a few, and release the rest. But she won't.  Can you tell how frustrating this is?

And how do you deal with a Great Dane that has failed training classes twice, completely destroyed (ate) the sofa, recliner, any items not securely contained, and does zoomies that can break an adult's legs if in the way?  Crating is required but after awhile, they let her out, and take offense when I tell them to get her away from me.  

Hope your week starts with sunshine.

Thanks for visiting.

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Up to my old tricks

 Yay!  No woozy wonks during this entire session.  

And as my usual, those two large florals above the house include only one charted color.  The blue stem, that's it.  

Two small birds, a single flower, and repeating the left's vertical motifs to the right will complete the body.  The border will finish it all.  Julia's last name Reade over one is next before I set her aside to leave for Carole duty.

Have a swell day all!

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Slow and steady

 I've managed to finish the lawn and the flowers above the house.  No vase yet, trying to limit color changes.  But this weekend I plan to work on the border (you know I dislike stitching borders) and not have a problem. 

This closeup shows the change between more solid stitches on the left half of this block compared to the more open stitches to the right.  Almost looks like a darker thread.

Still no answer from my drug plan as to why the co-pay given to the pharmacy is off by hundreds.

The cardio visit today was no different than being stuck in a roundabout at 50 mph, and after checking the pharmacy for pick-up, it is not the combination drug he told the PA to order, it's single.  And the weekend.  My systolic is very high and has been, current med is only lowering diastolic and rate, so he doubled current and added another.  CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?  Does anyone listen?

More hook racks for Carole, these to handle the limited closet space for packs and coats.  We matched the stain of hollow core doors, made them full width to catch the wood frame, and will be installed on the outside of the hallway door.  Mark converted her large deep foyer closet into a laundry closet years ago.

I am and have been so disgusted this week, and now ..... 

white crap is falling.  Such is life.  Get over it!

Have a good weekend.

Crabass, over and out.

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Marching orders

 of a different kind.

Ollie was ticked because I wouldn't open the door to fill his dish until they were gone.  

The increasing cost of the corn for the deer and this flock is mounting!  And they stick around until it's gone, sometimes waiting for more to be thrown.

The pipe on the bird feeder pole is heating duct that snaps to close, works better than plastic pipe which squirrels can sometimes claw to climb.  A few have made it up, but this isn't the largest size, next time, bigger.  When filling the feeder we lift the pipe sleeve to see if any birds or critters fell inside. 

 

Cardio tomorrow, ortho offered the Synvisc injections for the knee, but that cost is hundreds more than others we know have paid last year.  Complicated and confusing, too much to explain.  Still debating.

The large house is fully stitched, fill in continues for the lawn area.  Between these rows I will work on surrounding motifs to test the woozy wonk.  I think I'll do fine.  Current debate is whether to replace house's stitched section of the far left which was done a while back.  I used the two direction method I love which creates a really solid look.  So why didn't I use it when pulling Julia out later, or finish that side first?  I would have noticed but instead, I worked on the right and the left was completed last.  Since returning to her, stitching was done in horizontal rows, not bidirectional.  The wonk got me.

And I realized, I do have WIPs.  Two large samplers have been set aside, another small one that I lost love for is in the bag.  Wow.  I'm growing up.

Hope your week ends well.

Stay safe folks.

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Green light

I've been testing my woozy vision on a fill-in and it's doable.  Eyes moving back and forth from chart to fabric will be tested next, but I had no problem with fill for brief periods. 

Julia's House in the Two by Julia book is the design, the roof is completed and not much left to stitch in the body.  I've seen a few Nashville previews and will preorder from ?????.  Several Superbowl sales took place, there is one shop that has the worst program for viewing and ordering.  Confusing, frustrating. 

Will be finishing the organizer installs at Carole's this week, then cleaning begins.  Those wire bins hung on the inside of doors have created quick visibility, easy access, clearing shelves for larger items. 

Time to shut off the screen, less time viewing offers more time stitching before the wooz returns.

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Answering inquiry about projects in the header photo ..

Front left samplers are my Miniature Sampler 1 and 2, found under the FREE tab.  Center small is The Next Step Sampler from Needle's Prayse, the dark green sampler behind it is Dorothy Allen from R&R Reproductions.  Tiny ladies in the front is a treasured gift, Tokens of Affection from Pineberry Lane.  The pin roll at right is another special gift, I think it's an older Stacy Nash.  

The label on the notebook inside the basket is Safrona Ager from The Examplarery.

Stay safe folks!  

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I'm thinking

 If those Fraktur girls find their way to my stitching station, which fabric would be best for me?   On the 40 silk (which is over one) they would be 4x4, double that for over two.  First, I would ignore the top and alphabet, reducing height by 30 stitches.  The chart lists 172 x 162 but the numbers on the graph are 182 x 172, unless I'm wonked.

So maybe use 30 count over one?  In a brief sample, the left is one thread over one, full cross.  What a mess.  The right is two threads over one, half cross.  Less stress, less time, better outcome.  How do you stitch over one on lower counts?  I usually do tent with one strand on higher count for lettering except on curves or angles that look nicer with full crosses.  But a larger block on 30?  Not having neat and uniform stitches, this two thread tent option would be best for my mess if I choose over one.

I think I could handle it in short sessions, leading me into WIPlandia.  A dark 40 count linen over two is still my preferred option, that 8 x 8 finished size could be made into a pouch.  I had a NWP sampler pouch chart in my cart for way too long, expecting it to always be available.  It ain't.  You snooze you lose!  I had issues with the PTP Murky and have to test my ability on a high count dark fabric.  PTP seems thick to me, which linen has a looser/thinner weave?  

I hate decision making.  They are agonizing for me!  I would like to decide on ground for this design and just keep handy in case I am calm, reasonable, kind, quiet, and can work a small section.  So probably never.  I have to tell you, yesterday we were in our locally owned lumber yard that we have dealt with for years (they know me).  The manager patted my shoulder and asked how I was, I replied bitch nasty (lately, yep).  Four men seated behind the order desk started laughing, but their faces changed in a second when I looked up and said you have a problem with that?.  I was kidding, but they aren't taking any chances.

Happy Friday.

Have some ice cream.

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Not yet

 Hey.  How the heck are you?

Hope you're doing well, comfortable, serene, not wanting to throw items through windows.  Mine are still intact, but some days ..... getting close.

A bright spot is my luck in finding 36 count Winter Brew linen in stock.  Love this non pink non green neutral.  Not much left!

Ye Olde Cross Stitchery  

When browsing my charts, I saw this favorite.  Recommended for this full coverage design is 40 count silk.  My plan would be a dark linen to avoid that.  Another option .... black perforated paper?  Its 14 count would be much larger of course, but if that would allow a finish to enjoy instead of a chart in a drawer, something to consider.

Wine with a light greenish khaki have been roaming my brain for a while, and I may stitch this design with them.  My mind is swimming with so many things that I can't settle or make decisions.  Therefore, charts are everywhere with more options added daily.  Why can't I start several and have WIPs like everyone else?  Where would flosstube be if we were all monogamous? 

 Or dye a linen piece to a soft khaki green.  But before a project is chosen, I need to make sure it wouldn't be set on fire at the first sign of trouble.  

Spring is coming.  Birds are strutting.

I've had problems with email programs for a while now, but as of the 1/31 windows update, Live Mail is not working at all, nothing coming through.  What a mess.  I have emails for Carole's accounts, our accounts, my brother's, and need a program where I can view all as Live allowed.  So I have no choice but to log in to the provider for each email account until I find a suitable platform.  My brother has been burning my toast with his incessant and obsessive calls, over and over, which has become the norm.  Very frustrating. 

Hope your week has been good, the coming weekend even better.

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Mail

 Hello people.

Today's mail brought a chart that I thought was removed from my cart.  Happy it wasn't.  Small yet packed with interest.

My cart is always loaded with "maybe" and then thinned to favorites before checking out.  The others are saved to lists for future orders.  

I decided to order a few Weeks overdyed threads in red, and was surprised (not really) in the match of these two.  I stopped ordering GAST long ago but after trying a few Weeks, found their variegation and color consistency really nice.

2259 and 1333

Choosing a project this weekend.  

Hope you have a great one!

Be well.

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