Finish!

 My first 46 count.  I found that the weft (?) threads (vertical to selvage) are shredding, breaking, even without much stress.  The warp threads (horizontal) are still breaking with a tug but are stronger than the weft.  I am sure this is not the norm with this count, and am anxious to stitch on a different piece.

So, this sweet sampler from Scarlet Letter will be added to the pile for final finishing.  It is just under 5" x 2.5".  

Folded in half, a darling little needle book.  

If mylar or mat board inserted, I can stand it half open as a miniature book, both sides visible.  Sounds good!  

Yesterday's mail delivered this market release that hasn't seemed to get much buzz.  I recently saw a chart with these same letters in red on a sampler, different designer.  Striking, and hope to finish as a book/journal cover, may be a perfect fit.  The 1840 miniature standing with it .... yepper!  

I really like this sliding photo frame lidded box and have searched for others, perfect to stand for display.  I purchased two smaller ones years ago, they are hiding and will appear one day.

I hope everyone that celebrates has a wonderful Easter.

Be well, be safe. 

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

And again

Is this routine for 46 count?   Has anyone had an issue with broken threads?  I was continuing on the inner border and came up to this .... another break.  The next stitch requires a thread there.  If in an open area, fusible facing would be my choice but I need to weave here.  Repair won't be very challenging since the replacement's tail can end in the e and the other end in the margin.  How many others are in this small piece?

Linen threads in places are as fine as a hair and could easily cause multiple placement errors, but I've been very careful, no frogging which surprised me.  The photo has a red background to show the break better.

Two more small pieces coming in the mail, will try to compare with this one but these breaks are very difficult to see until you are ready to place a stitch.  Both are this same color from Zweigart.    

The teal row and the borders are all that remains.  Do I want to work other projects on this piece?  Waiting to see what the mail brings.  

I do not at all remember thread grain in a post.  I paid attention after learning this, threading each end of the same strand was definitely different.  One was more difficult because the twist was unraveling, the other end did not.  

I found that Quest Mobile is offering in home blood draw for lab work at a cost of $55.  Since Carole pays more than twice that for a motorized chair transport, she's smiling.  Of course anything other than blood work is not offered, but certainly a benefit for those with mobility or transport issues.  There are several others that offer this service depending on your location which I found searching online.

Hope your day is warm and sunny folks.

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

Did you know?

I did not!  Or did I forget?

Flosstube recommended a video, and I learned about the proper direction of thread.  What?  Could this really make a difference in how your floss lays and prevent its twist from unraveling on the end?  Makes sense.

Visit Cross my Stitches on youtube, and watch Flosstube extra! Tips and Tricks.

Maybe others have featured this, but I only watch a few favorites and obviously miss a lot.  Could this be the reason I have shredding issues with dmc?

Who knew?  Did you?

Here's progress on the sampler....

There was a fat slub running along the edge of the breaks so that helped camouflage the repair, glad I made the effort.

Enjoy your day folks.

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

Bingo

 Good enough.

It could be improved.  But when the next row is in, the patch will resemble a slub.  Too many broken threads in one area to align and this shredding is tempting me to toss it.  Stopping before that happens, and pleased with the result.

 

I really love the 46 from HL.  The color is perfect (this piece, not the other Oat), the weave is actually much nicer than the one I am working on.  I also learned there are two types, Bergen (uneven like 42/45), and Bristol (even like 46/46), which is what I have.  

Moving on.

Ciao!

***********

Fuzzy Wuzzy is a bear!

 And I don't mean the animal!

I have never had a linen thread break apart like this, no effort at all.  I have stronger kleenex!  All the times I've removed a thread by picking and pulling out the entire length of fabric for weaving back, never had one break.  If I rub it between my fingers, it shreds into fuzz. 

But I would like to attempt a patch, even if noticeable which may offer more of an aged look.   Removing a workable thread had to be done no more than an inch at a time to prevent breaking.  Once in the needle, it shredded and fell apart.  Now I'm getting ticked.  And more determined.

Finally have a thread of four inches to weave in, realize there are three broken, not just two.  I weave vertical, then turn horizontal beneath a stitch in the A to anchor, back down, turn, and up again.  And it's shredding, leaving fuzz everywhere, and now broken.  Guess what?  I will work it the best I can, complete the H over the repair, and then fuse the back with light interfacing to secure.  The entire piece will be fused when completed, not an issue.  To be continued.

 

The End.

If you are curious about using this count and don't want mottled or the expense for a piece that may not work out, head to Hobby Lobby.  Packaged counts of Aida and linen from Zweigart.  This is 46 in the color Oat, 11x18, for $5.99 which I purchased.  Love the color, but the second package of Oat was very pinkish, so there it stayed.  

Hope all is well with everyone.

Thanks for visiting.

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

Oh crap

 I ordered another small piece of this linen, and I'm curious if other mfg. linens in 46 have a heavier weave.  The right edge of the H was not in line with the A above.  One thread off, but each stitch held two, spaces were also two. Over and over, baffled.  Back to the Dazor, spotted a tiny bit of fuzz which was actually the end of a broken thread, accounting for being off one.

 I carefully removed stitches in the center of the H to check further and must have broken a second.  Never had that happen without aggressively pulling a slub.  The first was already broken, no stitches were frogged before I saw the fuzz.  Did my blunt tip needle break it while running it between threads to check alignment?  Linen is strong, I don't understand the breaks.

Not sure where to go from here.  Move down, start over?  Pick a spot and start a different project?  Attempt to re-weave?  Easy to do on a lower count with one break.  Two adjacent on 46 may be too difficult, but that will be tried first.  

Frustrating, but worse things can happen than broken linen threads and lost work.  

Be safe everyone.

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

That bunhead

Miss Maggie Mae from Stacy Nash has been the darling of the Nashville newbies, and sold out.  I did not pre-order, purchases were limited, but she wore me down.  I found her in Stacy's Etsy shop for download.   Even though shops' stock will be replenished at some point, I needed her in my zone.  Now.  And now she is.  Weird, huh?  

And then Stacy's exclusive As the Crow Flies grabbed me, it's a kit, in the cart with 40 count for now.

Hubs is painting the ceiling, preparing for the wall repair/cover with shiplap.  White Dove from Ben Moore, eggshell finish.  Entire room including windows and door will be the same. This will also cover the kitchen cabinets.  And after a sample board hinted at the result, once again, conflicted.  Too much white?  Should cabinets be lightened to the cream trim color (on board) instead of white?  Dammit.  I thought this was settled.   

Large pieces of scrap plywood and cardboard will be fit over several cabinets, painted, and offer a preview.  

Lots of work ahead. 

Yoi.

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

The big crab that could

 Holy crabcakes!!

The lower case and border, stitched without the Dazor, just using my 3.0 readers.  It's remarkable how our eyes adjust.  When the 46 count piece was first received, I had no hope stitching was possible.  

Being smitten with small and very small samplers lately, I decided to give 46 a try.  The longer I worked on it, the more it became less scary.  It's like seeing 25 count after working on 36, and thinking it's burlap.  But if 25 is routinely used, 36 appears to be extreme.  Until you start stitching.  You grow accustomed to the weave.  

So when I picked this up yesterday in bright light, the longer I gazed at it, the more my brain adjusted to my view.  I changed back to a 26 needle, expected to just anchor the first stitch, but then kept going.  As excited as a kid whose training wheels came off!!  I.am.shocked.  Really.   

Thanks for the suggestions on light, magnification, and hand help. Checking on them all.

Testing over one on 28 for the other new chart, and comparing the two, 46 wins.  Coarse fabric and tiny delicate x's do not meld for me.  A thin and wimpy 28 may look better, and I'll keep playing with that.

Hope your Monday is ordinary.  As I age, ordinary is good.

Thanks for visiting!!

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

Higher!

  I ordered a very small piece of 46 count a while ago.  After seeing this old Scarlet Letter miniature sampler, I decided its simplicity would be a perfect first attempt.  It is to be stitched over one on 25 count resulting in a 2.5" x 4.5" finish.  Over two on 46 will be a little larger, not much.

Because of this monstrosity and my 3.0 readers, stitching is possible.  Replaced my 26 needle with a 28 (tugged and bent it), the dmc doesn't flow through its eye easily, but it's happening!  I want a new light.  The bright tech ordered a few years ago was rusty so returned.  My old Dazor is excellent, quite expensive now, but not want I want.  I've checked with vision offices here, not one has higher than 2.75 power readers to try on so I may order 4.0+ online.  Is it difficult to focus with a greater magnification?  If not, maybe a high power reader and a bright light would be enough.  I don't want an arm with a lens in my way.

The linen is not what I had hoped, quite thin with very irregular threads.  Some as thin as a hair, some thicker than in a 32 weave.  Another linen may be very different and a little more uniform, and hopefully easier to work on for beginning a higher count.  I could work on the other smalls until a new piece of fabric arrives, but will probably continue with this.

The crack is back!  This time at the corner of my nail, so once again, I cut the fingers off an exam glove and my thumb is ...

Last week of March!

Hope it's a good one for you.

Signed .... the blue thumb stitcher

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

And another

recently seen and added to cart!

I can picture this with a stitched berry hanging from the edge of its frame or finish.  But what caught my eye initially was the white and black on this color linen. It appears to be the same as two goldish greenish pieces I showed weeks ago, planning to sell.  Have not seen them since because those "safe places" for protection and ease of finding, always screw me.  But that is exactly, when found, I will use for this.  

As you all know, I never learn from self-taught lessons, which technically cannot even qualify as lessons.  Too many times I have impulsively sold, given away, only to regret it much later.  The Tabby Cat to be offered is visible as I type, and I do not want it.  

Or do I?  

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

Two more

 Very small, very sweet, very reasonable, very convenient.

Two more from The Wishing Thorn to download.

You are most likely familiar with these smalls from Birgit, but in case not...

I have many many times discovered a chart I love that everyone knew about, except me, or that I overlooked.  I've purchased from The Wishing Thorn, mailed charts and also pdfs several times, yet these were never added to my cart.  So .... which will I choose this evening?

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

Jane Moore

The Wishing Thorn

Downloaded to my antiquated tablet, and found today.

Yep.

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

How did this happen?

 A few years ago, sanding and priming fifty six 10" wide boards would not have taken the toll that it did yesterday.  Wow.  They were laid flat on a long table!  How will we roll the walls and ceiling with paint?  How did aging smack us down so quickly?  The excellent painters we've had for decades in this area retired during covid and no one has filled their shoes, so we'll manage.

Except for that, no other work was done. Scott said he would be here at 10am with the patio door and wood delivery, but that was to help unload.  One person, the driver, required a second helper.  I didn't realize that and he plans to start Friday or next week.  Missy was ready and had no problem with her food and water being moved, but she wailed at the door (within sight of her litter) until we moved it back.  Brat.

I am still waiting for the two charts from market that I ordered, another with the black perforated paper coming later. But last night I watched floss tube and fell in love with this chart.  It is over one thread for a tiny finish but still very small on 40 over two.

Immediately went to 123 and placed an order for it and another chart that she featured, very late at night.  This morning, the entire order was shipped!!  Wow.  I think the Fraktur Friends design that I do not want to stitch on silk would be wonderful on a very dark (like WDW Chestnut but darker) 40 count and made into a pouch/bag.  But with linen prices, taking a chance on color is not an option.  Some browns look purplish, greenish, too gray, and most likely, none would be dark/rich enough.  So I'll attempt dyeing at some point.

My arthritic hand is swollen and stiff from usage, and I cannot take Advil with the other drug I am taking for my knee.  Arnica offers no help, neither do the other creams or Tylenol.  So after another stop at my cardio office's complaint department, I plan to purchase a compression half glove which my neighbor uses regularly.  Knuckles, thumb, and wrist, oh my!!

Carole's visit was late and brief, we just dropped off her items and food (stuffed cabbage casserole).  

 I hope your day is going well!

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

Found!

Fabric and notions, framed finishes and those waiting, smalls piled up for the sewing machine, all on the second floor in a mishmash mess which I avoided because of my knee.  Truth be told, I excel in procrastinating.  Let me get to the point.

Since last summer, hubs was doing what he could to rid my mess in those two rooms since stairs were not manageable for me.  To my surprise, he had covered several mounted samplers, the tiny red, and Lizzie (second one) beneath a piece of wool on a small table. Wondering what else I will find while shoveling through the room!  So happy!

Quite a few finishes topped with several inches of smalls rest on a rod in the room.

I also found the tiny cardinal chart I was missing, had planned to stitch again since my finish was offered in a giftaway.

   The tall candle jar I knew was somewhere, and as expected, NWP 1836 1837 is a perfect wrap.  A thin lining of cotton Warm & Natural and a padded lid is an option.

It's snowing.  Freezing temps are expected, delivery and installation of patio door is tomorrow morning.  Missy will not accept her litter box relocation and I will need to lock her in a bedroom with it for the week.  How can I do that when she will not permit me to lift her?  She welcomes and asks to be brushed while on her perch, but that is the only time we can get within a few feet of her.  An attempt to slowly slip my hand around resulted in blood and painful scratches, and she is gone before a towel is even unfolded.  Over ten years, and no spray or scent or catnip will calm her fear. Hopefully she will nap upstairs after breakfast and we can close the door.

Visiting Carole Monday after Scott leaves, we have food and goodies to take.  She is doing well, but needs blood work done and I called several places, no options for having it drawn in home as they did for my mom when she was bedridden.

I have not been viewing, reading, or participating for a week or so, need to catch up.  If I missed an email or message, so sorry, it was not intentional.

I hope everyone had a nice weekend.  Spring is getting very close!

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

Really?

 Without posting for over a week and over 4000 views per day?  Clueless as to where the bots are from.

So how is everyone?  Well I hope.

Aside from BP meds wreaking havoc with my Sjogren's, making me miserable enough to not stitch, I've been busy.  And if one more medical person tells me to " just drink more water",  they better have a good dental plan.  If you need to loosen or free a stuck object do you spray water on it or WD40?  Saliva is a lubricant, water IS NOT!!   Don't tell me your morning dry mouth is the same.  I could suck in my cheeks until they are blue and not produce one drop.  Yes, water feels good for a few seconds, and that's all. 

End of rant.

Scott is coming Monday to replace the warped patio door and install 8" and 10" shiplap to cover the bad walls.

A few days ago after removing trim, beams, and failing drywall tape, paint, and caulk.

And this morning after days of work, patched, painted, ready to roll.

We used bottle jacks to raise the two kitchen cabinets so crown moulding will be level with the other side.  These two cabinets were made by Dominic several years ago to replace the original smaller units, and installed an inch lower than the carpenter's other side.  Scott will install crown around them all, and I plan to paint cabinets white. 

This is the other side that the carpenter never finished.  Bare 2x4 pieces at the top for the crown that never came.  I am so glad this will be done and we found a reputable pro to work.  

And these turkeys!!  I look for Mr. Hitchcock every time we go outside.  They flock is now over 80 and they run to us.  Will be nesting soon and the visits will slow as always.  We hope!

I ran into Hobby Lobby last week for dmc and saw this hanging above.  The colors in this pack sang to me.  Quality is probably lacking, haven't tried them yet.  Only 2.99 for 36 skeins of 8.75 six strand cotton floss.

I am anxious to choose a small project now, thought this break/slump would be much longer but thankfully not.

Enjoy the weekend, stay safe.

Thanks for visiting!

 ***************

"If it's not one thing,

it's another" ......

Roseanne Roseannadanna

The Chloe project

Searched linen stash for a piece similar in size to the new project.  Cutting a large piece is very difficult for me, wastage of wide margins is avoided, and having a usable leftover for even a small project is included in the decision.  It does take time, maybe too much, but the Stella in me refuses to waste expensive linen.  

Search completed, does it need dyed, darkened, or brightened?  Yep.  Done.

Start stitching, but fail to give the chart instructions full attention and confuse color symbols.

Count incorrectly for two script letter placements, and one border section.  So the crabass frogs.

The frog corrected blue border is not agreeing with me, remove it.  Replace with a perfect muted brown.

Now we're ready to roll baby!

Ahh, hold your hotcakes.  Something seems off.......

Chloe is not my usual more length than width sampler, long and lanky.  She is short and stocky.  And ninety degrees away from fitting her wide hips on my linen.

You can size, adjust, primp, know the direction to take, and be confident you will fit in.

But one wrong turn and you're screwed.

Yoi.

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

 

Mystery solved

Now I know where linen pieces that I occasionally search for have gone.    

The linen pieces I recently planned to sell are still hiding (as is Lizzie).  Tabbycat Lallybroch will be added, and I snapped a few pics to show the mottling patterns.  When I reinstalled the Linen for Sale page here to post them, I was shocked at what the page revealed I had sold!  And why?  

So I added the other For Sale page back, saw those boxes, and wish I would have kept a few favorites.  Love that hexagon, never found another box, and my source closed its doors.  Wow.  Good prices!

Anyway, here's what I hope to offer.

One fat eighth 40 Lallybroch

One fat eighth 40 Creme Brulee

One fat eighth 36 Lallybroch

One fat quarter 36 Lallybroch

Haven't priced yet.

What's the FB selling group name?

I  removed Chole's dark blue border and choose a muted brown replacement.  She will be wonderful.  I wasn't as upset about color as I was about continuing my bad habit, a guaranteed source for errors.  This sampler has no over one, a short row of eyelet, another short row of four sided, and a dividing band with satin stitch.

Another warm day, all coming to an end.

Hope your March has been pleasant so far.

***********

When will I learn

to PAY ATTENTION and fully read a chart?  How many times have I failed to do this?

I wanted to mimic the original but couldn't understand how the teal faded to tan (cover photos).  The small colored diagram of the sampler inside the booklet matched that same color layout.  The thread legend lists the large alphabet symbol X as tan, not teal!  I glanced instead of reading fully and assumed the X was teal because of the photo. 

Studying/reviewing the symbols and their placement on the chart would have prevented this error.  My habit of referring to and too often following chart photos rather than the graph, has not been corrected.  Will it ever be?

I stitched the large alpha in teal, completely my fault.  Do I start over to satisfy my preference of the softer tan?  Put it aside because my patience and temper has been getting the best of me lately?  Accept the teal and continue with softer colors elsewhere?  

My big girl panties are stretched from being pulled up too often, and maybe it's time to get a larger size.  Teal it is.

Enjoy your day, be safe.

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