Finish!

 Jane Moore 1825

The Wishing Thorn

46 count, dmc, minor changes, no border, 4.5" square

Boom.

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A find

Hello people.  

Just came from a quick trip to Hobby Lobby and wanted to share.  In the clearance section, new to me, I spotted several framed prints of various size.  Wow.  Wide frame and solid wood, both 24x36, perfect to cut down and frame two of my largest samplers.  One was $22.49, the other $34.99 ($115 originally).  What a deal!  Most trips are for a specific item, browsing the entire store would require food, drink, my brace, and a rest area.  The clearance wall happened to be at the notions/sewing department which was lucky for me.

Close .......

Enjoy your day.

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Soon ....

 Only two birds, name, date, bingo.  

Soon.

The Wishing Thorn Jane Moore 1825

Heart motifs changed to doodad motifs. 

The simple single row border will be left off.  So far, no placement errors, why chance it?  On 46, quite easy to miss one linen thread.  My hot flashes are back, certainly not as intense as years ago, but still tempt hissy fits at the slightest frustration.

I am really very tired.  I need to start doing seated exercises since the knee has limited my mobility for a year, even though I detest it. 

Enjoyed your Friday?

Hope Saturday is even better.

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A sweet little

 Isn't Jane sweet?  

Under five inches on 46, loving this sampler.

The two glove fingers turned out to be a help!  Not tacky yet they grip the needle, have not dropped it once.  I've used these gloves to remove pet hair from upholstery and whenever I need help with a secure hold (like my paint brush or glassware when cleaning cupboards).  I can't trust my grip and have been dropping too many items. Now for stitching when needed!

Scott has finished this room, wall cracks are covered, now the windows, grilles, and trim to paint.  Easier without his equipment in this small area.

Hope all is well.

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Cracking me up

 My right thumb has returned to painful cracks at each corner of my nail, and now my index finger wanted in on the action.  Both of those nails have peeled, weakened, and are as short as possible making the tip even more tender.  Using cleaners and paint, fillers, has I'm sure made it all worse.

The limited stitching time has been spent on Jane Moore 1825 (The Wishing Thorn) on 46 count.  Two errors, don't care, not important.  Spewing a few expletives satisfied my frustration.

Scott is basically done with that back room off the family room/kitchen.  Tomorrow he will install the crown moulding on the kitchen cabinets which won't take long.  I did not realize that the other projects and bath remodel are not possible.  The brace limits his mobility involving stairs, and there is no way he can manage up and down as needed for cutting wood and such.  So disappointed.  He really is excellent.  The other carpenter that replaced our windows and is a perfectionist, is recovering from two years of chemo.  Still in demand and accepting jobs during his recovery, but the stairs would be a challenge and I would not even ask him.

I'm having a problem with a link for those bags that doesn't include my order info, will attempt again when I have more time.  If you are interested, search Amazon for zippered mesh bag with handles.  They are listed as student, document, puzzle, game, travel, and other descriptions.  The mesh is breathable, better for linen than my plastic, and holds its shape very well.

Tootsie has never had a litter yet gets nailed by these guys on my deck every few months.  Ollie is her boyfriend, always on her, the orange nasty feral fights with him.  Too smart for trap, too feral for handling.  After dealing with this for days, I thought it was once again over.  Nope.  Two new fellows, solid black juvenile and large smoke gray are here all day and she really puts on a show for them.  When I scare them away, she cries and runs after them!  I give up.  Our three were all neutered very young and it never calmed their urges, just prevented litters.

Off to bed with Neosporin, Cetaphil, Hand Repair, and blue fingers.

Hope all is well with everyone.

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Project bags

And probably more than you want to know.  But I'm pretty pleased with them so wanted to share.

All from Amazon and what I've been hoping to find for quite some time.  The first order was returned because the main pouch was waterproof material which would make  fabric/thread stored in it, stink.  There was a good deal of time spent on the various offers, all looking the same, yet different pricing, quantities, quality, and sizing.

My choices are all mesh but not all the same style.  The features I desired are met and the reasons for them are simple.  

1.  Visibility.  I would never recall which bag held which project.  My current bags are not sheer enough and require unzipping to see contents.

2.  Handling.  My arthritic right hand and carpal tunnel make grabbing and holding a bag, difficult.  Especially the large slippery plastic, and a PITA to search for that small black loop on the zipper.  I need a handle.  Two at the zippered opening is not fun, in the way and needing moved, finally found them on the side!  Yay!!  

3.  Cost.  Those gorgeous fabric print bags and work that we see everywhere can add up.  I would only need one or two, for the current projects.  A stack of them is not something I am willing to spend linen/chart money on, and also .... refer to 1.

4.  These bags can hold stitchery with the backing fabric, trim, anything for the finale, and I can see them and realize how much I need to do!  Once a project is over, they are covered or in a drawer, forgotten.

5.  Wool applique and berry patterns, templates, a variety of sewing projects will be organized and accessible.  (Happy to see a comment Cheryll, sent an email after visiting your blog and was getting worried.)

Where will they be?  Hopefully on a tall free standing old wooden coat rack.  We'll install alternating hooks on each side top to bottom, and create storage/display in a small footprint.  Peg racks, hanger clips, the handles give more options rather than a file drawer or basket, again, forgotten.  The bags are actually pretty, colors are great.  

Really busy with the wall work, will list links in the next post.  Some were returned and I need to make sure the info will be correct.

And the winners are .....

Front pocket will not hold full size chart, but perfect for the small size chart. I have many in that size and for this price .. 10 pack of 5 colors for $20.  Keeper!

XXXXXXXXXXXX

 Good size, good quality, top handles (one will be removed), cannot zip front pocket closed with full size chart, don't care.

4 colors for $21.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Much larger in width and height, would hold a lot of fabric and more.  (I will remove one strap and shorten.)  Outside pocket holds full size chart vertical or horizontal. 6 colors for $23.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

No outside pocket, one zipper, side handle, large enough for full size chart and all else. 4 colors for $13.

 

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

And these clear pockets for a 3 ring binder, closures alternate so they lay flat in the binder.

I'm very pleased.  And very tired.  Very tired.

That was a lot of nail holes to fill, prime, and sand.  Painting (moore's white dove) it all including windows and trim this week.

Later!!!

Hope I didn't bore you too much!

Since I don't use a phone, what do those that do see?  I was told that posts are not sized properly and scrolling width wise is necessary.  Help?

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Who's job is easier?

 His.

This is tedious work to me.  Listing small linens for a quick inventory, adding a note to each chart of design size.  Most show the stitch count within the chart, in a bag that fits tighter than my BAP (big ass panties).  

Always a monogamous stitcher, now I am wanting other projects kitted, ready for a serious relationship.  May only be one date, may lead to an engagement, or end in divorce (or cremation).  Choosing a linen takes more time than completing a sampler.  I won't cut into a larger piece, ever, so this stash review was necessary.   A dozen charts have yellow tags noting linen size to kit tomorrow.  Maybe these extra trays will be too distracting!

 After an 18 hour back surgery over a year ago, Scott developed drop-foot and is wearing a rigid brace from foot to above knee.  Obvious in his walk, bending to reach floor is a struggle.  He appears to be in pain, but isn't, it's the restriction making it appear so.  He uses a short scaffold to reach ceiling, and as he turned to talk, one locked wheel wasn't enough and it rolled and started to fold.  Thank God the back of his head missed the pipe legs extending above the workbench went he fell backward.  He is bruised, but ok.  

Stay safe, be careful, thanks for visiting.

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Mail

 Mail came!

Here are the smalls, mostly for the lids of my empty/clean glass candle jars.  Filled with peppermints at Christmas, acorns for fall, rosehips for summer, it will make a nice display and offer another spot for finishes.  Quite a few are filled with sewing supplies and I may add a cute fabric to those lids but not stitchery.  I love being able to see the contents lined up, no labels or searching required, and the benefit of a large opening and lift off lid is a blessing to arthritic hands. 

The Chocolate Hearts design has been in cart for a very long time, and I was concerned that this chart from 2015 may be unavailable soon.  Autumn Posy colors will all be changed, already assigned a page to it in my new book!  Only two changes were made on Jane but the one that was not clear to me, cost much time effort so all changes will be entered.

This Nash is from 2018, never saw it.  Plan to stitch separately, sweet little finishes, the white house will be narrowed and the roof color changed.  Both of these will be on dark linen. 

Here's an glimpse of the threshold height, on hinged or sliding door.  He will add a few  floor pieces when all is done.

Moving along quickly, shiplap won't take much time so decisions need to be made!

Sunny and warm today.  Third and final injection this morning.  Starting physical therapy in a week or so.  Or so sounds better.

Enjoy your day!

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Playing

 Hello people.

This is how I roll.  I enter the messy room with good intentions.  But the first nugget of interest sends me in the opposite direction.  Piles on the counter are shoved aside creating a space to do nothing close to that good intention.  

This is the straight sided lid to Lume deodorant.  Why would it be in the pile?  Because during the search for the recycling code, I saw a tiny oval pincushion, probably in worn out velvet, which was enough to toss it on the pile.  Husband said, "you envisioned a velvet pincushion from a deodorant?".  Yea, I did.

I sanded the imprinted label, used Tacky glue and scrapbook paper to cover.  More of a test since grinding, pounding, nailing, and a vacuum are distracting me from completing this properly.  Who am I kidding.  Always impatient and lazy, winging it is what I do.  

Then I see that some of my Washi tapes are the same height, another option.  The tape would probably need to be on a plain paper first because of the translucency. 

Missy's mouse is testing pincushion height (too high), bottom can be filled with weighted beads.

Then again, I may lose interest and move to another pile.

The only thing for sure right now, is the new Andersen slider has a threshold that is elevated above floor level far too much.  That's the design.  My old door was level, no trip hazard, do not like this at all.  The interior is wood but this full width elevated strip is the vinyl color of the exterior.  Bulls Eye 1 2 3 primer?  Washi tape?  We'll see.

Have a good day!

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Surprise gift!

You record the designer, pattern, and additional notes in the top section.  Beneath are columns noting the charted color, and directly opposite the change made by the stitcher.  Moi.  

This is a wonderful gift!!  I was totally unaware of this book, which is a very simple way to note those constant changes.  Plenty of room, and no other info is really necessary so this will be a valuable tool for me.  I tried keeping a book with info on each project but recording every change or issue throughout the stitching was very inconvenient (i.e. PITA).  If I waited until the project was completed, I couldn't remember what I did weeks before to record accurately.  This will be so much simpler and helpful.  My plan is to number each page of the book and insert a card listing projects with page # assigned making them easy to find.

Thank goodness it was delivered in the plastic bubble bag and not paper envelope because a severe hail storm arrived and blew items throughout the neighbors.  Thankfully this was caught in the rocker's slats.  And we are back under a severe warning so I will show my new charts next time.

No project has been chosen yet, Scott dropped off equipment and tools to start work early Monday.  I plan to hide in my sewing room and attempt to organize, maybe do a little machine sewing.  He is a talker, and as with most people, does not understand why that's a problem for me.

Have a good start to another week.  Middle of April!!  Be safe.

To Fabric Girl- the stitching station photos are in previous posts.  Thanks!

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Goodbye Jane

Will we ever meet again?

Sure.  But this break will do well for us both.

I used the 3721 for the border flowers. Still prefer the brighter pink I originally chose, but it didn't work where used in the body.  She has been poked and frogged and cussed and poked again, she can rest for a while.  Large samplers are not calling to me as before, especially with a border like Jane's. I have several new smalls from market and an order coming Monday with several more (not samplers).  

Jane is back in her bag, but on the bottom tray of my station in case I feel the urge.  The added trays are wonderful.  No, this does not pull over my large lap, it sits right next to the chair, keeping several rings of thread, current chart, doodad supplies, and now a few other projects and charts very handy.  If I go to another chair or room, the station comes with me.  Everything I need to stitch is there, DMC book, needles, scissors, extra floss bags and rings, clips, ruler, glasses, mouth and eye gels, tape for fuzzies.  Also easy to hide in another room when necessary.  I have two hoops, they can slide into the tray or hang from the side hooks.  I set the current project on the tray top and have various covers to throw over.  Can you tell how much I love it?

My second injection was painful but not for as long as the first one.  Final will be Tuesday but honestly, I don't expect much simply because I don't believe they are treating the actual damage. Of all the braces and aids, this one really offers support and stability.  DonJoy Reaction knee brace.  It has little hinges!

It has rained for days, lawn is now lake.  Right now, terrible winds with the downpour knocking off more branches which the yard was cleared of!!

Tonight, floss tube.  

I hope your week went well, and the weekend will also.

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Station redo

 Hi folks.  The snow/sleet/rain/hail/sun of Friday ended and next week brings warmer temps, and more rain.  But that's not what I want to tell you.

Remember my wood tv tray turned stitching station?  Magnets for needles, scissors, hooks for thread rings, measuring tools, calculator, slot for DMC sample book.  I needed more when choosing and changing and testing.  Until a better option is found, I decided to get legal size file/paper trays to attach beneath for handy organizing.  Love it!  Size just fit, used zip ties to secure, great idea.

The other delivery was for project bags in a style I think best for me.  I'll show that next, not sure if I'm keeping.

I've tried several other threads on Jane, no decision yet.

Hope your weekend is a good one!

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Take notes!

 Good grief.  I have several notebooks to record my stitching.  And since thread colors are changed in every one of my projects, they should be noted!  In writing.  And highlighted.  In one of three books.  But my numerous bad habits are never corrected.  

Jane was started over a year ago, can't find one hint of substitutions other than linen.  Continuing in the body, I will be able to determine if the border will need frogged or the two row adjustment in that section will work.  She will be set aside soon for a new start but not until the thread changes are clearly noted.

The pink of the basket's center flower is the same as in the border, and all came to a halt when I realized it's a mystery.  After sliding Jane across dmc sample rows, it has to be one of these two.   Which?

Not a stranger to this self inflicted problem, I resorted to the trick used many times.  Thread looks different fully stitched, especially after dulled from handling.  So I pull a tail from the back, smoosh the end to fray if not already, and lay the options.  Not a guarantee when so close, but has only failed me twice before out of too many to count.  Stitched tails are first and third.  Second slightly darker thread does not match, more easily seen in those frays.  

The charted 3722 on right (intensely disliked in any project), does not appeal to me on this linen.  The top left 3721 is better, still quite a bit darker than I'd like.  But being only one shade off from the chart, will be stitched in for a test, just to quell any doubts.  

Monday past, I received the first of three gel injections into my knee, which some warned would be excruciating, others not so bad.   The tech is very experienced, I don't question his work.  But.  Mark was watching my face and thought I was going to scream.  When Sjogren's prevents tears from leaking, crying is not visible, but I was.  I needed help to leave, and the brace is back on.  It was tremendous pressure as if my knee was in a vise, subsided by night.  My pain is not now, has never been, in the joint, and the mri shows the damage elsewhere.  Can't wait for the other two injections!

Hope everyone is doing well.

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Setting Jane straight

 I missed two stitches in the border height starting right beneath the yellow flower.  The body's start is aligned with the pink flower, and now higher/closer to the border top by two rows.

Jane Southward 1836 is one of three larger projects that were set aside because of size, color changes, and linen choice, thought I would add a few stitches between choosing next projects.  Jane is 36 count Seraphim and more difficult for me to work than the previous project's 46.  Why?  Dark linen vs. light linen.  

My options now that the errors were found...

1. Remove the border starting below and including the entire flower, continuing through to end.

2.  By adjusting the body section, less frogging, but continued confusion and chart adjustments resulting in more errors.

3.  No frogging, reduce the size of top motifs on each side of the center floral basket by two rows, and the top right corner of the random border will not be a problem to fudge.

 

4.  Put her to sleep and choose a new project.

The End.

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