Tara made me do it

Do you often purchase items after watching a flosstube?

Many are projects I'm not willing to stitch, too involved or large for my consideration.  But I enjoy seeing them very much, like Comfort Stitching's stunning Bridget Power.  Last night, I watched Sully Stitches.  Even though I rarely engage in Halloween stitchery, she got me.  So I rushed to search for the charts, all Halloween smalls, and I found two of them.  The fabric she showed for finishing was perfect for the backs, and I found it also along with a gingham I think will do well.  Old favorites, here they are....

Boo to You, Prairie Schooler

Pumpkin Patch, Prairie Schooler

Tara stitched and framed the small foursome, I plan to stitch four ornaments.

And this adorable guy...

Jolly Jack by Woolly Ewe

The fabric I ordered for the backs are these two, stars from Halloween Whimsy line and the gingham from Bad to the Bone.

I have the cool guy from Ghosts and Goblins stitched, I think these will be enough.  

The party today.  Oh.my.goodness.  There were over a hundred cars, nowhere to park, a long walk to a lovely park. Swings of all sorts, kids recreation, three shelters, and the best Mariachi band I ever heard.  Not that blaring head vibrating sound that so many bands think is good.  It's not.  They were perfect.  People able to speak without screaming, yet the music surrounded us.  We had no idea it would be this large!  And everyone received a t-shirt with his logo and company name.  I was going to do a brief video of the festivities but several Amish were there (no frontal photos permitted).

Thanks for the product suggestions, tried all of them.  They found a home for one enormous neutered and lovable male, one mother and newborns were accepted by an agency.  I don't know how many males are in this large group, and with all the storage in the basement, trying to find all the offending areas is almost impossible.

Labor Day. Good grief.

It will take a lot more than a few new charts and fabric to get this crab to mellow.

Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day.

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Framed!

Hi folks.  First off, charts are gone.  I'm sorry Unknown, you didn't leave an email for me to contact you so it went to the next request.

Since I adore this finish (quite different from the chart), I decided to frame. A 4x6 was perfect, I painted to match the roof.  Displays that change locations without effort, perfect.

A second project was started, this time dmc 221 on 46 count I dyed, hopefully finished the same and kept with Robards.  Chart was a gift, Stacy Nash Little Redwork Pinkeep, and once again stitching only the back/bottom portion.

A special day tomorrow.  My hard working, started own business from nothing neighbor, is throwing a huge party at our township park to celebrate ....

he is now an American citizen!  

He is so proud and excited and we are thrilled for him.

Lots of good food planned (except for the baby lamb), and I planned to bring sweet lemon breads but .... how to serve?  Sliced is difficult to take without touching other pieces, paddle tongs are too large, small would break it apart, not wrapping individually.  Maybe attempting a cake pan instead of loaf, with spatula?  Will it be fully baked in the center, or dried out edges? Hopefully it will distract me from Carole's house issues.  

Three females gave birth yesterday, thirteen kittens added.  No shelter room, they doubled the spay cost, and the most upsetting part is not being able to be in her house.  Males must have sprayed their new territory (basement) and it is choking us, but not them. I told them the ammonia has destroyed their sense of smell, we can't spend more than a few minutes inside. I spent a small fortune for products, uv lights, nothing worked.  Nothing.  I make calls as does Tracy, no place to go.  Even if they leave, how do they kill that stench?  Ollie has sprayed a few shrubs here and it hits me from 20 feet away but I have an outdoor product that kills the scent.  We've waited over a month for appointments at the clinic which stretch into November, 60 day gestation means more kittens by then.  Going to a vet, not the clinic, would be close to four times the cost EACH.  Mark is so disgusted he would like to have them put down (several have died), which sent Tracy into tears and a big NO, but she does not have the money for all these surgeries and we can't and won't spend thousands.  We've spent a ridiculous amount already to help with litter and food, surgeries, cages, products, only because of the stress on Carole.  I don't care how much you love animals, it is irresponsible, which is the norm for them.  I will one day explain the household dynamics.  

Enjoy the weekend.

Summer is over.

I am crabass, hear me roar. 

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The sets of old

Decided to follow your suggestion and not discard those charts.  Keeping bad boy George and others that I may stitch.  When I saw these online many many years ago, cheap, I purchased all not realizing they were hand drawn.  Since several commenters were interested, I will send rather than trash.

Divided into packs of three, if interested, say so in comments.  Too ishkabobbled with background crap to do this over and over so no choice, you get the three I send.  You can mention your preferred but not guaranteed.  Not considered a give-away (but free) so no date involved, will send when I get your request (email address in comment please), US only.

ALL TAKEN - THANKS

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The chart photos don't do justice to the samplers, many instances a darker thread color would be better. I saw a finish of Eliza, gorgeous pastels and border.

Keep in mind, this is what hand drawn is like. 

Not very difficult to read on simpler designs but that's not the case for all.

I am so upset with my brother's neighbor (sister's best friend) who hates critters and her house borders extensive woods.  She saw a raccoon on her porch video, called the trapper again, removed it.  The next day, three babies ran to my brother and would not leave him, crying.  He has been leaving food and water for them, they run to him every time he exits his door.  No, we don't have wild life rescues here.  They are growing, still searching for their mother to teach them how to survive, hopefully instincts will prevail.

Have a good day folks.

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0ldies

 I really have a very small stash of charts.  Compared to the inventory of many stitchers, mine would be considered nonexistent.  My collection of vintage R&R Reproductions charts are all hand drawn.  A few years later, greatly improved photos and printed chart packs were offered.  I will probably just trash them, many are on Etsy for just a few bucks.  

I found an old book by Pat Ryan that is listed as containing the charts for many of these early samplers.  I have nine of them, a few are favorites.  If interested in the book, you can find it HERE and scroll down that page to see the charts included.

Two I plan to stitch of my hand drawn are small, and early.  One is Polly Daggett.

The following is from the chart recalling her rebellious bravery.

The second is Betsy Bolles 1788, found in Glee Kruger's book Samplers to 1841.  FIVE years old!!!

I will ask if anyone would like the old charts I don't plan to stitch before discarding.  Two of my previously stitched favorites will be kept.

This is the fabric on the back of Robards.  And that old substantial leather purse with perfect lacing and clasp, was $12.  What a deal.

Thanks for visiting, be safe.

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The crab

 wishes you a good morning on the last Sunday of summer.  To me, September means it's over.

This is Nash's Mary Robards bottom section finished as a lined pouch with a magnetic closure.  Found in store at Home Depot, tiny ring magnets easy to sew into lining.

I posted a video showing how nicely it closes on IG, will try to add it here.  Doesn't appear to work.

The very old leather purse was a found on a Amish donut trip.  Love love love it.  The thin leather strap is broken off and I will replace. 

This is the project I've started, but also plan on another red sampler.  Problem is choosing linen.  So difficult for me and the majority in my drawer are 36 count, I want 40.

 Chestnut was recommended but it's not available in 40 and I think this design needs a much darker ground.  The details are sort of lost in the chart photo, so I dyed a solid dark background.  I did see a start on light linen abd it looked great.  Too late!  Hope I don't get frustrated since it's larger than I've been preferring lately.

Hope everyone is doing well.  Limiting online viewing is wonderful, but I miss updates!

Be well, stay safe.

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Tightness

 In my chest from .... anger, anxiety?  And now in my stitching.

After accompanying Carole to a ridiculous and frustrating dental appointment, I'm ready to burst.  Between the cats, her house, the work, my brother, and yesterday's inexcusable treatment, I need calm.  I have one ativan left from a few years back during her health crisis.  My friend gets an rx for 3 a day and has for years.  Teacher friends complain that one third of the class have rx for pot.  What?  I plan to use that final .5 pill this afternoon, it won't change anything other than to give my chest grip a break.  When I find a new doc, will I have to beg for ten pills a year again?  Of course.

This is the start on 46 count and the 3857 dmc single strand is quite tight in a solid block, like me.  I hope the width margin will be sufficient for a seam, so far it appears good.  

I use the sewing method and do a full cross on every tenth stitch to aid in counting those long sections.  Not thinking clearly, I forgot at first and went back to add.  This is not anchored, more like a basting stitch and I'll pull out before completing the row.

I think I'll stop bugging blogger for a week or so.  Whether this or another (lower count) project, I hope to have more to show then.

Take care folks!

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Next

 I dyed a small piece of 46, limited margins for this but it will be a seamed finish so that's fine.

Not sure which red but it will be dark.  Considered another solid color but right now, I am too consumed and distracted by this cat situation to think clearly.  Sleep isn't happening which makes me even more cloudy.  I see a change in my sister too, not a good one.

Hope your day is sunny and calm.

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Finish

 

PTP Ale 36 count, DMC 3777 for red, WDW Cayenne for roses, Ecru for 613. Changed hair, arms, leaves, wing color, fruit, positions.

Done.

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Fruit bowl

Done.

Increased the top fruit's height by one row like the white one below it, changed to blue.  Elevated enough for the leaves to continue, happy with my fruit!

Girls are finished, just increased the hair top row from three stitches wide to five.  Three made the hat look like a pizza box, five is more like a donut dozen box.

When shortening their arms, I wanted to also omit a row in those claw hands, but a little wonk is good.

This will be a pouch as intended, another "mobile" finish.  I like to be able to change display and the room its in.  Hangers are rarely a closed loop, I prefer open ends to adjust tie for hang length.  Several pouches and pillows/tucks can be on one hook, all visible at different levels.  Most of my doors have these iron hooks on both sides for display.

Hope to finish Ashmore this weekend.

Hope yours is excellent!

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Info

 Hi.  Just wanted to ask if anyone is getting a message from my post that it is dangerous as shown below.

A reader sent this to me as she received it, no idea what's going on or where to request an explanation.  Sorry.  

Please let me know if anyone is getting such notices.  I don't do other media except IG and probably should see if my rarely used FB account was hacked.  How??  What a putz.

Thanks.

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Continuing This

 Making changes as I go.

The dress on the left was first stitched with 3033 as a substitute for the called for 613, but it appeared dirty and dull.  Before changing it, I tried the 613 on the right, maybe it would work better than I thought.  Nope.  Too close to the Ale and the hat would not be noticeable.  So I replaced with Ecru, much better, will change the right.

The hat top corners were rounded, her hair was thickened, those scary arms were shortened, omitted the top leaves of the flower.  I will probably add the two stitches to square her hat after seeing this photo. 

Not sure if I want all those berries Ecru.  The chart photo is closer to my Ecru choice than recommended 613, and they really stand out!

And so This continues.

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This

 Ale 36 count.

Not enough width of fabric to stitch the back.

Don't care!

Not pleased with its size, I wanted a very small pouch.

Damn.

Enjoy your day.

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Thank you!

 And the decision ...

Legacy to the left of me,

Ale to the right,

Here I am - stuck in the middle with mine!

I like this result of a few Rit dips to a pinkish unwanted, my choice.  Today.

I wanted 40 count, found that my two Ale pieces in 36 were quite different.  Even choosing the less green piece, I wasn't happy with red thread choices after many samples.  This latest 3777 may work but I dyed a linen piece between the two considered and it is really nice.  And 40.  

The back of Nash's Mary Robards pocket will be started (not stitching the other side's alphabet).  Any of these pieces will be perfect for it.  But which one?

There isn't enough to do both on the same linen if I decide to stitch the back side of Ashmore.  I detest decision making!!!!  Robards is charted for Tobias, I have a piece, but refuse to cut a small from it.  That color was hard to find for quite a while and like every linen I see on videos and sites, looks nothing like shown.  I appreciate Karen Combs comparing linen pieces to others, even against white paper, we get an idea of hue and intensity.

Hope your week is going well.

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Help!!!

 George and Hannah Ashmore are having a disagreement.

George wants to be on the unbleached 36 count, and Hannah prefers the 40 count Havana.

For a pouch finish, your choice please?  My other options are Ale and Legacy, but I don't want to cut into a large piece.  The recommended is Lakeside Vintage Autumn Gold.  I have a piece that is only 9" wide (it was wrongly listed as 19" when I purchased).  Since I will never have opportunity for another, it will be hoarded.  One day I may find a tiny project that I love enough to use it for.  Maybe I should choose a different project for now and order a small piece of Ale which I think would be ideal.  I guess I just answered my own plea for help!!!!

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Finish

 Bingo!

Ain't she sweet?  3.5 x 5.5 inch.  I love the dmc 3831, and preferred the date in the corner rather than the birds.

Enjoy the first fricking weekend of August.

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The grass the bird the beads the poms

Extend the grass lawn, add a bird, and decide on a trim.

Mini poms in a neutral shade (gray?) would be nice, and after watching flosstube, I considered tiny sparkling red beads in the flowers.  But I gave them away long ago, along with the clear crystals.  Not my style anyway, but I do have a few smalls containing bright florals to stitch.  A group of Victorian looking fancy pants in a pretty glass bowl could be a shiny sparkle show.

August.

Dagnabbit.

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