Aug 26, 2025

Next up.....

that rose. 

More detailed stitching.  And I was concerned about the border!  

I wish I would have changed the 926 to 927 for the blue in the border.  The photo looks much lighter, not as pronounced in that pattern.  Too late.  Hope to get the majority done before my vertigo testing Thursday morning.  

I'm in sweatpants and sweatshirt.   
And I'm not sweating.

Have a peaceful day.
 
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Aug 24, 2025

Little stitches here and there

makes me want to pull my hair. 

But it has become so thin there isn't much to grip.


My conjoined tomato snowman.

Hope everyone is doing well.

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




Aug 22, 2025

Proceed!

All set.

Happy with the small change and I had no problem repeating the pattern.

Yepper.  Worth the effort.  I only stitched the short side section of the border originally but had numerous errors to pick out.

Just a few stitches changed, but helped me plenty.  

I can do this.

Now .... on with the stitching.

*********** 

Tweaked

Very close to the chart but easier for me to remember the repeat, a little neater, a row shorter.

Or this, either will work for me.


Just a little tweak from the first attempt, trying to keep the same look of the design.

Dryer repair Saturday.
New roof Tuesday.
Broke on Thursday.

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Aug 21, 2025

Choices .... or not

 I worked a few options for the border offering easier to remember repetition for me.  I've studied the chart, and just can't seem to follow without constant referral which frustrates me.  Following the basic outline count, I came up with three options I can handle. They are nine stitches deep (#3 is eight) rather than ten, preventing border from touching interior stitches.


I will test them all, but the center is the closest to original with a two stitch simple pattern, easy to remember. I think one row less will make a big difference in the crowded look.  It may be modified a little more if not pleasing when test stitched.


This is the start of the giant pear, not my type of stitching!!  Too many colors and ziggys to follow.  I realize that A Miscellany may be too much for me.  Never did care for such detailed sections and being distracted with memories and regrets regarding Carole makes for many errors.  Having a difficult time.


Dryer croaked, roofer coming for estimates today, and it is quite cool out there.
Hope your day is without breakdowns or repairs!!


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Aug 19, 2025

Well ....

 Your input is appreciated, and has me questioning what to outline that side with.  I like the lighter color because as Gail mentioned, the older brick houses usually have quoins (don't be impressed, I looked it up), which are lighter stone corner blocks to accent the brick.  Good grief... a decision needs made!

My sinus headache is telling me I need a break.  So I'll make a Panzarella salad with the heirloom tomato that ripened, and enjoy the weather in Mom's spring chair.  That won't last long since the smell of neem oil on my destroyed petunias gags me after a while.  I have lost the Bubblegum petunias in the front, and two in the back.  Aphid infestation is massive.  Summer beauty has ended very early, never ever lost those Vista tunias, they always lasted until late fall.  

You know by now that I am a little too thrifty and still suffer from the Stella in me.  Well my current chart of $30 was my b-day gift to me because I don't pay that much.  But it must have shaken the Stella because I am ordering this one for even more.  And guess what?  My house didn't rumble, my phone still works, no dishes fell from the cupboard, the car started .... and I survived Mom!!!

I see gorgeous projects such as these on floss tube and IG, knowing I would never attempt.  



But lo and behold, here are four in similar style, all cross stitch, no background fill, no tent stitch, and I could separate into four smaller works.  Or quit after one.

A Miscellany from The Scarlet Letter.
ooooooh baby
I see a velvet pouch with gold braid straps.  Four of them?  Pfft.

One of the reasons I won't start into silks is the Stella ($$$$$), but I also understand that it sometimes knots and twists.  I have enough frustration.  But after seeing how dmc new stitches are smooth compared to the first stitches done, I can only imagine how gorgeous a silk finish would be.  Just routine handling during the stitching causes the dmc to sort of raise or fuzz slightly or dull a little.  No big deal. Just remember to wax.

A sad note.  One of the three young poults is seen wandering alone at times, lost and sitting in the yard constantly turning his head, waiting for the others.  He appears to be blind and cannot make sound to call for them either.  But he does feel us walking toward him.  So very sad.  Another mom showed up with a new hatchling the size of a sparrow.  Very very late, and tiny.

Hoe your week has started with good ice cream.
Rita's custard. Magnifico.

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Aug 18, 2025

Is it me?

 Something has bothered me about the house.  And I think the chart may have an error.

Look closely at the right side edge of the two story section (chart photo).


Doesn't it appear to be the same apricot thread as the left edge?

The chart and all the finishes I've viewed online have this right edge as gray, same as the roofs.  Maybe this is not a good idea, but I always compare and check my work to the chart photo.  Many times there is a difference from the chart itself.  I didn't like this when I stitched it and now that the house is finished, I plan to remove and replace that edge to match the left side.  Is it just me or do you think it's charted incorrect with gray?

Oh my. Seeing that border close up is giving me the willies. I wish I could simplify it and may give it a shot.  

I heard Dole bottled lemonade was excellent and found it in single bottles at Tractor Supply.  No other stores here carry it!!  We tried it, love it.  Yes it's rough on my dry throat but I don't drink a large amount.  One store in Ohio carries the 2 liter size.  Good stuff without having to make from scratch (which is of course, the very best).

I have been losing my voice at times along with terrible back ache and lymph (jawline) discomfort.  PCP doesn't feel any lumps under my jaw, said I was fine.  Sjogren's patients are at higher risk for lymphatic cancers but hey.... I don't have a lump.

Beautiful day, less humid, less heat, glorious.  

Hope you had the same.

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

An overnight build

Windows need filled with the called for dark green, and I'm debating the chimney brick.

Solid as charted or matching the house? 

I'm liking the match better.

Knee doc today, chiro tomorrow, starting therapy for the right arm/shoulder.  Still no definitive diagnosis.  But it's worse and I can stitch, but not much else!

Hope your week starts swell.

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Aug 17, 2025

Little house on the linen

What is the linen? 

A basic 40 count cream that I spritzed lightly after accidentally ruining the Paperbark.  Careless as I am.

I am really liking this color as I start this design, AGAIN. The Heartland was good, but the gold leaned green and something did not feel right.  Paperbark was good until it succumbed to recklessness.  Tired of the border and decided to start in the center this time, love the house.  


Since borders are not fun to me, maybe doing different elements between that chore will help.  

Another weekend closing, another week of summer gone.  Mid August.  And leaves are falling already.  I am crabass, hear me roar.

Be safe.

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


Aug 13, 2025

The favor of spray

 Hiya.  Retina looks good, but the exam caused my vertigo to act up.  Meclizine and a recliner, much better now.   Truus, my dry eyes blur quickly also, and lubricating drops as soon as the blur starts brings me back into focus.  Some days, every 15 minutes.  Hope you find a solution so you can stitch comfortably.

Robin posed a question regarding my hesitation to continue on Heartland.  I asked the same thing!  Is it too yellow/gold, is the mottling too distracting?  Yes and yes.  This design in my vision should have pronounced colors on neutral ground, not much distraction.  Heartland is fine, but I'm not settled.  Looking through my very limited 40 count, I found PTP Vellum a very nice option, but my needle had difficulty entering this piece.  Fabric weave is thick, heavy, sort of glued in some areas.  Paperbark is a great option, but needed a smidge of interest.  Spray bottle with diluted Rit Tan worked perfectly.

A very fine mist doesn't wet enough to tranfer to the back of fabric, or at the most, barely noticeable.  In this very light case, no change.


This is hard to see, the tan mottling is very subtle, perfect.

Scrunching fabric and pouring dye soaks the backside also which would destroy my option of the original if it fails.  If you spray, hold the fabric to hang as you spray, drips will not land on fabric.

I have to decide soon, Heartland or Paperbark.  But in case I become frozen in ridiculous conflict, I'm searching another small to have ready.

I can't believe how quickly summer is passing.  Why is everything else (like chores and projects) going so slowly?

Have a great day.

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Aug 12, 2025

Fabric. Again.

Trying to determine if the right linen is being used for this project.  But that decision may be moot since this border is not enjoyable.  Not difficult, just more involved than I am interested in.  I knew it would be, but being small should be tolerated.  Hopefully, long enough to complete.

Called for is Creme Brulee, the largest mottled piece in this photo, not happening.  I started on Heartland 40, think it will go well with the pear colors and bright red.  It does.  The pinkish tone of the Creme Brulee in the chart photo is nice, and this pinkish piece I have may be better?  

I may just switch to 46 count ivory. 

This drives me batty, and is of course, my own fault.

Retina tests today.  

Have a good day!

**********

Aug 9, 2025

Ta-da 2025 finish # 19

Ann Greanawalt on 40 count finished at 4x4.

Not like the 4x4 that took a chunk out of my arm.  My bracelets keep getting stuck in this ditch.

Also final finished George.



After almost 20 years, I had to get a new tablet.  iPads are too pricey for me, got another Galaxy and it's nice, but everything is green.  Every photo is fricking green requiring a full slide to the pink spectrum.  Nothing looks good.  I guess this old one will be used for pics.

Just another item to add to my crabby.  And the wool pressing mat I have that was highly recommended by quilters, stinks!  Tried various sprays and others, no luck.  As soon as the iron heats it, stink-o.

Enjoy your weekend.  Be safe!

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Aug 8, 2025

A tiny PITA

But it's my fault.  These leaves are driving me crazy.  So small, going to the next linen thread makes a square stepped leaf.  The satin is charted the width of the leaves, not length which would have been better. When doing satin, I backstitch the outline first and then satin over the edge of the backstitch hiding it.  That also gives support for the edges.  But not working here so some backstitching will show.  I've done these several times, finally have a plan, just a few more to stitch.  I'm glad I switched the called for gold to red.

Adding the top border was necessary for balance in this small, and adding the bottom band also.  With all large letters of eyelet the bottom needed a heavier band.  The last charted row was stitched, didn't like it, removed it all and worked this band.  Ann's name was charted black, sorry I didn't.

For size reference.

Hope all is well!

**********

Aug 6, 2025

That was quick

On the last row.  I'll add a wide border at the bottom to make this a square. 

The herringbone band is over four since it was charted as eyelet over four.  

Should I continue the blue border up and above flowers?  Even though a square, it may look wonky since the body outline makes it appear off balance.  I'll see.  I'm thinking of an outlined edge finish which would pull it together.  I didn't realize the alphabet ends with R.

My table after sanding off the faded stain and applying two coats of pure tung oil (not tung oil finish).



Still not seeing my reading list or able to reach blogs by clicking on my side bar. Only two are showing, the rest remains a blog from Europe.  Another weird thing I realized... if I open email on my laptop, it does not appear on my tablet and vice versa! 

Nice day out.  Hope you have the same.

************ 

Aug 5, 2025

Name that stitch

Hi folks.

Ann is going to be sweet.  Even though I have removed those eyelets twice because of missing a thread. The band I didn't care for was replaced with this.  Name that stitch!  I went up two over four, then over two on the leg.  Long arm stitch?  Whatever, I like it.

Following chart colors but replacing eyelet bands with whatever I want.


New charts.

I held off purchasing this small, hoping for a destash offer.  A few others from HATS I would like, I just won't pay that much for a small.  Silly, I know.  Lots of others to stitch, but treated myself for birthday.

Tootsie.

 

Have a good day.

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

Aug 3, 2025

Fang and the Gang

I shop on a laptop.

Saw a chart online that I want to order, directed me to Lindy's Stitches, and this is my view.

I've tried everything, can't get rid of the banner that is preventing me from seeing entire charts without scrolling even after clicking on a chart to view.  Found another site offering to preorder.  So I did!!!

Twin Peak Primitives Fang and Big Eye Gang!

Not my usual stitch but how could I resist?

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

The fold

The paper project is from this book ...

The majority use paper sizes that are not available here and are unique, not what I am interested in.  Hard to skim through pages online. There are many styles of pockets and folders and other designs that are throughout you tube's junk journal videos.  Most are what I am interested in and it takes a good amount of time to browse them all.  

These are a few I will make from the book ...





The one I showed last post is this ..

It's nice to have diagrams to follow, and the book is full of unique projects.  I don't believe glue is used in this book.

Ann!
Do not care for the double upright gobelin band so will remove and choose another specialty stitch for that band.


I wear slippers and a fleece jacket morning and evening. WTH happened?  Good for the critters, warmer temps coming back but 80's not 90's.

Be safe, be well, fold something!

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

Aug 2, 2025

Sidetracked

First - I've not been able to get any blog posts on my reading list except one from Europe and nothing else. Years of it!!  I can't see any new posts from those that I follow.  Any suggestions on how to correct?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I am distracted by paper projects.  And these little pockets are addictive.  

Two inside slots for notes or needle packets, flat area to attach felt pages for needles or paper for notes.

The front pocket for the flap is ideal for business cards.

Problem is, can't find the right paper.  This is a little too heavy, single papers at HL are too thin and patterns are not vintage.  A few years ago the selection was great, not now.  Michael's opened this week, very small store with no atmosphere at all.  Very organized for the minimal supplies, but the store is sterile looking.

We lost zucchini, cukes, and cauliflower in the garden.  Figs are growing, I love fresh figs.  Anxious to taste these, and the beautifully colored heirloom tomatoes.  Very late as are the peppers.

Truus, I take metropolol and it certainly has helped with rhythm, but my ankles swell badly from it.  30-40 compression stockings work quickly to remove.  Thank goodness I found out that vinyl gloves make it so much easier to get on and off!   The 20-30 work too but take longer. Mine is the tartrate (12 hour taken 2x daily of 12.5).  My heart rate is too low at times for a higher dose or 24 hour.  Hope it helps you! 

Someone keeps a messy bed.


Until she spots him, 
and tries to go through the glass to attack.

Have a good weekend.

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