Second start

Third time for a post because that blue pencil icon was touched and I couldn't reverse it.  What a PITA its position is.

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Already feeling overwhelmed and impatient.  If a project is narrow but very long, I am less anxious.  Isn't that silly?  This is less than ten inches wide yet I get antsy half way through the row.  Trying to work rows shorter and then going back.  

The light pink dividing band is not my favorite type, I use the sewing method and when I can't, the crab claws come out.

The sampler I had planned to start is Chloe Smith but the legend is for a neutral tan, chart photo is turquoise.  Which do I want to do?  Plan is for it to hang loose on a cupboard or door, so I guess the more primitive look of browns would be best.

About those bags, loads of offers on Amazon, search for mesh zippered pouch.  Check the dimensions to make sure a full size chart will fit.  I like the ones with two pockets, easy to keep threads separate.  Placing the chart facing the back makes it easy to see the project.  

A note in front pocket facing out lists the threads at a glance when searching for another project's skein.  Some are much larger, some have side handles, some have top handles.  I don't like any bags without handles.

Raining today.  Cold temps coming.  Boooo.

Enjoy your day.

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Pouches on parade

Yep.  I did it.

Pulled the threads, grabbed a few pieces of linen, quick glance and the color was chosen.

No debating, testing, floss changing.  Picked the linens faster than it takes me to get out of my chair and balance.  Surprised and actually, excited.  For the projects .... balancing is not there yet.

This is the start of that charted I worked.  Not the typical red or blue house, this is olive, rust, tan.

And as I tire of stitching a house, I am opening one of these pouches and starting another.  Today.  

I have three large projects started long ago that I lost interest in.  Linen color, thread color, anxiety over size, or all of these caused a shutdown.  But this new batch contains smaller projects, and only one I plan to rechart.  

We'll see how this goes, but I'm feeling pretty good about having options.

Have a great day!

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The red bluebird

Done.

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2025 Finish #27

A few changes in letter size/position, dmc 221 on 46 count.  Still larger than I expected and will try to construct today.  I am sorry a brighter red wasn't used.

Have a good day folks.

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One little birdie

 will be my project until linens are chosen.  Almost all of the charts I showed are in bags with all the threads.  I chose 46 count for a smaller tweet, and 221 to go with the mini red samplers.  It's more difficult than previous 46 projects.

My linens are mostly all light neutrals but I can always dye a smidgen.  I wanted the birdie on blue with ecru thread but the count was low.  I could make other sizes and colors if this one turns out swell.

First days of November (AUGH!) and my close to death petunia that I chopped off several months ago is still in the pink.  Not for much longer though. 

Pink will still be visible in my yard.  Taking no chances with this knee they insist needs replaced, I use that landscape marking paint to mark the roots that are hazards and can't be removed.

My almost cousin is doing marvelous.  She has no pain!  Not even from the sternotomy which really surprised me.  She is in a rehab facility (where Carole stayed).  Not permitted to rise from sitting using her arms.  What?  Who can do that at our age and she has ms!  Veins and artery harvested for the quadruple bypass were taken from arms and chest, so those areas plus the sternum cannot take stress from lifting herself.

It's dark.  I hate this time change.

Hope your week goes well.

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Monogamousity

Is not a word.  It's an affliction to stitchers like myself.  Decisions were difficult before menopause hot flashes melted brain cells.  Glenna said indecision=paralysis and I always remember that.  Not where I left my knee brace, the car keys, extra paper towels, or my Halloween tree, but that statement from Glenna.

Why can't I start each of these which would be less of a time suck than trying to choose one?  But then there's the linen.  Color, count, can I find a workable size to avoid cutting into a larger piece?  Because I won't.

These aren't the only charts I am considering, but I don't know where I set the others because the phone rang. 

I stitched this one and sent it to a new home years ago.

A few small sampler charts look familiar .... did I stitch them?  There is a pile I should look through and make a list for referral.   Or better yet, get off my lazy butt and final finish them.  When I find my knee brace I'll attempt the stairs, then waste time trying to decide which to finish first.  Pillow, drum, stand, on a box, what about backing fabric ... trim?  A vicious cycle.

Charted this years ago, never stitched.  And it's so sweet!  But that snoozing cat in the background is not.  Sixteen years old, still draws blood if I try to handle her.  She sleeps on that pet heating pad with her toys close by.

Can I put those big white cotton gutchies on and fight my monogamousity?  That's the plan.  

Be safe.

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Posted

Anyone interested in that chart, I posted it under the FREE tab.

My Halloween stitchery that I planned to finish for my tree, didn't happen.  I can't find my tree.  It's not small, stored in a tall box, always with the Christmas decorations, and now missing.  So I have these two, didn't bother with the others.  I used a black braided shoelace to outline the cat and finished with a loop.

Hope the weekend is a good one for you.

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Would you stitch this?

Not final proofed.

Had considered stitching this some time ago, found it while searching for next project.  Added the © and smear in case I decide to post online.  I've had many of my posted charts copied to sell.  If I pick this up to work on, I would back stitch curling vines along the branch like a grapevine.  Should I add this to my freebies?

Since my sampler bag was such a failure, I sort of hate to offer anything!

But the pears are still being downloaded, and except for one, I think they are pretty good!

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An ativan kind of day

MRI.  Claustrophobic I am.  If by chance you see an old woman with a hospital gown and socks screaming down the road .... it's me.

I've been checking our end of season tomatoes for others with a cute rotting pattern, no luck.  I will miss having several a day, store bought do not compare.

My pink petunia is still gorgeous, growing like a second chance revival.

I found the perfect fabric for Kindred, just like the 730s.  Gluing the full pom band to the back could not be better either.  Blends right in to this fabric.  

Taking small sections at a time to glue, using Tacky, this may be polyester or nylon.

I only had to sew this once, the corners were good, the opening glued shut perfectly, what is happening?

I may have discovered the reason for my body feeling like a slug, moving like 110 years old, and my Sjogrens has become unbearable around the same time.  They changed my pravastatin to crestor.  Makes sense.

Hope you are having a good day.

Any day being here is a good day.

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Scrimp or scrap

I save even the smallest pieces of linen.  It's the Stella in me.  I start projects in the corner that will leave the largest leftover.  This mini from the last project was barely enough to work this tiny sampler.  I saw it in a post, believe it was from a recent retreat, and very simple.  

I needed alphabet, this was a quick fix and quick stitch.  I've created small marking samplers just by using the letters on a old chart, and have also recreated from photos.  Like this tiny that I adore.

October is ending already.  Why does January through March take forever to leave?

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When tomatoes go bad

OK.  After much fiddling, I am still fiddling.  

  This color dyed uneven, poms are olive, band is greenish brown. Two color poms strip.

The band can't be hidden, it's quite thick and part of the poms. But those colors look good on this.  A flat finish or box top would be easiest, and if I find something at HL, may finish in that method.  Tried to glue this strip on first and hand sew backing for pillow finish, my Aleene Fabric Fusion did not work at all.  Tacky will work but was frustrated so stopped.

Looking at this from the back, it wouldn't bother me to have the full band visible and attached to back after construction.  If no suitable container is found between a packed appointment week, a pillow with full pom back will be it.  Didn't see a similar color pom (close to dmc 730's) online.

Thanks for info on Lady Dot.

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2025 Finish #26

Is

 Was

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Opinion

Now completed and testing finishing methods, I realize the vase is not centered.  

If I had worked the bottom section, the design would be.  5x5 frame, box top, pillow, not sure.  Regardless, should I add that clover looking motif at the bottom (left of leaves)?  Or a vertical border row at the left side?  I'm considering adding that motif.  Or making that leaf longer.  Yep.  Reworking that leaf should do it.

Symmetry is a bugger to me.

As is that damn blue circle with pencil icon in my way of typing.

Google, get it out.

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One last birdie

And Kindred Sprits will be done. 

Did not intend to stitch the complete chart with the bottom alphabet.  This works to a 4.25" square on 40 count.

A very easy stitch, clean lines, no confetti, a joy to complete.

Thank you Kathy Barrick!

Would love to trim with mini poms, but mine (not from Lady Dot) are not the same color as the band holding them, and they can't be cut off.  Are there other brands/sellers that can be?  I have sewn that flange/band into a seam once, ONCE, never again.  Maybe I should search YouTube for instructions and tips but I understand many stitchers remove the poms from flange and glue into place.  Sounds like a plan I can deal with.

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Big bird

Done.  Two smaller birds and then on to name and date.

I do not like the blue/yellow wing and still may change the yellow to a blush shade.   I made it longer than the chart, but followed the called for colors.  

Errors?  Of course, and managed to blend in.  Except for two major fails.  I am not feeling up to par lately, no energy at all.  Add lazy and I am oblivious to what I'm doing.  The vase and bird's body were outlined, so I just filled them in.  And then removed.  The wing and tail were left off!  But it's done.

Hope you have a nice weekend.

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Leaves

 All done.

Branches and birds next.

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Kindred Spirits

Sticking with chart colors except for two.  So far.

My 732 wasn't showing well, too close to the 730, so changed one shade up to 733.  The branches of 3787 is too gray for this linen so I plan on 3021 as shown. Probably change the bird color, we'll see.  It's a bad habit you know.

Got this from card maker Brenda.

Bingo!  And I know which house I'd like to drop and on who!

 Dentist today, shoulder doc Thursday, knee Friday, heart monitor off tomorrow.  Who said retirement is boring?

Have a good day.

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WTH?

 I'm hoping the lighter linen I choose for the next project proves my errors were caused from fabric color.  Until my mood swings, the top part of this design will be next.

As for Jack, these tiny stars were repeated several times because of a one or three thread pick up instead of two.  What is going on?  The frustration finishing that border would have caused his demise.  Looking for a bat or two to stitch in the right corner, may do a basic outline border.  May.

Making soups and chili for the freezer and I wonder why I didn't know this.

Always struggling to break up very lean ground beef and this did it perfectly in a minute.  My my my.  The light bulb finally lit.  But my batch of stuffed pepper soup was not like those purchased, very disappointed.

Valerie, please click my email link (top right) with your address for the chart.

Hope all is well with everyone.

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Bolo baby!

Ain't this sweet?

Backs are taped, haven't decided on length yet.  Considered three different to hang as a group, but I like to add stitchery on door knobs also.  Can I make their length adjustable? Yes.  Do I have the patience?  Nope.

Carole's birthday was yesterday, hard to focus when your thoughts are elsewhere.

Orange buttons?  Or black?

Enjoy your day.

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Decision time

 Scallop border?

Checkered border?

Changed his brim again, green collar with raisin and gold jacket.

My almost cousin made it through, triple ended up quadruple bypass (Pittsburgh).  They couldn't harvest from her leg, used her arm instead.  Valve surgery was not done and since they had access, I'm assuming it was not necessary once they finished.  She has MS and the physical therapy will be modified to her ability.  But with regular doc visits, EKGs, blood work, how do you jump to quadruple bypass?  That is quite scary.

Looking at this photo, I should put on my big girl pants and do it as charted.  It's different from other borders, and darn cute, but a lot of stitching.

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About face

 New eyes, new nose.

Bigger hat brim.

For the collar and jacket .... wild green?  Purple?  Or as is.

The border may be stitched, depends on my mood.  If I am weary, I will do the stars and a simple checkered outline.  This is really nice though.  We'll see.

Haven't pulled a name yet, several anonymous, a few corrected but not all.

The other framed piece is E. Harris 1876, lots of changes, from Quaint Rose Needlearts.  It is not offered, just the small floral from Fragments in Time.

Thoughts are with my almost cousin ( my cousin's cousin) having triple bypass today.

Have a good day.

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Progress

Hangers for all, stuffing for two left to do, but the worst is over. 

 Fronts,

and backs. 

Need to wait on mini poms.

Several more to sew tomorrow.

And Robin, after having issues with the two basic pillows, ain't no way I can promise a finish on Bones!  WTH?  I had linen thread pulled out for sewing guide, Frixion pen marks for curved corners, and I had to pick seams and start over THREE times for each.  Never had as many stitching errors and now simple sewing flops.  I better "straighten up" as mom would say.

Enjoy your day.

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No sampler yet

 I like Bones from Stacy Nash but know I will have trouble stitching all that black.  Using black linen wouldn't work since the edge of the cat's body would not be defined, but I guess I could use gray floss to outline the cat. So how about black perforated paper?  Not a lot of stitching at all, easy to cut out the shape, black felt glued to the back.  I have Kogut's chart of Santas done on black paper, wonder where that is.

I found this started project, decided to finish it.  I may do the nose in a black triangle.  On 40 count Murky with my conversion to dmc, 976 and 3826.

The nearly dead petunias I cut back to a few inches are still growing, no frost yet to destroy the impatiens.

A good day to scrub the bird feeders.

Hope you're enjoying this weekend of Fall.

 

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