Rain. All day.

Oak leaves have not finished falling, the yard is a total mess.  And the 30 degree temps are coming.  I got three bunches of greenery to fill buckets, and a sprig for the front door.  That's it for Christmas outside, simple, quick.  

Been tied up with requests from Chris and Matt to get kids' gifts ordered.  Sold out.  Will more stock arrive?  Who knows.  Notification comes and  by the time I check, sold out again.

Not much stitching but all that's left is the bottom fill.  I will add a heavier border, just can't do the charted.  Once I get anxious about a project, it's a chore.  And I'm over it.

I stitched several small samplers and I think a Santa is next.  Haven't decided if the other starts will continue in my attempt to break monogamousity.

That new narrow shelf is a game changer for me.  Som projects, like the recent Liberty, will work perfectly displayed as a little pillow.  Too many smalls stacked in a bowl hide the design.  Most times they won't stay upright, whether leaning against something or in a grouping.  This shelf solves that and any small will display perfectly.  I worked out the pattern for hubs a smidge more narrow.

Another strange occurrence this morning at 6:44.  The dark corner of the bedroom has the TV atop a chest.  Behind the TV, the entire corner lit up for second or two, bright, and vanished.  There are no lights, lamps, equipment, or window that could have caused that.  Never before, what the hell is going on?  

Hope everyone is doing well as we head into December.

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The building inspector

failed to do the job.  Or was it the contractor's fault?  The builder erred, the inspector was lax, the home owner is ticked.

Do you see it?

The tree on the right is slightly different than the left, but you know I have to balance them.  Wasn't working.  So I gave up and started the outline over as charted.  Still off.

Because the builder added another row beneath the top story windows.  Five.  Not four.  Pay attention!!!

I thought the house looked off but failed to check because after all, who would screw up a simple house?

Me.

No big deal. 

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That large border?

 Won't be stitched.  I've had enough.  Setting it aside for a time won't change that.  I'm disappointed because those blue and red flowers are lovely, my plan was to line the inside of a heavy square border with them.  But I can't.  

I'll do an outline of several rows and call it done.  Those windows worked out nicely, glad I changed them.  I love houses and elaborate borders, but not working them.  At all.

I received a wonderful surprise today.  A box filled with thoughtful treasures from a friend.  Between dealing with family and missing Carole even more this time of year, it was an uplifting distraction.  Thank you dear friend.

Just a few of the treasures .....

Enjoy your weekend.

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Replacement windows

 I didn't even complete all the charted stitches in the left window to know I want to change it.  Too crowded.  Substituted with darker 612 for more contrast with the lighter thread used for glass.

So I tried two other options....

I think the one on the right will work best.

Thanks for the suggestions on Liberty.  Now I am considering a pillow based on them.  And yes, I have lots of those, but a cannoli along with a berry or heart mixed in the bowl would be nice.  Thinking ......

Found this at Hobby Lobby, scrappy wood which I will paint, but great size.  Perfect for displaying those little pillows and especially Santas and small Christmas. Back has hanger for walls.  Narrow enought to keep display upright but also room for other dookies mixed in if wanted.  Hubs will make one with nice wood.  We could use a thin dowel or metal rod in place of the wood across front, would show the entire pieces.  Not really needed though.  Pretty versatile.  The small florals I've stitched could be featured with mom's tatted hanky peeking over the front edge.  Her deep blue Evening in Paris bottle and a few treasures mixed in.  Lots of options.  I think hubs will be making several in various widths!

That's it!

Have a great day.

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Cigar?

 Or cannoli.

Which do you prefer?

At 4.5", a sweet little pillow?

Or something different in the bowl?

Too many options.

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Back to the house

Finished the alphabet.  More than once.  I messed up the spacing between letters and had to remove the last two letters on each row.  The F is the only letter than is not perfectly set up for eyelet, only by two threads. Adding them to make a full eyelet did not cause the issue.  I did. 

But all done!  Moving to the house and as I tire of it, will work on the right side's tree.

Anxious to final finish that cigar and a few others, but not in this frame of mind.

Dinner was fine.  But I learned too much about Carole's house situation.  No amount of melatonin can help with sleep, once again.  And the palps are back.  Such is life.  But I am ready to blow.  Problem is, there is no solution.  None.

Enjoy your day folks.

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Give that lady a cigar

Just seemed the right finish and I hope to construct soon.

Busy day for a crabass, and company for dinner.  I feel bad that I no longer want to entertain, even two!  But I do not.

Have a good day.

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Almost

Should finish this today.

40 count, called for colors, but where I wanted them.  No plans to stitch the three rowed outline border.

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Soon

 I will leave this party.

Not easy for me but I will do it.

My sweet potato vines cut from this summer's display are doing great.  Trimmed the ends and they are branching out.  I did pot and use a few this past summer from the prior.

Still doing windows and outdoor lights.  I do dislike these onion lights, a real hassle to clean.  The post lantern is 22"tall and one of the largest available.  It's clean and ready to reinstallI.  Hubs put a new socket in and it will go over that candle base.  I've been wanting to change them but they are solid brass, black, needing touched up a little.  Could not ship them, no one around here would buy them, and when I checked current pricing..... omg.  I guess it's best to leave them here, next owner may be happy with them.

Have a good day folks.

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Switch!

Finished one side of the alphabet, second page is only three letters long.  Shouldn't take much time to complete, then the trees and house.  (Whether old or new tablet, photos are really bad compared to what I see from phones)

But I need to switch to one of the other projects continuing my attempt to break monogamousity.

I wasn't loving my alpha bird that much, but now every time I see it, love it more.

Loads of leaves to pick up today, a daily task for weeks.  Snow covered them two days ago and the wind pushed them into piles quite high.  Sunny, also may get to wash the windows.

Some of us are still resisting the season change.  After temps in high 20's and snow, these revived tunias seem to have a strong will.

That lamp/magnifier in the shadow figure post is a Dazor from many decades ago.  My SIL's is a pinkish bronze, beautiful, purchased the same time.  My brother said I could have it.  I would like to get the LED light for it but it's costly.  Hubs may shorten the stand for me, but I would still like the more simple flexible arm model like Brightech.  Ordered one a few years ago on Amazon and it was rusted so back it went.

Enjoy your day.

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Moving on

This design is not eyelet stitch, but it looks to me that it should be.  So mine is. 

Would it be quicker to stitch as charted?  Too late.

Cappuccino 40 count.  I tried a warmer, more golden linen, looked good.  But I couldn't visualize the entire piece on it.

Will I do the wonky border?  Not unless I can rework the two bottom corners.  If I can't I have another large border in mind.

Face on fire right now.  Bright red and HOT.  Steroid injections do it every time.

Have a good day!

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Time to switch

to another project if I plan to cure my monogamousity.  I just kept stitching and will finish this soon so, move on!

A few things ... my brother has covid, over a week, baby steps.  He is out of bed and very weak, but made it to Urgent Care today.  Too late for paxlovid.

Have you seen this glorious piece from Screen Door Needleworks?  Post taken from her Instagram page, she is on Etsy and also has a website.

And now.  I will admit after several weeks that I am catching fleeting images in peripheral vision.  VERY quick.  Not discernible but feel like it is a person.  Tonight, sitting in my chair facing this view, I saw a the distinct shape of a grown man moving down the wall exiting to the window.  Black shadow, tall, quick.  Holy shit.  Dark outside, no window across from the sofa, nothing to cast a shadow, NOTHING.  It was not on the wall, just in the reflection.  Old wives tales of deceased family appearing because soon they will come for you, is just a wives tale.  RIGHT?!?!?

Another doc tomorrow, not a big deal, just to order blood tests.

YIKES!!!!

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Another start

 About 5 x 5 on 36 count.  

Better.

Chloe was started but failed quickly.  I can't see well enough on the chosen linen.  Not sure if I will set aside or work on changes.

Weather advisory tomorrow.  First appt is 40 minutes away, second is an hour from there.  We'll see what the day brings.  My brother has been very ill, covid or flu.  He is difficult to reason with, urgent care tomorrow if weather permits.  Yes ... if weather permits.  Refused to go today because ... it was raining.  As I said, difficult at 82.  We shopped for him and dropped off food/meds, no worse after six days.

Have a good day.

 

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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.

*****

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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