A plan

Until the sewing machine gets a new needle and my pounding head from the steroid injection subsides, my started/abandoned stitch is the plan.

First of all, I do believe the linen color was an issue.  So the bleach and Rit came out, the result very good.  That does not always happen!  Since the bottom corners will be eventually trimmed off, testing was done in that area.  Good! Better!  Did the dmc change?  Not noticed at all, so did the bleach lighten?  

I used this larger heart shape as a template and will search for a bright floral to add to the body and create a great heart pillow.  Ya' think?  Something like the vine shown here, will take some time to find the perfect size.

My local Dollar Tree has these pet dishes, no skid bottom, bought all the colors.  The stainless steel bowls slide or freeze, the porcelain break in this weather.  Bought a few extra for testing dye and paint.

That's all this bright red faced pounding head crabass has to report.  Well, there's that other situation that has not changed, another post.

Have a good one!

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Nope. Not over.

 Somebody flipped their lid again.

Good thing I used Tacky on the leaf edges.  Saturate with wet Qtip or eyedropper, lift off, tweezer can remove any residual globs if necessary.

Matching leaves are not the expected finish, but I think it will be a lovely berry.  A smaller cap and stem over in brown may finish it off.  Or not. This is wool but not felted, may double and stitch edges.  Never thought to match the thread, but I think it will be super duper.

PA that did my injection today was fantastic.  But she said my elbow growth can't be drained, needs surgery in a hospital.  Nope.

Not wanting a larger more detailed 2026 patriotic, I plan on stitching again, removing a stripe and adding the 2026 beneath.  Or flipping it vertical with date on left, right, stripes center.  Maybe just stitch a second with new date?  

It was 50 yesterday.  It ain't today.  But better than last week.  

Enjoy your day.

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Over and out

If I plan on more berries. I better find a less frustrating method to cap them.

I don't like small or short caps on berries this large, this size is ok I guess.  Still not convinced, but it's fine.  I viewed multiple videos and all were the single piece short leaf.  I guess having a preference for symmetry in designs, plays into my need for balance.  Too bad, huh?  For now, this will stay.  But I'm not happy.

Truus I was thinking like you at first (natural stem), but with individual leaves I couldn't manage a neat top with a hole for the stem.

Lots of appointments this week, considering stopping PT.  I can't see how it will help my back, no improvement yet.  Very little work on posture and I think it is the key.  Many videos available, can follow at home.  My therapist is loaded with studs, nose rings, inked head to toe (in her mouth too!), and so much fun.  Makes a difference when you get along with the pros, she's one of the reasons I've stuck with it so far.

We may get out of single digits this week.  Long way to go before the mountains of snow decrease.

Have a good day.

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An inch

I tell my physical therapist to make sure all this stretching will not add an inch to my height.  I have slouched for decades to fake being two inches shorter and now they're pulling me out!  But that unhealthy position is a big part of my back issue today.

My berry lost an inch and is more attractive, balanced. 

Now ....

Before ...

Maybe this alien looking, swollen head berry's height is what made it look off to me.

The more I see this, the more I love it.  I think Becky should release this as a big berry.  

I think I'll search for berries stitched in a Quaker design, maybe adapt some motifs in my puny stash.  The alphabet shown yesterday could have a nice floral or vase motif added beneath to shape for such a finish?  I don't like the short and squat designs, more like the Berry Basket series from HOD.  It's a thought while I fight a slump.

Puppy Bowl today.  Hope they have highlight reels.

Enjoy your day.

Be safe.

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More wasted time

Hi folks.  Hope everyone has power and warmth.

Who is planning to watch the Olympics for two weeks?  Or specific sports in that time? Who is planning to waste time starting projects they lose interest in?  Raise your hand.

Mine is waving at full height.

The recent berry construction is being done over.  I like the leaves, not the stem, and the berry itself needs to be shortened a bit.  Tacky glue is easily removed with water, had no issues disassembling and removing any glue.

Decided to try Mary Spinney's interesting mid section, but without multiple colors.  Love this quirky gal.  But as much as I like this sampler and thought more subdued threads would be fine, it's not working out.  Why?  Linen color?  Maybe.  As is, fine.  But adding other colors, no.  Several rows of lower case alpha removed, bands also.  Enough.  Move on.

 

School busses, delivery trucks, newspapers, all without interruption.  US mail?  Two deliveries in ten days.  That second delivery was a glorious box of chocolates along with another hand made card from Brenda.

Planning to choose another stitch, found a few smalls on IG, one is (kitted) quite costly with a box I do not like at all, another with subscription (patreon).  Moving on, lots of things to chose from.  Isn't the number of designers and style options amazing?  It's exciting to come across those not known/seen before.

A can't find my 4.0 magnifiers. ?????  When searching for others, trying to see the strength is difficult.  So I set the label onto wet clear nail polish, let dry, added two top coats.  Made labels for the others I was sure of, so much better.  I use three different strengths ... reading, stitching, sewing machine.

Hope your weekend is enjoyable.

Be safe.

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A wasted day

Hi folks.  After two days of sitting in facilities for nephew and brother, I spent today at home.  Many of those hours were used for the berry topper, and wasted.

No green looks even slightly appealing with this thread color.  I used the gray/green fabric in the previous post, sewn into leaves with wrong sides together.  Faint blue pattern, the right side was too strong.  But then I tried for the top and am not pleased with the wool stem.  I know .... good enough.  No it's not. 

 I'll remove, keep those leaves, add a round cap of the same fabric over the top to hide the  center.  Love the thread color, but didn't test green with it.  Any other monochrome berries or pears in the future will have topper chosen before stitching.

My unnerving palps are constant now. In a few weeks we will have a place that offers PET stress testing.  New, no false positives, 3d image of heart.  But no treadmill, the medication that makes your heart act as if you ran a marathon. Not fun.

Hope all is well.

Edited to add.  I just read the story about the Ross Farm in PA losing all their sheep and lambs to a horrific fire.  She also lost her son end of last year.  Heritage and rare breed sheep is her wool business from what I understand.  My heart will ache for those sweet animals for some time.  Visit her website  https://www.therossfarm.com/ to donate for rebuilding or to purchase her yarn. 

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What a pile

I have some larger samplers needing frames, mid sized also, but a pile of smalls to be finished.  In a bottom drawer, I found two bags already finished.  Why am I stitching more?  I'm hoping to stitch berries since that configuration is scarce.

Until then, I have Chloe and Hannah to play with.  Chloe, in my mind, is perfect as an unframed antique primitive piece.  I envision it pinned to a cupboard door, sort of wimpy.  The colors shown on the chart are from both sides, I chose the brown thinking it would appear older.  But the turquoise is fabulous.  ?????

She is bigger than I want to stitch, but so spaced out there probably isn't as much work as it seems.  And one that would hide errors quite nicely.

Hope your weekend is a good one.

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I need a hat

for my berry.

The part that gives me fits, just can't get it right whether using four different templates or DIY.  I have rings so they can be hung.  Or not.  But they need a good hat first!

I wanted this about the same size as the Berry Basket series, but it's larger and that's ok.

Ain't it purdy?

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Before the berry

This would be a great heart, fully see the pattern, but a berry it will be.

Wanted to show where I cut off the pattern for a berry shape in case you want to stitch this.

Hope to construct tomorrow.

Be safe.

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Still at it

I'm not doing very well.

Can't seem to  pick up another project, even though I am having a problem following this pattern.  Being monogamous is a tough habit to break.

This will make a great berry but I keep envisioning a heart too.  I seriously doubt I could do this twice.  

I adore Colour & Cotton generous skeins and the best variegation in my opinion.  But this one is shredding with just one or two picks.  And I've had a lot of picking to do. Maybe it's the dyes in this color.

Final finished the little reds, still have many more to do.

In that to-sew pile, came across another sweet little. 

 1840 miniature by The Scarlet Letter.

We got about a foot of snow, no ice, no power outages here.  Always something to be thankful for.  But I still hate winter.

Be safe!

Ain't got no rhythm

Start #1

The Coverlet Needlebook

Lucy Beam

Stitching from the chart but following the angle of my berry template.  The stars' points on the right are charted one stitch less than the other points so I added to balance.  But I can't get a rhythm.  Nowhere near.  So many placement errors and picking it's ridiculous for such a simple star and also the tulips.

Thread is called Gunmetal, very soft, shades of lavender and faded blue.

If I continue having issues, I can shorten the height and finish into a beautiful heart.

Kitting another now for my monogamousity pause.

Be safe!

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Choices

Yoi. 

I don't have a lot of charts.  When I see floss tubers with entire rows of bins holding charts, I am grateful for my measly stash.  If I have difficulty choosing from a few dozen, how could I possibly with hundreds+?

Hannah Schofield, Chloe Smith, Mary Spinney partial are all available to add a row when I can.  Just staying away from anything over seven inches for now so they will not be worked on often. I have four other big girls started and pouch perched for some time.  It's not just the issues distracting me right now, I haven't felt the drive for larger samplers in a long while.

 Louisa Snow is gorgeous with the golden browns ending with the row of roses.  Creating a drum of that bottom section is being considered since I won't stitch the sampler.  But only if I find a box with the correct circumference and height.  Wouldn't it be beautiful?

This collection of minis are not dmc, must look up every color to match, not doing that now.

So moved on to these, too much border work for a slug, even though only 5".

I love Spot the Cat so much, stitched once, want another mirror image orange tabby.  That drum has called me more times than I can count, still haven't kitted.

One of my favorite previously stitched smalls, considering a redo on 40 count finishing at 5". 

And now, the final of the group.  Lots of stitching, but I am envisioning this finished as a berry.  Same size or similar to my Berry Basket finishes.

This will probably be my choice.  But I vowed to get over my monogamousity so will choose three.  And then work on one as usual.  Hey.  I'm trying.

Stay warm, be safe

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Four times

The number I will final finish today.

And the number of times these guys and gals came for a snack.  The flock so large they divided.  Are they carb loading because of the weather forecast?

I am.  They offer a dozen with butter and onions, frozen, just pop in the oven.  My hubs always enjoyed eating out, but we haven't since my diagnosis.  Just ordering coffee or tea while he eats is always greeted with looks from the server.  Sorry people.  You do not want to witness a person with no saliva eating.

I watch Colorado Cross Stitcher videos and she showed her hand warmers.  I immediately ordered the Ocoopa UT2s mini, smaller than hers.  I have Raynauds and my finger tips turn solid white in cold.  Honestly, gloves help but don't prevent.  I am most affected in stores.  These minis have a wrist lanyard and fit nicely in my hand, easily in a pocket.  Worked great in the car today, anxious to test in store.

Magnetic, pack is two.

  I saw a video online of a disgusting excuse for a mother ridiculing her little girl with obscenities in a group of children.  She was crying at the table, friends watching, telling her mom quietly she was embarrassing her.  Monster responded with more ridicule.  I've been in a highly stressed, agitated, anxious state lately.  Oh how I wish I was there.

Be safe, be warm, be careful.

A boarding kennel here is offering shelter for strays picked up.

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Next

Found this screen shot photo in my gallery, very similar to my other.  Must have been featured a while ago. Quick, easy, misaligned, perfect for distracted stitchers making errors.  This antique was not offered in a chart.

VERY similar to the 2.5" I previously stitched, looks like the same stitcher?

 I chose 36 count this time with the much darker dmc 221.  Now that I see the two together, sorry I didn't go lighter.

Not following exactly but with borders will finish about 3.5".  

The $641 for Eliquis is because almost every Part D rx plan for seniors carries a 618 deductible before coverage.  Eliquis is classed as tier 3 for Medicare, other plans it's tier 2.  As always, seniors pay more.  Deductible is not required for tier 1 and 2, but 3 and up it is.  Also for 3 and up, no more set co-pay.  Cost is 20-40% of actual cost depending on your plan.  My plan is 20%, so a $500/month drug in tier 3 will cost $100 after I pay the $618 deductible.

For Sherry B - no reply so here 'ya are.

Notforgotten Farm

Spools of my Thread

Today was brutally cold.

Physical therapy for my back starts tomorrow, shoulder ended.  I wish I wasn't such a slug.  I used to exercise, now I detest it.  That's sad.

The End.

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2026 Finish #2

Lion's Heart Pin Pillow

Bittersweet House

36 count ptp Sand

Every color changed.  Even the lawn.

Border omitted.

 

Denim backed after fringing the entire piece and changing my mind.

Enjoy your day.

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Leaf it

With what color?  I don't want several colors as charted, prefer one or maybe two shades.  The acorns? nuts? I did as red to show up.  I tried an orangey brown but being a single stitch it was not noticeable.  I chose 543 for the windows, slightly pink/peach/flesh, the pale creams seemed too bright.  

The heart was done with two threads on this 36 count to stand out.

Not sure about finishing the second one right now.  An ativan would help!  I saw posts from The Attic festivities and adore those small floral pillows.  Spending that much for a kit when I would not use the linen or especially the kitted backing, not going to happen.  And I'm not sure I could handle the detailed and confetti stitching.

Hope your weekend is peaceful.

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It's always something

 Continuing with the blue, liking it.

Something is not sitting well with the other.  Started stitching the tree which is charted the same color as the house, changed to several shades of brown, not right.  Maybe it's the blue of the windows?  Can't figure it out.

My stress level is quite high which may be clouding my judgment and focus.  I'll finish the blue first and then decide.

In the meantime on this snowy day, we'll make a batch of nutrolls.  First batch was gifted to friends.

Have a good day.

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A house of another color

I remember now why I didn't stitch this a second time for myself.

Didn't like the color, but I had no intention to study the chart for changes.  It's great as is.  But as I'm stitching, I'm thinking of 311.  So.  I stitched two.  This one as charted,

the second with a 311 blue house and rich gold lions.  

I think I prefer the original, but will continue to work on both and make a decision after lawn and tree are in, only because it's a quick and easy project.  Beige or dark gray for the windows will also change the look.  

That's all folks.

Be safe.

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The easy house

 While the repair tech was here for hours, I decided to go through old working copies for disposal.  And this was just the perfect little project for my psyche right now.

The house is SO easy and quick, the tree of many colors can hide errors of any kind, and the grass is not overwhelming.  My copy is a disaster of colored pencils and notes from the first finish many years ago.  It was gifted, I failed to do another for myself.  

This is ideal to display among the small samplers for something different.

Happy as a clam.

But still a crab.

 

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