A box it will be

I have several left over 5" Shaker boxes, why not use them.

 Not mounted or filled yet, I plan on trying a 4" with lots of padding to see if it works.  Once this is filled, margins will of course be greater, may be enough for the smaller box.

Sewed these for stuffing, not finished, probably a ribbon and mini jingle bell border.  The BBD may stay unadorned, seems it may be too fussy.

There is a chart, Boo To You, basically the same as these series of charts .  I may wing it and change the snowman head and bucket on my own.  No border, just him, lime green and black checked pants.

Working on Midnight, 36 count Marbled Hazelnut.  I don't like 36 but love the linen color.  It's a silkier feel, not at all what I prefer.  At all.  Nope.

The countdown to the day we lost sis started.  

Have a good Friday.

Never forget.

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

 

2026 Finish #22

Able to upload now.  

********

You knew I would change it.

I don't like dates unless in a sampler, and I have that balance issue.

The bottom area is off, left side is sort of bare.  I moved the broom up a little and the handle down.  Added the doodads to fill.

Box or round frame?  Depends on the mood!  

This is just taped around a bowl.

40 count of linen I love but it's mystery

WDW Onyx for bird

DMC 3021 for alpha

**********

Soon

 About 4.5".

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

Almost ready to fly

Soon will be fully winged!!

Love this.

 ***********

 

Loosen up

The WDW Onyx was my preference, so I thought loosening up a bit would help.  It did.  My stitches usually (always) have tension.  Whether because I don't hoop, or maybe because I use the sewing method, they are a bit too tight.  Being conscious of this allowed me to slow down, the stitch to relax a bit, and coverage is good now.  That made enough of a difference for dark thread on light fabric.  Never considered it before, but probably why I have always had issues when using black threads.

Crabby because it's September, happy because my project looks good.

Can't have it all.

I've been dealing with a bug for days that requires close proximity to a bathroom.  Our 56th was Saturday and we stayed home instead of the usual long ride through cow/horse areas and a stop for frozen treats.  It's what I prefer over people and public.  Also planned on making the Bacardi rum cake for our visit with friends (her mom's signature dessert) that I hope will take place tomorrow.  

For you Fall lovers, Labor Day is probably celebrated as its beginning.  Summer lovers dread it as the end.

Be safe!

***********

Thinner?

Yes please.

But not in my thread.

This is 40 count, a thicker weave, and I'm not pleased with the coverage.  Dark thread never does offer great fill but this even feels different.  I gave the wrong info previously.  I didn't choose the GAST, my two options were both WDW.  Decided on Onxy but the second choice Charcoal also felt thinner.  

This is WDW on the left and dmc 3021 on the right.  The twist is also different.

This is the GAST on the left and dmc 3021 on the right.  Same twist, same thickness.

Hmmm.

My GAST option is Sampler Thread's Black Crow, really black.  I considered the raven in this but feel it might be a bit too harsh.  Black may slim my butt, but not his.

No LNS to check other black overdyed but may browse a little online.  I have two WDW Mascara skeins and one is a bluish black, the other softer.  A shot in the dark as always!

Have a good Sunday.

*********

Love this

Is anyone else unable to get Hobby House online?  Trying for two days, unavailable.

******

Even with minimal stitching, I can tell this will be better than I expected.  I recessed the lid of a shaker box for it, but I'm leaning toward a round frame.

Starting the raven, and even though the brownish GAST goes perfectly with the alpha color, I've chosen the darker GAST that has a gray/green in the variegation.  Once his head is done I'll have a preview of my choice. 

Labor Day weekend.

Good grief.

It's freaking September!!  My season is gone!

********

The betweens

My work always looks messy when I have to fill in between stitches.  No matter how careful, the stitches aren't very uniform.  Not even close, but good enough.  I love this linen, color and texture.  From long ago before I started noting count and color on edge.

Not as heavy as PTP but close, very soft light neutral.

Truus, I had no idea.  Thank you for the information.  I was aware how Sjogren's can progress and affect lungs and other organs, but not the brain.  I did online research and it explains why I have been feeling as I do.  And why I have been making so many stitching errors on simple charts.

Back on the only med the rheumatologist said may slow progression.

We're hot here and it's rumbling in the distance.  Maybe this one will catch us, we've missed the last five.

Be good!

**********

Midnight Ride

  I didn't final finish the BBD yet but plan to soon.

 Next .... two.

I went back to Midnight and honestly, did not like the blue/gray/purple sky I dyed for it.  Just .... I don't know, does not show up in photo for your opinion.  It's very subtle...  maybe try again later.

This Midnight Ride has only three colors.  My GAST is Charcoal and Onyx, called for is Onyx (alpha) and Garden Gate (raven).  DMC 3021 for letters and either of the GAST for the raven is my reverse choice.  I would prefer the raven be darker.

Have loved this design for years, finally ordered it.  I don't know what the linen is and am so disgusted about not choosing in person.  I really dislike most of what I get because of pink or green tones.

So it's a start!  In the 90's today after wearing fleece for a week.  Garden is done, very bad this year.  No change in the situation, and my brother has been showing signs of dementia for some time.  I fear for myself, symptoms of aphasia are creeping in.  Cardiac CT in two weeks after waiting a few months, possible aneurysm seen on aortic arch during echo.  Never ends!  Which is great news.  If it ends, so do we!

One of my absolute favorites, much simpler than other zuke sweets.  The coffee can be a cup of instant from the dollar store if you don't drink coffee.  Nuts can be omitted.  Any dark chocolate mix is fine.

Enjoy your day.

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

Beads. Finally.

I have beads pinned and ready to attach.  Using more was overload.  A very thin cording will lay in the ditch between the two sides.  It was to continue as the hanger loop but I've decided to display in a pretty small bowl, hopefully with beaded berries. Where to hang and whether to do so as a set was going nowhere.  Just sew the damn beads on.

Top left is my favorite followed by bottom right.  I'm glad I changed to white/green.

End of AUGHust.

Enjoy the final few days.

Be safe.

p.s.  go to Subway and get the hot honey chicken nachos

Seriously.

*********

Ain't over till it's over

Sometimes, your project just doesn't feel right.

It's good!  Looks great.  But ....

Now we're good.

Changed the bottom, redid the side border error, and more importantly ....the colors, removed dog, heart, top date and doodads, added the little heart and large date.

Anyone wanting the recipe for the Death by Chocolate zuke bread, it is on Delish.

Death by Chocolate link

I use 2 whole eggs, a little more sugar, and don't dust the pans.

This makes one loaf, or about 5 mini.

Yep, baking today.

Hope your day is sweet.

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

Doggone it

Dog, heart, dodads are gone.

The Anniversaries of the Heart series is to remember or honor a loved one.  Carole has been on my mind more than usual, her initials will be done in pink.  I don't like the top left date squeezed in or the clutter, I'm pleased with this new arrangement.  A small heart will go in that left corner.

The house above the bottom leaf is charted one row narrower than the bottom, which I changed.  Windows and house trim need completed but I'm really close.

Enjoy your day.

***********

Progress

 

Changed flowers to 3778.

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

Until then

A centered lantern.

The other pots are larger and would not hang correctly.  The handles are really large and need to hang into the window area.  The  frame of the window prevents anything from hanging in the center, even if I had another pot this size.  

A copper plate and mug will probably end up centered and the board needs to be much longer for that.  Before another is readied, I'll think about it.  A few pewter mugs can also be the display.  I just don't want too much in this tiny kitchen. 

I requested another lantern be made like this one, quite simple.  Right now he is making a short stool for Missy Monkey, she'll have a better view outside.

Stitching is slow.  The need for a darker floss snowballed to its trim and roof color to go with the 3045.

We made a trip for cob corn to Amish country and detoured to get another spice pot.  Gone.  Most all smaller items were and they sell quickly.  So I came home with this 8" slot handle beauty.   Their products (Tuckahoe Hardwoods) are made from salvaged teak tree roots.

We've missed every storm in our area for a month but finally got a downpour.  And really cool temps.  Summer comes late and leaves early.  Just like a bitch I worked with.

Have a good day!

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

Visualize

 Hard to do sometimes.

You can't hold up heavy pots, hooks to hold them in position, and a long board, while stretching over a sink and counter.  Laying the project out on a table is a different perspective.

We both thought if the board was longer, the pots would be too far apart and look like something was missing.  Not sure.  I'm transferring this photo to the old Paint program so I can manipulate it to show a longer board.  Hubs said to hang the copper plates on the bare sides.  Again, not sure.  But not what I expected.  Cutting and staining another board is not a major job.

The last week of summer is upon us.

Dammit.

*********

Death by Chocolate

What a way to go.

Death by Chocolate Zucchini Bread 

Instead of a single loaf I use five mini pans.  

Easy to freeze.  

Less calories when thawed.

335-350 F for about 40 minutes

It's a thick batter.  My change is two whole eggs since large are small these days.  And usually skip the salted top. These pans are sprayed and then wiped of excess, flop out beautifully.  No cocoa dusting.

Next is the lemon.

Trying a new one with cinnamon.

Not sure about that spice with lemon but will test it.

So many versions of this end of summer (NOOOOOOOO!) staple, haven't hit on a basic traditional recipe I like yet.  From plain to pineapple cherries and coconut, tried them all.

Enjoy your day.

 ************

Getting close

But after I destroyed (aged) the new wood, I needed to choose a hook.  

Always a problem.  

I like the black strap.  But the heavy rustic looks good too.  Board will be installed first and then I can see what will be visible over the pots.  Maybe neither!

The house was started with called for, too close in color to the linen and I knew errors would follow.  I changed to 3045, will trim with ?.  

It's a good day to browse for a new chart.  I'm disappointed that many linens are no longer offered in small pieces on 123.  I will not purchase a $35+ piece that may not be what I expect.  More like guaranteed.  PTP is very consistent and the majority of my stash, but having other shades would be nice.

It feels like yesterday that I crabbed about August arriving.  And it's leaving very soon.

Have a good day.

*********

Counting

I can do that.

But counting linen threads and graphs is a problem

This damn tree gave me fits, even with my Line-a-Timer.  Enlarged the chart, symbols are clear, yet I continually counted incorrectly.  Finally done with the 3012, time for the 936.  Well that didn't work out either.  Did not like those greens together, removed and changed to 3051.  

Considering a deeper shade of red for the house instead of the light gold.

Hubs cut a board similar to the ladder step, less height and thickness.  I prefer the step, but would rather it be eye level somewhere, with hooks or not.  Hate to cover it with pots but may use it anyway.  Either will work.

Toots is snoozing again in the final days of summer.  But I'm not sleeping and my right leg is aching enough to keep me awake.  Who knows why.

Google won't offer help to change their error unless I make my blog available to their search console and other search engines.  Did not want to do that, but did, now waiting for their fix.

Have a good day.

 **************

Too much?

Starting to get rid of excess and choosing wall decor.  I haven't made a nail hole since we painted, walls are bare.  I like it.  

This old wood was a step from a ladder, the rope went through those side holes, it is very heavy.  Why the hell did I only purchase one?   Anyway, hubs would like a little black chandelier in place of the recessed light (adapter kits allow all sorts of things not possible years ago), but that would throw the light upward rather than over the sink.  

I was thinking of having the board installed on the wall above the window ( height fits perfectly), and use large iron hooks to hang these two copper pots. 

The pots would reach over the window trim board but not the glass area.  Hanging from ceiling with black hooks would look odd I think.

I have more that are much too large to hang.  The old dark wood and copper will look good?  Or too heavy?  Maybe make a board with less height, just along the ceiling.  I'll stick two board sizes up with the pots, holes will be covered unless I decide against it. Easy small area to patch, no harm done.  

Be safe folks.

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

Google did it

Hi folks.  I checked into the red flag issue on the Free page and the entire account.   It's safe, no threats.  Google had an major issue that flagged hundreds of blogs as malicious that are not.  Seems something as simple as a copyright symbol caused the flag.  I saved, cleaned for no reason, ran scans, will bring them back hopefully in tact.

And this is the new project.

Notice the error?  I knew the border pattern, but was distracted and obviously failed to stitch as charted.  It's fine, will either follow it or correctly stitch the upper part of it.

Enjoy what's left of summer.

Tootsie is.

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

Closed

 Hi.  Received email about my Free page being flagged.  I closed all the pages and will check into a fix.  I would hope to save these charts, will update. 

********

Next

 Probably.

I thought about Sherry's suggestion of a round frame for the Folk Art finish, found one on Amazon that I like.  The box top is much smaller of course, not sure yet.  But if I stitch again and change the fruit to a rich cranberry, different vase, I could have both.

I have been moving these small prints of Carole's every time I dust, do not want them.  She never framed or displayed, all from 1977.  Don Davey's San Francisco, the other set is Jane Hill.  I guess ebay.  Not worth much at all, but the last several times I took donations to my local place, it was horrible. 

I bought another pinch pot, love the wood from Tuckahoe.  So cute!

My biggest to my smallest.

Have a good day.

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