On the fringe!

Hi folks.

I've seen finishes on IG with short fringe for a trim.  I've done my own by fraying linen scraps but it's a PITA.  If I want colored fringe I have to roll out the Rit so ...

a source for short fringe!

PurplePaperMountain 

Placed a second order, her 1/4" chenille is very nice, the 1/4" velvety has more sheen.  Great customer service and quick messaging and shipping.

This is where the motifs will end, Hannah's name beneath that will hopefully hide the crease. Tried all your suggestions, the best I can do is a faint line.  It returns when handled so stretched in a frame will solve it, but I believe her name will also.

We're having a beautiful weather day and warmer temps in the coming week.

Hasn't lifted my mood. 

Many are faced with so much more than mood swings.

And everyone deals with family losses. 

Such is life.

Allow the sadness but don't ignore the joy.

Capiche?

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On to motifs

Yay!  That method worked very well.  I would always stitch the leaves and parts of the flower that are the same color as the stem/vine at one time.  A true error magnet.  But doing each of the three separately really helped me.

The bottom motifs are next.  So surprised that I continued working on this.

Finishing February in a few days.  

So why am I in the dumps?

Be safe!

Have a piece of cake.

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Living dangerously

I dislike bands and borders comprised of several colors and patterns requiring my full attention.

I tend to make a mess of them.

For the one beneath the first row of script, I stitched the single row first, went back to add the stems.  That worked well.  This larger one beneath the second script row will be a drill in my jawbone.  

So I am working a few sections at a time, with the flower in place.  Taking a real chance they are correctly positioned!  They look off compared to chart photo but chart itself is slightly different.  Same as the other, will do the vine separately, add the leaves once it's in place.  Easier for me to stitch one element at a time, less frustration than counting several areas at one time.

Had a few emails about implants.  Most offices (mine is periodontist) have credit plans.  I don't have a choice after a 35 year permanent bridge was removed.  The anchor tooth's root canal failed and was extracted.  Because of Sjogren's, my mouth has very very little saliva and partials need that moisture for suction to hold them in place.  My only option for replacement is implants.

The "situation" will begin a resolution next week.  Not a good one at all, but no other options.

Have a good day folks.

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Still going

In case you're wondering ...

does stitching help with pain from double implant surgery ...

 it does not.

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Page 2

 

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Hannah

 In between new projects, I stitch on Hannah. 

I think the second page should be next to complete those rows.  Love her colors.

Congrats to our hockey team, 46 years to the date of the "Miracle on Ice". Canada has some good looking players!

Closing in on February with major work at the dentist this week.  The loads of money spent for root canals, crowns, should have been used for implants.  Attempts to save teeth resulted in more issues and failures later, wasted $$$$.

Have a good week!!

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Pom size. Again.

Hi folks.  Hope all is well.

I am going to move my charts for sale to Stash Unloading, hopefully this weekend.  Didn't do that first because keeping track of who purchased what rattles me.  A few at a time will be better, not an album.  

I haven't seen many charts of interest (for me) in the March market previews.  Nash goes without saying, Plum Street, Kogut, but simple smalls are few.  More stitch heavy and color changes than I can handle, and more cute than primitive.

If anyone can help me with poms, I'd really appreciate it!  I have Lady Dot mini and they are not this size, are quite small, but chart states Lady Dot.  Love the look on these smaller finishes. 

Here are two that I purchased a while back.  

The Snow is not as dense, tug the wrong way and it's destroyed.  The Vanilla is much nicer and doesn't unravel even when trying.  The larger tan (?????) is perfect size and density, can be carefully trimmed.

   The entire band does not separate from the poms so it's a little heavier when attaching. This is the pom trim I want.  Where did I get it?  

I never did trims, never liked them.  Samplers were the majority of my work and edging didn't seem appropriate.  But the smalls I've been finishing are so much nicer with a trim.  Really like the neatness of perfectly spaced bumps!  So.  Any thoughts on the source?

Have a great weekend.

Be safe.

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Poor thing

She's been through many changes, but came through like a trouper.

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Plan change

 I am too distracted.  Trying to figure postage for charts ranging from 1.2 ounce to 4.8 is not happening.  If you see something you want, postage included to US,  please email me 

Samplersandsantas@gmail.com

Leave comment at bottom of sale page of your choice also but MUST email me since everyone is no-reply.

PAYPAL.

Thanks.

After hearing about the Guthrie case for weeks, my original thought is still my opinion.  As soon as I heard pacemaker, I told hubs they need a drone on day one.  Where was it? Secondly, this person is living a transient lifestyle and may be familiar to the homeless population.  I don't know why, this was my feeling from the start the moment I saw the video.

So terribly sad.  

Spinning my wheels

I have stitched basic cross, herringbone, eyelet, and removed them all.  A dividing band beneath the date just didn't look right.  In red ... NO.  In blue ... wow.  In gold ... yes.  But it looked unfinished without stitching over the date also.  Maybe just a simple row above and beneath in gold.  But not until I fix the error unnoticed until this photo, of the dates not being level.  Good grief.  I've had enough !!!!

The trim I had planned in blue cording is too strong.  Braid of the blue and the gold, better.  Again, as with this entire piece, nothing is final.  Working without a chart is not easy unless it's a sampler.

But after many attempts, removals, and reworks, I'm happy with my eagle.

But not the crappy photos from this tablet.

 I was going to tell you to enjoy your weekend but ....

it's Tuesday.

So enjoy your Wednesday.

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Soon

Hopefully today after appointments.

Had enough with trying to stitch an eagle from photos and drawings.  His head should be easy.  Sure.

 1776 on left, 2026 on right, certainly a walk in the park compared to that bird.

The heart will be trimmed with dark blue braid.  I think it will be a special finish.

I started listing charts for sale on the Sale tab, more to list.  Hope to begin the sale next week, will post with date.

Enjoy your day.

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Forgotten files

Look what I found beneath a packet of patterned file folders....

The Goode Huswife's 9x12 envelopes from years ago.

Jackpot.

Happy Valentines Day

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Winging it

No flowers.  No vines.  Thought this sampler start turned into a heart would be perfect for a colorful bird. 

Or an eagle with spreading wings.

1776 and 2026 may be in the heart's arches, one on each side.  

About the bleaching.... I've done pieces over and over without damage.  Linen is pretty tough and I use a strong solution for a quick dunk, no soaking.  I don't care if it deteriorates years later on the wall at goodwill.  It's tricky and testing a corner is necessary.  Some ptp linens turn a wild green, others don't.  I've had FOAW turn very odd shades, nothing like the original.  Too strong bleach may cause that but I don't take it slow.  

That heart shown in the prior post is from an oldie but goodie..

Quilting Bee Hearts

So many options for the quilt prints and colors.  Would make great berries too, if only I could make a cap.

My sister's friend that has so much heartache with her children and grands, lost her husband last year.  Today, her beloved daughter, the only responsible family member that cared for her, helped her deal with health issues, didn't steal from her or have her in tears for so many nights, passed away from cancer at 53.  Heartbreaking for such a good person to feel so alone and deal with so much.

Please send a prayer for Kathy O'N.

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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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