The brighter the berry

It's time.  Do I follow the dmc 814/902 or change for a brighter berry? 

I have Needle Necessities overdyed red and it is what I'm leaning toward. The called for is on left.

How about keeping the 902 but changing to the brighter 815 with it (on left)?  The overdyed may not show variations in such a small area so I would cut short pieces of varying shades.  The red is like 498.

I just don't know if I would prefer the bright, or the rich deep.

And probably won't until tomorrow.

Or later.

Have a good weekend.

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Failure to align

Second time I had to pick the letters because of failure to align.  Not realized until the greenery met them.  Correction was also off, this is second time around.

Had no choice because of design of the letters, could not adjust.

I think it best to set things aside for now.

I received a call an hour after my lung CT.  Biopsy is needed.  I will check Pittsburgh after meeting with local doc Thursday morning.  I want the latest method.  My doctor is the only pulmonologist here and quite conservative.  

When I know more, I'll update.

Be safe, be well.

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Next

My linen inventory is mostly 36 count, I prefer 40 simply because of finish size.

This is Legacy from PTP, not the darker shade recommended, but I like it a lot.

I need to pick up the other starts to continue my WIP training.

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Pastels

These pastel bulbs and sparkling hearts and stars in this champagney shade of pink, are not my style.  Neither is shiny garland to match.  But I like them. 

Searched for larger plain pastel bulbs, so far have found none.  Metallic and brights, fancy shapes, patterns, nothing simple and pale.  I may not even decorate a small tree with these, not really into it again this year.  But if I didn't get them, I would regret it.  The sparkle on the hearts and stars is beautiful.

What's next in stitching?  Not sure.  Two docs today, therapy tomorrow, CT scan wednesday.  Hope to dust, sweep, finish decorating Thursday.  I use live outside, just stuffed into tubs and such, most are still in the garage.  Way too cold for any outside adventures.  As for my extremely painful mouth, several more weeks of lidocaine on my tongue injury before acceptable healing.

I was asked if anyone would be interested in selling their Goode Huswife's Pennsylvania Christmas chart.  Anyone?  She was outbid but oh so close!

If you have a Medicare advantage plan and missed the deadline to change, another enrollment for advantage plans only runs from 1/1/26 to 3/31/26.

Hope your week is swell.

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2025 Finish #31

 Sweet little stitch on 40 count with chosen dmc.

Red mini poms.

Yes I changed the birds a bit.

Don't be impressed.  You can't imagine my piles of smalls never fully finished.

Stay safe.  Be well.

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Merry Pinkeep

 Available on Sub Rosa's Etsy site.

Here

It's cold outside.  Really cold outside.

Been somewhat off today, feeling better now.  Plan on catching up on blogs tomorrow.  So many appts every damn day and I'm exhausted by evening.  Canceled them for tomorrow.

Holding my breath after I learned my physical therapist's husband is bed ridden with covid.  They didn't test until that morning (his 4th day), never been that sick, just like others we know.  This variant is severe.  But no one seems to test until they have spread it.  Hubs is furious.  No, no mask, working on an elderly man and me.

Don't take chances, Paxlovid must be started in first days.  Does it still help with new variants?  Please be cautious and carry sanitizer gel.

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Searching for a stag

Several questions were asked on IG about that stag shown with Elizabeth.  Finally found the post and now I want the entire sampler.  Did I recycle it?  Was it in the download from SANQ that I lost to laptop death?

This is so interesting and would be fun to stitch.  I stitched this single stag from the fall 2015 SANQ but found this photo of a chart from Samplers Remembered.  I need to know count, could a drum finish work?  

 Hunting for that stag now!  

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EDIT - Found it and other SANQ files!  

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The error

 When a comment on Instagram asked about thread colors, I compared the chart to the photo before answering.  And ... saw that the house trim was not stitched to the bottom.  

A relatively easy fix.

When I worked for a framer mounting needlework, first rule was to check the piece thoroughly for missing stitches.  It surprised me to see some framed pieces online that were not caught.  I notified the customer about any possible omissions before framing.  Missing a few of my own on finished pillows, I went back and using the sewing method added the missing.  But I should inspect my own work before assembling!

Whew.

Mouth is quite miserable, root canal was back molar and my jaw is terribly sore from the shots and the work. Numbness caused me to take a bite out of my tongue, that's worse!  That molar and another tooth became the anchors to a permanent bridge.  I'm hearing about too many people having failures of their implant, especially the bridge type of several teeth.  This was much less $$, and much less prone to revision.  It's over, and I'm glad it is.  But there's more work to be done.

Getting old is not for sissies as they say.  When I tell someone my age, I am shocked to hear it out loud!

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Boom

Tons of snow over all the leaves on a day of root canal and crown.

Crabasses unite!

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2025 Finish#30

Am I sorry I cut the linen preventing the border I had no intention to stitch?

Of course.

Would I have been able to complete such a border during my era of errors?

Of course not.

Am I happy with this little sampler?

Yep.

40 count cappuccino, dmc, added the heavier outline.  Scrappy new tablet's photo looks like a row of pink.  Nope.  But I wondered if a light blue row between the red would be good.  Stitched the alphabet in eyelet.  Hope to final finish with subdued olive green backing.  Red would be too much.  Or not.

Boom.

Have a warm and sunny day. 

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Better than a bowl

But this little shelf does need painted.  Or dark stain.

 Not sure where they will stay.

Others hanging out in a cupboard.

That's all.  I am so infuriated, nothing nice to say.  

So it's best I wait for calmer days.  January sounds about right.

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.

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Thanksgiving

 Thank you for another beautifully made card Brenda.

Chris does not shop online, rarely uses social media or internet.  It's been the most aggravating, frustrating three days dealing with setting up an Amazon account for him, credit, searching for items, ordering.  Difficult if not impossible when the cell and email account are not here for me to receive the verification codes to enter (he's at work).  When he had time, I was at an appt., could not get together  And after set up, verified, card approved, amazon cancelled the entire order for suspicious activity. ???  So I gave up and ordered their laptop, iPad, accessories, and protection plans on my account.  Later, I found out they cancelled everything but the plans. The time spent on this really frosted my muffin.  No customer service email option, chat was closed, phones were loaded.  I attempted to cancel, not as easy when it's an emailed item.  Hoping it goes through and we aren't charged for four plans.

It will be a crabby Thanksgiving.

But thankful.

Hope it's a wonderful day for you.

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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 ( finish#29)

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.

**********

 

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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