My little sampler and a big mess

Hello everyone.  I just posted the list of fabrics on a separate page and if you click the "fabrics for postage" link under the blog header it will take you to the result of the most confusing day I've had in a long while.  At least a week.   I hope it goes smoothly but menobrain can't figure out a better way to do it.  So until I am enlightened by your blogging expertise on multiple give-aways, I will keep the page as is, and notify you if there are any changes.  Technically, it's not a give-away since you have to pay for postage.  It's more of a rid-away. 

Here's my little sampler which would have been completed if it wasn't for the rid-away mess. 

 My husband said "why don't you just throw this stuff away?"  Well, I hate to throw anything away that someone may use, and I've frightened enough Amish women with my "please take this" in parking lots.  Sell it?  More trouble than this.  Ebay buyers can get nasty some times and I have not thoroughly examined this fabric, can't specifically state the color name, and listing each one would be a real pain.  I guess I could have listed them in boxes like this.  Hey.  I could have had some new stash money!!!  That's another example of the word "menopause".  Many times, there is a pause in reasoning, manners, correct usage of the English language, and memory.  Memory is the fun part.  When I found out I was receiving a package in the mail, I was excited.  Two days later I forgot all about it.  A week later I was reminded of it and I got excited all over again.  When I finally received it, I got distracted and left it in the garage on the way back from the mailbox.  A week later, I found it!!!  I had the pleasure of that new chart excitement THREE times!   I guess today the mental pause has cost me a few bucks.  Nah!!!  I'm teasing.   I want you guys to have it.  Even if you don't want it. 

Look who came to see me today - the baby!!! 

I'm not seeing the raccoons as often during the day because the babes are out of the nest.  This old mama only has one but she's training her to come to the back door for their treats.  I know it's a odd picture but I didn't have time for another - two cups of coffee were causing a mad dash.

I want to thank you for the sweet and thoughtful emails I've received.  Unfortunately, many are set as no-reply on Blogger accounts and I can't respond since your email isn't on file.  So if you haven't received a note from me thanking you for your wonderful encouragement and compliments, it's because I can't, not because I don't appreciate you.

 It's been really hot in PA and will continue all week.  It's high temps for this area, but other states are having it much worse, so I hope you are staying as cool as you can.  Hard to believe that summer is half over.   Please put water out for wildlife if possible.    Remember, if you have any suggestions for me, please email!!  Thanks for reading, have a good week, and eat a piece of chocolate before it melts.

Linen and flowers and charts, oh my!

Hi all.  I want to thank everyone for sending me the helpful links on over one stitching.   I'm glad I mentioned the problem, otherwise, I would not have known there is a solution.  But thanks to all of you, I won't be having a problem with slipping stitches!   Again, I appreciate your help and guidance. 

No big projects yet....still favoring Lucy Redd....Mary Oldfield?   Decided to play with this tiny (4x6) one from Hinzeit. 

There are 12 colors in this small sampler!  Should be pretty nice, maybe become a note pad cover or a small booklet of some sort.  Maybe not.  But it'll be quick, that's for sure.   I really don't know which linen I'm using, but it's stiff.  Really stiff.  That's OK with me because I don't like the soft linens, especially on the lower counts.  Since most of my samplers were Scarlet Letter's,  I used her linen or one similar and never thought to keep a record.  Now, I will keep a small swatch and note the name, color, and count so I don't have to continue this guesswork. 

I started going through the fabrics and charts and what a disaster this will be.  To give you an idea, here's the Santa/Christmas charts.... 

There's Mary Beale, Alma Lynn, Cinnamon Stick, Homespun Elegance, Boehringer, Major, Sew Fine, Schooler, Victorians and on and on.  I didn't realize how ridiculous this will be.  Not only can I not list photos (the page would be overloaded), but how would I keep track of who's what's where?  Maybe I should group them and put on Ebay.  At least I have a record of purchaser's address and it's a lot easier for a large number as this.  There's not as many of non-holiday charts which will be easier to deal with.  As for the fabric, there's a lot of Jobelan, and several piece of Lugana.  I think I will make three lots, comment if you want them, and I'll draw a name for each if need be.  Postage only.

I took a few shots of flowers to show you how I "recycle" my old pots.  I hate to load up landfills with metals, so I drilled my old aluminum pots, and enameled canner, and used them as pots. 

My large old stainless fry pans are filled with water for the birds and critters, minus the handles.  Very easy to clean.  And here's what makes the flowers do fabulous...

The ratio is 1 Tbsp to 1 gallon, but I put 1/2 to 1 tsp. in every gallon and use it all the time instead of once a week.    These are my watering cans.  

Again, no recycling here so I hate to throw them out.  I fill them and keep them in the shrubs or around the deck, so when I need to water I don't have to search for the can and hose.  These also make great greenhouses in early spring to get a head start.  Any plastic gallon jug will do.  Cut the bottom off and press it into the ground over your tomato plants, leaving the lids off.  As soon as the weather warms, remove.  Here's what this method of fertilizing does for my flowers..

This is where I quit on the outside projects.

I filled the step sides with "good" dirt, planted Ajuga Black Scallop ground cover, and never got to add more base and do the stones.  My landscaper, as cute as he is, did the grass planting and will finish the stones for me, as well as lay the stones for a small patio area in the back.    Oh - one more thing - this is for Fiona.  Your Google setting is for "no-reply" so I can't email back!   In answer to your question about the chenille.....You can go to http://www.quiltersstation.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=158 for a 20 yard spool, or you can purchase on EBay from seller 2500nancy, and also from http://www.countrystitchesonline.com/ under accessories.  Hope this gets to you!!

That's it.  Sorry.  Some times a girl just has to ramble.  Girl?  WHAT??  Too much chocolate?  Or coffee?  Whatever - too much other stuff and not enough stitching!!  Have a great weekend everyone - thanks for reading - happy stitching!

Another little finish!

Wow.  I'm moving right along!  Still haven't picked a project but I'm miserable with my neck problems so I decided to play around a little more.  I'm beginning to think that the Pear chart is responsible.  I was so tight, my shoulders felt like they were up by my ears.   My first attempt at that count, and then being over one, was a little much.  My stitches kept ending up horizontal and slipping behind the linen threads, and I had to keep readjusting or removing.  I'm just not experienced enough to be comfortable so the tension in my neck area could have contributed, or even caused this.  Anyway, here's today's work.....

I have two magnifiers, each a different power, so I put that number on the first pouch.  Usually the glasses have the power stamped on the stem, but these do not, so I thought this would help.

That's it.  At least I'm stitching!  And I now have something I like to keep my glasses safe.  I really like these little projects.  Maybe I'll stick with my freebie folder and keep making smalls for a while.   It's certainly not too early for stitching Christmas ornaments, and I should try to paint a few Santa boxes.   THAT will really cause some tension!  Haven't painted in years except for one or two and I really enjoy it, until the fine details start getting to me.   I'll wait until my neck is better, which I hope will happen.  Doc said it can get worse in a short time or stay as is for a long time.  Anything to delay surgery around the spinal cord is top priority!!!  

I would like to start getting rid of my inherited charts and Jobelan fabrics plus a few small items (and beads!) and hate to take it all to Goodwill again.   Do you think posting the fabric on a different blog and only charging for postage is a good or bad idea?   I have a yard or two of Klostern too.  I think I will make a chart listing with one price for any chart (cheap!) and keep it there until they're gone.   No samplers....maybe one or two.  Prairie Schoolers will probably go on EBay.  I'll see.  I'm sure there are stitchers who use Jobelan and do projects other than samplers.  But where are they?????  HELLO!!!  Can you hear me now???  I don't have many followers and the viewer numbers aren't great either, but maybe one of you know someone who could use the items.  I'll let you know when I have an inventory list. 

That's it.  Time for chocolate and Advil.  Have a good week and stay cool.  Thanks for taking the time to read!

A little scrap project

Hiya.  I went outside to feed the birds this morning and felt like I was walking into an atmospheric hot flash.  So I decided to play around inside, even though my right arm is numbing from my neck problem.  I guess the work is catching up with me.  I used to make these in the old days for stitcher's gifts or anyone that wears magnifiers.  You know those long skinny strips you have left from cutting (AUGH!) into your linen yardage?  They're only a few inches wide and very long, usually too small for an ornament.  I made magnifier pouches with them and decided it would be a very quick project, and I could use another pouch.  Instead of a peacock or another little freebie, I stitched the eye chart I will be gazing at in a few days at my doc's.  Just stitch your favorite little design, or personalize with initials, cut a piece of lining, iron on fleece, fold it, sew the sides, and voila.  I some times would use a button on the flap and a cord to wrap around a button on the pouch, but decided to add a little square of the lining for a self stick velcro dot instead.                      

This is Amber 28 count and after that piece of work fruit that I just completed, this was like stitching a piece of burlap with a cord.  I can certainly see now why stitchers using the higher counts stick with them.  It was really weird and I kept thinking I was going over too many threads with too much floss. 

All I have left to do is attach the velcro dot on the lining and I'm done.  Such a quick project - nice to have several ready for quick gifts (if you have friends and aren't a stick in the mud bitch like me), and a nice project to use up your linen strips.  I also made these for the short Line-a-Timers.  You know what?  Since I was making these 20 years ago, you probably have too, and this is another instance of my living in the old days and telling you something you already knew.......................Never mind.

The veins have popped

Hello all.  Happy dance!  This pear design was one that I always kept to the front of the stash as one of my favorites smalls.  Even though I have been frustrated at times, questioning whether picking up the needle after so many years would be enjoyable, shying away from over one and higher linen counts, I chose this.  Didn't make any sense to do so, but menobrain does foolish things at times.  Except for the algerian eye and long arm cross border, all done on 36 count over one.  And I survived with not a match in sight.  So here's my finish ...

Not sure if I want to add chenille trim or not, and I don't know where this little thing will be displayed.  I love pears and will probably have this in with my beeswax and pomanders. 

I'm just glad it's over!  My goodness that was tedious for me.  I'm still working outside quite a bit, and sitting to relax with a few stitches was certainly not the case with this fruit.  My shoulders and neck would tighten and it was just not enjoyable at all.  But I did it.  And I will never do it again!  There is a positive outcome of wanting to pick a project now, feeling it will be easy and fun.  Of course it will be over 2 and on 30 count, but that's me.    This is me, too...

My mom's wieners!  Love these things on a bun or a plate.  It started with leftover hot dogs from a picnic. 









She would brown lots of sliced onions....    slice and brown the leftover cooked dogs...

 

Add them together, throw in some ketchup, and there you have it. 

Mom's leftover wieners.  I've even thrown them in a crock pot for a party.  You can eat them as is, or add whatever you want on a bun.  I've used Ball Park's fat free, Angus, and even mixed them.  My favorite is Smith's but I can't find them anymore.

So that's what is happening here.  Still not finished outside but closing in.  I ran out of flagstone to complete the front and can't locate any more at a stone supplier.  I was told it is against the law in PA (Fish and Boat Commission?) to take those flat stones out of even the smallest of creeks, so I'm not taking any chances.  People can obviously be responsible for the death of a child and go free, but I would be in jail for taking a rock.  So thanks for reading, visiting, and bearing with me.  I promised you I would do better and I expect to keep it.  Not sure what will be next but I'll post the new project soon.  I recently saw the Scarlett House's Coverlet Birds completed and forgot all about ordering that chart, so I need to do that and browse a little for a few more.  The recent Attic's newsletter has featured Scarlet Letter charts and I just love that Sarah Brown.  And of course many more!  You could make a whole day of perusing the offerings.  I still haven't had the time to go through all the beauties on the Antique Samplers site.  But as soon as I pilfer a few flat stones, I should have lots of time sitting in that cell.  Think they'll let me have my laptop? 

Have a good week everyone!!

Thank you all & kittens

Hello and Happy 4th!   Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend.  I wanted to thank you for the helpful emails and comments.  Your advice is greatly appreciated and necessary!  I did not know about using tent stitches for thread jams.  Stitching on 28-30 mostly, this was never a problem and your guidance taught me what the chart and my books did not.  I tried it for a few letters and it was much better, but because they are so tiny and the color was light, the thread was barely noticeable as a design.  So I continued on with the full cross, and then realized the entire design is over one. 

I always loved this design and assumed the center flower and such were over two.  I'm not happy.  But I will complete this and then never ever ever again NOT read the chart before starting, do anything that has more than letters over one, or take whipped cream icing out of the freezer a day early and expect there to be enough left to frost the cake.

This is the full design with satin stitch on the bottom border. 
 Not a stitch I do well.  I'm not happy with the wonky look of what I've completed so far because they are not uniform at all.   I must spend too much time at Glenna's and Margaret's and all the other fabulous advanced 40 count silky perfect stitchers' blogs.  It looks like 2 threads were used on the ABC, but the chart states one. I've heard of the happy dance, and I'll be doing one when this is over till the varicose veins pop.

 So now on to the kitty pics I'm posting at local pet shops...Take a look at these calicos. The really dark one is much like the mother, mostly dark brown, black, and orange splashes, including that sweet tail tip.  Does this count as a calico?  Brother is able to pet two babies now and they seem to be coming around, so hopefully, we can find homes.  Yeah, right.  Every agency here is overloaded.  Wish me luck.  Have a great weekend and listen for the popping veins.