Malabar

Hiya.  Just wanted to show you Malabar Farm finished.  

 I planned on using these fabrics shown for the backing and pocket, but since I left off "Malabar Farm" at the bottom, it became a 6" square.  Uh-oh.  Before I sew it together, I need to make a trip to my craft store!   I'm willing to bet I'll find a 6" square box.  I really like this fabric and the entire project looks really nice with my dried oranges, so ......  I'll probably end up stitching it into a pillow.   But the craft store is Starbuck's neighbor.  Need I say more?

In addition to leaving off the bottom name, I added a little backstitching to the flowers - just thought they needed it - and the peacock's head comb is done in knots.  I used 32 count something, the recommended GAST Gingersnap, but changed to Evergreen for the centers, Peacock for the vase, and DMC 830 for date and stems.  The scissors - ??? - a piece of gray I found on the floor.  I didn't have but one of her chosen colors, so I just looked at the photo and used what I had that seemed closest to her design.

That's it!  I'm working on Gold Santa but am looking for  another small.  I also wanted to thank all of you for your well wishes.  I was adjusted by my chiropractor yesterday, although he can't touch my neck, and Advil is helping as usual.  The ankle was fine, but is now starting to hurt and swell even more.  It looks like I swallowed a  pierogi whole and it slid down to the ankle.  Halupki thighs and pierogi ankles. 

Have a great day!  Thanks for stopping by.

Not another offer!

Yep.  For how you patiently stuck with me and Lucy, your sweet and encouraging comments, and because even though I proudly display my Bitch Banner, I'm basically a nice person.  A gift for you!  Now don't get your skirts flying too high because it's just a basket.  Now lower it a little more.  It's not a hand made ash splint basket, but a cheapo-but-nice-to-display stitchery basket.  And I'll throw in the hook Mark made so you can hang it from your handrail bracket at the bottom of your stairs if you prefer.   This size is about 7 1/2" wide at the top tapering to about 6 1/2" at the bottom, and 11 - 12" tall without the handle.   And if you accidentally step on it or sit on it, it will break.  Trust me.  This is what it looks like with Frances Bliss, and hanging from the bracket.

You will have your choice of natural, or dark stain, shown here with my still waiting for ears to be painted rabbit gourd.  Poor thing has been sitting there for quite some time.  I'm sure the baskets can be painted with brush or spray if you would like a color or aged look.  Leave your name on this post only to enter.  Random will pick a name on Thursday June 21 at 9 PM EST.

Bonnie Olson sent me these photos of her amazing work on The Vierlande Winders' Keeper which was an online tutorial from Amy Mitten.  So much to take in!  Look at all the details, little pockets for the winders, the center opens for needles, drawstring lacing ending with the little stitched balls, and the tiny pinball.  If you want to see more detailed photos of the project, visit Amy Mitten's site.

Congratulation on a magnificent piece of work Bonnie!

I probably should have shown my wimpy stuff first.  I decided to stay with this 32 count (third start), and I spotted a small but bright yellow spot that wasn't there before.  At least I didn't see it, and I can't imagine how I would have missed it.  It won't come out, so I tried coffee staining over the area to hide it, and decided I will just continue on, age it more, and live with it. 

My birthday is this month and I almost didn't make it to 61.  I wanted to clean my parents' shiny black stone (which has grass clippings stuck all over) and put a 7-day candle in for Father's Day.  I went to the cemetery this morning with a bucket of water, a spray bottle with soapy cleaner, the tall heavy brass candle holder, a 12" tall glass candle, my keys, and a lighter.   As I was walking, I stepped into a deep hole that was hidden in the grass, twisted my ankle and went down, and couldn't stop it with my hands full.  I don't remember what hit, but my left shoulder and right arm are numb.  Did I worsen my neck or twist my back?  Don't know.  But my ankle is better and I was extremely lucky that the 16" long spike attached to the bottom of the candle holder didn't pierce me.  It never occurred to me until I started sinking it into the ground that this huge spike could have ended it all!  Yikes.  I came home, took Advil, hung my head to relieve neck pressure, and then got a chuckle from this.

CAT NIP

CAT NIPPED!

Don't forget - this post for entries - state that you want to be entered - make sure I can contact you.

Right now it's time for more Advil - thank you for visiting - have a great week!

Moving on

Hello all!  Thank you so much for the comments on Lucy.  I honestly had my doubts more than once that she would ever be completed.  She will be framed but until then....guess what? 

 I went to a primitive show at The Hidden Den in Salem, Ohio last weekend and found this.  It's very large - 24 x 25 on the inside.  Now, I don't have to tell you where this is going.  I planned on it just taking up wall space in a bedroom until I was pressing Lucy and thought.....hmmmmm..







 

It will take me some time to decide on the type of frame I want so she can stay here for a while. 

I also found this cupboard which I adore.  It's very long (37") and narrow (12"), perfect for a sampler on the door. 

Eliza Pumroy was my first thought and if too wide to fit between the door's frame, I can always hang it inside with the door open.  It was my first visit to that shop and to Bridgewater Primitives in Alliance, Ohio.  Yowser.  I was in heaven. Over an hour drive from here and I will certainly visit again.  I took photos and will sneak a few more into future posts.

 

I'm not a fan of Facebook and its invasive practices, but I think you can find this shop there.  Lots of textiles, antiques, hand mades, large wood pieces,  great scents, with helpful and welcoming service.

After a wasted two days searching for BOAF's Gold Santa, I finally found him.  I knew he was in a clear pocket with the others but tore the house apart and couldn't find him.  Luck would have it, I dropped a Dove chocolate between my end table and the sofa arm.  It fell right into a canvas bag that is hanging from the table, and holding exactly what I was looking for.  See?  When I organize and actually have something where it should be, I still can't find it.  

I started Malabar Farm twice, and I'm still not happy with the fabric count. 

I don't have linen higher than 32 and I will search through them for what appears to be a tighter weave.  I know 32 is 32, but is it just me or do some same count fabrics appear to have a smaller stitch?   I actually considered over one on 25 count (did you feel a shift in the universe) but the holes in the linen look too big.  I'm really getting weird.  Aida is something I've used only a few times but I'm seeing quite a few pieces on 18 count, aged, and looking damn good.  I don't have any - no store around here has anything other than 14 count.  I plan on placing a chart order soon and will probably add a piece to the order along with a (gulp!) 35 count piece of linen.  AUGH!!   

I also don't have but one of the required colors and there isn't a DMC option, I'm too lazy to look up a conversion, so I chose my own.  The peacock is that gorgeous Gingersnap.  I have a few other things to mention but don't want to make this longer than it is, and really need to get moving outside. 

 I bought the cats a canvas fish filled with catnip hanging from elastic, hung it from the 2' shepherd's hook, and Nitwit is having a ball. 

Enjoy your day - which is already the middle of June - stay safe, and thanks for visiting!

A letter to Lucy

The young ambitious girl, who stitched her first design
through all my samplers had never before, entered in my mind.

But you my dear were different, and gave me such a fight

I knew there was a reason, so I gave it all my might.

Could I complete a large design without setting it to flame?
There’d be no excuse and if I fail, only myself to blame.

Temptation reared to taunt me, that fire glowing bright
but I held fast and stitched ahead, much to my delight.

Did Mom meet you in heaven, and whisper in your ear

it’s time for me to learn patience, in this my 60th year?

Some say that family also stitched and completed this for you
were you trying to tell us that the story isn’t true?

 Or maybe if you failed to finish, you came to sit with me
and encouraged me to the very end, so completed it would be.

Why ever I was chosen, the reason will never be quite clear
but what I’ve gained from your devilish help, I’ll always hold so dear.

A vision of a giggling girl, tall with dark brown hair
was happening so frequently we soon became a pair.

For this you taught me Lucy, have patience, don’t live in haste
To rush through life without a pause would truly be a waste.

I thank you for this Lucy and was honored to be worthy
I’ll miss you and I wish you well, in your eternal journey.


Love,
Marlene

Spinning in circles

Hiya.  No Lucy.  Since the numbness subsided, the dizziness began!  My balance is going right of center....well....more like way off center.   Nothing serious, just annoying, and thankfully infrequent.  Much better today and stitching resumes.  This post is to let you know of 40% off at MMIJA.  They are unfortunately closing at the end of June.  I've ordered from them before and don't know if anything would be of interest to you, but they have quilting supplies, pattern packs, and fabrics, some Stacy Nash, Blackbird Designs, Carriage House's Hawk Runs, Country Stitches (Brenda Gervais) punchneedle designs, Cameo, wool applique, Amy Butler, and on and on.  The shipping may not be worth it depending on how large the order, but there's a lot of stuff left to grab at 40% off.  Check it out!  Talk to you soon!

Back in that big saddle

Greetings!  Hope you all had a wonderful week.  I was in crying jag mode for days!  Memorial Day hit me hard this year but I was even bawling when I heard babies crying!   Well, I usually do anyway.  That always bothers me especially when an idiot child mother is telling her baby to shut up.  Moving on.....I was at the greenhouse picking out flowers when I stretched to take down a heavy hanging basket from over the display.  That did it.  The loose vertebrae in my neck must have moved a little because the arms and hands were tingling for several days.  No stitching, that's for sure.  But I'm much better today and I'm tearing into Lucy.  I did finish that vase and all those wonky stems and flowers, the fence, lettering on the left, and border around the second house.  I guess the break did me some good because I am so anxious to stitch now.  I'll show you Lucy tomorrow, but I wanted to tell you how my frustration sometimes leads to good things! 

My galvanized tubs are all over the place and after tripping over one, I picked it up and slammed it over a shepherd's hook.  Voila.  Love it.  All you need is the tub, a low hook, and a 10" hanging basket with hanger removed.  I plan on moving the wheelbarrow from the front door and setting up this display instead.  You could also just load it with dirt and plant several varieties.  This got a little heavy after watering so I stuck a rock under it for support.  I didn't like it on the higher hook.

 

Wiring the handle to the hook would help with swaying from the wind.  You probably have already seen this done or done it yourself, but it's new to me and I like it!  I was able to get set up at the garage with a few items,

get my rusty paint cans planted with some sick looking impatiens,

 and we finished laying the barnstones to complete the area around the concrete, which no one showed up to do.

It's not as hard to do heavy chores with tingling arms as it is to do detailed work.

And a final note of embarrassment.

I was rushing (as usual) to get a few groceries and stop at the nursery for a few shrubs.  Couldn't decide which shoes to wear since the gravel is hard to walk on and usually muddy.  Both pair hurt but I wouldn't be gone long.  Which look better with my varicose veins?  I slipped on one of each, and then answered the phone.  Distractions are not good.  I went for groceries first.  When I walked into the outdoor nursery, I looked down to make sure I wasn't stepping in the mud and saw this..

I'm a frequent customer of this business, so they dared not mention this.  If I could keep flip flops on my feet and not walk right out of them, I would have gone to the Dollar store and purchased a pair to complete my errands.  The numbness must have been traveling a little too far up the arms. 

So to sooth my ego, I went home and made nalaesniki.

Sweet cottage cheese filled crepes, topped with sour cream and a sprinkle of sugar.  So there you have it. 

 *******

Hopefully tomorrow I will return with my Lucy girl!

Hello and welcome to new followers - you made me tingle even more!

Thank you all for visiting - enjoy your day!