Pear VII

 Hi everyone.  I'm posting the pattern under the Pears tab and giving you a few options.  I had a difficult time choosing a green that I liked.  So you'll see a choice of two shades of green (or your own) and a chart that is over one (for words only) in case you would prefer that.  Changing the fancy heart to all pink is another option.  When I started this project (several times) I originally did the over one but this is the third finish and I had no intentions of repeating that chore.  Can you tell how indecisive I am?  

 

  I tried an easier method for the stem.  I pulled the fabric through the sewing machine to miss two stitches  leaving a hole for the stem.  Thin cinnamon sticks or grapevine pieces are what I usually use, leaving them long and inserting between the two quilt batt layers.

The mylar was inserted to help the batting slide easily into place, but I didn't leave it in.  Card stock paper can be used too. Interfacing on the linen and also the backing held the shape well enough. 

 Here is Bonnie's February pear done on 40 count.  This is very nicely shaped and I've seen quite a few that are beautifully finished in the various pear forms.  I'm using the same template for each of mine but maybe I should try something different.

 

Thank you all for the prayers and offers to send cards to my cousin.  I will check with her sister and get the address for the nursing home.  We've been sending greetings to her devoted friend's house who visits her every day and I'll check with her too.

 

I'm making some progress on Mary but having a flare-up of the neck problem and my arms are quite tingly.   The rest of the center is verse and all one color of basic cross so it should go without a hitch, but that stem stitch area doesn't look like it will go as easily.  I'll show how Mary is coming on the next post and until then, have a wonderful and safe day.

Thank you for visiting!

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Coming to a blog near you...

Something new to me

Greetings!  How is everyone today?  My cousin in CA is on my mind continually, so regardless of aches and pains, numbness and restriction, jowls and fat, I am grateful for the day.  She is now realizing that no progress is being made on her right side paralysis and she will never be able to return to her sweet home, her flowers, and her much loved rescue pup.  Her hopes are fading as is her will and spirit.  

I am back to stitching on Mary and decided to complete the body first.  The stem stitch scalloped border will be a new adventure for me and having the center to line up with would probably be a help.   And I'm also delaying the unknown which is what I do best.

Here's what I did with the Rabbit Folk.  I found burlap ribbon in the floral department of Hobby Lobby and then saw it at JoAnn's.  I'm never in that section so maybe this has been around for a while but it's new to me.  It also comes in a much wider width which I plan on using for garland outdoors.

 Love this stuff.  How perfect for seasonal items.  Just pin or stitch to the strip and wrap around boxes, baskets, hang vertically down a door, side of a hutch, over a doorway.  Not too much fuss and finishing required of the stitched pieces, plus charms or sprigs, even photos can be mixed in on the strip.  I'm sure it can be stabilized with a fusible if needed. These are just quickly pinned and ....... that's right .......probably won't stay there. 

 

 

My dad smoked a pipe when I was little (well, younger - I was never really little) and I got to keep the red Prince Albert cans for crayons and pens.  They were flatter, shaped like a flask, but when I saw this rusted old round tin, I had to get it.  It certainly gave my fusspot clean machine brother a head turning when he stopped by.

 

 

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Thank you so much for visiting and welcome to new followers!  I appreciate every one of you that take time from your busy days to see what the menopausal maniac is up to.  I wonder if the nickname Flash will stick with me for life!  That's OK with me.

Rabbit Folk

Hi everyone.  It's Saturday and warmer outside than it has been.  My new hard drive is here, I found the Vista recovery discs,  finally got my printer accepted with 7 (the router needed the MAC address for filtering!), so it appears to be the start of a good weekend.  I'm almost afraid to begin the installation and would like to float in the good mood for a while longer.  Hoping your days are going well too.  It seems the older I get, even crap days are to be appreciated, so as long as I am still here to bitch, it's a good day!

 

Haven't worked on Mary in a few days because I did the pear, again and again. This one is final.  Why do I get so involved with things that don't really matter?  You can change colors to your preference! 

 

As I looked for a backing fabric I came across a box with these little guys.  They are stitched on 18 count Aida that looks like oatmeal and need to be finished into ornaments.  Not sure if I will because they're so cute and not my style.  But maybe I could tone down the fabric a little and end up liking them. 

 

 

 

I didn't stitch them and can't remember who did.  They are from this OOP leaflet 19 from Prairie Schooler which is on EBay quite often.  Have you seen the BOAF Gold Santa prices after so many were offered for $15?

 

 

 We've had some cold temps and drizzle and the brats were snuggled in for the entire day.  I've been allowing them into the house and Bud is always a good boy, but Missy and Nitzy are into everything!  I can't catch either one since they don't allow me to pet them.  As soon as my husband gets close, they run for the door.

 

I have to change the comments again since I'm getting hundreds of spams, so if you can't comment and want to contact me for any reason, please use the email link at the top sidebar.  I'll leave it open for anonymous readers when I am offering an item so everyone can enter, but it will change back right after.

  When our elderly dog was having hip and joint problems, I did some research since the dog meds were so expensive and not really safe.  Tramadol was the answer and Walmart was so very reasonable.  It's safer, it worked, and my vet checked into it and uses it now.  So how do the spammers know what I was ordering for years at the pharmacy?  Coincidence?

In answer to anonymous about the Postman Santa, click the Christmas tab beneath the header and the info is posted on the photo.

Wishing everyone a safe and peaceful weekend.

Thank you for visiting!

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Where my mind is

Hi everyone.  It's cold, snowy, and bitchy here today, but I hope you are all doing well.  Most of the time when I can't think clearly or make a decision, it may be because I AM thinking.  When I'm posting, emailing, or not paying attention, thoughts pop into my head that are usually the answer.  I guess this means I'm trying too hard and over analyzing daily minutia.  Case in point.  When typing an email the other day, the statement that finally answers so much came freely.  I told her that for years, I've been giving people a piece of my mind, which is probably why I don't have much left.  Now I know where it is.  Small portions are floating around the patients, clerks, co-workers, contractors, idiot mothers, pet owners, nephews, sister, cousins, friends, who were told off, told what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and why I am right.  No wonder there's not much left.  I think my husband has more of my mind than I do.

 

I completed the bargello and after one more line in the body I plan on attempting the stem stitch.  I've been asked why I haven't joined Nicola's SL year.  First off, I don't play well with others (see above).  Second, I don't know if I will follow the pattern or change the design if I get frustrated with specialty stitches.  Except for changing a color, so far, so good!  Now I need to concentrate on stitching the next pear which I will start tonight.  It seems to be taking me longer each month to come up with something new in this shape!

On the computer front, I ordered a new hard drive and will install the operating system myself.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.  I may be back to Vista!  Staples techs went over what my tech did ( the very polite kid I thought was wonderful), and I found out that I was ripped off.  If I see him again, it will be hard not to give HIM a piece of my mind.  It's unbelievable how you can't purchase or have installed the operating system you prefer because they push the newest on you.  The clerk said 8 out of 10 customers come back and want something done about Windows 8 because they hate it more than 7 and there are no options. I can't remove my 7 and have Vista installed.  Ridiculous.  Since Microsoft doesn't "allow" downgrades, they are forcing a lot of customers to Macs.  They should have a simple XP or Vista offer for old farts like me that don't game, video, or skype and want nothing more than simple programs for emailing (Outlook Express), photos (Picture It), and household files.  But I'm not giving them a piece of my mind.  I need to start conserving and it will not be easy.

 

Thanks for visiting!

Hope you all have a wonderful week.

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Contrary Mary

Hiya.  Hope everyone is doing fine and dandy today.  Finally getting back to stitching after a few days of distractions. 

 I moved on to the body and made so many errors that I decided to start the bargello on the other side.   This stitch pattern is not difficult at all once you get it lined up properly.  The borders consisting of cross and stem stitch will be next.  When I encounter too many frogs, I will move back to the middle.

 

While making the piece look presentable for a photo, I noticed lines in the linen from a fold. 

 Since most of my fabric is more than 20 years old, this happens often.  I never even realized at that time the damage folds can do.  You can see the vertical and horizontal in this photo but they won't be noticed when stitched.  

Decision has been made on the flooring.  After visiting the only place that would offer pine, putting up with the looks and smirks, I decided to forget it.  It was split, cupped, and bowed and barely enough to do the project.  After seeing that, I didn't want to take the chance of ordering without seeing the final product.  So a compromise was found in knotty oak.  Yep.  Oak with knots and a few defects.  The width I wanted was 3 times the cost and at this stage in life and all the other projects coming up, not worth it.   Four week lead time which makes my hub nervous - way too much time for changes.  Nope.  It's done and I'm not even going to think about it anymore.  If the kitchen guy fails me again, I will need to hire someone else for that too. 

***

I came across the doilies and tablecloths that I had put away from mom, aunts, and purchases.  I need to get rid of all of them since I will never use them, except for the pieces mom made.  These weren't hers, but are a few of my favorites.

 

 All of these are smaller pieces with really nice details.

 

Today is a family dinner with stuffed shells and cake with whipped cream icing. Tonight I should be back to stitching.

Stay safe everyone - enjoy your day - thank you much for visiting!