Bored yet?

Hiya.  I'm starting to rush through these just to finish because I'm tiring of them, but there are three more designs I like and want to complete.  All of them have Santa facing to the left which was also the case with this one, so I scanned and flipped him to face right.  The symbols are then backwards but since I'm not following the colors it really didn't matter.

 

I need to go back and fix the wimpy tree and change his buttons to black.    His coat is 3051 and the greenery 469.  The next ones will be different reds.

 

I had a few requests for instructions on making the little brooms from corn husks.  Since I didn't have any more I checked at the craft store and the closest to husks were palm leaves.  This swag was less than two bucks and I just cut the ties off.  Soaking them for a while may help if yours are too brittle, the same goes for husks. 

  

Whatever you're using, lay it a few inches up on a straight branch facing the wrong way as shown above.  Use a strong wire to attach them tightly to the branch.  If the material is really thick, attach one layer and then wire another layer over it.  The trick to getting it tight is using pliers, pull and twist, pull and twist, until it is so tight there is no slack left.  The wire will break is it's not sturdy enough.  A little at a time, fold the material down to make the sweep, wetting to soften if necessary. 

 Do the same method of wiring again,  and continue wrapping the wire over in opposite directions, and twist again, hide the ends.  Drill a hole in the top for a hanger.  This material doesn't accept dye and is almost waterproof, so I watered down some craft paint and brushed it on to make it look older and dirty.

I made this one for a friend and I may do another for myself to hang on my exterior door, maybe a little shorter.  This one is 32" total.  

 

 

 

 

I had to take my brother to the doc this morning and need to take my sister this afternoon.  Minor procedures but not allowed to drive.  We have to pass an apple orchard that has fresh cider and home made donuts so that takes care of dinner.

 

Enjoy your day.

Thanks for visiting!  

 

 

 

The countdown continues

Hope your days are warm, safe, bitchy, stitchy, and fun.

 From book 80, changed red to 632, 422 for trim, 3820 for moon, no cheek color (that wasn't planned but this one will stay anemic).  Left off one star, the bottom border, and changed the moon face to a simple crescent.

 

I added a few more stitches to his beard  right under his nose.  This was on the unbleached linen that became bleached.  I'm very pleased with the result, and it goes well with the lighter pieces from book 88 which are the same size.  Really?  Are you sure?

  Both are marked as 32 count, but did it shrink a little after bleaching?  I'm going to continue stitching these series as quickly as time allows, because I will be getting bored real soon.

 

Enjoy your day..

thanks for visiting!!

 

 

Strike a pose and pick a handful

Hello people.
Three down - ???? to go.

 

 

  Changed the green pants to gray, blue cape to gray, face and beard colors, and didn't follow the handheld items.  The same pose is used several times in books 80 and 88, so I just choose the items I like best for that particular pose.  This lantern is a smaller version of one that is hanging in book 80 and I just put it on top of a staff that is used several times.   I don't like to stitch small cute things, so I'm leaving the dolls and toys out of this series.  In the last one, I added some twigs instead of stitching the toys in the back pack.   There's not a thing wrong with these designs as they are charted, but I prefer a simpler look.  This week.  Maybe before I finish them into ornaments, I'll add a few toys!  I also don't know if I want to add the backstitched border.  I'll wait until they are all completed to decide, and hopefully not want them changed after they're hanging on a tree.

I think the furnace starting up again has triggered a competition with my hormones for the heat index.  It seems whenever there is a season change, my flashes feel the need to adjust, just to make sure I'm not comfortable.

Lots of stuff to do today, have a great weekend.

 

Thanks for visiting!

New colors on an old favorite

Greetings.  Having a good day?  If you're reading this, you're still with us = a good day.  I finally gave up on summer and changed the closet from lightweights to heavyweights, and while sorting through sandals, came across a very old fashioned looking comfortable pair that I never wear.  I said to myself that I should hold on to them because I'll soon be the old lady with the sensible shoes in the nursing home.  Don't know where that came from but it really threw me off balance for the rest of the day.

My attempt at the more subdued Santa is a toss up.  This is the photo from the leaflet and my finish.

I used a design from #88 which is on the lighter linen since I will be changing many of those too.   I like the softer look and think it will be even better on the darker linen.  But to tell the truth, I like them both.  I lightened the face from 407/356 to 3773/3772 and changed the beard from white to 3866.  His coat is 3860/3023, gown 3045, boots 3787, and greenery 3011.  I'll probably continue changing some of the colors in the others, but maybe not the entire piece.  Or maybe the entire piece.  Or not at all.  Depends on the mood I guess.

 

Went to the chiropractor this morning and my left side trapezius and upper back is nothing but knots and much higher than the right side.  He never felt such tightness and I have to submit to the torture of a myofascial release on Tuesday.  She tried a few weeks ago and I couldn't take the pain so she stopped.   The procedure is done by a therapist and they go deep into the muscle to separate the layers, releasing the trapped chemicals and knots.  Yoi.  Just press lightly and I see stars!  Digging fingers deep into it ..... may not be able to handle it again.  There isn't anything you can take beforehand topical or otherwise since it is so deep into the muscle and trigger points.

My sister's birthday was this week, she turned 75.  This was a few years ago - I'm the one with the dyed hair and the empty plate that contained four different desserts.  She's not worried about comfortable shoes.  She thinks she's moving in here for me to take care of her. 
Think again sista!!

 

 

That's all I got today.  I had a few emails that are no-reply and I wanted to respond here, but can't find them now.   I did have a few questions about the book I showed, and if you would like more information you can find it on Scarlet Letter's website here.

 There are two dozen sweet potatoes in the oven.  I buy them on sale, bake, peel, wrap individually with Saran, and freeze in a large freezer bag.  I hope to have some time left to paint a few boxes.  Really want to get them posted for sale soon.

 

Enjoy your weekend and stay safe.

Thanks for visiting!

 

 

 

Why did she ask that?

Hey.  What's up with your bad self?  That's what husband always asks Bud, our warrior cat.  He comes in every night for a good back scratching.   My morning is dark and rainy which makes the newly painted room look even darker and although the wall color is very light, I think it's too dark.  Does that make sense?  I picked up more samples and may have it redone lighter.  If I won't be happy, now is the time to change it before the trim goes on.

Jeanne asked me if I used the recommended colors on the PS Santa, which I did, surprisingly.  Well that jolted my brain into its revision mode.  Right after I replied that I didn't change any colors, I did. This guy's pants are now gray instead of green.  So I'm glad she asked because I think it will lead to some Santas that are more my style.

 I pulled another piece of 14" x 18" 32 count which was unbleached, and bleached it.  I cut a small section to test because sometimes the warp (weft?) lightens and the weft (warp?) doesn't, leaving striations that I don't like.  This piece did just fine, better than fine in fact. Just a little lighter but enough.  Didn't want to push my luck.  This is it compared to the current linen for #88.  I wanted eight more pieces for the next series and am anxious to start. 

 

 

The plan is to do book #80 with completely different colors than I've ever used for Santa, and the darker linen would contribute to the look I'm going for.  So here's the choices so far. 

 

 All of the pieces in book #80 are red which I don't want, so I will try these colors instead, or maybe incorporate a few into the current work.  I'm anxious to see what they will look like subdued and dusty compared to the red and green I'm used to.  May not be nice at all!

In Scarlet Letter's October newsletter, she offered this book to the first person who could identify the flower in the photo. Me!! I won! What a lovely book it is.

 

 

 

 I also received my two SL samplers from Ebay and am thrilled with Mary Elliott.  She's a big girl! 

  

 

 

 

  I'll have to make some adjustments to Sally Hunt.  The body of the house and everything beneath it is over one.  The background around the bottom verse is filled with tent stitch.  I'm sure I can change the stitching for the house and grounds, but the verse will have to stay over one, and I will probably not fill around it.  I know this bothers those of you that take pride in reproductions, but it doesn't really matter to me if changes are made.

Thank you for the compliments on the header photo.  Two of the samplers are from many years ago, Scarlet Letter's Lydia Bond and Chloe Lincoln, with Mary Haslehurst in the center.

 

We'll be busy the next few days but I should have a few more ornaments done by the weekend.  I hope the new colors work out and I'm not wasting my time, but this will be interesting!

Hope your week finishes with good stitches and great pie.

Yep.  Making another today.

Thanks for visiting!

 

 

Just like a potato chip...

you can't stop at one.  Hiya!  Just finished this little guy and now have the Santa bug.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is from Old World Santas II,  Prairie Schooler book #88.

 

And here's stray #4 - Squeaky.  He doesn't meow, he squeaks. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another dirt roller.

 

I can't touch him but he rolls for me and cries.  Bud has really laid into him several times and I'm not sure if it will stop, but he seems to be tolerating him.  Sometimes.

Have a great week.  Thanks for visiting!