The thread race

The players are lined up, equipment checked, the race is on.  Stitch Hound is ready to start.  The goal is chosen, material in hand, supplies are ready.... AND THEY'RE OFF!  First phase of the race is completed and around we go.   But wait, #3045 and #738 are looking very pale and in need of reinforcements.  CLEAN UP ON TRACK #1!  Back into the stitch bay for a new lineup.  Stitch Hound is returning and entering the area with # 610 and #613, feeling confident.  AND THEY’RE OFF!  A few times around the track and something isn’t right, the Hound can feel it.  Oh no.  Disqualified!!  CLEAN UP ON TRACK #2!  Back to the stitch bay to regroup.  The coach doesn’t want to give up on #610 and #613 so calls in #3857 to replace #221, hoping this new # will finally satisfy the bitch owner.  AND THEY’RE OFF!  A few more times around the track, making progress, closing in .... and the Hound comes to a screeching halt.  CLEAN UP ON TRACK #3!!  All threads are disqualified and the race postponed. 

TIME-OUT for regroup.  The track is worn out from the changes so it's replaced with a new one of the same size and distance.  The old one will be brushed to remove the debris and given a rest.

 

Stitch Hound is now ready and anxious.  A new track.  New players.  In the lineup is #640 on the outside, #632 on the inside, and #644 is all over the place.  #844 is a no-show so #3021 is called in as a replacement.   AND THEY’RE OFF!   3021 completes in record time, 640 is on the outside of the group, 632 is coming up in the center and 644 is filling in nicely.   Here they come – no drop outs – no substitutions – Stitch Hound is holding on to those bags – SCORE!!!!!  We have a winner.

Give that Hound a big treat. 

It's been a tough race.

 

 

 

Enjoy your weekend!

Source for book 88

 

Hi. I've been asked through emails if I know of any places that have book 88. Here's a few.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Silver Needle -  Scroll down to the bottom and click the box with "92 welcome home" to see the drop down menu, and click on 88 to order, $7.00.

Down Sunshine Lane - Scroll down the page. $7.00

Stitching Bits and Bobs has book 88 on sale for $5.60

Wyndham Needleworks -  $7.00.

Don't know how many they have in inventory or how long they will last, but thought I would mention these sources.  Quite a few have sold on EBay since the beginning of August for under $10 (seen on the completed listing page) so there should be more coming up along with a few other older Santa leaflets.  Good luck!

 

 

 

I was looking through my other PS Santas and decided on a few from #62 Kris Kringle.  Look at the designs on his coat - several have him holding a bird.

 

 

 

And the big guy in this one, book #58 Old St. Nick, will be done on 28 count as a skinny sack to hold greens.

 

 

Thought I would tempt you - just in case you could find these while browsing for the Old World!   You may even have these and forgot about them, like I did. 

 

Gotta get moving to the torture chamber this morning.  And BTW - they were sold out of donuts.  BOOO!!

 

Thanks for visiting!

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!