Thawing out

How's everyone?  Warming up a bit?  Hope so.  We were well below zero with wind chills but PA didn't have it as bad as the middle sections.  I can't imagine!  What do you do with your livestock?   Annie has ducks and was nice enough to inform me that there are microwavable pads that you can insert under bedding to keep critters warm made specifically for them.  Didn't know that!  Thanks Annie.  My husband said they couldn't feel the warmth from heaters at work unless they stuck their hand within inches of it. 

On to the horse.  Two readers reminded me of the original piece that inspired this chart, and when I looked it up, I got all warm and fuzzy.    I have to try to do this.  Really.  Everything about it is drawing me in.  It looks like there is stitching beneath the horses and I wonder what the folded part is like.  Doesn't matter.  I would keep the top scalloped and make it into a bag to hang, stitching only what is shown here.  Now to find a shade of linen close to this, almost impossible from a computer monitor.  BUT.  A reader also informed me of a shop out in Boardman, Ohio (about 40 minutes from here) that I may go to this weekend.  This is her site With Needle In Hand.  I will take a pill with me, just in case I get too excited.  Haven't been in a needlework shop for ..... 25 years?  

I have a 10 x 15 piece of 32 count grayish tealish blue that looks about right, but it may not be large enough.  It's been folded in a small bag from my local shop of 30 years ago and I'm not sure the creases will come out either. 

 As for the current piece, I can't tell you how many times I've stitched the flowers with different shades.  I didn't want them to look all the same, but it was either that, or a drastic difference.  902 was just too dark.  So one is GAST Mulberry, one is 355, another is 221.  I got tired of my frustrations, that brought on many hot flashes, that made me open the door to -10, that made Mark turn up the thermostat, that made me hotter, that brought on bickering, that led to chocolate, that led to poundage, that led to exercise, that led to exhaustion, that made me bitchy, that led to a hot flash, that started all over in the house that Mark built.

So I made these during breaks.  And every once in a while, these plywood pieces would fall over and scare the begeezers out of me.  I can trust Bud, but not the other two so I had to keep the barriers up.

 

 

  

 Today they are back outside and not happy. Squeak showed up and they ate together. This has happened before, and a week later Bud would be attacking. So far so good. The deer were coming to eat and it was comical to watch them try to chew frozen breads. The three in the center are chomping on hot dog buns.

Why do I keep getting a banner saying "only secure content is displayed"?  Some wacky things have been happening.  I keep getting emails saying "(someone)@gmail.com wants to follow you.  I would like to add you as a friend - Accept".  There is no site to follow - just their email address.  I read that these are phishing to gain access to your email contacts.  Don't know.   

   

I'm done.  Time to sweep the cat hair, wash all the items for recycling, scrub the dishwasher, stare at paint samples, count my toes, anything to put off exercising.

Thanks for visiting!

 

 

 

 

The dance of the reds

Oh my.  If you're in this frigid zone, I hope you and all furbabies near you are safe and warm.  If you're in warmth somewhere....(sigh).....can I visit?

My decision making skills were a ruse!  I tricked myself into thinking my paralysis over choices was done.  It's not.

 The chart calls for 9777 and 355 for the flowers, even though the model chart was stitched with something much darker.  Using the called for reds, which I love, I didn't see any definition between the two so naturally, I'm playing around.  I subbed 221 for the 3777 but one strand of floss doesn't have the intensity so the shading isn't very noticeable.  I don't want to use two strands as I did on the tail and mane.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That leads to this mess because I changed the greens too.

 

 

 

 

 

I think I have it figured out.  After all of these of really nice choices, there has to be more than a shade or two of difference when using one strand.  So I pulled 902 and 355, or 221 and 3830.   Aren't these reds fabulous?  So hard to choose.

 

 

I'm stitching one side first because I can't wait to do these flower colors.  The top of the design just ends, I guess to fit closely to the frame, but I'll make an attempt to extend the design or change it to fit within the chart count but have completed elements.  There isn't a thing wrong with it as charted, but I just can't leave well enough alone. 

 We had a pawjama party last night.  Sheets of plywood held up by chairs secured them in my back room for the night.  Much of my sawdust for stuffing and an old pan became a makeshift litter box.  I didn't have a choice.  Mark insisted they not be left out in their insulated condos. My brother uses a socket extension cord and either a 15 or 25 watt regular bulb, secured inside his stray's boxes for heat.  A 40 watt heats a larger dog house but you need a light bulb cage to protect from breakage.  Anything more is too hot.  Nitzy wanted out.  The other two stayed in here all day and night.  I finally shoved them out this morning to take care of business and now they are snuggled in for the day once again.  But Nitzy still wants out.  He is NOT a housecat.  Even in this weather he is climbing trees and hunting.

So the brats and I will fight it out again today and probably tonight.  Squeaky showed up this morning and ate quite a bit, but won't drink water and won't come in.  Maybe that's good since Bud still attacks him and they would be confined to one room.  Warmer weather will come on Thursday and Friday, the house will quit snapping and popping, and the ice will melt off the windows. 

Stay safe everyone!

Thanks for visiting.

 

 

Saddle up!

Hello people.  Where are you?  In the midst of the gripping cold?  We had fairly mild temps today and it's still raining, but they closed all the schools for tomorrow just in case.  I get so upset about all the homeless cats and dogs that are freezing to death.  The recent commercials about homeless and abused animals has me running for the remote to mute.  St. Jude's new ad is so heartbreaking too.  They do such miraculous work for children and instead of sending flowers to funerals, I donate in memory.  As I'm typing close to midnight, watching Frazier, the commercial just came on again.  Why do children have to fight for their lives?  

 OK stop.  I get maudlin this late at night. 

 

I came up with a solution to my horses.  I can't believe I actually considered an entire project over one.  The frustrations I experienced packing the decorations must have dulled my sensibilities.  I removed the mane and tail (again) and re-stitched them using two threads instead of one.  This gave me the little bit of definition that I needed.  The rest is all one thread.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And if you really liked the galvanized chest from Hobby Lobby, you can order it online (look for a 50% off coupon first!) or maybe ask the store to get it for you. Click here to see it, item 472795.

 

Welcome to new followers!  I have lots of new blogs to check out and still can't figure out Google plus. 

Time for bed.  Thanks for visiting and stay safe!

 

 

 

Beards

Greetings.  How's 2014 treating you so far? 

 While putting the Christmas decorations away, I got a laugh from these.  I painted them over 20 years ago and found a likeness to today's reality stars.  In fact, I think one looks like Phil!  I rarely painted cute Santas.

Then I moved on to wrap this Mosey 'n Me design for another year.  My SIL stitched this (she loved purple) and I don't remember if I showed you how she displayed many of her seasonal stitches.  Hemmed bottom and sides, top hem stitched to hold a thin dowel rod, hemp cord tied to the edges.  For any size piece, this is a really nice method for seasonal wall display without the expense of framing.  Some she lined with muslin, others buckram backed or interfaced, and some with no backing as is this piece. 
 I wanted to show you his beard.  I like this look!  It's fuzzy like Kit Kin, Whisper, or something similar.  Love the eyebrows and little bead eyes.

We are freezing here - much of this area of the country is also.  The cats are snuggled down in their thick pads and sherpa but came in to have a bite.  Missy is so quiet and quick.  I had to remove her from my craft closet and I don't know if the wild will ever leave her and her son. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can pet her to some degree and pick her up when need be, but not without a fight.  I don't know what she hit but one of the three scratches turned half my wrist black and blue.  I rinsed and applied Neosporin so I'm not concerned.  My wrists and ankles are fat enough without swelling but it never fails - that's where I always get bruises.  
So how am I doing on Two Horses?  Not good.  I'm stuck.  Should I continue or change to a lower count with 2 threads, or consider doing the design over one?  WHAT?  Did I say that?  Yes I did.  For some reason I want this piece small so I just may attempt an entirely over one project, even though I avoid any designs with even small areas of it.  At least I will have two different counts started so if over one hits the firepit, I can always pick up where I left off with over two.  It's possible I can handle it because lately, mood swings haven't been dramatic.  Until today.  As I was putting my sweet little trees away, covering them before moving to the attic, the menowitch appeared.  These trees are not easy to find so I am careful when handling.  That is, until their little branches are in the way, sticking out and catching on the cover, poking me in the face, frustrating me until I want to rip their little arms off.  The ornaments are not individually wrapped or carefully packed.  They were shifting around in a large box as it was being thrown into the attic, smacking into the trees, causing them to fall like dominoes, and there they were.  Little green arms sticking out.  How quickly I can go from a fairly nice person to a vindictive witch.  But I've only had one snarky day this year which is pretty good.
 

Hope you're enjoying the weekend. 

Thanks for visiting.

A dizzy broad

  Hello to you.  If you're waiting for an email reply, I'm a little behind.  I lost my equilibrium which happens every so often, but am fine today.  Gives new meaning to As the World Turns.  I would rather experience pain than be dizzy.  Antivert knocks me out but really helps.  So here I am.  With another decision! 

First off, look what I got from  Michelle at Fanatics's!  Remember my gourd spoons and bowl?  Well looky here.  Don't you love this gourd vase?  I do.  Lots.  Thanks to Michelle for such wonderful and personal customer service.

 

While I was playing with it, I was holding Random in my hand, ready to take it upstairs to my sewing room.  (I was afraid it would be accidentally packed away with the Christmas stitchery.)  As I stood admiring my vase, I was sort of wringing and rolling the folded sampler, set it down to adjust the berries in the vase and voilà!   Instant decision!

This will make a fabulous drum pinkeep!  Never attempted one before so I will be searching online for tips.  It will be 5 1/2" tall and 3" across.  Perfect!  NOW I like this design and think it's fabulous for this type of finish.   Strange how it came about, but I actually made two decisions in two days so this year is off to a great start.  Well... not in everything.  But missing two days of exercise in the year still isn't bad.

 

Thank you for still being concerned about Carole (sis), and she is still doing fine.  Sodium intake drastically reduced, her water intake is limited to 32 oz per day, she has lost almost 10# in one week.  She got her car back, but once again the luge track driveway is glimmering with ice.  We got hammered with snow again.  Regarding her A-fib, I received an email from Steve Ryan directing me to their site with loads of answers and information about this condition.  How nice of him!  If anyone is interested you can click here to go directly to the site.  As for my young cousin who has entered a nursing home, she is waiting to go home.  It's not going to happen and we are still stunned and sick about it. 

I started Two Horses and am not happy with it.  The single thread over two on 35 count doesn't have the coverage of two threads on a lower count.  I changed the horse color from 938 to 3031 and can't distinguish the mane and tail color from the body.  Not sure what I will do.

 

Until then, have a wonderful snow free day!

Thanks for visiting!

 

 

Should I keep it?

Happy New Year all!  Hope everyone enjoyed the eve in their favorite way.

  I'm finishing my morning coffee with a stomach ache from too much Panettone.  Since the Mounds bars incident(s) I have gained quite a bit.  Exercise and I do not get along since I am out of breath within minutes, which means I really need to get in shape.  So my plan is to start and stick with it and I'm doing pretty good. 

So far this year, I've only missed one day.

Went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and fell in love with this galvanized piece at 50% off.  I like industrial along with my usual primitive taste, but I questioned my purchase once home.  The tag will stay on until I decide.  Since you already know how indecisive I am, you would certainly understand why I am the Queen of Returns.

 

 

On a dresser or night table?  In my craft room of no more room?  Mixed in with some treen pieces?  Rust it?  One decision was made this year!  It will be Two Horses.  I started it on 32 count and decided I would prefer the piece to be smaller and 35 is the highest count I have.  I don't even know if I could stitch on 40. 

 Some of my 32 counts are so thick I can't get the needle through easily so they are out.  They shrunk when I was dyeing/drying and are really tight.  Others have that weird weave that I've shown before - thick/thin threads.  I only see the thick, not the thin, and for some reason my eyes are seeing diagonal weave.  I look for little square cubes when stitching over two threads but can't envision that here.  Confusing to stitch on (for me) and the needle has difficulty coming up through when using the sewing method as I prefer.  The needles that had really sharp points are gone since I kept pricking myself.

 

I have several smaller pieces of 35 count but only one is the shade I'm looking for.  I'll start the design over (yes I changed a few colors) this evening after my family leaves.  Yep.  Pork and kraut in the crocker - cats in the chairs - snow on the ground - more on the way. 

 

Enjoy the first day of 2014!

 

Thanks for visiting!