Petite I am not

Greetings!  Did you have a nice weekend?  Weather wise we are fine here.  Weight wise, not so good.  I've been watching and doing my 1 mile DVD program, sometimes twice a day, and obviously my miles per pound need to be stepped up quite a bit.  I know it's one of the best things you can do for yourself, but I hate it.  Watching a skinny instructor go faster and faster while talking without taking a breath is not fun either.  I don't expect to get to that point but joining more than two words without that gasping sound would be nice.

I purchased two packs of John James petite needles when I visited the shop and find that my fat fingers and deformed joints have a hard time stitching with them.  I purchased the 24s because they looked so fine and I thought they would be comparable to my 26s.  Nope.  Maybe the shorter length made them look thinner.  I threw out my 28s because I stitch mostly on 30 and 32 with two threads and they seem to stick and shred in that smaller eye.  She told me that my new 40 count would be better with 28 so I have them once again, and she recommended Bohin for working with silks because the eye is very smooth.  I'm using a 26 now and I like it.  The needle's eye seems to be different and I know I brought this up before in a post.  A longer narrower eye makes me think it's a thinner needle and I need to look at the shaft instead of the eye.  Here's my old DMC and Loving Touch (my favorite with the fatter eye - no longer made), Bohin, John James, and Lance. 

 

The Lance needle was included with my Wyndham Needleworks order and you can see it is slightly shorter than the others.  As you know, Wyndham is now PAWS, a non-profit cat/kitten rescue shelter.  Here's what their website says about Lance (12 pack for $4)...

 Lance Needles  -
This size 26 needle is more like a 27 - it's shorter than a regular tapestry needle but has a longer, slightly wider eye, making it easy to thread. The blunt point tapers to a finer end right at the tip -- not quite sharp, but with a bit of a point which makes their needles especially good for stitching on finer counts of linen and for stitching "over one". The ladies at R&R Reproductions recommend it as their favorite!

 

So maybe if you'd like to try these and you can't reach PAWS, you can check with Dyeing to Stitch.  I Googled Lance needles and got zip.

As for 40 count - I did it!  Never imagined I could.  I can't go as fast with the sewing method of stitching as with a lower count, but I can see it (with reading magnifiers) and think I will give it a try.  The Amsterdam blue will be my fabric for the second horse stitch.  I may test a small piece to see if I could slightly darken it, but I'm afraid of losing the slight touch of teal.  The more I mess around with trying to dye or continuing to search, I'll lose interest.  Really, I think this color is as close as I can get to the original.  Size wise, The 32 count would be about 9.5" wide, and if I want a scalloped wall bag, that would be fine. 

 Making it into a wallet or needle case, the 40 would be needed.  I love the look of cases but I don't like part of the stitching being hidden by a fold or roll.  That's why I did my sampler sack instead of the one featured in SANQ.  I took down the link to purchase the chart.  It never fails.  The tag and box designs that I like, no one buys.  Same with this sack.  I love it.  Very few others did!  It could be framed instead, but it just didn't hit the mark with you guys.  That made me question whether anything else I do would be good enough to sell.  I designed it for me, I like long thin marking samplers.  Speaking of thin, that ain't happening unless I get moving.  I'm off to huff and puff!!

Hope you're having a splendid day.

Thanks for visiting!

 

A horse of a different color

Hello people.  Hope all is well and you'll have a splendid weekend.  I'm getting pounded by rains, half my yard is under water, and wet cats are tearing up my back room chasing a piece of jute.

Here's one side finished with a color change of the green from 936 to 3362 and I stitched a wonky flower on the top right instead of having it cut off as charted.

My trip to the needlework shop yielded a piece of 40 count (my first), her last piece of Copper Penny, Belfast Amsterdam Blue, and 4 packs of needles.  My first petites.  I was hoping for a 35 count in the blue/teal but looking through her samples, we didn't see a blue that was "it".  The thread colors on the Amsterdam make you go OOHHHH and the colors on the true blues were more EH.  I don't know how else to explain it. 

The fabric looks very blue online but is slightly teal and my piece matched DMC 3768 almost perfectly.  What do I do?  Over one would not be a fun stitch for me and on 32 it may be too small.  She had a piece of a similar color in 28 count but I didn't think at the time that it may be an option for over one.  I need to work out a stitch count and see what size the finish will be. 

This one is without a flash.  My original mystery linen, also 32, is on the left and the Amsterdam is on the right.  My old mystery piece is a little more blue but it may be same, just a different dye lot from 20 years ago. 

 

As you know, my mind doesn't work as efficiently as in the years of tight jawlines and estrogen.  Do I finish this started piece now?  Start charting the blue instead?   Use this chart as the basis and wing it with the florals as I stitch?  Decision time.  I'm running out to do a few errands and will think about it when I return.

 

In case you're looking for a cheap cat toy, consider this.  Missy broke the rush seat she is always on and chewed off a piece to play with.  So considerate.  The others joined in and it was a free for all.  When I saw their excitement over it, which looked like a mouse tail, I cut a few pieces of jute and tied them together.  They LOVE it.  It's like a hockey rink in there now.

 

I'll be browsing online shops for other teals in 35 count tonight...........wait a minute.  Am I not the mad dyer?  Why can't I attempt to create the color on the count I want?  I could practice on scraps and maybe even end up on 40!  I have gold and green, need to buy the blue, and I'll be cooking up a color this weekend.  If it doesn't work, I have Amsterdam.

I see that I have some new followers.  Hiya.  Welcome!  And thank you. You guys put me over 800 and my blogaversary is coming up in February.  Giveaway!!  I need to keep a journal of things I've offered.  I tore everything apart looking for that cardinal when I was decorating for Christmas.  It finally dawned on me last week that I don't have it!  That wasn't the first time I've wasted good cuss words searching for something I gave away.  Any ideas for this next one?

 

Thanks for visiting!

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.