A heap of weep

Good day to you wonderful readers.  I am grateful for your interest, kindness, support, your help, and the letters I receive validating menopause as a functional disorder.

val·i·date

1. To declare or make legally valid.

2. To mark with an indication of official sanction.

3. To establish the soundness of; corroborate.

We need to move on this.  Can you picture me before Congress, wild hair, mascara running from tears, pounding my hand of crooked fingers, swearing like a rap video.  Trying hard to refrain from climbing the table to grab a silk tie and twisting it around some smug hypocrite's neck.  It would be corroborative evidence in making my case.  And as I walk out, head held high, Elvis would be singing You'll Never Walk Alone in the background.

It all started with my new linen order and trying to get the color adjusted close to my prior fabric, which did NOT resemble what I saw in baby Matt's pants at the party.  Drives me nuts to order the same color and there is no consistency. Using the walnut dip did nothing because yellow is invincible. Remember to buy blue dye today.  I'm finally getting out on the ice packed side streets and skating rink parking lots.  The van in front of me is from our local pet cemetery, obviously going to pick up a deceased furbaby.  That started the memories of when it came to my home, and back to the loss of our first Lab who suffered terribly because of her vet, then memories of my dad's suffocation because of his clueless doctor.  So rage once again had me shaking inside while weeping outside.  My first store was Walmart.   Walking from my car, I see a Cadillac Escalade pull into the handicapped spot. Out comes two young women, neither handicapped, and eight children under five.  It's starting to build.  As I loaded my bags' handles over my arms in the self checkout and started to walk out, I passed the little service desk at the end.  My hair was falling over the side of my face - that did it.   I sent my bags crashing to the floor, asked the clerk for scissors, and lopped off the offending hunk. Not many customers throw their merchandise down in a hissy fit to cut their hair, and I'll bet they have new rules regarding scissors.  Next stop, JoAnn's for blue Rit.  They moved the display.  I'm trying to stay calm, up and down each aisle.  Customers throughout the store then heard, "WHERE THE HELL IS THE RIT?".  Purchased a dozen storage containers for an organization attempt, later found a 20% off coupon I had planned to use but the Rit fit trumped.  Costing more $$ is now involved and I'm on an unstoppable course. On to the pet store for brat food.  A girl on her cell phone, relaying a crying friend's pleas for help because her house had no heat and laughing about it, blocked the aisle with her cart.  The insensitive bitch wouldn't move.  I said excuse me!  Nothing.  With one shove, I sent her cart about 25 feet.  As I turned and looked at her, she took a step back.  Next to JCP, where I planned on using my $10 reward on 2 sweatshirts.  Where the hell is it?  I just printed it!  Did it fall out at the other store?  Slam the hangers back onto the display enough to make it wobble.  Last stop was McDonald's for 2 cups of coffee. While getting my money, I see the JCP reward that I failed to see in multiple searches.  Steam coming from me is not related to the weather.  They know me at McD's, but this kid was new.  I opened the lid to check the drink and then told him to fill the damn cup.  It's funny how deep your voice gets when your teeth are clenched.  He'll remember me next time.  I pulled safely into the garage, threw all my packages out of the car and left them there, came inside and baked cake and cupcakes, ate them hot.  Everyone experiences what I encountered, feels the sadness, gets angry, but the van started the menomotions and there was no going back.  They aren't easily ignored, their edges are sharp and barbed, sticking in me, not wanting to let go.  It's like I become extremely sensitive yet angered at the same time, wanting to pick up and toss a car while falling into a heap of weep.  I used to be reasonable. Sharp. Diplomatic. Patient (within reason).  Now I can't remember the word I want, where I left my scissors, the name of my friend's street.  I have trouble staying calm during a debate, get unreasonably upset at small nuisances, cry when a baby cries, and get overly emotional at sadness (or some commercials).  Hot flashes have finally become less intense, less frequent, and tolerable.  And it's not every day that becomes an emotional coaster, but when it's triggered, the ride builds speed and lasts all day!!  I've always had a temper, but not this type of rage which has me torn between crying and throwing.  Maybe that conflict can be managed and choosing one or the other would be less upsetting.  That calls for reasoning.  Ain't gonna happen.

These are the colors I chose for Eliza Pomeroy to use on Copper Penny linen.  I would show you the design, but I can't find it.  Ann Wragg, first runner-up, may take the crown from Eliza if she doesn't fulfill her duties. The ups and downs of yesterday are upsetting, but the memory problems, misplaced items, lack of patience, and indecisiveness, are the most annoying symptoms of this disorder.  And with that in mind, I don't want to offer the planned gift in case it doesn't materialize, so the upcoming post announcing the giveaway will be for a gift certificate.  If the pincushion box is made in time and you would prefer a choice, we'll do that.  Don't enter yet!  I will have a separate post with details, when I calm down and think clearly.  Until then, thanks so much for reading my menotale.  I think it does help to write it out, because I got a chuckle when I remembered the pet store girl's look of fear, and can imagine how bitchy I looked to others.  But menopause also allows an arrogance, so I don't give a rat's tail what they thought.

 

Take care and finish the weekend with a smile.

 

It's just a teapot you twit

Hello all.  Hope your weekend is off to a great start.  Mine, not so much.  I will explain in a boo-hoo post next time. 

While running errands today I blew through the antique shop at the mall, and found this. 

 

I never look for glass or tableware, just wood and pewter primitives.  I spotted this little guy and - yes I'm that stupid - didn't know how it was used.  I thought it was so cute, and it's pewter, so it came home with me, after I asked the owner what was brewed in the other two little pots. I have never and will never experience drugs, but I thought for sure this was something for cooking 'em. I've been at that counter during hot flashes, temper tantrums, and crying jags, so he is quite used to me being a little off.

The top is a creamer and the middle bowl is for sugar.  But you knew that.

 It was well used from the looks of the inside and is marked W.S. Co.

If you're wondering what I'm stitching, I haven't started the new sampler and the current choice is Eliza Pomeroy.  Or Ann Wragg.  I heard from several stitchers that washed their stiff linen and it became much softer.  So what makes it stiff?  Is there a finish such as the sizing on clothing that is removed with the soap wash and if so, why?  I've had unbleached that didn't soften, even after a dryer tumble with softener so I assumed it's inherent to that linen, but not all. 

 I think I am finally past the worst part of my pony wall bag.  That large #&%* flower was stitched four times.  I'm surprised the linen held up as well as it did because I started yanking those threads pretty hard.  The ruffled outline will be next and then I can move on to the easy florals.  Almost threw it all out the window but it was so freaking cold I didn't want to open it.

 I just took a cake and cupcakes out of the oven, and there are already three empty liners on the counter.  When you have a bad morning, baking should not be considered.  But I'm the official caker in the family and there is a birthday party in a few hours.  Hope there will be enough left for the guests.

  It always helps when I write down what's bothering me so I can read it and realize how trivial it all is.  But at the end of the next boring poor me post, there will be information about my upcoming anniversary giveaway, and also for reaching 500 posts.  The plan was to make a shaker box pincushion but that totally depends on mood so it may be a gift certificate.  Much easier during menomotions, my new word for emotions brought on, amplified, controlled, and ambushed by menopause.

Enjoy your weekend.

Thanks for visiting.

 

 

 

 

35 count close up

Hiya.  Quick post.  Received my fabric order today and as usual, not the same as my first piece.  But close!!  I think all they will need is a dip to darken and they will be fine.  That's sometimes hard to do because the tone can change depending on the dip. 

  I was really surprised at how easily I could stitch on the higher counts with one thread.  Really surprised.  Those numbers always scared me!  I use Dollar Store magnifiers for all stitching and didn't change the strength as I thought I would need to do.  Trying something new is so hard without being able to feel the texture and weight which many of us shop-lackers can't do. So I thought if anyone would like to attempt a piece of 35 count I would show the difference in these two from my order. One is 35 count Lambswool (Wichelt), and the other 35 count Beige (Weeks Dye Works).  123 Stitch offers smaller pieces to try and reasonable shipping rates.

 

 

 

 

 

Although the same count, one looks more open and easier to see.  So I will show a few photos for you to get an idea of weave in case you would like to try either.

 

 

 

 

 

As for texture, the Wichelt Lambswool (right) is stiff.  So is the 40 count and if you like a very soft hand, this isn't it.  But the weave is easier to see.

 

The Weeks Beige (left) is softer and has a more dense weave, not as open, but still fairly easy to see for stitching.  A little darker than the Lambswool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like both of these pieces for color and also their feel.  I have a 28 count piece of 18th C. Rook, soft and not the dark bronzey green, that I may offer for sale along with a Fossil iPad easel that I found at their outlet.  She told me it was universal and would hold my Samsung 10" tablet but it doesn't.

Gotta run.

Just wanted to have a show and tell for 35 count newbies like me.  If you're considering an online order to try out a 35 count, I hope this helps a little.

Spooning on a snow day.

 

Rolling and drumming

Greetings!  Lots of computer issues and memory lapses for passwords had me throwing things for a few days.  Still having a few problems and haven't been online much.
Since the post on linen folds, I decided to check my inventory.  A few readers commented about using skirt hangers for their finished pieces until framing, and I really like that idea for even linen stash.  So I unrolled my yardage but because I prefer the stiffer linen, they just weren't cooperating.   You don't have to have a paper tube for larger pieces, so I decided to get all of the pieces out of plastic bags, check them for marks, and roll.  Usually it's the hand dyed or colored linens that fade on the folds, but this time I found an unbleached piece of 35 count with the mark.  So the first photo is before, and the second after I VERY GENTLY and randomly used the archival ink.  It's not a match but close enough and it breaks up the line.











When I unrolled an older yard of unbleached, I found so many thread breaks I couldn't believe it.

 And the mother of all slubs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I rolled and rolled and rolled and I'm still rolling.

  Remember my free sampler bag chart? I couldn't stand it - had to try another drum. So here is the tiny 2 1/2" x 1 1/2" little bugger.

 

So cute!  I used the Mylar inside because it was hard to keep the shape when sewing on the top and bottom.










I sewed muslin strips first, then the side seam, used wool felt, and this is weird - a very flimsy little plastic bag inside to hold the walnut shells.

 I'm still ridding excess from my sewing and craft room.  And I have to do a little rant here.  I contacted the Women's Reformatory about donating stitching supplies, AWARE about dozens of new bras, nightgowns, books and exercise videos, two charities about new craft supplies, and no replies or return calls.  I'm so sick of people not doing their jobs and no one seems to care.  We went to Goodwill with new bags of fiberfill, quilt sized fleece, natural cotton fleece, and other craft items and were turned away because someone had brought in a fiberfill item loaded with bugs.  I didn't ask what kind, but they infested the store so stuffed items are no longer allowed.  Pulling out of that plaza, we saw an Amish man working for a contractor and stopped, offered, gone!  Took everything so I hope some young girls are practicing on my old stash.

Several more drawers to roll and cupboards to purge.
Stay safe (I refuse to mention this white crap again).
Thanks for visiting!!

Drum roll please!

Hello!  Forgot to show my drum finish.

I will definitely make more, but maybe not the same method.  Next time I will sew the top circle by machine and attach the muslin strip to the bottom. The bottom board can be added before closing if needed.  I doubt if others will be this tall so I won't have to use two different fillings, and maybe not even the Mylar although it does help the shape. 

 

 

 

  The strawberry I made for the top looked lost because of the drum's height, so I added mom's hat pins, her old fancy buttons, and one of her wooden thread spools. 

  

This is what the top looked like before the finish.  I removed the gathering and just hand sewed it shut, using the batting beneath to hold the walnut shells.

Do you remember my sampler bag freebie? I made a long pinkeep from that and use it all the time. I'm wondering what it would look like as a miniature drum. Maybe too small for machine sewing but one day, I'll find out.








 

 

 If you haven't tried making a drum, give it a chance. Once the sides are evenly matched and sewn, the only critical part is having the circles the correct size and marked for your seam.  If you have trouble with that, sew the edge with a muslin strip and finish with lined top and bottom circles, or Theresa's method of using a piece of wool.  Or..sew the top and bottom on but leave an opening in the center of the drum's side seam for turning and filling, then sew shut.  Or.......follow Stacy's instructions in the chart!

Have a great day.

 

Thanks for stopping by!




 

Linen folds

Hello people.   Decision time - next project.  How the heck can you choose one sampler from the dozens that wait patiently in your stash.  We love all of them, or we wouldn't be holding on to them.  I'm preferring a greenish linen for the fabric so that narrowed the field.  When I pulled my recent online purchased fabric I was a little disappointed. 

 

It came folded in a little bag as always, but when I opened it, the fold lines were obvious because of the faded color.  Hand dyed so I can't wet or wash it.  A little hard to see in the photo but believe me, those horizontal folds are light and the vertical line is really light.  On top of that, it's not 13 x 18 as I ordered, it's 16 1/2" on one end and 17" on the other.  That means my 15" project that could squeak by on 18", will not work.

To prevent fold lines, I use the cardboard rolls from wraps for storing hand-dyed linens and others, but keeping them from unrolling was a problem.  I was concerned that tight rubber bands would leave marks and certainly didn't want tape, so here's my solution.  My Walmart brand premium stretchable wrap!  Just roll it over the linen and it sticks to itself, keeps the linen clean, and I can grab the tubes during searches without worrying about lotion sticky or chocolate smudgy hands.

Darth Vader has his wand, I have mine.  Mine is from the wide roll of foil and holds five colors of smaller 35 count pieces.  You could use pieces of plastic pipe too.  I have another with 30 and one with 32.  A few pieces of the wrap hold them on and I can pull this out and check the size and color on the tag, without having to rummage through all the shorts.  These were gifts and I loved the colors so much that I ordered larger pieces in two different counts.  I need to make a notebook with sample scraps clearly marked for color reference.  My paper rolls are wrapped with plastic wrap, sometimes muslin, to prevent contact with cardboard that isn't acid-free.  I have pieces from years ago that are not protected and are still fine, but it's a concern to many stitchers.

I pulled the colors (along with my changes) for Harriot and this may be the next start. But that usually changes the last minute. This linen color is the same as the fold marked piece, but larger and from a different source.  The more I look at this, I'm changing my mind.  We'll see.  I think I need a small. 

 

It's in the 30's and 40's this weekend. Usually during a hot flash, the cold outside air is refreshing, but those frigid temps made me feel like a bonfire in an ice cube.  Unfortunately, the brats don't care about the warmer weather, they want back in.  Forget the padded outdoor condos, the heated box, room to run and play.  Look at the pitiful stare I'm getting.  This little one (who is afraid of the litter in the box) is hurdling the 4 foot plywood barrier without a sound and we've found her in closets, under the bed, in the basement....and she is not catchable.  Right now she and Bud are playing hockey with the leather toys and if they don't nap afterwards, back outside!

Enjoy your weekend!

Thanks for visiting.