Another quick and comfortable sampler

How are you?  Still waiting for spring aren't you?  Don't hold your breath.  Been busy with appointments and more family health issues, but wanted to quickly show my new project.  As usual, I had several samplers chosen, one of which was Scarlet Letter's Fanny Hancock and when she popped up on Pinterest, I thought that was the sign.  But last minute, I decided a wonky little primitive piece would be better. 

  Meet Hannah Haines.

 

 This sweet sampler is from Hands to Work.  The alphabet is not the ordinary and I chose 25 count unbleached linen because I prefer primitive/early looking pieces on a coarse higher count.  Another very easy and quick stitch.  Fun!  I'm not quite ready for a more involved project.

A reader directed me to a blog and website that is very interesting.  I haven't had time to check it out other than a quick browse and you may be familiar with it if you like embroidery and historical stitchery.  Their website, Thistle Threads, is here and will direct you to their blog and other interesting information, historical work, instruction, sources, and more with every click.  Thank you Mary!

 

 

After a run under the vacuum, this brat pad shows another reason for not allowing them to roam the house.  These cats are filthy!!  No hair on this, and just take a look at what else they leave behind.  I have a lot of these protective pads left from caregiving and they really come in handy.   Time for another load in the washer.

 

Enjoy the weekend, stay safe, be comfortable!

Thanks for visiting.

For the second time..

Lydia Hinckley!  And I wouldn't even mind stitching her for a third time.  I will remove her partner Frances from the mount board and sew them both for hanging.  I don't want a lot of color on the back so I'm using two different neutrals and will age the linen a little before sewing.

It's so hard to find fabrics that I like locally.  I do have three quilt shops within a half hour but only one carries Moda (limited choices) and I seem to like their designers best.  Most of the fabrics I see are for quilts (guess that's why they are called quilt shops)- bright, floral, colorful.  I like muted, simple, and drab.  I have to go for scans Thursday and Friday may be another golf day for husband so the web will be my shopping guide.  No I don't like to drive any distance by myself because 1. I am directionally challenged and couldn't find my way off a one way street, and 2. I'm a white knuckle driver waiting for another old fart to smack me.  Yes I have a GPS but that bitch has an attitude and we don't get along.

All your purchases were mailed yesterday and I thank you.  I hope you like them!  Here's a few things I learned yesterday. 

1.  Never sell ALL your inventory - keep a spare in case of a finishing accident.

2.  When waxing the finished product, remember that it can get slippery.

3.  Never wax an item over a sink with water filled dishes.

4.  Put the dirty dishes where they belong - in the dishwasher.

 

I'll be 63 in a few months and still learn something every day.  We went to the Social Security office and my husband signed up for benefits.  He'll be 66 in July and this visit really drove home that we are "seniors". Without pensions, it will be a change. The majority of our friends and neighbors are retired teachers with 100% salary for pensions (all over $68,000 a year PLUS full social security), and they still complain even though they are making much more in retirement than when working. ?????  He's still not sure when he will leave the job, no earlier than July, but maybe not until January.  I guess it will depend on how the fish are biting.

The sun is shining and temps in the 50's are coming my way for the weekend (after a snow dusting this afternoon).  My CA cousin is in rehab for a few more weeks after her six bypasses and I thank you all for your well wishes and prayers.  The surgeon is amazed, never thought she would make it through the surgery.  My MN cousin in the nursing home doesn't understand the concept of a gift, and the beautiful pink journal and card weren't received with joy as I had hoped.  So sad.  So quick.  A vibrant, world traveling, honored teacher, can no longer understand the world in her early 60's.   Embrace each day, learn something new, be grateful for your thoughts.

Stay safe - thanks for visiting.

Sale started!

Click here to go to the sale page or the tab under the header.

Journal notice and a comfort stitch!

Good morning!  How's the weekend going for you?  I have cats in the house, snow spitting on my house, and this in my bag...

 

Give me stiff lower count linen, a size 24 needle, and I'm happy.  Ahhhhh.  This is me!!  Scarlet Letter's Bliss and Hinckley are two of my favorite small samplers.  So quick, easy to stitch, and simple in design, perfect when you need a comfortable project.  I've been wanting to stitch Lydia again since she left home in a giveaway.  I had a wide frame chosen for Frances but I think both will be sewn and hung from a peg or cupboard.  This chart was sold the end of February on EBay and looked like a newer print version.  Mine is from 1983.

A few journals will go on sale tonight at 8 pm EST, and there won't be any more of this style.  I receive emails scolding me for not posting at the sale start to remind you so I will! You will choose from the drop down menu which design you prefer.  Click on the Journal tab under my blog header to go to the sale page.  If you are redirected back to the sale page, that means they have sold out.  I've been searching for others and found a few that can be ordered but they are nicer than these paper mache and will be more in price.  I have decided to offer these for $10 including shipping, US only.  Shipping can't be combined because more than one jumps to Priority weight.

There are not many available so please don't order more than two.

 

I need to remove this 40 compression stocking and take a quick shower.  I have the full length with the hip panel and waist belt but still need the glue.  Friday it will come off until injections start again.  Wearing latex gloves to get it back on helps tremendously.  The first time I ever wore this heavy compression and removed it, it bunched at the ankle and I was losing circulation to my foot!  Could NOT get it off but eventually I stood on the end of it while pulling my leg out.  Summer is coming - don't forget to buy a bottle of It Stays for your sling backs and top straps. 

I'll leave you with a video I saw on Karin's blog Countryfolk Keepsakes.  She is so funny and her work is wonderful.  I'm a country music fan and totally clueless about current pop artists.  I'd heard of Pharrell so clicked on, and can't stop bouncing.  Hope it gets you smiling.

 

Clap along if you feel that happiness is the truth!

Crabby. Really crabby.

Good day nice people.  It's me.  The crab.  We all have those days when we are just crabby, don't know why, don't care why, but we snap and claw at everything.  Sometimes we come out of it rather quickly, sometimes it lasts for days, sometimes it embeds itself and stays a lifetime.

I've been frustrated with stitching lately, contributing to the snarky mood.  The little project that I expected to be an easy stitch has not been. 

 I made so many errors in placement and removed one side twice.  My bad habit of following the design from what I've already stitched bombed.  This is a reproduction, not symmetrical, and my failure to count correctly and follow the graph has made me want to stick that needle elsewhere.  I doubt if I will continue.  3022, 3829 (or 420) and 926 were my chosen colors and the inner straight line border was going to be left out.  I had to change the bottom because it was off one in the width and I also didn't follow the graph in height.  Putz.  I think it's best to stick with my alphabets and let the rest go for quite a while.  If the next project starts poorly, a fierce slump is inevitable.

 

 

Do you have trouble chewing the stems of asparagus?  I do.  I use a peeler but prefer slicing and sauteing rather than the usual method.  Garlic and salt, a little oil/butter and much easier to chew.  Good grief I'm getting old. 

 The brat queen is still tearing up my chair but they are spending more and more time outside now. 

I think tomorrow evening I will post the journals on the Journals page/tab, and you will have to choose a label number when ordering.  Instead of making them up now, I will have them ready and affix your label choice when ordered.   A post will let you know when the offer starts.

 

 

 

 

Enjoy your weekend!  Thanks for visiting.

 

The new little project

Hello people!  How the heck are you?  Did you forget anything today?  Did you make a mad dash to Walmart's restroom?  Did you buy the wrong size jeans again?  Did you catch the clearance display before it fell over after hopping into it trying on the shoes?  Did you not learn the valuable lesson from last week about hopping on one foot in stores? Did you come home with a good cup of coffee?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, you're having a good day.  Regardless of the frustrations, we can still smile and enjoy the blessing of being able to experience the daily grind.  Especially after putting the horses in the stable.  As the saying goes, I feel like I've been rode hard and put away wet.  I need to change the top slightly to accommodate the shape and outline of the bag I would like and I just can't do it right now.  So I've moved on to a sweet little project to get back in the saddle stitching groove.

 

 

This is free design from Beth at Heartstring Samplery that you can find here.  As soon as I saw it, I decided it would make a very nice eyeglass case.   Remember these?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was trying to determine if 32 count would be the correct size and I think it will be.  35 may work too, but I would prefer having a little room inside.  Instead of the flaps, I will use a Velcro dot inside to hold it shut, or maybe a strip of backing fabric to secure on the backside.  Or nothing at all.  I'm using very dull colors except for the birds and hope to enjoy stitching this evening.  What a treat it will be to actually have a chart to follow and know what the design will look like instead of winging it!

I ordered the new laptop from Dell because they still offer several with Windows 7, which I appreciate. I called/checked locally and found only 8.0.  Dell has a few great 15" and also my 17", plus all-in-one and desktops.  My husband's new golf bag is coming today and he's excited.  Last year at this time they were already golfing because of the mild winter but even with our warmer temps, no one is near ready to open.  My leg zapping is Thursday and I should be feeling fine Friday so his group is still making calls to find someone willing to let them play.

Here's something I just noticed.  When you are typing your post and you have the ABC spell check button on, it doesn't show errors.  They only show when you are finished and THEN click it on.  I could type nurhtydgih and it will not highlight that error.  But if I shut it off, then start it, it will catch it.  Hmmm.  Did not know that.

Now that it's getting a little warmer, this sweet face is coming to the door again for treats.  She is so gentle and calm, not like the maniac that comes with her.  They all have a different face and attitude and this sweetie has been coming for three years.

Shredded pork sandwiches with cole slaw tonight.  My treadmill is rusting and my seams are straining. 

 

Have a great day!

Thanks for visiting.