Squeak update

Hello people.  I got quite a few emails regarding Squeak so I thought I would post.  He's no better.  A few mouthfuls of food and that's it.  I've tried tuna and several varieties of soft food, nothing.  He shakes his head and I'm wondering if there is a mouth problem.  I can barely touch him let alone open his mouth. Mark thinks they poisoned him but I don't.  I just followed him around the house with bowls of vitamin spiked cream, tuna, and catnip treats, but he is not interested.  Our mobile vet may work with a feral, but how can I have him here on a certain day at a certain time?

Nothing else I can do.  My brother has trapped and taken ferals to the vet when they are very sick and their anxiety and fear makes it cruel.  The vets need bloodwork, xrays, and such which is impossible, unless they are so lethargic they don't care.  I'm not putting him through that.  He is skeletal and weak, obviously something more than worms and very serious.  I don't know what he would do trapped in a carrier.  Maybe it's something that will resolve on its own, and I can only wait and keep trying to provide some nourishment.

 

You guys surprised me.  I love that stitched cat, even though samplers and santas are all I really care to stitch, yet entries are not what I expected.  To answer a few other inquiries, the chart is 30 years old from Stitches from the Heartland called C is for Cat.  Should be 18 count over 2 as is my original, but I do them on 26 to 30 count now.

 

Thanks for your concern.  I'll keep you posted, and hopefully there will be better news in a few days.

 

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The final June giveaway

  In honor of Squeak, Budman, Nitzy, Missy, the scores my brother has rescued, and all of the homeless abandoned cats that you have helped, may I present Miss Fancy Feral.

Fancy is hoping that everyone will give a donation to their local rescue groups, and is looking for a new home.  One of the prisoners at the vets with Bud was found in a tied plastic grocery bag along the road, and missing one eye.  Just one of many horror stories, most even worse, and these devoted organizations are always in need.

She's also my birthday (which is over) giveaway.  Stitched on linen with cotton backing, she will have a Mylar insert and thin batting.  Or not.  Haven't decided yet, but I've stitched many of these and too much filling doesn't look as good.

I hope Blogger gets fixed soon because I have only one blog in my reading list and it will not show any more.  I've checked their forums and it seems many are having the same issue and Blogger has not been able to correct the glitch. I've been munching on these while waiting and I can't stop!! OMG good.

 

So if you would like to give Fancy Feral a home, leave your comment (or email me) with your initials and I will have Random make the decision this Friday 6/27) at 8pm EST.  Don't forget to donate!! 

 

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Distressed aging

Yes that applies to me.  But I'm referring to the cabinet doors that I finished.  How do you age them without using sandpaper?  If I want only the edges worn, what's the trick so the surrounding paint finish isn't damaged by the paper?  I tried folding it and using the block but it was still too tricky with a satin finish paint.  So I tried a knife. 

 

So far, so good.  I want more of a chipped look rather than the smooth and obvious even sanding.  I decided not to age as much as I originally planned but that may change.  To wear edges only, I held the blade at a steep angle so it only touches the edge, and used the blade tip to scrape more on corners. It's worked very well on this hard wood (oak) but on a softer wood it may gouge if done with too much pressure.  But at least I know I can add more aging later without worrying about ruining the finish.  I think I may coat them all with clear water based polyurethane for added protection.

My ingenious method of painting mitered corners.  I didn't know how to do the corner without having a crosshatch pattern of brush strokes.  Perfect!  I waited 6 hours for the paint to dry before taping the other edge to complete all 4 sides.

Many of you asked about sawdust.  I get it at my local lumber store (not the big box stores) or out of the bottom of our table saw.  Check with custom woodworking or cabinet shops.  Dominic said I could have his, but he uses a lot of plywood which is laminated with glue.  Truus said that she sometimes uses sharp sand or one that is used for bird cages.  I saw sand at the pet store for reptiles and may give it a try.

And Squeak got his pill today.  He only eats a little and then stops, his stomach must hurt, but I used Melinda's suggestion for tuna, only a little with the pill, and down it went.  I hope he kept it all down and it helps him.  And speaking of cats, that's what I'm stitching. 

 

Have a great day!

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Packing dust

Good day everyone.  I have a lot of household chores to do today, but I finished the heart and wanted to show you.  I put it on a sampler to give you an idea of its size.  Sawdust was my filling choice and I just love it.  The quilt batting is great for some items like ornaments (and pears), but the crushed walnut shells and sawdust have such a great heft and feel for pincushions.  I know that many are appalled by its use because wood fibers are acidic but I'll be long gone and this will be dumped in a box for an estate sale when I'm gone.  Let them worry about it.  I always use a very lightweight fusible so the fine dust doesn't release, and I have no idea if that protects the fabric from the sawdust.  It wasn't until I purchased a pincushion from Susan Hoover of Olde Threads that I fell in love with dust.  And osnaburg for stitching.  The feel of her work was unlike anything I had done and I just kept playing with my new piece, kneading and patting it like a monkey with a doll.  So I tried it.  Na-uh.  So I tried again.  Much better!  Now I use it more often.

 I packed and packed and smacked and pressed until it was nice and dense.  To give you an idea, this tall container was filled with dust, and all of it is in the top curves of the heart.  I use the bottom of my tack hammer, a large dowel, paint brush handles, paint can openers as a rake, fingers, anything without sharp points to pack it in. 

 

As I reach the opening, I keep a threaded needle going, and add a line of glue to close as I go.  I'm not a  neat stitcher when closing and the glue just assures that the dust will stay put.  But I have to work fast because once the glue starts drying the needle is difficult to pull through.  When completed, you can squeeze to shape, smack to flatten, or pinch to fill a wrinkle.  It's like silly putty in dust form.

Squeak was here this morning, tried to eat, stayed most of the morning, and wouldn't let me close enough.  I can't waste the pill in his food if he's not eating.   He stares at the house, wanting me to help and it's killing me.  I tried 5 flavors of food, put his vitamins in cream, but he only consumes a little.   On the other hand, this fat cat is doing just fine.

 

And Momma is bringing the babes for breakfast and twice in the afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I need to get my year older butt in gear and clean this house.  I was so glad to see Kathy Barrick's post on her studio mess.  I think we all need to share photos like that so we know we aren't alone.  You go first.

 

Have a wonderful day as the month of June slips by.  Damn.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

 

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Look who's here

The babes are out!

 Momma has been very friendly and I can get within ten feet of her and throw out her bread.  Skinny Limper was just as trusting last year.  I showed her fawns in mid July which was late, this year the babes are right on schedule.  I haven't seen her, Big Daddy, Young Buck, or others since fall, just this one doe that I named Millie.

Our other wild cat, Squeak, is still coming around.  I touched him gently and felt nothing but coarse hair and bones. He used to woof down food so I added a Drontal tablet in a tablespoon of canned a few months back and it disappeared.  Didn't help.  He wants to eat and never left a speck of food before (unless he smelled the liquid vitamins), but now his is.  He moves over to the dried food so I think he's just getting finicky.  I will withhold the canned for two days and then stick another pill in a small amount.  I hope it does the trick.  He seems healthy otherwise and this pill is for all types of worms including hook. 

My car got new shoes (tires), my husband's had almost a thousand in repairs, and my sister's paint job and replacement door will be ready Monday.  All at one time!  But they are all safe to drive now and that's more important. 

 

Hope your weekend is going well.

 

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The next small

Greetings.  Another weekend, going into the end of June.  WAIT!  Where is summer going?  Why do cold months drag on and warm speed by? 

 

I'm taking a break from painting cabinets and thought I would show my latest quick project.  Country Sampler's club project, Heart Pinkeep and Strawberry Emery by Stacy Nash from years ago.   The photo is from Stacy's blog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The vine shouldn't take too long and I have a fabric picked for the backing.  I followed the count (32) and the thread colors once again.  I was surprised at the size of this and once stuffed and sewn, it will be one of my favorite hearts.

That's all I have today!  Budman was in here keeping me company for a while until he got antsy and wanted to be out in the sun.  He allowed me to pick him up and hold him for a brief moment, which allowed his hair to be in the paint on the cabinets.  I never thought about it sticking to my shirt until I saw the outlines in the drying paint.  I'm used to thick coarse Labrador hair which is easily spotted, not this fine wispy stuff.  Too late.  He'll always be a part of the kitchen, just as our Labs will always be a part of our hardwood floors, trim, fireplace mantel, and base cabinets.

 

Have a great weekend!

Thanks for visiting.

 

 

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