A long day

Hello people.  Was at the hospital at 8 am for her 10 am procedure, which wasn't started until 1 pm and we left at 5 pm.  No food, no drink, she was tired and disgusted, especially after being shocked three times with no result.  Still in Afib and wouldn't budge.  Next week she will be admitted and meds will be tried while monitoring for two days, then another cardioversion, and if all fails, they are done.  With her aortic valve problems they don't want to do the ablation procedure. 

 We drove through Panera for her dinner and I got a cinnamon crunch bagel. After downing it with Very Vanilla soy milk, I still needed a dark brown fix.  I rid the house of chocolate because I have no control and really need to lose these extra pounds. But a desperate search found this. Good grief this stuff is as hard as a rock!  Almost broke a tooth.  Baking chocolate is certainly different than what I'm used to and not very good either.   

 

I didn't get my new charts in time for today so I grabbed Eliza Ann Pomeroy to take with me.  My copper penny (or something like that) linen isn't compatible to the charted colors and I changed them a while ago, but didn't have them ready.  I just grabbed 3021 for borders and unfortunately was off one linen thread when I came across to match the sides.  I may leave it since the sampler has many letters that are not aligned and no one will notice.  Several of the new charts came in today's mail and I don't know if I will start one or continue Eliza.

 

 

I stopped at my antique mall which is mostly fancy schmancy glass and furniture and found this sweet little bowl.  I have other smalls but never found one with lathe marks and lip.  I don't know if you can see in the photo how pronounced the rings are.  And so small!  Love it.

 Dominic called me to talk about the fridge cabinet because he just wasn't getting my drawings.  We talked back and forth and got no where on the phone, so I stopped at his shop.  Good thing.  He makes the side panels independent and sandwiches a separately built top cabinet between them on site.  What?  No no no.  The drawing is for one piece.  One tall cabinet with sides and a top shelf and cabinet.  If you put the cabinet in between the side panels, it would end up 3" wider than I want.  I ordered the doors for this size and that's it.  One piece.  He will do it but it will be the first time for him.  He is a skilled carpenter, but his kitchens are very traditional and mine is not - to him.  But it has become such because of the changes I had to make.

I have appointments and errands the next few days.  My sweatshirt will be handy and I can't even keep windows open in the evening.  Ridiculous summer and August is already half over!  It seems like just yesterday I was bitching that July was over.

 

Finish off your week with some good chocolate and kiss summer goodbye.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Heart of Gold

 

 

 

Still learning after all these years

Thank you CL!  I tried contacting you to thank you for the tip, but you're no-reply so I'm doing it here and sharing.  The only thing I can't comprehend is stitching left to right. I could only do your stitch by going from right to left!  Either way, I am grateful for your instructions because after all these years, never figured it out.  Here's what I'm talking about.

I use the sewing method when cross stitching which is going in and coming out in one motion.  Like this.  Stitching the first half and then going back for the cross.

 

 

I mentioned in the Threads post about this not being the proper way to stitch overdyed floss so she kindly instructed me how to use the sewing method while making one complete stitch at a time.  You probably already know this and have used it for years, but I never have.  I always went from left to right and it just never worked out without being awkward.  I tried doing it on my tiny new project and I actually kept messing up!!  What is wrong with me!! 

It took a while so I made this diagram and printed it for 3x5 size without the "fit picture to frame" option and it will stay on my board.  The older I get, the more I need visual aids.  It's opposite the direction I'm used to stitching and to start the next row, turn the project upside down.  I always thought that would make the crosses wrong but it doesn't so I turn it now all the time when it makes it easier and less bulky. 

Using the full stitch sewing method also makes a neat back with no bulk.  I wasn't using overdyed so I kept with my regular method except for this one row.

 

 

If you're wondering what this tiny project is, and you're probably not, I've seen so many stitched flags recently on Pinterest that I decided to do one.  I haven't seen a heart used but I don't get out much, so if there is something similar, sorry!  I didn't want to use standard stitches for the stripes so they are something a little different.  I will finish in no time and post it for you if you think you would be interested in another flag.  I may fringe the right side up to the stitches and attach to a basket or just pin somewhere. 

 

And guess what?  It's raining!!  We had two beautiful days of warmth and sun, rain today, storms tomorrow, cool forecast for the rest of the month.  Where can I register a complaint?

 

Sorry if I bored you again, but when I learn something or want to keep information, I post it.  Otherwise, I would never find it again.  I use that little upper left box, enter a term or keyword, and it's much easier than searching the post files. 

Have a great day!!

 

Heart of Gold chart maybe tomorrow. 

 

Thanks for visiting!

 

 

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Winners and losers

Greetings all!  The sun is out and it's not raining.  But it's still cool enough in the evening to wear a sweatshirt.  I really feel cheated.  It's almost over and it never felt like summer.

I pulled an entry this morning for the threads and Gracie was the winner.  I emailed her and she also has a blog you can visit here.  Sorry I couldn't give everyone some!  The loser is me.

Since I got this little stone pot for the microwave, I've been popping that bread pudding in there WAY too often.  My sister uses one slice, I use two of the Nickles' 35 calorie Italian bread, 1/2 cup fat free milk, 1 egg, 1 Tbsp sugar, 2 drops of vanilla. Tear, beat, pour, smash, 4 minutes (mine is 700W), heaven.  And this morning, 2 donuts.  I need to stop this and I keep saying TOMORROW but that day was a year ago.

 

My sis is having another cardioversion Wednesday and my Magma and I will spend the day at the hospital.  She has a really bad cold though and if she is still coughing, they will reschedule.  My knee assessment is Thursday.  Some swelling has gone down but there is no change in the sharp pain of certain movements.  The better knee is starting to swell again.  Fat knees, fat ankles, what can I say? 

 

I ordered five new samplers recently, still holding out on Rebecca and Jane.  One of them is this design that I found in the Free Domain (no copyright) to use on my journals a while back.  Always loved it - didn't know there was a chart!  I'm hoping it comes in soon so I can stick it in the Magma.  One color thread so this will be an easy take along.  You can find it here.

 

 I saw the young man I mentioned before in McD's this morning.  He was sleeping in the same corner with different clothes on and I believe he was being truthful with us. 

 

That's it.  I plan on sitting outside and enjoying the sun today.

I hope your day is a good one.

 

Thanks for visiting!

 

 

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Oldie but goodie - and free

Greetings!

Three quick notes.

First of all, in response to questions regarding the Gentle Art free chart that I completed for my little purse, I contacted them and they graciously gave permission for me to post it.  It is quite old!  The address on it was from 13 or more years ago, so I blocked that out.  You can visit their website for thread info and other free charts here.

 

 

And do you remember the ponies?  I still haven't worked out a finish but every time I saw it, I wished it was darker.  Yep.  Dunked it.  White threads and all.  Yep.  Dry brushed the stitch tops with bleach to lighten some outlines.  So risky, so stupid, so reckless, so me. 

And I have to mention something that's bothering me.  The other day I was approached by a polite young man in a parking lot asking for anything I could spare, even a dollar, because he ran out of gas.  I gave him a buck and told him the truth would have got him more.  Today, we were in McD's and while waiting for our coffee, talked to a very friendly woman also waiting.  We all eventually sat in a remote corner, where a young man offered her the higher table.  He was very polite also, and said he had nothing to do and was just hanging out there.  Lost his apartment, hadn't eaten, desperately seeking work.  He walks everywhere and had two prior jobs.  Father and step-mother lifetime military and don't want anything to do with him.  He enlisted and served a few years, felt it wasn't for him, and left. She helped him browse the online ads on her tablet, we had just cashed our check and offered him $$ and told him to apply where Mark works.  He can't without an address though and they only hire through an online service.  The lady also bought a gift card for him to purchase something to eat which he did.  When he went outside, the woman told me she didn't see signs of drugs, has a son with problems, and felt that we met and were all in that corner for a reason.  We're hoping it lifted his spirits to know others care and felt he was worthy of our time.  Not knowing what is the truth, what he is like, if he has problems, will weigh on me now.  Do I feel sorry and worry about him?  Do I forget about it because it was another scam?  So many times I have been approached with stories and I honestly don't know what the truth is, but hate to mistrust all these young folks.  If I don't try to help, I will always wonder if I should have.  But we got a few dirty looks from the employees when we were leaving, and we get along great with them so I have my doubts as to his sincerity.  I will have to ask next visit. 

And regarding the sampler prints, this is the link to Pixel's here and Jane Ballard is #82.  Just keep hitting the next arrow. 

 

 

BLT's and fresh Bodacious corn tonight!  Much better than Butter and Sugar or Silver Queen (former favorites).

Thanks for visiting!

 

 

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Cheating

Good day.  I will draw a name for the threads soon.  Honestly, I thought maybe one person would be interested and didn't expect a group. 

I'm watching progress of Jane Ballard on Sampler Lover's blog and am now on a search. I doubt if I will ever have the gumption to stitch it but I want it. Rebecca Cullin too which is still available. Oh wait! I think the Porcupine Collection was re-released a few years ago. Pretty sure. Almost positive.  ....   Yes! They were. It takes me a while to remember clearly. Kind of like a slow drip and then someone turns on the faucet.  Hold on - let me search....  OK.  I found it on Silent Stitches but there is no info as to size or stitches involved. I also checked Rebecca and know that I would never stitch her. I wouldn't use 40 count and that is a really large sampler with lots of specialty stitches. After doing a few on Mary Haslehurst I realized they are nothing to be afraid of and kind of fun to do (thanks to Mary Corbet's videos) but the size is intimidating. I think Jane is close in size. Never mind. Do you ever buy charts knowing you won't stitch them but you just gotta have them? Why do we do that? Have you ever bought a candle or fragrance that you love so much you don't want to use it because then it will be gone?  This is a sickness isn't it?  I got Misi's (1890 Gable House Goodes) soy tarts. Patchouli Moon is making me swoon and the Flight by Night is an outright delight. 

 So here's what I'm thinking.  Jane doesn't look as complicated as Rebecca, although neither are my simple style.  Is there another online resource that offers the chart with information?  Will I give in and purchase them anyway?  Silly isn't it?  Maybe I will cheat.  Have you ever been in a shop and seen the sampler prints?  When hanging on a wall, you really can't tell especially with the digital clarity.  So I found her print that is offered in various sizes up to 17 1/2 x 30".  For a stitcher, it's cheating, but if it's something I would never stitch, I get a pass.  I thought there was a print of Rebecca too but haven't located it.  Hedgerow House has several available framed, but Pixels offers items with or without frame and even greeting cards.  Very difficult to search these sites for samplers, maybe because I'm not thinking clearly.  But starting with #73 and clicking "next" is the only way I'm viewing them.  I think they're great for people who love samplers and can't stitch.  Me?  The more I look at her, the more I think I will get the chart. But on the other hand, will probably never get to it and I'm an instant gratification gal.  We'll see.  Either way, Jane will be hanging in my home one day.

No progress on sewing my purse together.  Dominic called and  wanted to go over the plans.  He's an excellent cabinetmaker for basics.  But once again, my fridge cabinet was not the standard and he just couldn't grasp it.  I don't know if the other cabinetmakers that refused this job would have felt the same.   So I went back to the drawing board and measured again, nothing out of the ordinary, and met with him again yesterday.  Still a little confused and I think I should bring coffee and donuts to his shop and spend the day watching.   I wanted different doors on the sink and the fridge, just flush plank doors, and he looked at me puzzled. What?  Plank?  Plank?  What's that?  Just random boards with a support brace on the inside. Where's the frame? There is no frame Dom, it's just planks with a brace on the inside. What???  Never mind.  Here's your sign. 

Today I'm painting with my clothes inside out again, and the road crew is here.  Should I put my glasses on upside down and say hello?  Just to mess with them a little.  If you're wondering why I'm still painting cupboards of a very small kitchen, my neck can only take it for a few pieces at a time, I'm sanding, priming, sanding, first coat, light sand, final coat, and no where to really put them until fully dry so there are several days of waiting before starting another.  Rained again yesterday and I can't work outside with the weather we've had this summer, if you can call it that.  Still cool, not even a ripe tomato yet, and my hydrangea trees that always bloom in mid-July are still in bud.

Time to get moving, grab my glasses, and go say hello to the crew. Should I wear my boots too? 

 

Have a great week - stay safe - enjoy what's left of summer.  I just can't believe how fast it's gone by and how chilly and wet we've been.

Thanks for visiting.

 

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