Samplers and Santas

Jan 2, 2015

Happy New Year

Just a quick note to wish you blessings and health and happiness in 2015, fifteen years after Y2K. Fifteen. My head spins, but not fast enough to miss that piece of chocolate. Really wanted to make an effort and cut down on sugar this year. Chris was released from the hospital, still no biopsy results (its been over a week and I'm nervous), and we planned to have our Christmas dinner this Sunday. He was home for two days before Carole was rushed back in yesterday. I don't have answers, they don't either at this point. The AV node ablation may not have been successful, she is in and out of V-tach, having PVCs, the third lead of the pacemaker takes a few months before optimal performance, and she is totally disgusted. Needless to say, the third plan for Christmas is once again cancelled.

My first order and new chart of the year is Anna Eliza Abe, this little darling from Threads of Gold. You can call or email Em-Li's for the chart. I mentioned her in a prior post, put her on my list (the list of many that are never found) and forgot to add her to my prior order. Happened to see a photo and ordered it before I forgot once again. Darling. Sweet. Little.

Have a relaxing weekend.

Thanks for visiting.

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Dec 29, 2014

It was only one decision!

And I still couldn't make it.

Roses are red,

violets are blue,

I chose neither,

so green is the hue.

I think the grayish green of 3011 would make a great monotone sampler with the dark frame I have in mind. Chose the lighter 32 count linen and set aside the red floss on the unbleached piece. My overdyed floss is probably not enough to complete the project and ordering another skein would never be close. I don't want to wait for a new order to come in because I am almost at the point that I don't even care about samplers. Did I just say that? Yes. If I take even a short break, it will become much longer than I plan.

Thank you for the good wishes and prayers, once again, for nephew Chris. He has been diagnosed, it's very serious, and he is still in the hospital.

I'm sure others have these sudden moments, sort of a reality check, taking in events and the past. I came out of the shower, wrapped a towel around, and went to the vanity. Did you ever just stand in front of a mirror and stare at yourself? How the face and body has changed? Wondering what is next? Where did the years go? I buried my face into my hands and just stood there. Slowly I pulled open my hands, stroking the sides of my face, revealing it once again. I stood there looking in the mirror, and thought........

this is how I would look after a facelift. Make an appointment. Soon.

See 'ya later. Any bets on color changes?

Thanks for visiting.

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Dec 28, 2014

The Magma is loaded

Greetings fellow menopausians, stitchers, friends, and readers. Instead of browsing the stash I chose one of the last samplers I ordered. She's not too large, simple, and monotone. Perfect for taking to the hospital without all the floss bags of colors.

Only question - should I use luscious 3857, or the gray that looks blue 413? Eliza Laidman was Uniform Blue which is just like 413 and I really love it, but would I want another the same? In a different room, yes. So I have just one decision to make and probably won't until I pull it out to start.

Start what? Harriet Hazlin from The Sampler House. This was stitched over one as a miniature but can of course be stitched over two as I will do. Finished size on 30 count will be about 9.5" x 7.5". Stitching on 32-35 count would probably make it perfect for a standard 8x10 frame. I just thought of that but I already cut a piece off my Scarlet Letter yardage and that hurt. Hurts bad. I rarely frame any more but this could be added to my framed group. Damn. I don't know why but cutting linen is very distressing to me. Maybe I should just take a pill and cut a piece of a higher count.

I put clear shipping tape over the Velcro tabs on the Magma. When I was working on Isobel's ornament, every time I needed to get into the pouch the loud noise woke him up and aggravated me. Folding the tape over to the outside works really well.

I wanted to show that ornament finish but alas, it is hiding somewhere. Isn't alas a goofy word? Anyway, I'll find it when I have time.

Have a great week!

Thanks for visiting.

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Dec 27, 2014

Burlap tree

Hello hello hello. Just came home from errands and wanted to show what I found.

I fell in love with this two foot burlap and rusty bell wrapped tree and wanted to create a large version for outside my kitchen window.

The large tomato cages were not working without wrapping them first with wire or twine to create a more solid frame. The burlap was falling into the open areas. Stacking several cages would help and using a heavy twine over the entire cage would also make a great outdoor tree. Since it wasn't working and I have no time or patience to do it properly, I put it off for now.

Then I ran into my local craft store for a quick browse and found this five foot grapevine on a better frame for only $12.50. I can add more vines, twine, or wrap in burlap strips. Clear strung lights on brown wire mixed in with thin grapevines will encircle the tree. I think it will look great outside and hold up for years. I don't know if I will work on it before I put it away or wait until next year. Hmmm. I could forget by then - best work on it now - maybe February?

Have a good day everyone.

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Dec 26, 2014

Mary Lamin's Sampler

I hope everyone had a great Christmas.
Ours was spent once again in a hospital room. Never got to bake cookies, have a family dinner, wrap gifts, relax.

I scheduled this post to appear Friday - it's the only thing I am sure of at this point.

Right now I am at the hospital waiting for scope results. Christmas day 2013 was spent in the same hospital when Carole's heart failure began. This year, it's her son. We have no answers, they aren't sure of the problem, and sent him home from the ER twice before realizing there is something radically wrong. Staff is short during Christmas week. We postponed the dinners to this weekend, but that has been cancelled. She's very upset, not allowed to drive, not recovered from last week's surgery, so we're going back and forth to see him and helping her. I don't even know what day it is most times but I know where the Ativan is! His girlfriend is there when she can be and has been a big help.

Mary Lamin's Lord's Prayer from Homespun Elegance. I changed a few colors as I always do, and can't remember if I used 28 or 32 count. I think smalls will be in my Magma for a while and I'll search for a few this weekend.

Enjoy your weekend and empty those cookie trays. I'll be back with another little finish of Isobel's free chart you can find by clicking here - The Primitive Hare. Thanks for visiting.

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