The next little project

Greetings to all.  How's your weather?  Some areas will be hit with a storm today but we are on the edge and being spared. 

 

 

I waffled between Abe and Queen Esther while adding another small to make it harder to choose.  But I did.  I chose Abe but only because I don't have the correct linen shade for a quilt pattern heart.  I stitched two of these years ago and haven't seen them since we started the house mess a year ago.  The shape of the heart would be the longer skinny version that I prefer so extending the stitching area would be necessary. 

 These are the two that I would like to do.  The one on the left was previously stitched using that same rust color.   Eventually I will find it but I would like the shape and color to be different anyway.  I considered doing a monthly heart design as I did for the pears, but there has been too much going on to concentrate.  Odd as it seems, my favorite pears are the designs that were done quickly and required no tweaks. 

 

 So Abe it is.  Since I'm not using the charted silks, I chose my DMC colors and found myself following the photo instead of the chart.

There are a few spots of pink in the grass area - I'm assuming pink because it's the same symbol as the house - and I didn't want that so I chose to use all green with a few lighter areas.  The fence is charted as all one color but the original looks like there may be two shades of pink, which is what I'm doing. I may use two shades of pink on the house too wherever I see a darker area. 

 

 

This project shouldn't take too long and the hearts will probably be next, but you all know how that goes. 

I plan to start using my Leslie Sansone exercise videos today because - I've gained another 7 pounds.  This has to stop.  I needed hypnosis to stop smoking and this addiction seems even stronger.  I've tried the protein shakes and they are terrible.  Horrible!  The only one I can tolerate is Special-K's vanilla cappuccino.  Does it make me feel full and not want to eat?  Not a bit.  Not a bit!!!  But I'll keep trying. 

 

Have a safe and stitchy weekend.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Project Portfolio

Hello hello hello.  Squeak was here!  I stayed in bed a little longer this morning and Mark came back in to tell me that he was here.  He fed him two cans of food and off he went!  He looked good and I hope he comes back tomorrow.

 

Trying to organize the linen mess and everything else stitching related, I came across this Project Portfolio by Courtney Creek.  What a well made organizer.  I checked online and couldn't find the company so maybe they are no longer.  Here's what this heavy nylon piece looks like inside.

 

 Pockets on the inside, pockets under pockets, zippered and not....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plush spot for glasses with Velcro closure, little needle pocket...

 

 

 

 
 Heavy clear zippered pouches for seeing your projects....

 

  

 

Pockets on the outside too and thick enough to hold a lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You probably have one and this is nothing new but I'm really impressed with it.  It was buried in the back of the hutch and every time I pull it out I get excited all over again.  Do I use it?  Nope.

 

This little thimble holder is new to me.  Found it on the floor when pulling supplies out so it was hidden in something.  I did not make this.  Sweet, padded, holding a painted thimble.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then the mail came.  YAY!!  Look at my gorgeous wools!  I would like to try wool applique and also a few Christmas items so I placed an order and I can't wait to get more.  Even if it just sits there with all the other fabric and is never used, I WANT IT.  Rose (Three Sheep Studio) and of course, Rebekah Smith, make me swoon with their work.

 

Feeling better today and the doc appointment went well.  Mark wheeled her up the ramps since I visited the chiropractor the other day to help with my back.  She is anxious to get this over with and start feeling better.

Have a great weekend everyone.
Thanks for visiting.

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The Harriet two pouch

hanging thingy?  Two pocket hanging pouch?  It's not open on top like a pouch, so that isn't correct.  It's a two pocket hanging flat thing.  I used linen on the front and osnaburg on the back.  I didn't think it would have the look I prefer if I used a print fabric. Whatever it is, I sewed once again without measuring or taking the time to do it properly.  I don't know why I refuse to use the tools to prepare the piece for the sewing machine.  I used to.

I just decided I have enough little pillows, didn't want to frame, tried to come up with something different or odd.  I like it.  The bottom is fringed and open so I can slip in a piece of Mylar if I want.  Right now I have a piece of cardboard in the top pocket to keep it from collapsing.  What do you think?

 

I have eight names for the Cat chart and have been sick since last night so I may do it tomorrow.  I will email the stitcher after pulling a name.  Being frustrated with this sewing project was enough for today and I'm going to bed early.  Mark is home tomorrow and can take Carole to the doc if I'm not up to it.

 

I got an email about the Pineberry Lane free chart I did and I wasn't able to pull it up on her website, so I wanted to mention that if you are looking for the Pineberry free & fabulous little goodies, you can find them at Pattern Mart here.

 

That's it.  Going to sleep and hopefully it will be in the bed instead of the bathroom. 

 

Thanks for visiting!

Have a good weekend.

 

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The Harriet split

I'm done with the divided Harriet Hazlin and it looks like my seams will be quite short.  I guess I misjudged but it will work out.  I tried to chose a fabric that goes with both floss colors and this is the best I can do.   Looks good in the photo but the green in the print is really green.  This size works great for a drum but I'm doing two pillow/pincushion finishes.  Or should I do something odd and sew them together with a decorative stitch and then frame?

 

 My Squeak is still missing.  I wonder if he is trapped in someone's shed.  He was here several times when the orange one showed up and was afraid of him, but they didn't fight so I doubt there is a connection. 

 

My sister heard from Cleveland Clinic and they can't do the TAVR, which is the valve-in-valve replacement done through the groin with a catheterization.  Her femoral artery is not large enough for the valve delivery so they are going through the chest directly into the aorta to reach the diseased valve.  That's a big hole!   I guess they stitch it closed after the valve goes through.  We'll find out more end of the week.  At least it's still the same method, just a different delivery point.  Much much shorter and easier recovery.  Her son is still not doing well and is seeing the specialist this morning.  Hopefully a change or addition of medication will help him keep food down.  He's lost almost 30 pounds in three weeks.

 

Got the Thread Heaven and Queen Esther chart, may start that instead of Abe.  Depends on what I pull out of the linen pile.  And I do mean pile.  What a mess.  The whole house has been a mess for so long, why not my supplies too? 

Got several names for the Shaker Cat and will pick from the hat tonight.

 

Have a good hump day.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Shaker Cat anyone?

 

 

Good day to you.  I have this little 1985 chart from Cedar Hill - Shaker Cat - and after being scolded by many readers about burning charts, thought I would offer it instead.  The chart is a single card, instructions on the back.  If anyone would like this project, email me (top right column).  If more than one, will chose randomly. 

And speaking of cats, still cold, still snowing, still inside.  Driving me nuts.  Missy ignores me when I call her so I don't think she would mind me changing her name to Midge(t).  She is so tiny. The yellow cat is here every evening and eating the dry food left for Squeak (three days missing).   Bud and Nit are just as aggressive, even though they are neutered.  Bud was older when we trapped him so I didn't expect that to change much, but Nit was snipped at 6 months so I'm surprised at him.  My brother said neutering doesn't change them if they are territorial.  Hmmm.  I'm neutered and have the hysterectobelly to prove it, I have "issues", I get aggressive and snap at people.  I am not a bitch.... I'm territorial! 

 

I wondered why I kept finding loose cloves from my pears and things being moved.  Now I know.

 

Thank you for letting me know I am not alone in my feelings of the future.  I will be 64 this June.  My maternal grandmother died at 64 of a massive stroke, my mother had a massive stroke at 64 and survived, forever changed.
 

 Stay safe.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Hidden away

Hiya.  How many of you have a display or corner for enjoying your Christmas stitchery all year long?  My friend's mom used to have a tiny bedroom with a television atop a dresser, one large comfy chair, and a large corner hutch.  The wallpaper border had some red in it, the large chair was red piped in tan, and the walls and hutch were filled with her Christmas stitches.  It became her stitching room, the dresser drawers held her linens and threads, and it was a place she retreated to even when she wasn't stitching.  When I entered the room, I didn't feel it was Christmas, just a cheerful room.  I've considered doing a display in my sewing room but there is no organization or plan at this point.  Maybe one day?  The other bedroom is filled with fat quarters and fabrics in a chest with the rest strewn about.  Every year when I put these pieces away to be hidden for 10 months, it's a real shame.  I love these guys!  But once again, their room is not ready and my procrastination skills continue to be honed. 

 

These are the pieces that were never even put out this year.  I kept thinking things would settle down and we would feel like celebrating the Holiday and would decorate then.  Today I decided it's time to pack them.  I don't use tissue paper around them because I usually tear through the box to see if I have that design or gave it away.  This year I tore everything apart looking for the cardinal pillow, finally went back to the blog to check and yep - gave it away!  I need to keep a notebook.  My sister in law had every single piece she ever stitched, fabric color, count, thread, date, and where it went.

 



So with sadness, I packed them three layers high, ending with the larger pieces on top,

and then realized I didn't even finish the three designs I made in 2014.  Before the box is put away, I should do that.  Never got around to stitching a few more of Pineberry Lane's free design that I just adore, but maybe it's best to save it for next year.  Hopefully, next year will be the first time in three years that everyone will be healthy and not hospitalized!

I know it's morbid, but am I the only one that wonders if I'll be here next year?  Will I get to enjoy my Christmas projects in 2015? Whenever I put away seasonal clothes, I wonder if I will be pulling them out again.  I know they won't fit but that's a different story.  I've been packing away capris every year, expecting that next year I will be thinner and get to wear them.  But the spread between the sizes grows larger just as my rear does and my addiction to sweets is worse than ever.

 

I haven't started Abe yet because I want to finish Harriet.  I chose my favorite 632 for the red.  Anxious to get these completed and move on. My side is killing me and I can't get comfortable to sit for very long.  Probably pulled a muscle or something.  I took an adjustable padded strap off a travel bag and plan on strapping Carole in tomorrow.  She's never come out of the chair but it may help the bounce when I hit a bump.  Should get a standard wheelchair instead of our transport type with those small wheels.

Enjoy the coming week, stay safe and healthy.

Thanks for visiting.

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