Bold in Heart

 Hi all.  Too many things happening right now to try for another heart so for now, this is it.  Corny as it is!  I used a short and rounded center furrow instead of a deep point.

 

Here's the difference with a muslin or white interfacing, and the woven black fusible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I used the black under my carry over threads too since some were noticeable from the front.

 

 

 

 The top line had to be moved and I also changed the bottom do-hickey before sewing. 

I like the back almost better than the front.  The other smaller hearts were to be on the gold Havana and a dark grey/green linen that I had previously dyed, and this fabric looked fabulous with each.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The chart will be under the Free tab when I get around to it but for now, it's here.  I almost decided not to offer it since it is so ... corny.  But I've seen so many designs that are sappy to me yet well liked by others. 

 

Bud hasn't been growling through the glass door at Yellow Cat and I thought they may be tolerating each other.  This warm evening when I let them out for a while, all hell broke loose.  The boxes, the plywood shelter, food, fur and blood went flying.  I ran outside and Yellow Cat was tearing into Missy who is half his size.  Bud came running and attacked him so Missy ran into the house and I couldn't stop them even with a broom.  Bud has many bites and we are trying to get to them all with a dropper of peroxide but he is not wanting to be touched.  I know the stray Yellow must be hurt too.  Missy will tear me up so I can't check her.   I hope no infections develop, especially with the upcoming trip to Cleveland.

 

I got my second order of wool the other day.  I checked tracking so I knew it was out for delivery, and I waited for her to come.  She came with no box.  I asked where my box was and she said "oh!  Was that yours?".  It had my name and address on it so YES IT'S MINE!!  "I left it at 26."  ???  I'm 51.  I told her to go back and get MY package from 26.  Don't mess with my wool baby or there will be hell to pay.  No sense inquiring why she never looked at the name, the address, and decided to gift a stranger with my wool.

 

Taking Carole to the lab again tomorrow, then the doc, groceries, and I need to clean her house again.  Busy week coming up.

 

Have a great...good... decent...tolerable week.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Heart one

Heart two's fabric and thread are chosen but nothing else yet! 

 Maybe there will never be a two.   I can't sew this into a heart until I purchase black interfacing.  The white through the 28 count dark Ruby linen is horrible. 

 

Have a great weekend!

 

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Heart shapes

Hello people.  Got snow?  I heard we will be getting hammered again this weekend.  Lovely. 

Haven't started another project yet but wanted to show you what I decided on the hearts.  I take that back - I haven't decided anything.  I did find the two I already stitched but I can't remember where I found them.  This is really getting scary.


Edited-
The photos have been distorted so you can't see the chart. 

 

I like this shape and may follow the chart for the other design, but I prefer longer narrower hearts.  I could open the seams on this one and sew again, but I think the top may be too wide. To modify a shape I use the standard method of copy, crop, and add.   It doesn't work on all designs but most can be maneuvered and spaced with this method to extend length. 

 

Once I have the length, I use a template or just fold a paper in half and start cutting hearts.  Lay the paper cut out over to center the design and see how I like the shape.

 

 

I fold the inside center point under to make sure there is enough stitching in case I don't sew it quite so deep when finishing.  Glue the papers, copy again and I have the modified shape.

 

 

 

 

 

I did this for both patterns so I have a choice when ready.  If I remember, the repetitive design becomes so monotonous that I will probably just quit at some point which will determine the shape!

 

Have great week's end.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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p.s. To Kathy R - I haven't received your address for the Shaker Cat chart yet.  Maybe my reply went into your spam? 

Anna Eliza Abe

Hope everyone is fine and dandy.  Which rhymes with candy.  Chocolate.  Damn.

After aging the piece with the Ranger Archival ink pad and brush, I moved on to the backing.  The fabric was fine but I wanted a darker look (too lazy to get the walnut stain), so I turned the pad over and lightly moved it over the fabric. 

 

 

 

 

  

You can see the difference after inking.  Make sure it is dry before ironing.

I had extra fabric at the top of the sampler and decided to make a flap because the linen excess wasn't enough to save. 

  Using one piece of very thick quilt batting for the fill, I folded the backing fabric over the bat, folded the linen, and stitched it by hand on the edges.  In case I want to hang it, a piece of jute was laid in the top fold before turning down.  The corners are not stitched, just left a little opening for the jute to slide around and either be removed or added back later. 

So here she hangs after all the inking and with the sliding jute, front and back.

 

 

Wouldn't this finish be a nice idea if you wanted to personalize?  That flap can have the date, initials, sentiment, and not be a part of the design.  I personally don't like to date and initial but this way would be acceptable and I think a great idea.

 

The original sampler is wider and more rectangular, probably because of the linen weave.  I added the dividing band under the first line which isn't in the chart but in the photo, and made a few other changes by looking at them both.  I am considering this on Havana linen with 822 substituted for the pinks.  I can visualize it - I like it - but will I do it?

 

Got a room for the week in Cleveland with shuttle service to the Clinic, microwave and mini fridge in the room which will help with snacks and meals. 

 

That's all I got!  Taking Carole to the lab soon and her driveway can double as a luge training track so wish us luck.  If you don't make the curve coming down the ridiculously steep hill, you go head first over the eight foot straight down bank.  Freezing rain between the snowfalls has made such a thick layer of ice and it can't be scraped off.

 

Thanks for visiting!!

 

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Warm and fuzzy

Yes I am warm from hot flashes and fuzzy in my brain but I'm talking about wool!  Bought more.   Several minutes before midnight Sunday night, I decided to browse The Old Tattered Flag for more wool colors.  My goodness the wools were 20% off and I got in right under the wire, midnight to be exact.  If I had more time I would have ordered a bunch more but wanted to get the order in for the one day only sale.  When searching for something - can't remember what it was - I found my brother's Navy blankets.  I have one dark gray, one white, one green/brown, and another brown wool from the flea market.  Plus three plaid wool lap throws.  All are heavy and thick.  Originally I planned on donating them to the local men's shelter, but they wouldn't take them.  Now I'm glad they didn't.  A little Googling will produce the types of dyes suitable for wools and I can make a mess, something I have honed to an art form.

The visit with my cardiologist today was informative.  He not only noticed the weight gain, but when I mentioned the more frequent bursts of tachycardia and arrhythmias, he wanted to have the monitor on again.  After listening to me babble about the last few months (he's also Carole's doc) including what I've been eating, he looked at me in astonishment.  "You consume how many Dove a day?"  "Half a bag doc".   I felt the words leaving my scrawny lips and wanted to pull them back but it was too late.  It was like seeing slow moving words floating in mid-air but my arms weren't quick enough to grab them.  "Well, now wait a minute Doc - some days it's not exactly half a bag, it could be less."  A stern talk ensued, monitor was cancelled, and I left with my head hung in shame.  Who would have thought there is that much caffeine in those little squares?  "There isn't", he said, "but you don't consume squares you consume bags".  Instructions are to go to Aldi's, get the 70% dark cocoa bar and have ONE 200 calorie portion once a day.  Is there a Chocoholics Anonymous because I will need help with withdrawal.

 

I saw something on Pinterest from Bertie of Samplers&Buttons blog (now closed), and a pinner found the source.  I love the shape and idea and will chart one of my liking.  I'm not a buttons and bows type, more like rust and jute.  This design is from The Purple Thread and is available as a kit, called Sylvie's Penny Bag.  Since my Sampler Bag #1 was such a huge success (gag) would I even bother with #2?  Maybe.  I still have those charts printed and may offer #1 again to get rid of them.

 

Anyway, the snow has stopped, the cold temps are here, the cats are still in.  When I crush the catnip over them, they just roll and roll, gentle and happy.  But this morning I crushed to a powder and rubbed into the wool yarn balls and toys - Nitzy has been bouncing off the walls ever since.  Mr. Yellow is still hanging around, interested in my spayed female, keeping Squeak away, and attacking the boys.  I guess February is mating season around here and hormones are high.  Neutered Bud and Nit don't roam, but they defend their territory with a vengeance and will get into a battle.  My sister has a little furbaby trying to stay warm in the window well but as soon as it sees her, gone.  When we pick her up for labwork today I will take some food and a weatherproof box, hopefully the little one will use both.

 

Be safe and well.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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It's starting

 

The snowstorm has begun. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When will it be finished?

 

 

 

  Not until sometime Monday, long after this finish which will be today.

Several emails about the cabbage and sausage soup so I posted it to the recipe blog here.

 

I can't get reservations at the ridiculously expensive (to me) hotel attached to Cleveland Clinic by a walkway for the end of February-they're booked.  I won't have a car.  Not only am I a wimp in traffic, if I got lost here looking for the Ford dealer can you imagine where I will end up if driving in downtown Cleveland!   Buffalo?  Chicago?

 

Stay safe. 

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