A little neater than normal

Hiya.  How's everyone?  We're getting a little more snow, very cold temps, and anxiety attacks.  Two more weeks.

I saw Lori's new free chart (here) and started on it right away.  Browsed my charts and just couldn't get interested in a sampler.  What?  It's true.  Is a slump approaching?  So when I saw her offer, I thought it would be a good idea to pick up the needle.

 

I noticed that my stitches are more even than ever before.  Why?  Possibly because of the direction?  I am following my usual sewing method of doing half a cross first, but this time I am going vertical with the first half and completing the second half horizontally.  I know I know.  Not the way you are supposed to stitch.

 But unless it's my imagination (and I have a vivid one because I called myself a girl in the prior post), my stitches look better.  The linen seems more stable too. See the difference between the stitches within the letters and the very bottom row?   Maybe it isn't noticeable in the photo but trust me, it's not as neat.

 

 

 

Here's a look at the back.

 

It's hard to see with this floss color but that looks like a good base for wimpy linen doesn't it?  Am I doing something that all of you know about and I've been in the dark once again?  Or am I wrong in thinking this incorrect method of crossing could result in better stitches? 

 

 

 

 

For those of you with brats cats - ours have been going nuts with ... nuts.  Is it because the Brazil nut looks like a mouse?  They were batting one around found under a hutch so I picked more from the mixed nut bin at the market.   Cheap fun since they destroyed every toy I bought at the pet store.  So far, Bud is OK, and Yellow Man is still here every night.  I'm ready for bed, and I can hear the nuts rolling, smacking the furniture, followed by a wall/cat collision thud.

 

Have a good Thursday!

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Cutwork and a mermaid

 

 Greetings.  Got quite a few emails about the design in the header photo, many are no-reply, so I'm posting the answer.  Sorry!  I stitched it in 1992 and don't know the designer.  Why didn't I stitch 1970 (my year of marriage)?  Here is the entire piece, on unbleached linen with light threads.  I enjoyed the cutwork and it really is not difficult at all.
Edit - Sandra from Sampler Lover's blog was kind enough to identify it as the Love sampler from Emie Bishop.  Thank you Sandra!

 

In my search for the designer, I came across Victoria Sampler and for those of you that love mermaid designs, take a look at this beauty - Mermaid Song Stitcher's Pocket

The leaflet is offered on their site here along with the necessary supplies.  It looks like it was at one time a Cyber class.  Several online shops also carry the chart including 123.  To see all that is included and required, the listing of stitches involved and supplies is here.  You've probably all seen this but keep in mind, I'm a girl without a shop and I don't get out and about much!

Mary, you're no-reply but asked about the interfacing hiding the carry over threads.  I did a post on this but can't find it.  The only sample is on this post.  I use either a tiny piece of muslin or fusible interfacing beneath the carry overs when they are showing.  The fusible is easier and can be held with a quick touch of the iron.  Needles and tweezers get it in place.

  

That's it! 

Enjoy your day.

 

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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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