Think it'll rain?

Greetings buds.  Just want to show my progress on Kitpin.  I didn't follow the graph for the satin stitch.  The photo looked kind of like this and I thought....what the hell?  Let's do it.

For photographing, I usually put a white paper beneath the linen, otherwise the weave makes a crazy photo.  You can see where it ends and how sheer the linen is.  Alice sent a tip about the carry over threads.  Instead of using little muslin strips or fusible facing, she uses bits of acid free tissue paper.  Much thinner and easier to slip under your thread, even if you need it doubled.  

Thank you Alice, I will definitely use your tip.  I've been a carrier overer for decades.

I also noticed the change of blue in the chart's photo, probably from fading, and started the 312 used in the bottom sooner than I should have.  Would prefer softer shades of the blues but decided to keep the bold for a change.  Because of the linen's thicker threads and slubs, the satin stitch isn't very nice but that's OK.  Stitching the border as I go instead of all at one time is helping me deal with my borderitis.  Love seeing them, hate doing them. The large flower is next but I want to catch up on the border details first.

 

This was yesterday afternoon, again, buckets and buckets.  There is no way to walk in the garden, it's like quicksand and the walkways have been flooded for weeks.   My petunias' leaves are all yellowed and the ones that can be moved have been protected from the sudden and continuous rains but they are still soaked.  No way to dry out without warmth from the sun.....or the sun itself!  The tomatoes all have a blight from the dampness so we purchased a few more and put them in pots, but they are already a month behind for the short season.

The hostas' huge white spikes are usually well into the window, but not this year.  All stunted and the deer have decided to do a taste test.  All around crap summer!  I only get three months and lost one already - crabbier than ever.  I can't even slug hunt. Vickie's tip of pouring salt on them works almost instantly.  I don't want anything to suffer (except for rotten people) and they don't.  They actually melt very quickly.  Weird.  Very effective when they are on a plant and you have no other way to stop them.  The mosquitoes are so terrible, you can't open the door without being attacked.  We have three sets of twin fawns and they are just shaking their little bodies constantly because of the bugs. Tried all the tricks for repellents but nothing is working. 

 Mark's golf course is closed because of the water.  This time, the clubhouse is also flooded. 

 

I guess as long as I am still here to bitch, it's a good day.  So I should shut my pie hole and accept it.  Hmmm.  Pie.  I still have elderberries in the freezer.  OH!  That reminds me.  A company on the highway from my house has quite a bit of frontage, all filled with natural plants and many large elderberry bushes.  Been there for years and the safest area to pick.  They had chainsaws come in and cut it all down.  What an eyesore of stumps and sticks instead of the natural hedge.  My berries are gone.  Been a great summer so far.  Pie hole....shut.

 

Hope your day was/is/will be a great one.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Ann's finished wallets

Hello people.  While I'm working on Kitpin, I thought you would like to see Ann's finishes on her latest wallets.  Her finishing is superb!  I asked Ann to share her thoughts and work because I don't see many stitchers focusing on wallets.  I would love to do them!  And one day I will.  They make beautiful displays and don't need wall space.  I really like being able to move stitchery to different rooms without worrying about the perfect spot or more holes in the wall.

 

Here's Ann...

 

As a lover of counted stitch I must admit I so enjoy reproductions and right now my focus/obsession is on wallets.  I have just completed the finishing on these two and am so glad I did each one.

The first is A Work'd Pocketbook (I changed thread colors) with LOTS of queen stitches using Needlepoint silk. Thanks to Ellen Chester (With My Needle) for the wonderful adaptation and the superb instructions. Her design can be seen at http://www.withmyneedle.com/WPocketBook.htm

 

 

 

 

 

The second is my adaptation of a New England Flame Stitched Man's Wallet, using Textile Reproductions vegetable dyed wool, wool tape and linen lining.

 

 

 

The last is a small crewel piece to be taught later this year by a member of the EGA, Dayton, Ohio Chapter.  For this year our Chapter is doing presentations and programs on wool.  As a co-chairperson for Programs, we like to have prototypes to show/encourage members to participate.  I decided to finish my piece as a coin purse. 

 

 

For me, the EGA is a great way to expand my knowledge and skill in all types of needlework and the best part is to be around such talented and wonderful ladies who encourage and share.

 

 

I so enjoy seeing needlework that is reproduced from an earlier time, goes well with a wall of reproduction samplers, and is completely different for a change.  So many designs are wonderful and I love them, but don't want them.  Samplers are my main interest but these projects work so well with them and offer a unique display, that I must order a few.   Along with the sweet bags, these are choices for those of us interested in early or colonial style, and tiring of samplers.

 

Thanks again Ann!

 

 

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Next up

Ann Kitpin reproduction from Threads of Gold

 

 

I don't think I've ever used 498 before.  Between the border, satin stitch bands, and the large center flower, I think that shade of red will make a striking piece.

 

You saw this before and I put it aside but it's a good size for a summer project, if we ever have a summer.  Today, needing a fleece jacket, high around 63, all week will be very cool and more rain.  Except for a few days, the entire month has been ridiculous.   My birthday month!  The start of my favorite season!  One month already gone and it felt like fall.  Can't even sit outside on my drenched swing because of the mosquito population from the wet weather.  A fan would keep them away but the rain starts in the blink of an eye and I don't need more frizz in my hair from electrocution.

 I'm sorry I chose the linen I did because it is 28 count and quite sheer.  These bold colors will definitely show thread carry-overs so there will be a lot of tiny fusible or muslin pieces beneath them when I'm finished.

 

Hope your weeks starts with sunshine.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

p.s.  Jeannine520, thanks for the info.  I wanted to email you about the easiest way to administer the product but you're no-reply.

 

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The cover up

Hiya.  While trying to organize the mess I left, the t-shirt that Missy tore was discovered.  Her sharp little claws tear into fabric as well as flesh.  I bought yards of Trans-Web when mom was here, covering her coffee and food stains with stars, hearts, patches, and pockets.  I had a few left that were already cut and ready for the final fuse.

The biggest tear was in the center under the small star, awkward place for a pocket, so this worked out well.  Even though it isn't necessary after fusing, I go around the fabric with a zigzag machine stitch.  It's too bad that this men's size M doesn't fit well around my woman's size L.  

 

Saved many a top with this method and mom loved the add ons.  Bought a bunch of the studs and crystal pattern iron ons that made her dressier blouses at real hit at church. 

 

Made my favorite bean salad this morning (even bean haters like me eat it).  Great take along for picnics and 4th parties.

 Recipe here. 

 

 

I tried to answer a no-reply comment and ended up finding a new blog.  She has many talents, not just stitching, and started an Etsy site offering her watercolor and crochet tags.  Here's why Google+ drives me nuts.  First off, you automatically are changed to no-reply.  When I clicked her name, it took me to the brightly colored Google Plus profile of which I can see nothing, and no direct link or mention of her blog.  None.  Because I am not Google+, this is what I get when I try to respond or find a blog of a +er.  Anyway, she left her address in the comment or I would have never found her.  From South Africa, her new blog is http://theartfullplace.blogspot.com/ with a link to her Etsy for the tags. 

 

Dominic informed us that his commercial job has expanded and we must wait at least another month so I cancelled the final two cupboards and his revamping of the manufacturer's custom doors (they must not use the little lines on the ruler, just the big ones).  No one can tell me which custom panel dishwasher is 24" deep WITH the panel because dimensions don't specify and emails to manufacturers are replied with the opening sizes only.  I give up. 

 

Enjoy your weekend!

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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A frustrating finish

Hello stitching buds.  Over the years of my reckless stitching, I learned a few things.  Problem is, and I'm serious, I can't remember what they were.  One of them may have been to always double check the stitch count with the finished size for my linen count.  This design, of which I've changed every color, stated the design area on 35 count as 4 1/2" high.  I'm on 36 count which I verified by counting my stitches and also my marking rules.  I easily had 4 1/2" and it should have been even less because of 36 versus 35 count.  Stitch count is 92 high and on 36 would be 5.12".  On 35 it would 5.25", 3/4" off.  I should have counted the squares and done my own calculations.  Start over?  No.  I will shorten the bottom area and it will be fine.  But I should know better!    What if this was a project that couldn't be altered? 

Remember I did this with France F. and ended so short that my only option was to attach a strip of linen fringe using the nun stitch.  Always count the squares and figure size first, don't rely on the chart figures. 

The design is Little by Little's Quaker Blackbird with different colors.  If I would have stitched the bottom line, there would be enough to sew into a pillow with very little seam allowance.. I wasn't taking the chance and I also moved the J and made it narrower so it wouldn't be too square looking. 

 

Making my first needle case was an exercise in frustration.   First it was the fusible.  I wanted it stiff so Craft Fuse or Décor bond was my choice.  Neither would stick.  I pulled off, cut another, steamed.  Pulled off, cut another, steamed again.  Over and over.  I threw it all out.

 

The tutorial said to line between top and bottom with felt, including it in the stacked layers.  I could barely turn it right side out with those thick seams.  Took the stitching out and removed the felt.  Switched to thin fleece.  Removed again.  Third attempt just barely caught the fleece in spots, much better.  But it wouldn't fold nicely with the fleece in the fold line!  Turn it inside out again, cut away the fleece from the fold, turn it out, still too much.  Three times until I finally just cut a large chunk out.  So there.  While this was going on, from sewing machine to ironing board and back over and over, my scissors (all 4 pair) were always in the wrong place.  When I needed them at the machine, they were with the iron and vice versa.  This was really chapping my hide.  Totally frustrated now and starting to rush, carelessness was taking over.  Every time I pressed the correction, the Frixion line disappeared and I had to measure and mark seam lines again.  Turn it inside out, outside in, over and over and over.  The worse part of that - when I turned it in to correct a seam, I wouldn't turn the entire book which led me to multiple errors.  How can it need taken in slightly for a straight edge and end up worse?  Because with the fleece in the way and not fully inside out, I couldn't tell top from side and would stitch the wrong edge of the corner. 

Trying to cut the wool felt for the pages wasn't happening.  I pressed that rotary cutter down and rolled that sucker over and over until it almost stuck in the mat.  Take the guard off you putz.  Finally finished after an entire afternoon, interfacing on the floor, fleece cuts stuck to my clothes, scissors hiding in a pile of possible fabrics and felts, cut threads throughout.

 

Will I attempt another?  Yep.  I learned a few things and won't make those mistakes again.  I would love to make a bunch and add them to my one-day-I-will-sell-this-stuff-on-Etsy pile.  I really enjoyed stitching this small - a break I needed from the large sampler.  The 36 count was again a pleasure to use and I am liking it more.  I'm still not happy with the finish but I love the little design for this. 

Have a great weekend everyone!


p.s.  Thanks for the tip Annie.
For no-reply comments that I would like to address, I'll be p.s.ing!!

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Sweet Liberty

Greetings!  This is the second day of sun, followed by more rain tomorrow.  Mark was golfing all afternoon and I was looking forward to quiet time on my swing.  I finally went outside at 4:15 with an aching neck, sore foot, and dirty mouth.  I made my first needle book following a tutorial I found online, which started about 12:30.  How the hell can such a little item cause me this much aggravation and time?  I will tell you about it tomorrow. 

The winner of the Liberty sack - and this is a real fluke - is  Joanie.  She wrote in her comment that today is her birthday and it would be a nice present...well Random agreed with you!   How's that for coincidence?  Thank you to everyone that participated.  If you'd like to stitch the sack, I posted the chart under the FREE tab.  I wanted a bronzey color and on my linen the 831 looked good.  You can adjust to any golds or browns that suit your fabric.  I also used GAST Uniform Blue instead of 3768 but either are good. 

If you don't want a sewn finish, you can move the border to the bottom and fringe it, hem the edges and stick it on the wall or a basket.

For myself, I would have just sewn the sides, fringed 1 1/2" on the top, pressed it over and tacked it down, added a jute hanger.  I wanted another long thin sack to go with Hannah Haines.  Homespun Elegance has a new design that will go great with this one too.   I prefer it to mine.  Much more my style.  You can find it on her Etsy site here.

 

 

 

 

 I asked Sandra if she objected to this freebie since it has a similar element but she was fine with it.
  

 

 

I plan on stitching the same design I just finished into the needle book.  Originally, it was to be a gift, but I think the second one will just be a little pillow.  I'll also explain why it's not the full design and a lesson I learned.  Not a smidgen as bad as the construction of the !#*&$! book.   Better keep the kids away.   Here's a sneak peek...

 
And....  I'm seeing spots!

 

I hope outdated protein drinks don't give you the trots.  I have lots to do tomorrow.   My stupor of frustration dulled my brain and I didn't look at the date on the bottle until now.

Enjoy the last of what June is offering.  For us, it's water.

Thanks for visiting.

p.s.  Hi Martha!  Thank you!

 

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