Slump shopping

Greetings all.  Another weekend, January is flying by.  Spring items are already coming in to the craft store.  For the first time ever, we have a large flock of robins.  I was seeing one or two in the yard when we had the warm December, but the other day my crab apple tree was loaded with them.  No worms to be found, very cold temps, I don't know why they are still here.

I ordered just a few items last week even though I am still somewhat slumpy.  No charts and no desire for new charts.  But I can't pass up my favorite linen and thread color.  Uniform blue from GAST and these skeins are perfect, gray blue, no purple.  Two pieces of Rook, not as dark as my original but very nice, coarse feel just like I prefer.  Nothing like that unusual piece I gave away.  Also got a piece of Abecedarian which isn't in the photo, because after being in the house for a few hours, it's lost misplaced.  Decided to do 35 count since I am loaded with 28 and 30.  And my first mini pom pom trim!  They are SWEET.

I checked Facebook today and what do I see?  A video of a dog lying in the street after being run over and another dog covering his body and not leaving him.  Not one fricking car or bike stopped.  There are a lot of cute photos and videos to click but I always seem to open the link at the wrong time.

I had several emails about hanging samplers without frames.  Originally I used horsehair braid to insert into the top hem and it's fine for small light pieces.  But after finding this much stronger flexible boning, I feel it's the better choice for larger projects.  It prevents the linen from stretching and sagging from it's own weight when tacked to a wall.  Many photos of old needlework pinned on the corners, sagging in the center, appeal to me.  But.  What if I decide to frame later on?  Not sure if that stretched linen would go back to shape, even if washed.

Finishing the edges of an unframed sampler is easy with a Dritz sewing gauge or my vintage Gajit.  Just set the gauge and line it up with the stitching, folding under the edge while finger pressing followed by the iron.  Coarse linen presses so crisp I didn't need to run a line of stitching for a hem.  I never fold it too close to the design's edge making sure the pressed edge wouldn't show if ever mounted for framing. 

I left the mantel and wall bare after Christmas décor was removed and thought it was the perfect place right now for Sally.  I saw these large black plates somewhere and loved the look, bought four, now I don't want them.  That's me.

 

If you plan on buying any Santas Sunday, please state in your email request if you are using Paypal or check since the price is different.

 

 

Enjoy your weekend, stay safe, eat cake.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Santa sale info

If anyone is interested in purchasing any of the stitched pieces I am selling for a friend, please go to the For SALE tab under the header photo.  I've listed price and information and all the pieces for you to browse.  The sale will be through EMAIL only and start at 7pm EST on Sunday the 17th.  Any questions on size or backings, please don't hesitate to email (link at top right column).  Any errors you find, please let me know. 

It was hard for me not to buy them myself, and although she was an excellent stitcher, the uniformity surprised me.  It's the Aida.  How can you not have a nice stitch when the fabric prevents that tension I have trouble with?  They really do look great and compared to some of mine, I can see the big difference.  Would stitching on a higher count linen help me with that?  I believe it would. The lower the count the looser the weave the more opportunity for wonky stitches.

 

I just got a few new Land's End mock necks and even through the fleece jacket, these three holes appeared.

 

And if you look behind the brand new ruined shirt, you see the culprit.

 

Little brat.

 

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Adios Sally!

Hey!  How you doing?  Hope you're not having to deal with anything right now, but if you are, hoping you have support to get through it.  Have you ever sat quietly and recalled the difficult times in your life, some that you never thought you could handle?  But you did, and each struggle made you stronger.

I couldn't wait to post this, and while Mark is cooking sausage, bacon, peppers and onions for our scrambled egg and peppers subs, I am typing with greasy fingers.

Sally is over, done, complete, finished, concluded, ended!  I seriously doubt that she was the reason for the vengeful return of the flashes, but I am keeping fingers crossed.  I don't know where they are coming from now that things have calmed down.  So here she is.  A few changes, not many.

 

Some details....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

I bought several yards of the Dritz Flexible Boning at JoAnn's with my coupon for hanging.  Sally may end up framed because of her size, but for now, I removed one thread of linen for alignment, folded over and machine sewed a hem just enough for the boning, and slid it in.  I had to first press it with a medium hot iron over a heavy cloth to get the bend out since it is stored on a spool.  I've melted it before but was lucky this time.  If you cut it to size and leave it alone for a day or two it usually straightens itself and pressing isn't necessary.

 

 

 And that's the end of Sally Fiske.  Now I can finish listing the Santas for sale which will be under the new For SALE tab.  I think the sale will be Sunday and I will let everyone know a day before.

 

That's it for now!

 

Say good-bye to Sally.

 

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Flash in the pen

Flash in the pan is a phrase used for brief success that is not repeated.  Flash in the pen is when your hot flash radiates heat to your linen and makes your Frixion pen marks disappear.

 

 

 Working on the stem and satin to complete that vase and I'm switching stitches to meet my mood.  I can do the stem easily, but when a circle is to filled, should they follow the curves or be straight?  I did the ovals and then after outlining the bottom, filled it with satin.  No one will know the difference.  I had to re-pen the vines on the right too, and they are finished as is the complete border.  The piece is not pressed and not lying flat which is why it looks so wonky.

 I will start photographing the individual Santas for the sale and will set up a separate page and offer them some time this weekend.  I'll post the time and date.

 

 We're pretty cold here.  Nitzy is in his favorite stretched position and Missy is being a brat as usual.  My scratches are healing. 

 And we have another cat hanging around.  Beautiful fluffy longer hair, gray with white chest and nose, flea collar embedded in his neck.  We tried to get close but it's not happening, and I don't know what will occur when the brats see him on our deck. 

Tomorrow I take Carole for an Echocardiogram, the next day we take my nephew (stoned on Valium) for his claustrophobic MRI, afternoon is my DEXA scan, dentist on Thursday.  Busy week.  With one car since we took my new vehicle into the body shop this morning.  Mark pulled out for a left hand turn and didn't see the EXPLORER coming from the right.  Both are OK, cars are hospitalized.

 

Have a safe and warm week!

 

Sally will be done shortly and I can't wait.

 

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Waiting for dinner

so I thought I would show a few pics.  First off is the change in Sally.  I kept the green in the side border, removed the yellow, added darker rust.  Switched the green and rust in the bottom ... stems and flowers? .... and it looks better.  You can't see the green very well but on unbleached, it's hard to see a lot of colors. 

Had kielbasa and cabbage soup yesterday, sort of a sweet and sour dish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lovebirds snoozing.  Once her eyes open she is upstairs, downstairs, in the basement, everywhere!  Picked her up to take her to the garage and she tore me up again.

 

Hunting season is coming to a close and some of the herd made it through.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take a look at what we call our majorettes.  White go-go boots.  Blast from the past, no?

 

And to top off the stuffed cabbage meal, one of my favorite quick and easy desserts.  This is the filling for the peanut butter pie and I save some fat and calories by skipping the graham crust.  Drizzle a little chocolate over and it's heaven.  Third cup peanut butter, one 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1 cup powdered sugar (confectioners), beat together.....then quickly blend in one 8 oz Cool Whip.  Done.

Company will be here shortly - made the make-ahead mashed potatoes so no last minute rushing. 

Have a nice weekend!!

 

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February

Yes I know I'm rushing things.  But I was working on a box for January and realized that February is the red month.  Never did a red box, this one is over black, distressed finish, red sampler.  Needs tweaked yet but I'm fairly sure this will be the offer for next month.  But you know by now that I can't be trusted and my decision making is like riding a Tilt-a-whirl, spinning while going in circles.

 

 

I would like to make available a few boxes each month of one design. That way I'm not overwhelmed with shipping and trying to match designs to orders.  You should be getting tired of them by now so the coming months may be different in some way, either paint color, maybe fabric, maybe lined, or I'll get frustrated and not change at all.  We'll see how this works out.

 

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