Christmas to Valentine

Hey.  What's happening?  All good I hope.

 

Was going through old magazines for recycling and came across the one ornament I saved the mag for.  Just Cross Stitch December 1989 had this darling sampler on the cover.

 

 

 

 I changed to my own dyed linen, dark thread, gold for the crown, filled the hearts with red, and added the cupid arrow where initials should be.  I still like this design as they show it and plan to stitch it on a higher count linen with ivory thread.  This is 28 (?) count and measures around 4"x3".

It will almost certainly (almost being the key word) have the check for its backing. I need to add a stitch to each side of the arrow's heart and one more feather row.  Also changed Mi to My, left off extra stitches on the g.  Do you think this Christmas design turned into a Valentine?   Hope so because IF the finishing doesn't result in a flame being thrown out the window, this will be my next giveaway.  But when?  That depends on whether I order a mini pom pom to match (sight unseen) and learn to attach it, or reduce the possibility of flames and just sew into an ornament.  Am I feeling lucky?

 

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Thanks Martha

You were an enjoyable stitch.  An easy chart, nice linen, single thread, small but sweet quick stitch.  The finish will be a small pillow with hanger but haven't decided on the back.  Simple?  Envelope?  Maybe sew all four sides and slit the back open, covering with a pocket or hand sewn heart. 

Whichever, this uncut corduroy fabric I bought a few years ago has been the perfect back for several projects.  It's not brown, it's not green, it's just ..... I can't describe it.  It worked for Robina's Sea Glass linen and also this Copper Penny, neither looked good with any browns or dark greens.

 

The rusty red check would look good on this dark back but until I know if I will use it, the finish won't be finished.

 

If you're looking for a small and easy sampler, check Needle Work Press Minerva & Friends' projects.  I used the wrong linen and wrong colors on them and they are very adaptable to these changes.

 

A little cat update.  The pretty gray cat with tight collar that keeps coming around for a rumble, must be someone's pet.  He is never here during the day and only shows once it's dark, leading me to believe he has a home.  Seems much more approachable than the other strays we've had. My brother started caring for another that showed up.  Small medium length white fluffy hair, gray mask and gray tail.  It only took two days for her to start running to him when he fed her.  His one cat is a very territorial female and becomes vicious with visitors.  Our shelter finally has room for felines and said white cats go quickly so she was taken to a spay clinic and will be up for adoption next week.  She was so sweet and affectionate to everyone.  I wish all these strays and suffering kittens could have the same future.

 

Have a good hump day - I miss that commercial.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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A first!

Hello people!  For the first time ever, boxes are left after an evening sale.  From the comments when I first showed the red box, I thought it would be a hit.  Not so.  I even made two extra thinking they would go quickly.  Wrong again!   In case you forgot and wanted one, there are four of the eight left. 

Edited 11 am - sold out!  Thank you!

 

To Debra that requested the George w/flag box and is no-reply, I am still holding it for you.  Please contact me by email if you want it.  If I don't hear from you today, I will assume you don't.

 

In the high 40's today, 50's tomorrow with possible thunderstorm.  YAY!!!

 

Hope your day is a good one.

 

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One more row

 

and Martha will be done.

Another small will be chosen soon.  I still have those two big girls in my mind but it's not the right time. 

 

After working Virginie to fit a square box, I tried Sally.  Got her reduced to fit but not sure if I can work the photo to be clear enough.  I am planning on purchasing a nice camera and want it all automatic.

 

Earlier today we went to my sister's for her grandson's birthday.  I baked the cake as always, and this time made one of my favorite icings.  The first time I made it was many moons ago for the Italian Love cake.  That cake takes a lot of ricotta and it's fabulous.  I like light and not overly sweet icing and this old standard fits the bill.  One small Jello instant pudding (chocolate) beat with 1 cup of milk for 2 minutes, then fold in 8 oz Cool Whip until blended well.  Love it and I always have the items on hand.

 

We came home and husband started cutting a rotisserie chicken for use in recipes.  Men.  No matter how many times I tell him to put a wet dishrag under the cutting board, he doesn't.  The board moves and slides all over the place!  Put the damn wet cloth beneath and it won't move, but no.  He'd rather mumble about it sliding.

 

It's so warm and wonderful today even though gloomy.  I need to take Carole to doc appt's this week so I'm glad there will be no snow.  I told her to drive her car to my house and I will take the wheel from there, rather than picking her up.  I can't wait to be behind the wheel of my old Escape.

 

I put the six red boxes on the Sampler Box tab this afternoon and there will only be six.  It takes me quite a while to two coat and varnish the interior and then three aged coats on the outside, the sealer, then the wax.  I can't just slap a label on it so no additional orders will be taken.  Sorry.  I get so many requests after an item sells out and I have usually obliged but I just can't keep doing that.   If I see a big demand for a particular item, I will try to have a second offer, as a batch.

 

Enjoy your day - stay safe!

 

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March!

Hello fellow stitching buds.  Have you drooled over Amy's blog yet?  I haven't had time to peruse the entire site but am planning on doing so this weekend.

 

A few things.  Thanks for letting me know about Googlegate.  Those naughty techies.  I guess those dropped can still follow by email notifications.  They already made 95% of you no-reply and now they want to force out, as the doctors say, noncompliants.

 

This is to Debra and Deborah who asked about purchasing a box.  You are no-reply so I cannot respond.  For any information about anything, you must use the email link at the top right column in order for me to reply.   I am making a few more boxes to fill your current requests but I can't take any more.  So Debra, please email me and let me know which you would like.

 

Now for the sneak peak of a sample label on an unpainted box lid for March.  I couldn't wait to show you.  I love this sampler, pass it every day on the wall, and never thought to use it.  Hopefully, boxes will be in by then.  I ordered a fabulous chair in Ohio and think there may be a Catan's close by and will check it out.  The green in this piece is the 500 series and that's an odd teal so I don't know if the box should be a dark teal, or dark brown.  I'm leaning toward brown, my favorite shade that the paint people quit making.  I went all over looking for the last few bottles with no luck.  Need to mix my own I guess.  As you know I have issues about color.  Browns can be too gold, too red, too cute, and you already know I am a wacko so I'm sure you will understand and humor me.

 

Mark was planning on golf tomorrow, to be 48 degrees, but the white crap came down today and may not melt on the greens.  Get in the cart with a leaf blower and get it off people!  You only have to do it 18 times.  I received this joke recently and got a good laugh.  The crab has mostly left, leaving me with a clown.  I used to have a decent laugh, not great like some, but mine.  Now I am laughing for almost no reason starting out with a little air sound, then silence, while distorting my face until gums are fully exposed and cheeks are almost covering eyes.  Looks like I'm having a facial spasm.  This is new.

 

One day on the golf course, a golfer accidentally overturned his golf cart.
A very attractive woman, who lived in a villa on the golf course, heard the noise, came out onto her balcony and called out to him, "Hey, are you okay"?

"I'm fine, thanks," he replied.

"You look  frazzled", the woman said,  "Come up to my villa for a drink and I will help you get the cart up afterwards."

"That's mighty nice of you," he answered, But I don't think my wife would like that."

"Oh, come on," the woman, a gorgeous brunette in a sexy bikini, insisted.  "I can see you've cut your head. It could be serious. Let me take care of that right away.  I'm a nurse". She was very persuasive....and he was weak.

"Well okay," he agreed, but added, "But my wife won't like it."

After she bandaged his wound, she gave him a most welcome brandy. They talked a little about golf and he discovered she was an avid golfer with a four handicap. When he confessed to a weakness in his putting, she gave him a putting lesson holding him close and intimately as she did so.

Finally he confessed, "I feel a lot better now, but I had better get going. I know
my wife is going to be really upset with me being here with you."

"Don't be silly! the woman said with a smile, She won't know anything. By the way, where is she?"

"Under the cart," he replied.

 

Enjoy your weekend!

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Goodbye George

Breaking up is hard to do, but sometimes, it's necessary.  One of each.  Flag, and no flag.  No flag is on aged parchment paper with black interior, flag is on aged paper with tan interior.

 

All new boxes will be $16 including shipping.  I figured it out (finally) and added the Paypal fee and the cost of the box onto the $12 box and realized it wasn't enough. Email me if you are interested in either.  Red boxes are ready and will be posted beginning of February.

 

Two things - is there a forum or group that has said something negative about me?  A friend emailed to tell me to check my followers, since they dropped over 50 in one day, the day I posted about the George box.  Still dropping.  That seems very odd to me.

 

Second - Nostalgic Needle's Strawberry Thief is on Ebay and it's one I had not seen before.  Backstitch outline filled with tent.  Not for me but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy studying the work and design.  So I Googled it to see if I could find a better photo of the chart.  Holy crap am I glad I did. 

 

It led me to a blog Thread in Hand that I will certainly spend hours days browsing.  I briefly scrolled June July and August 2013 and I couldn't get enough.  Cases, caskets, Amy Mitten, boxes, the mermaid mirror, and just so many stitcheries that can knock your socks off.  Most of her work is new to me since I only look for samplers and miss all the wonderful designs that I would not attempt but love to see.  Stunning items. It will take me quite a while to view it all but well worth the time.

This photo is from one of her posts.  Check it out if you haven't already.

Sun is out.  Reubens for dinner. 

Have a great day!

Thanks for visiting.

 

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