Five years and three days ago

I started this blog.  And I forgot all about that.  How strange to go back over the years and read through the changes, the feelings, moods, strange times when I was all over the place and silly, reckless.  I'm feeling more settled.  I know the moods and uncomfortable lack of control were mainly menopause coupled with grief.  Today, it's the after effects of fried brain cells from too many years of intense heat and rage. Anyway, this was my first post...

Feb 14, 2011

Beginnings....

Well.   It's about time.  I could have started posting quite some time ago, but as with all my projects, put it off. I'm having the same problem with stitching.  For a number of reasons, some.....excuses.  Long ago, in the land of tight jawlines and balanced hormones, there were a number of wonderful needlework shops.  About a 30 minute drive, the best were set in old homes flaunting every count and color of linen you would want.  The worst was a sterile single building, smelling of smoke, with very few models, one unknowledgeable clerk, a vast number of charts in no order, and mostly Aida.  It was the last to close, over 22 years ago. Scarlet Letter's catalog became my only source and over the following years, I lost interest.  I never lost my love of samplers or the feel of the linen, and held on to my supplies.  About 12 years ago, I started spending a lot of time helping my elderly parents with house and yard chores.  Two years later, my claustrophobic Dad slowly suffocated for two weeks in a hospital and died, after a "specialist" failed to diagnose a pulmonary embolism after he suffered a bad fall.  I was so angry and hungry for vengeance that it consumed me.  The man that caused my Dad's horrific suffering and panic, was off the hook, because my parents' generation did not embrace today's litigious mentality.  It wasn't closed for me, and affected my ability to focus on projects.  From then on, taking care of Mom in my home kept me busy enough, and stressed enough, that stitching was more a frustration than a joy. Once she became bedridden, I wondered why I didn't stitch away while sitting with her.  But I never did.  Stress? Menopause was raging as were my moods.  When she passed, the suppressed grief and anger returned, in addition to grieving for my Mom.  That was 3 years ago and I think the grieving will never end, but I am beginning to feel like I could relax again.  I need to get my supplies in order so I can find what I need without getting snarky and causing a wave of hot flashes.  I plan on starting with small projects rather than picking up a large sampler, and am hoping that keeping a blog will give me a push.  Another benefit of stitching - losing weight!  If I am holding a piece of linen, I certainly can't allow my hands to get greasy from chocolate and treats that I consume every evening.  As for blogging - not sure it will always be about stitching until I get several projects going.  So here I go....starting again.....hoping you will join me in rediscovering my passion..... and hoping that passion is still there.  What if it isn't?  Stay tuned.....

 

I can say without doubt, that my expectation of the weight loss was highly over blown.

I can't come up with anything for a anniversary giveaway.  I only have one red box left (the prototype), gave away all the pears, the last little project, so I'll have to think about this.  Maybe by Friday I will have an idea.  I've done gift certificates before and that is the easiest and probably most useful offer.  I know international readers are reluctant to enter giveaways because they are kind enough to be concerned about the high shipping costs, but that wouldn't be the case with a GC.  Hmmm.   As I said five years ago, stay tuned!!

 

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Where did the time go?

You know how old you are, but it's just a number.  Your life continues with your routine and although years are going by, the reality of it also becomes routine and you don't feel it's really happening.  Like the slow process of gaining weight, you see it everyday and don't really notice it.  But it's very obvious to someone who hasn't seen you in a few years.  I guess the aging process can be ignored also.  It's not that we don't realize we are older, but we are detached somewhat from the tangibility, the actuality, the perceptibility.  Until we get this in the mail.  Like a slap in the face with a cold wet rag.

Pennsylvania snow crabs

 
And it's not over.

 

 

Shelf hanger

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.  It was too cold here to go out so instead of ice cream, I made the peanut butter pie filling.  And ate it all.  Spaghetti for dinner, another favorite.  Hope you've all enjoyed the day.

 

I was sewing the latest finish, Martha, into a small pillow hanger and came down the stairs for the final spoon of pie filling.  The phone rang and I went into the little parlor to talk.  The more bored I became listening to tasks everyone has chosen for me, the more I tossed Martha around.  Not throwing her, just tossing her up and catching her.  Gives my hands something to do while I'm rolling my eyes.  My cousin has decided that I should go out and purchase new clothes and new draperies for my 90 year old aunt (his mother).  Her two daughters-in-law are ?????  On the space station for a year?

 

Martha landed on the hutch filled with brown jugs. So I turned down the top edge with a crisp crease and she set very nicely on the shelf edge.  Will she stay here?  Probably not, but maybe for a while.   I used to think I was a bit odd with my ways of displaying stitchery, but I see so many online photos of pieces on boxes, in baskets, on wood items, wrapped around jars, and sack finishes that I am feeling normal!

 

What I've noticed is how the single strand of thread washes out compared to the ABC that is stitched with two threads.  It's not very noticeable in the photo but it is in person. This linen has been very difficult to photograph.  It shows regardless of size, like screening.  That wonky little pattern of tiny distortions.  Because of the overdyed color?  The sheen?  Both maybe. 

 

I have other finishes on 35 count done with one thread and they seem fine, but this one on 32 count is bugging me.  Could be the color and variations of the linen are contributing factors, but I think I may stick to two threads on 32 unless it's a small tuck or bowl filler that won't be viewed from across a room.

 

We have warnings for a ton of snow tonight.  Better not!!! 

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Larry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 That Larry is such a crabass.

 

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I was ready this time

Started entering the names in Random early and then waited for any additional entries.  The number generated belonged to Ann K. 

 

Thanks to all who participated. 

 

Very cold here, but I'm going out for ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery tomorrow.  Still haven't chosen a new project, maybe this weekend.

 

Happy Valentine's Day to all!!

 

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