A bump on a pickle

That's what I feel like when it comes to stitching.  Just a bump.  Sitting there.  The dyed green linen is out.  I need to throw out that fabric that I hate working on.  It's ... thick.  The linen threads are too thick or something and I have a hard time seeing the over two pattern in the weave so I stopped.  I love the Sea Glass and hate to use my last piece but what am I saving it for?  When I can no longer get a favorite color, I tend to hoard more than usual, but that would mean I wouldn't get to enjoy it in a project. If not that, it will be my stand-by unbleached.  But I am not feeling it regardless of linen, colors, or design. 

 

I thought I should switch to wool applique since I bought quite a bit and haven't used it at all, but that's not snapping my socks either.  Do I need a complete break?  I think I will take two weeks off and not force myself, dwell on it, or feel guilty.  After that time, who knows?

 

I heard from Karin and was happy to see that everyone followed through with their orders for the caps.  She has some cute charms too.  Maybe I'll do some sewing and see how that works out.  Too bad I don't know how to alter clothing two sizes up.  Not a damn blouse or capris from last summer fit.  Not even close.

 

May 1 is a week from Saturday and the Liberty boxes will be on sale.  As usual, limited quantity.  I think I will shut down the computer until then too and just check emails. 

 

I must tell you about how distracted my mind has been.  I keep in touch with Patti's husband and he emailed to tell me he visited a friend for a couple of days at his beautiful home.  He wrote "on a hill with 16 acres, got to drive his '41 Ford.  Wow, 450 horses".  So I replied that I'm glad he had a nice visit and where is this home with 450 horses?  Was I embarrassed when he said the 450 horses were in the Ford's engine?  No.  It wasn't as bad as 40 years ago when my husband was out of work.  We took a long drive out of town into the country and I saw a sign at a large farm and recognized the company name.  The sign stated  - 23,000 happy employees.  "WOW!!! They probably hire often with that many workers - maybe you should apply here!"  Husband said he wasn't qualified.  "You're the smartest person I know and can do anything.  Why wouldn't you be qualified?"  He looked at me and said "because I can't lay eggs like the other 23,000 employees".  Sometimes you feel so silly you laugh hard enough to wet your pants.  And the older you get, it happens if you just smile too hard.

 

I hope the rest of April brings you warmth and blossoms.

 

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Holy caps!

Didn't expect that many!  Here's the plan to handle this quantity. You visit her Etsy shop, contact her through the email link on her page to order your amount (Berry cap #SF61).  She will then purchase enough for your requests to make sure everyone gets what they want.  When they come in (about 2 weeks), she will contact you for shipment before listing them.  Any extras that are left, will then go on Etsy and those extras will be first come first served.  Please state what you definitely want since this will be a large amount for her to purchase without commitment.  It's very nice of her to make sure that everyone gets the number they would like. 

 

So.  This is her Etsy page.

 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BellasBeadHabit

 

If you aren't registered on Etsy, it is very easy and you don't have to use your full name, no credit card or financial info is needed.  They just want to make sure you log in when making a purchase to protect the sellers from scams.  This page will tell you how to register.

https://www.etsy.com/help/article/244

Right beneath the round photo at the top right is her name and the CONTACT link.  Click to email her with your order and make sure you state the number of sets of 4 for item SF61.  Remember, it will be around two weeks but you will get what you order.

That's it folks!  We'll all be capping our berries soon.

Thanks Karin!

 

 

 

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Who wants the cap?

UPDATE - to order, please go to this post for information.

http://samplers-and-santas.blogspot.com/2016/04/holy-caps.html

 

 

Greetings folks.  The cap order (like mine) has come in.  It was a special order for a customer who bought more than expected and there were only a few left, which I bought.  She will order again and would like to know how many of you are interested so she orders enough.  The price is $3.35 for a set of 4 + $3.35 shipping (flat rate regardless of amount purchased), total of $6.70 with US shipping for four caps.  Additional quantities of $3.35 for four.  Two weeks for the order to come in.  Please leave the number of SETS you would like in comments so I can let her know.  You will order from her, not me, when they come in and I will list her link for you.  So if you want 4 caps, request ONE set, if you want 12, request THREE sets.  Please leave what you would like in the comments if you are interested.

 

After the malarkey

Well that was embarrassing.  Watermelon head or not, that was certainly a menomoment, worthy of being added to the list of  "what the hell was that?".  It's the end of it, that's what it is.  I will find my method that works or continue avoiding those projects.  Amen.

 

Being productive with a needle has not been happening but will today now that the floss colors are chosen.  I did get the boxes done for May and this prototype for June.  The remaining sales will be this 4x6 tall oval until my supply is gone.  Can't get this size any longer and the others are always low stock, some have peeling/bubbling paper.


 

 

My cousin in MN sent me a photo of her and her sister (the one with FT dementia in a facility) and it was so very upsetting.  This vibrant world traveler only 3 years older than I am.  Her once shining eyes are empty, her strong frame diminished to a slump, her beautiful face I could no longer recognize, her intelligent speech now unintelligible.  I wasn't expecting such a rapid and drastic deterioration.

 

Enjoy your day.

For 30 minutes, be alone in silence, breathe deeply, stretch your body, observe your surroundings, touch everything, embrace your sadness, feel your pain, cry to cleanse, let it go, smile at the sky, be stunned by the vastness, open your heart, and thank God for being able.

 

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Cancel the epiphany

 

I'm totally wrong.  The first half does indeed make a difference.  Here's what the first half switched would do to the back loop if I followed the TOP/top method.  The left side is the correct direction from the instructions, and the right side would be changing the direction of the first half of the cross.  Vertical linen thread is on top, but top to bottom second half cross is incorrect making the back loop in the wrong place and allowing the thread to slip and disappear.

And here's what would happen if another stitch was beneath.  The second half would need to be from top to bottom even though the vertical thread was on the bottom, so that top/top bottom/bottom nonsense was way off.  Following my method would again not create the loop in the right position to prevent disappearing threads. 

 

Looking at the examples, I see that the back loop must be running the same direction as the top linen thread in the intersection.  So I would move horizontal or vertical to come up for the second half of the cross, depending on the top linen thread.  Across if the thread is horizontal, up and down if it is running vertical, regardless of the first half direction.  I think this may be correct.   Am I right this time????

 

I am definitely using Barbara's method so maybe I should just give up trying to learn this.  I'm having enough trouble with wanting to stitch.  Many of my older pieces had over one and I don't remember it being such a hassle!!  When I can't grasp something so simple, it really aggravates me.  But I am letting go!

 

Sorry for the malarkey.

 

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The over one epiphany

was a bunch of nonsense so I removed this post's content,  just in case someone thought it made sense and would give it a try.

It basically was incorrectly thinking that the vertical thread in the intersection of the stitch, would determine the second half of the cross.  If the vertical thread was on top, the second half would go from top to bottom, and if the vertical thread was on the bottom of the intersection, the second half would go from bottom to top.  Wrong!  So rather than create a problem for someone, I decided to remove it.