Tell it to me straight

Hello people.  I mentioned last post about how I am back to being on edge, waiting for the phone to ring.  Well, she couldn't breathe again.  All night.  Could not lie down.  She refused a trip to the ER knowing they would admit her, and she has had enough of mistakes, misdiagnoses, and near death reactions of hospital stays.  If it would have progressed, she was ready to call the EMTs, but started to feel relief by morning.  She is better today, just came from there after getting her groceries and low sodium Lean Cuisines so she can rest.  Her very close friend passed away Saturday but it wasn't unexpected so I don't think it had anything to do with her condition.  Already taking 80 mg Lasix daily.

 

Moving on to my question for you. 

 

 

 

I have lots of little pillows and ornaments to hang and have this option in my mind for Hannah.  The fabric is just perfect, and I picture the stitchery on a longer drawstring pouch that can be hung from a bedpost, mirror's corner, edge of a flat black TV, or .... that's enough.

Then I saw Anna Eliza Abe and the fabric is perfect to show her off.  Maybe make two?  Since I don't know how to make one, and haven't found any online instructions or videos, it may be best to wait and see.  Rather than cut Hannah to fit now, I plan on making the pouch first.  If it comes out decent, I will open the seams to sew in Hannah or attach her by hand. 

 

Of course the pouches will look better when actually constructed, but what do you think?  Either leather or a braided cord for the draw, line with a different fabric.  Should I try or not?

 

Be honest.  I can take it. 

 

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Slumping along

Greetings.  It's May.  Time to start thinking about flowers and hanging baskets.

 

When I mentioned last post about not enjoying Mary Spinney, it's not because of Mary.  I just don't want to stitch.  That's why choosing a linen that I loved was important, otherwise, I wouldn't be stitching at all. 

I'm half done with this project and have no idea if another will follow.  The only pieces I really want on the wall are the very large ones, but do I really think I could become involved enough to complete it?  No.  For all these years of menopausal madness, I wonder if the way I feel now is a result, a consequence, or totally unrelated.  But my attitude about many things is changing.  Turning 65 have anything to do with it?  Don't believe so.  I thought the constant waiting for a panicked phone call from sister was over, but a ridiculous commercial started it again.  The one advertising a drug for heart failure, while playing "Tomorrow" in the background and stating that for people with heart failure, tomorrow is not a given.  What a stupid and totally insensitive thing to say.  It hit me in the pit of my stomach and can't imagine how my sister feels or anyone else with CHF.

When Googling to find the drug company responsible, I came across The Dirty Dozen - 12 worst CEO's for lab animals.  I shouldn't have read it, but I did.  I had no idea how horrific these people are, but when I read about Tier I Group, a military training contractor, I was stunned at the live mutilations.  More stunned that it was allowed.  I know Pfizer and others try to use labs overseas where there are no regulations for humane treatment.  The military training rules regarding animals has been tightened, but it doesn't excuse the past.  Am I foolish to read something so upsetting, or smart to be informed and protest?   The videos are there, but I did not watch them nor will I.  The accounts are horrific enough without viewing the atrocities.
 

Anyway, boxes are up on the Box page and I will step off my box for now.

 

Enjoy your day.

 

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What a difference

Both very nice, but I prefer a rough matte finish linen in darker shades. 18th Century Sea Glass which I can no longer find.  I remember using a light spray of reddish brown on this piece which is NOT what you do with hand dyed, but it was more green than my other piece.  I wanted to tone it down and can't tell you if it was a dye or walnut solution. So very close to the original Rook that I love. 

To tell the truth, I am still not enjoying this.

 

 

The Liberty boxes will go on sale Sunday May 1. 

 

April is ending.  Holy crap.  I vowed to have the house projects finished or under contract by spring and as usual, procrastination, indecisiveness, and lack of competent craftsmen have contributed to missing that goal.

 

Have a beautiful spring weekend!

 

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The perilous purse

 

 

A furball with filthy paws checked out the green linen from the kit, and turned his back to it.  Shortly thereafter, that back was flying out of the room.  Will you look at those back feet!!

 

 

In another room, it seems his mother chose the dyed-by-me version and thought it was a comfortable pad to nap on.  A short time later she was napping on her sherpa in the garage. 

 

I chose the Sea Glass, free of cat hair.  I also chose not to grab them since the scratches have finally healed.

 

I haven't had a Kohl's episode of embarrassment in a while but made up for it today.  I changed from a small crossbody bag to a quite large one (of that slippery nylon) and that damn thing was sliding and circling my body like a hyped squirrel.  The bench in the footware department was taken so I opened a shoe box in the aisle, and as I started hopping on one foot while holding onto the shelves with the other, the squirrel purse slid to my front.  As I bent to put on the shoe, the looped elastic on it somehow slipped into the little slot on the squirrel bag's zipper pull which took quite a while to get out.  I shoved the purse to my side and it propelled all the way around ending up on the right side while the wide strap sunk into my throat and cut off my air.  I put the shoe box back and gave the Baggallini life form another shove and as it circled for a landing it came off my neck and slid down over both arms, ending up like an monstrous fanny pack.  Walking down the aisle trying to adjust it back to a tame crossbody, the bag from hell smacked into the open end clearance rack and knocked off several boxes, spilling the shoes.  I bent to pick them up, it slid over my arm to the front and hung from my neck like a feedsack.  I shortened the strap and used it as shoulder bag, which kept sliding off, and wanted to try a pair of comfort shoes.  With my arthritis, try as I did, I could not remove the hard form inside that holds shape. People passing saw me struggling with my hand in a shoe, grunting, making faces ... what did they think I was doing?  I'd had enough and left, remembering I parked near the light post.  That's the second time I set off a car alarm in their parking lot.  Did you know that to the untrained eye, a new Nissan Rogue looks the same from the back as a Ford Escape?   

I came home and husband asked what I had stuck on my pants.  Must have happened during the shoe department ruckus.  I'm glad it didn't have embedded security and set off an alarm. 

I know I was not posting for another week, but by then, the details of this would be forgotten or blown out of proportion.  I tried to tell my sister about my perilous purse, but she kept getting calls and putting me on hold.  So I decided to tell you.

 

Enjoy your weekend.

 

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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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