It doesn't take much

to turn a slump into a suspension for me.  After all the dyeing and adjusting to get the deep crabass brown shade I wanted, took the time to work out the best colors for it, even ran the red thread to make sure the border will be in line, and I'm screwed.  Maybe you can tell me why.

 

This is the chart and the count is correct. Using the 30 count fabric, it should be 16 1/4" and it states to cut the linen 18".  My piece is 19 1/2". 

The 233 stitch count ÷ 14 (28 count fabric) would be 16.6". 

For 30 count, 233 ÷ 15 would be 15.5". 

This is 30 count and I'm already at 17" and I have 26 rows to go!  What the hell?  What did I do?

I have counted over and over, have no more room, and (I'll say it again because I need it to sink into my brain) still have 24 rows to go.  Can anyone figure this out?  Do I have watermelon brain from eating too much of it?  It doesn't make sense.  I'm putting it aside and will try to figure this out tomorrow. 

Mark just told me that Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is on the tv.  The movie that makes me laugh until the tears come and the mascara runs.  Half over and I'm starting with the car rental so the best is yet to come.  After all the stitching issues, the day will be ending with laughter. 

 

Hope you're having the giggles too.

 

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Browning

 

Linen.  All started with Rit's Dark Brown (too reddish for me) and each took the color differently even though they were very similar to start.  After drying, I put the solution in a spray bottle, added a little more of the brown (and also a drop of yellow and orange) and sprayed the linen to create an almost invisible mottling.

 

I'm using pieces that I did not like for one reason or another but if any result in a great brown, I'll stitch with it.  I usually save the dye solution but didn't this time. I already have several jars in the basement.

 

The darkest piece I have right now is the Birds of a Feather Sparrow and I may end up using it for Nan's sampler.

Hours later...
here's what each piece looks like after the process.

    


Not as dark as the Sparrow, but plenty dark enough.

 

 This is a piece of unbleached linen which is what I usually grab for a sampler, and you can see the difference.  I may get another spray bottle with a touch of yellow to brighten the two outside pieces.   The Sparrow is really nice, REALLY dark, and I'm still not sure which I will use, but leaning toward the center piece.

Sparrow is a happy brown.  I want a crabass brown.  Can you imagine the color names if I sold hand dyed linen?

 Crabass Brown.  Bite me Blue.  Miserable Mauve.  Cranky Coral.  Whiny wine.  Grouchy Green.  Nasty Red.  Irascible Iris.  Peeved Pink.  MenoMelon.  Bitch Ball Gray.  For now, Crabass Brown sounds just perfect.

 

Enjoy your day - thanks for visiting.

 

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Grab 'n go

got up and went.  I have been so thoroughly discombobulated lately that I can't focus to think clearly.  I think Mary Ann needs different linen and the stash is such a mess, I don't know where to start.  All the recent orders for more fabric is my way of trying to muster interest in continuing to stitch.  I took out all the big girls that I really would like to do, but just can't bring myself to start.  So when all else fails, go back to the pile. 

 

For right now, this is my choice.  Tonight anyway.  But I see this on a darker bronze/green/brown linen with not many floss changes in the body.  But wild birds.  Red, bright blue, gold, lots of color at the bottom.  So that's the plan today.  We'll see what tomorrow brings. I so hate pulling out linen for color and size.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Budman has been enjoying the hot lazy days and is usually on the swing with me.  Yesterday he kept head butting me to scratch him, so I did.  He reciprocated.  I should buy peroxide in a gallon.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a good day.

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Starting over

Something just didn't (still doesn't) feel right.  I didn't know if it was the backstitched border, the Broom Stick Brown, the thread, or the color.  So I grabbed another piece that I believe is 32 count and started over.  But something still isn't right and the first try border and linen are gone so they weren't the problem.  The blue may be too strong for me (it's brighter than the photo).  The linen too light.  Something.  May do another grab 'n go later.

 

 

I had one tiny tiny cap and didn't think I could make a berry small enough.  But I did, all 2" of it.  I know many of you are asking for sources but it took me quite a long time and many hours to find them, and I plan to sell the finished berries.  I am not offering the seller as I did with the other caps, not now, but maybe soon.  I did not order through Etsy.  As I continue to rid the supplies in my sewing room, I may just decide not to bother with them.  You'll be the first to know.

 

August.  Augh.  Can't believe it. 

I am bitch, hear me roar.

 

Have a great start to the final weeks of summer. 

 

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Berry pickin'

 

Removing all the years of supplies for projects I intended to make and never did.  Some new items have taken preference.

 

 

Maybe I should be using the materials and supplies everywhere to get projects ready for Christmas sales instead of stitching.

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Flower thread

Hello!  I can't believe it's August tomorrow!  To say I'm crabby is putting it quite mildly.  Hope your weekend is going well.

 

Choosing the next project is such a chore for me.  I could take weeks and still be undecided, and by then, Mary Ann Bradbury should be finished.  She is small but interesting with dividing bands of different yet easy stitches.  The recommended thread is flower thread.  I knew I had some and surprised myself when I found it.  Truth be told it was by accident but that's irrelevant.  

 

Do I enjoy stitching with it?  Yes and no.  I like the thickness and only having to use one strand.  But in this small area, I have made several errors and the flower is delicate.  A good yank and it breaks, the twist loosens, and it leaves behind fuzz when removed.  For me, very similar to using wool thread.  This is 30 count, chart calls for 25. 

 

 

  

Mary Ann is by R&R from 1994, reproduction from Boston Museum of Fine Arts.  Another small simple marking sampler with great colors.  I will probably continue with the flower thread but I'm picturing this with DMC and ..... ah..... I think I would prefer it.  The linen is the Broom Stick brown that I don't like.  Just grabbed the top of the linen pile and the top of the small sampler pile.  Best way for me to start a project while deciding to start a project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for the zucchini bread, it's a different kind of chocolate flavor being mostly from cocoa, not as sweet as the traditional box cake.  There is no liquid in the recipe and I made the mistake of removing too much moisture from the zucchini.  It shouldn't be wrung out for this, maybe just drained in a colander for a bit.  We think it's very good and I like the strong cocoa flavor.  There may be a tie with the bundt recipe (here).

 

Thanks for visiting!

 

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