In Paint

Lots of big photos coming up!

Several of you have asked how I manipulate photos to test colors and placement.  I have no idea what equipment is required to do those YouTube videos and show you, but that would be fun!  So here's the best I can do.  A few screen shots for the basics.

 

The more I looked at the Heart, I was concerned that the blue bird was too close to the middle cleavage (or whatever you call that dip in the center).  So I took the photo, opened in Paint, and rotated the bird horizontal so the tail would be out of the way.  Here's how.

 

First, right click on your photo from it's current location (Pictures folder, Photo Gallery, camera file) and choose Open with ..... Paint.  If the photo is too large, click on VIEW at the top menu and then  .. zoom out. 

On the Paint HOME page, click on SELECT (you can't copy or paste without it).  Your little cursor cross can then be positioned in the top corner area of what you want to change.  Hold your left button/touchpad while dragging the cross around the area, let go. The dotted lines around the bird indicate the "selection". 

 

  Once you let go, move the cursor into the selection area, right click .....COPY.  Then right click .. PASTE.  Your selection will appear in the top left.  Don't touch anything or it will stick.  Move the cursor into the paste and drag it to (hold down mouse/touchpad) where you want.

 

Let go (lift off) when positioned, move out of the area, and click to finish the move.  Not right?  Just hit the top left blue BACK arrow and start over.  You can hit it several times to go back even further to remove prior actions.  You can also just hold the mouse/touchpad and drag your selection to the new location WITHOUT right clicking for copy and paste, but that area will then be a vacant spot of white. 

 

 

You can also select an area of linen to copy and paste over an area to block out any stitching.  This is mostly how I removed the diamond shapes in the original chart, some were covered with the brush option. 

But regardless of how messy the work is, you can get a sense of the changes before actually stitching, and determine if they are a good or bad idea.  Many times, the new move will not cover an area completely and a small selection of bare linen can be pasted to hide it.

 

In this case, I wanted to rotate the bird so after making the selection with the cursor, I clicked ROTATE on the menu, and chose FLIP HORIZONTAL, which did just that.  You can continue choosing the position to rotate before you anchor it.  Not right?  Just hit that blue arrow and start again. 

 

When you are finished, you will have the option to save the photo.  IF YOU DO, your original is gone and you have the changed photo.  But.  The thing to do - click FILE, SAVE AS, JPEG picture, and just add a number or letter to the original file name when the box opens, and then save.  That way, you keep the original and also created a new file with the changes.

And keep in mind - you can close the entire page and choose DON'T SAVE, which will go back to the start.  Remember that clicking the blue arrow to go back will remove any errors or changes you want to do over before ending your work. 

 

I wanted it over more, and also the brown bird, so I selected and moved both to the right.  There will be overlaps and such but it will give a general idea as to whether the changes you are considering will work.   And because I did this, I can see now it will be much better for the heart shape giving me more space for the center cut, worth the time to remove and restitch. 

 

 

I hope this explains the Paint method I use, maybe one day I'll be a FlossTube star and show you more detail .

 

This also works for changing colors, but not as easily. Same method if you have an area of the color you are considering, with small copy and paste sections.  Otherwise, you must use the brush menu, edit the colors, and it takes a while.

 

Did I make it harder or easier for you to try??

 Or was it a big snooze fest?

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Mojo working

Hey!  I thought I would have given up by now on motif-icating.  I did have problems with the basket so I simplified for my aptitude.  Just a few more and I need to decide on moving the peacock in place of the angel or stitching as is.  I had a noticeable error in the last photo.  The birdcage was missing its top.  I thought it looked odd.

  I'm still working on Santa's bell finish and simplified that too. 

 

All went well at the hospital today, except for the slight whiplash after the wheelchair turned into a catapult.  I had trouble with the new models at the Diagnostic Center, those were hand brakes.  The hospital's are like a lounge chair with side arms that raise and a long bar across the top that needs to be held tight.  If you let it go, boom.  Brakes.  Sudden stop.  Patients lunged forward.  We had a good laugh since this has happened so many times before, starting with the speed bumps in the parking lot.  As we checked into the Heart Center, we were greeted by a memorial plaque for our doctor that recently passed.  So sad.

 

I've been on a kick for the Cowboy Candy we made this year.  Jalapenos in a sweet heavy syrup, the hot/sweet is heaven!  And I don't care for hot peppers.  A baguette slice, a few candy, and a little slice of cheese, under the broiler real quick and I can't stop eating them.

 

As for the sticky chicken, it's hard to give a recipe.  Mom made this and called it sticky chicken because ... it is.  Sticky.  You can use whatever parts you prefer (I like dark).  In a plastic bag I put 1/2 cup flour, 3/4 tsp. paprika, 1 tsp. cinnamon (or less), less than 1/8 tsp cloves (or none if you don't like clove).  Shake to blend and then add chicken pieces to coat, brown in canola oil, and transfer to baking dish.  Slice potatoes into quarters or eighths, par boil until starting to soften.  Drain and add to baking dish.  Sprinkle some paprika and cinnamon over, salt over all.  Add 1/4 to 1/2 stick of butter to browning skillet (depending on how much oil is left), add a little water, melt and blend scraping any bits.  Pour this over potatoes and chicken, cover loosely and bake at 350 for a half hour to 45 minutes.  That's it.  We like a little more cinnamon and a touch more cloves which can be added after baking if needed, or to the liquid before pouring over.

 

Weather has warmed somewhat and Mark will be golfing again.  I'll be going around the house making lists of projects.  Simplify.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take care, be safe, stitch happy.

 

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Heart progress

Good day to you.  Hope your weekend is peaceful.  I have the afternoon in a QUIET house, Mark is golfing.  If it's above 32, snow is off the course, they play.  For some reason, I still can't adjust to a schedule since having him home all the time.  The only time I can get my butt in gear and clean the house, organize, declutter, is when I am alone.  So that's the plan for this afternoon, and then make sticky chicken again.  He loves it, we just had it, but wants it again.  Very simple with a touch of paprika, clove and cinnamon.

 

So here's the heart progress.

 

I am still having issue with the very dark fabric so I opted for my comfortable linen and I believe it's 28 count.  This will be a little larger but that's OK.  Changing thread colors here and there to accommodate the linen, simplified some of the motifs to a solid color, and changed a few positions slightly. I raised the birds because I want the heart cleavage a little deeper, narrowed the center tree and the bird cage. I prefer long thin heart shapes and doubt these minor changes can achieve that, but even just a few stitches can make a difference. It will be a nice heart to frame with a mat, but I will sew it and hang it from the iron hook I installed on my interior doors.  Really happy with that idea, so easy to move things and the larger sewn finishes are the perfect size for doors. 

 

Tomorrow, taking Carole for her echocardiogram and I'm sure she will have other errands for me. 

 

Have a great week!

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Names drawn

Hello people.  LOTS of entries!  But it worked out that the names drawn each had a different preference so everyone is receiving their choice.  That was lucky!

 

Names drawn were Bonnie Tucker, Cathleen Nelson, laceystitcher, and Cheryl Petrashek. 

 

Thanks everyone.   I may have more in the near future.

 

Have a great weekend.

 

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Mojoitis

That's what I have.  Mojoitis.  I am trying to start the heart, having decision issues, and that throws water on the few embers left. 

 

I started with the Charcoal Belfast and for some reason, I can't see well enough to be comfortable.  Using 3.0 mags and I am still hitting the wrong hole, searching, ending one thread off.  Over and over and over.  So I decided to move on to my standby unbleached stiff linen, which means thread color changes, again.  I get so frustrated with the time and effort involved to START a project, that it dampens my enthusiasm.  Happening now. 

 

So I went back to the Pinterest photo, threw it into Paint, and removed the diamond elements as I did with the black background.  Guess what?  I think it looks just fine.  The stark black accented every stitch but with a lighter background, I like it either way.  So do I follow the chart and change nothing?  It would be easier.  I can leave the diamonds for last and add or not.  This is the photo that made me want to stitch this design and I should have referred to it sooner.  I think it may be WDW Gunmetal linen, and I probably have it.

I create my own problems by making changes.  There are times when stitching should be just stitching.  Not rearranging, not overthinking, not planning something different.  Just stitch.  Pick up the freaking needle and go with it.  If you don't like it, move to something else, make a minor change, but don't let it get to the point of ruining the enjoyment.  My last several projects were changed without charting and they weren't easy. Right now, I need to pick up a simple chart and follow the recommended linen and threads.

 

It was high 60's today and Friday will be 30. We took Carole to the doc in torrential rains and winds, he was pleased with her progress, and impressed with the size of my cold sore.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Here's the deal

Check the prior post for more detail and then email me with your pack # choice, in order of preference if more than one. I will draw one name for each pack.  The price is still $15.  I don't like this fabric and you may not like it either except for a few pieces in your batch.  I have other pieces that are current, known count size and color, that I may sell for regular prices. But this is fabric you have not seen, not sure of count, maker, color, so I don't expect you to pay for what is basically, a grab bag, even though some pieces are quite large and neutral.  So please list your preference and email me if you are interested.  I will notify the name drawn by 6PM Saturday.  US only.

 

samplersandsantas@gmail.com

 

Pack #1

 

 

 

Pack #2

 

 

 

Pack #3

 

 

 

Pack #4