A bright spot

on a snowy day.

 

Regarding the limp linen issue, Paula was kind enough to email with a product she uses and I found it online.  Magic Extra Crisp Sizing Fabric Finish. I will be looking for it locally but until then tried the Magic I had in the cupboard. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Mom always wanted her doilies and dresser scarves starched so I've got three old cans from various companies.  I followed the directions to allow the spray to enter the fabric by running my hand over the sprayed linen to make sure it penetrated. 

 

Here's the difference in WDW 32 count Tin Roof.  One sprayed, one not.  This was sprayed twice and you can see the extra body just by the way it lays.  But I will still get what Paula recommended and try the sizing, different from starch.  Definitely made the linen stiffer, the weave more stable.  But what about creasing while stitching in hand or a hoop's mark?   Doesn't starched fabric wrinkle easily and stay that way?  This could be one solution to limp linen, will let you know the result of using the sizing.  There's still hope for all my small pieces of WDW gorgeous colors.

 

While I was putting away recent purchases I happened to see my ginghams in 28 and compared to the 32 Tin Roof (both WDW), they not only look the same count, but the 32 looks looser.  I guess this is why it's so difficult trying to determine count in unmarked stash.  I would have had these two reversed. 

Hope you're having a good day.  Thanks for the box purchases.  I may try to get a few more hearts this weekend. 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Sale on

Click the For SALE tab under the header photo. 

 

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He's not a bell

but I gave him a few.  I don't know if you would want to be bored to tears viewing photos of how the Santa bell almost came to be.  Really, it would be quite easy to fabricate, but I really didn't want to bother.  I still prefer simple and for that reason, as I look at the completed piece before me, Santa will be bell-less when I finish this post.  I'm sorry sir, but I must rip your bells off.

I used a thin strip of green wool for the strap and also for each bell.  I love this color and can't remember where I got it, goes very nicely with his tree. 

 

A reminder also about the sale this evening at 8pm.  Not much, but I'm hoping to sell off these last few.  I must say, the red heart boxes ..... really nice.  They are almost 8" across so a good size.  After purchasing the fricking ink, the magenta print head clogged, and I wasted much time and $$ on trying to hold on to the best printer I've had.  So I doubt there will be any more heart boxes.

 

The internet has been off and on today so if I am late with the sale, I can blame it on that.

And to Mary Margaret, you are no-reply ... so I can't!  I believe those ornaments call for 9"x9" squares and the seller on EBay has it cut 9" x 17" so you could get two ornaments from one piece.  I got a double piece because I couldn't find it elsewhere. Whoops.  I just checked and she has sold out of the red.  You could probably order from Needlecraft Corner or request it through 123Stitch. All the info as to size and threads and buttons and such can be found on their site by clicking http://handsondesign.biz/12-days-hands-on-style/

Since this gingham appears very subtle, I'm sure using the solid Aztec Red from WDW would be just as nice.  And no, I'm not stitching them.  I am a linen hoarder and just wanted it! 

Later gator.

 

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More checks

Greetings folks.  February.  Won't be long until we start seeing flowers at the garden centers.

 

I happened to spot something by accident today and it led to Hands on Designs' website.  You're probably already familiar with the new series of ornaments she featured this past December called 12 Days.  (The photo is from the website).  The linen is Aztec Red gingham from WeeksDW.  How did I miss this?  So I searched and searched, found some on Ebay and ordered a piece. 

 

Then I got confused.  After searching for more info, I saw the supplies on Needlecraft Corner and their linen states 32 count.  ???  I always thought the Weeks gingham was only 28 count.  Too late, already ordered.  I would have preferred the 32, if it's available.  EDIT-their error, it's 28.

 

You can read more about this series here http://handsondesign.biz/12-days-hands-on-style/.

While ordering the gingham, I tried to remember the difference between Zweigart and Wichelt so I don't order a linen that I am unhappy with.  Again.  I always thought Zweigart was mentioned as a coarse/stiff linen, but read that it is soft.  Wichelt has more sizing and stiffness.  But.  Although stiffer, the threads are thinner and the linen more sheer.  Zweigart is softer but the threads are thicker, less sheer.  So what the hell?  I can't get thick and stiff in one?  My unbleached yardage is thick, and stiff, and coarse, so maybe the natural/raw fabric has those qualities but not those that are bleached and dyed.  I don't know.  The last piece I purchased is a fabulous color from Wichelt, but it's soft, slippery, and shiny.  I hate shiny linen.  So if I rinse it, will the sizing be removed taking the sheen with it?  Probably be even more soft and limp after.  I give up.  Since I bought quite a bit of WDW recently, I will be using it for smalls.  It's too soft for me but it has a matte finish which is a plus.  Has anyone tried a spray starch on it?  I have an old can and it didn't work very well, maybe there is a brand or product that will add body?

 

That's all I got.  Confusion.  Nothing new.

Have a good day.

 

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Preview

These are the last boxes, unless I find more when I clean out the other closet.  Offered this Wednesday at 8pm EST on the SALE page.

One of each.

Bugle Boy is 7", the tall rounds are 5", green sampler is on tall 4"x6" oval, little primitive is 4".

 

 

 

 Heart is 8"x8" on red.  May have two more soon.

 

 Will post a reminder before the sale.  No pre-sales.

 

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Holding my breath

I think the old printer is working again.  Why?  I have no idea because I check every week and the black ink would not release.  Today - it happened.  This is the one that prints so much better than any other I have tried, including my new one.  I am still done with boxes but have journals to work on so I will spend the $125 for ink and hold my breath.

 

 

 Still need a camera.  Look how horrible these photos have become.

 

My cousin from MN is coming to stay for a week at about the same time my brother is getting his pacemaker.  He's a nervous wreck because his ferals each have their own space in his garage, porch, and house, none of which allow me near.  They are always secured at night and I think the only option is for him to lock them in the garage with their litter and food.  The only way to enter is through the overhead doors and they will bolt for sure if I lift them.

 

I had to remove the center area of Rosanna because of that one stitch over error which I failed to remember.  I'll show you what happened with the bell finish (not!) next time.  It would work, but I didn't want to bother.  Lazy daisy, that's me.  Mom wanted to name me Daisy, then Susan, settled on Marlene, and then called me Flossy.  My sister called me Morticia because of my long wild hair.  My brother called me Weed because I grew so tall.  Polish grandparents, Malinka.

 

Have a great start to another week already.  Geez. 

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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