Convert!

Hello people.  March is flying by isn't it?  This weekend marks 16 years that my Dad passed away after a few weeks of terror and panic caused by a clot in his lung they failed to diagnose.  I previously wrote the story and how the "specialist" punk saw me in Macy's parking lot and ran into the store.  Now, hardly any people in the lot or store since they are ready to close, so if I happen to see him, no crowd to save him.  I've seen people say they have forgiven the person that murdered their loved one.  I'm not that merciful.  People make mistakes, but for a specialist to watch someone with claustrophobia gasp in panic for weeks, no way.  I hope your weekend has happier thoughts than ours will.

 

Comments about overdyed and expensive silk thread coversion were left and while ordering the Animal Crackers, I found these.  Didn't look for the silk but I'm sure they are out there.

GAST to DMC
http://www.stitchesnthings.com/GASTtoDMC.html

http://www.stitchersvillage.com/images/conversions/Gentle-Arts-threads-to-DMC.pdf

Weeks Dye Works to DMC

http://www.stitchesnthings.com/WeeksToDMC.html

This site starts with the DMC number, but you can type the color name in the top search box (empty text box in the middle), hit enter, and it will highlight the name.  That's how I found Ruby Slipper that wasn't on the other sites, and found the DMC equivalent.

http://crownstitches.nl/web/garenconversie.pdf

I hope this helps someone.  I didn't look any further because we are packing up the smart tv to exchange since the backlight slowly darkens the screen.  Over and over and over.  It was only smart for two days.

Possible next project for the little round box I bought with the picnic basket.  40 count is perfect.  Stitched it once on the fabric covered box for my cousin Pat, personalized.  Her mom's name was Jenny and I used Pat's initials and those of her sister with early dementia instead of the date.

 

 

We are covered in heavy wet snow and will have very cold temps for a while. 

Have a great weekend.

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Over one, The End

This is it.  All other drawings, diagrams, videos, gone.  Except for Barbara's suggestion on the fine cloth beneath.  Still holding on to that and will give it a try too.  But this one absolutely makes sense to me.  My problem with over one is not only ugly twisted bumps of a stitch, it's the floss disappearing behind the linen weave.  Very hard to explain, but seeing this method in a diagram sunk in.  You must cross over two threads on the back.  Bingo.  But looking at my linen and trying to do it, just confused the heck out of me... because ....  I stitch from bottom to top, left to right.  That creates a straight line of floss on the back that doesn't cross over. Well you can't do that.  Left to right is done top to bottom, opposite of mine.  Of course.  By going over two threads on the back and following this sequence, my floss cannot slip behind.  The ugly twisted bumps will stand proudly. You can click on these photos, then right click to print if you want them for a reference.  I asked Joanie F's permission and since there is no credit printed on them, we don't know where they came from. 

 

And one other thing - the grapes.  Still sucking down sour grapes but I made a similar dish to the big grape salad recipe and it's just as good.  Use one single serve Oikos vanilla Triple Zero Greek yogurt ( you can make two or three servings from this), adding about 1Tbsp brown sugar (to your taste), and sprinkling with pecans (or walnuts), add the grapes and it tastes just as good as the larger higher fat recipe.  It's the brown sugar that gives that great flavor to the grapes.  We added bananas too.  Next time, apples or coconut flakes.  Wonderful!  And easy for small or single servings. 

Glad to say that I let go of my Basic Cloth packages to someone who loves that fabric.  

 The wind today is violent and I just heard something hit the house, probably another limb.  My husband is on the golf course.  I doubt he will make any pars, and the only birdies will be whizzing by in the wind.  Better duck!

 

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What a difference a day makes

I went from wanting Monroe, a tiny picnic, miniature sampler, a filled cart at 123, to ..... eh.  I should have known better than to not have another project at the ready so there would be no slack time.  But I failed.  Slumping slacker I am.  Have no desire to even look through charts.  So instead I started another pile for reduction.  Another bag of floss, this time almost 400 skeins, shipped out yesterday to the next in line from the prior offer.  That will probably be all of it.  No one was interested in the Soie d'Alger I tried to sell a while ago so out it went along with the cards of Alpaca and remaining Whisper.  I just don't want to continue storing items I have not and never will use. 

For some reason, Basic Cloth is something I just keep putting back.  I won't stitch it but love the fabric so maybe I will find another use for it. 

Tons of small freebies and notes, instructions, hints, tips, take up several thick folders and I will go through them next.  In that group, is the detailed instruction for over one stitching from Joanie F that I will be holding on to.  It makes good sense to me and is different from what I've always done, so it may be the solution.

My extra wide LoRan magnetic board that I used to use is now hanging over my sewing machine to keep needles and dodads handy.  The large clips can hold instructions or pattern, and especially small pouches for rulers, pokes, and rippers.  Mark drilled slotted holes for hanging but I will use screws for securing it to the wall, otherwise, it moves outward when removing something from a strong magnet.  It will keep small items that I continually lose in one place and be smack in front of me. 

 

Another thing I don't need is a very nicely made tote, I believe for a frame of some sort.  It is heavy loop soft pile fabric lined with a very nice sort of silky material.  Gusseted bottom, 16" wide and 24" long.  Black twill straps and Velcro top strip for closing.  The lining is a grayish color and the outside a dark blue.

 

I will probably sell this for $20 including shipping (USA) because I have another that is short and wide for a frame that I don't even use.  That will be the next to go.

 

I've asked Mark to hide my Dove chocolate because I NEED to lose weight and have no will power.  Unfortunately, this is a task he doesn't excel in.  I have found them every time, so asked him to lock them in his car.  He's afraid he will need to replace a window so declined my request.

 

We set up a new TV today, ultra high def and in order to get a decent picture, we need to rent a cable box for another $15 a month.  The other HD TVs are sharp and clear without the box but not this one.  It's a "smart" tv that connects to my wireless internet service and offers everything everything, of which I know nothing nothing.  A smart phone before a smart tv would have helped.  Well... any smart would have.

 

Have a good one!

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Have a picnic

Greetings folks.  Lots of emails regarding where to find the mini basket and do your own stitchery for the top.  So many places to list that I decided to post this.  Just Google or Bing search "mini picnic basket" and you will find lots of wedding and party sites that offer them, including Etsy and Amazon.  Most are sold in sets of 6 or 8, others require a minimum order of 250 (you don't need that!), so just search and check on prices and shipping, maybe split the order with stitching buds.  My local craft store had a few so I didn't have to order.

 

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Samplers, santas, and ....

Monroe.

 

 

One of Stacy Nash's new releases from her Animal Crackers series.  The cats are adorable too but I fell in love with Monroe first.  In case you haven't seen them, this is Theodore.

And for those of you that didn't see the mini basket limited edition I was unable to order, this is it from Country Stitches.

 

The tiny basket is a mini picnic basket with lid (actually a party/wedding favor), sold in sets of 6 or 8 online. I saw the medium size also locally which is 6"x4". I don't think I would like a padded lid on a larger basket, this is just so small and sweet. From what I've read on FB, they are all sold but maybe your local shop will be bringing a few home so check if you're interested.  Have no idea on pricing.  

 

Patching ceiling drywall and measuring for crown moulding this weekend. 

Hope yours is just as exciting.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Do you feel left out?

Nashville.  Disneyland for stitchers.  There should be a live video for those of us stuck at home wondering what everyone is lucky enough to see, feel, purchase.  Maybe there is, and I'm left out of that too!  One thing in particular bugs me, and it shouldn't.  But it does.  The limited edition designs and kits.  I saw one on Facebook that I would love to have.  Don't even know if I could afford it or be willing to spend an inflated amount for it.  But it is very limited.  I saw a few shops posting that all kits are now spoken for.  Do I have a shop to notify and request one?  No.  Do you?  Does it bother you to be left out?

 

Well snotty crabass that I am went through a boatload of freebies and smalls, easily put together a similar design, bought the little basket, and will use the money I saved to pay for Carole's (my!!!) car repair.  Not the same as the real thing, but better than nothing at all.  

 

I have several very old Basketville buckets with lids.  I think they were called lunch totes.  Considered something for the lids years ago, changed my mind. I have various sizes with single and double handles. 

 

Made the Rootin Tootin Bean Salad today.  If you haven't tried it, hop over to the recipe blog and do so.  SO good.

 

 

Done for the day!

 

Have a great weekend.

Thanks for visiting.

 

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