WOODY!!!!

That damn bird is now trying to nest in our mailbox!  We need to find a metal plate for the side, he is almost completely through.  But will that stop Woody Wood****er?  Probably not because he is tearing it up on all sides including the door. 

 

We have sun this morning, blustery winds, and wet leaves covering the yard.  I pounded a long piece of rebar well into the ground and slid the cornstalks over to secure them.  The high winds bent the tops on one but the stalks themselves stayed upright.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You may be growing weary of Mr. Blue by now, but Linda Mckenzie's finishing method for him is something I never thought of, and a great idea for holiday displays.  Hers is on 35/36 count, nice tight coverage.  I asked her if it was OK to share her finish and she gave permission.  The fabric colors are perfect!  I do prefer this darker blue as Lori intended but will continue on with my lighter version.  It will give me something more to crab about later and we must feed the crab.  But there is plenty of food right now and I really really like the darker blue.  Really.

I've already had some frogging on him because I don't pay attention to the chart when there is fill work.  So I stitched the outline which I should have done before, and now I don't have to worry about those errors.

 

Have a good day!

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Continuing with one thread

Instead of 924, I moved to 930 and then tried one shade lighter.  The 931 is still strong enough in color yet not as sharp a contrast with the linen, and coverage looks much better.  Looks even better than the craptastic photo.  I am really surprised this worked because the other lighter shades did not, glad that I continued messing with it.

 

These mundane posts have been showing up because I am not able to do much other than bug you.  The good news - there is now air flowing through one nostril.  Progress!  The bad news - not much left for the trick-or-treaters.  Snickers peanut butter bars are much better than I expected.  Reese cups never make it to the treat hour so I do not buy them, but these won't either.  I'll put on my red rubber boots, the sunglasses with only one lens, my red paint stained sweatshirt, and with my bulbous red nose, 28# cold sore, and unwashed wild hair, they will forget all about a treat when the door opens. 

 

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As the optician says

One?  Or two? 

One?  Or two? 

I have the same question.

 

Thirty count used to be my favorite and I do have some left, but followed the chart with thirty two count.  Those two threads per inch make quite a difference and cause me quite a dilemma regarding floss threads.  I do not like the sparse look of one thread on 32 count, but two threads are heavy and bulky.  At least mine are.  And I really don't like stitching with two strands any longer.  The stag is one, and it's OK I guess, not as large an area as his coat.  But the dark blue contrast on the lighter linen is too open for me.  I tried a lighter blue for less contrast but it wasn't enough color.  See the heavy thread over his back compared to the single thread below?  It's raised like a little sausage roll.  My SIL used two strands on 32 Belfast almost exclusively and her work was perfect, no sausages.

 

 Linen to thread contrast would not be as noticeable on a darker linen but neither would this design with its dark thread.  (sigh) (nose blow) (cough).  I need to order 35 count raw/unbleached linen which is perfect for one thread, but I don't think there are too many options for that, most are dyed.  I will stitch a larger area of the blue before deciding if I want to start over on my last piece of beige 35 count.  Hoping I can put on those big girl panties and continue on this piece because I'm sure when completed, it will be just fine.  And it's seasonal, not something I will look at every day.  There 'ya go.  I knew if I yakked about it, sensibility would prevail.

 

I'm not sure if I will order all 13 skeins of wool needed to stitch Ellen (unexpected car bill for Carole) but did find a decent sale price for them.  Most online shops had the GASWT thread for $3.20-3.35 and Stitching Bits 'n Bobs has them for $2.64.  Simply Wool Threads. That's a really good price.  Ellen calls for Buckeye Scarlet (4 skeins) Dried Thyme (3) Grecian Gold (2) and one each of Harvest Basket, Driftwood, Dark Chocolate, and Forest Glade.  I may use the GAST cotton, but who knows?

 

I'll leave you with another one of our visitors.

Enjoy the last few days of October.  I'm still in shock!

 

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A slump slows you down

but doesn't prevent you from acquiring new projects.  Not when they are this great.  I haven't received a new sampler chart in a while and don't really need any, but when I saw this from Merry Wind Farm, I couldn't pass it up.  Different.  Small.  Not complicated.  Fits a standard frame but would make an excellent sack too.  Plus, wool threads.  I tried them once and my uncontrollable tension caused issues and breakage.  Being sick has made me weak so maybe now's the time to try again!

 

I pulled colors for Notforgotten's Blue Belsnickle and will start after meds kick in, followed by Melinda's Ellen Ford.  Click either title for their Etsy sites.  I will order the wool threads this afternoon.

 

I want to mention that several readers have told me that they are no longer getting post updates through email.  I have no idea why, but if you are having this problem, add your email again in the right side bar, or email me and I can add it to my settings so you will receive the posts.

 

Have a good day folks.

 

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Melanistic

That's what a whitetail deer with black hair is called, and rare.  First one either of us has ever seen!  Some have black faces but this one was marked on the majority of his body and neck.  Not a very good photo, taken at dusk through a window.  He is quite skittish and when he came back for more corn, my movement scared him off again.  I hope not into the path of a hunter.

 

Remember the old cast iron sink with drainboards they took out of the woods?  That's the back of it you see leaning against the tree behind him.  No place for it and no ideas for a outdoor stand/display.  It's quite large and very heavy, Mark said once it's in place, it will never be moved again!   I have two words for that.  Locking casters.

 

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Coloring

and getting ready to pick a linen for Belsnickle.  You know I always change a few colors, haven't really decided if that will happen and I am fairly sure Mr. Blue will stay, but the border may end up green or brown.

 

I had a difficult time discerning the symbol patterns so I colored them, but then enlarged to make it easier yet.  With my stitching attitude still snarky, I need to avoid any little frustrations.  I've done this with many samplers and designs, always a huge help.

 

 

It's turned chilly, so that means I'll be hosting three flea ridden brats more often.  I want to buy a cat tree for them but haven't seen one that has removable/washable covers to the perches.  These cats are filthy and always leave a dirty spot wherever they lay.  And this gives new meaning to the term, face plant.
 

 

Starting to feel human again - thanks for your well wishes.

 

Have a good day!

 

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