Giver's remorse

Back in 2013, I gave away these Santas that I had no plan to ever stitch.  Well guess who just bought some of them on Ebay?  Yep.  I have no idea how this brain works but I do know these designs have been on my mind for a few weeks.  Did I see them somewhere?  Nope.  Why did I start thinking about them?  Your guess is as good as mine and probably better.  They are pictured on what seems to be white Aida and look pixelated like bad digital reception on an old TeeVee.  But I am imagining them cleaned up and stitched on aged high count linen.  Maybe I'm wrong and I will never stitch them, but when something gnaws at me, I can't let it go.  Three leaflets for six fellows will arrive next week, they are not plentiful, and I did not see many of their other Santas offered.  No sense searching for more until I test my patience and vision on this purchase.

 

Thank you Carol for mentioning Log House in New Castle.  I will call to see if they are still open!  Their bio says they have been in business for 32 years and my SIL knew every place within 50 miles of here, so I am surprised I have never heard of it!  I wanted to get your opinion on the shop but you're no-reply.

Thanksgiving week.  Geez.  Seems like Fall has been a blur and I still have a lingering cold.  It spit snow this afternoon and while using an electric blower on the leaves, I had so many cord hangups, twists and trips, that my vocabulary turned very unpleasant.  Well, vile actually. 

Hope your week goes well!
Thanks for visiting.

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Time to get it done

After MANY changes, I can proceed on this little Santa.  Maybe it's because my other PS Santas were on the lower count linen with two threads, but this single thread on 35 count was not to my liking.  The 501 tiny pattern in his coat did not show well at all on the 221 background.  So I brightened the red, removed it.  Changed the 501 to a different green, removed it.  Decided gold would show better.  The outline wasn't much different than the gold, removed it and used the gold.  Decided to keep the 501 beneath the coat, but the 221 for the cardinal was blah, changed it to 321.  I don't like the darker pinks for flesh, used the perfect 3864 but the ivory beard didn't contrast enough!  That became 3773.   And after all that, I think I may remove the pattern in the coat and make it solid red.  Will it ever end???

 

The problem could be the change in linen and thread count.  I love it for samplers, but there doesn't seem to be enough fill for me when using darker colors.  Just me I guess.  New order at 123 is all 35 count and one 40 piece.   Even though I am still struggling with this lingering slump, I order more fabric.  If I would have kept a journal on the Santa pieces, I would know what count I used previously so counting their stitches will have to do.  The little white field at the very top left of the blog allows for a search of all posts so I can easily go back for reference, but what would I enter?  Maybe the PS book # or title would bring it up. 

 

Hope your weekend is going well!  Ours was continual rain and cold temps.  At least it wasn't snow!

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Kraynak's

Hiya folks.  I fought the crowds for more gifts today (at JCP and Kohls - all we have left) and stopped at Kraynak's which I've mentioned before.  Our local garden center and gift shop turns into Christmas land every fall.  I don't know if you have such a devoted holiday shop in your area, but the amount of decorations and ornaments and trees they offer is really something.  But, they do not have the feather style!  Just thought I would show you a glimpse (from a $5 phone) of trees (some almost $2000) and row after row of wreaths, snowmen, santas, ribbons, stockings, and almost anything you'd want.  Except feather trees or primitive ornaments.  Of course.  Their Christmas Tree Lane takes a path down a hallway of decorated trees and animated displays.  The lines on the weekend extend outside the building.

 

Here 'ya go, this is Kraynak's in Hermitage PA.  The first greenhouse of lights and collectibles, gadgets and candles,  novelty light strings and ceramics, is not shown.  Neither is the second greenhouse filled with succulents, poinsettias, and something flowering of which I have no knowledge.  The front and main store is gifts and tons of toys, especially trains and sets of all kinds.  You can see some of those areas on their website here.

AN ENTIRE WALL OF MADE IN USA BULBS!!

 

  
These are really beautiful in person, many angels too, specific for family members or special people.

Beautiful bulbs from cute to exquisite, loads of baby's first Christmas, but nothing for me!

 

I'm going back tomorrow to get a few of the outdoor lighted wire trees for Carole. 

 

Sorry if I bored you, but for my area, a visit to Kraynak's is a holiday tradition for most.  Almost impossible to see everything in one visit. 

 

 

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Winner

Chums part II is traveling home to Chrie.  Hey Chrie!  You're no-reply so please contact me with your address.  There was an entry from Cherie, but Random fell on Chrie.  Just wanted to clarify!  There were quite a few email entries to add into the comment names but I got them all and want to thank everyone for participating. 

 

Hope you're all having a nice evening.  I'm spending mine with Sam and Dean.

 

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Nancy

 So sad to read of Nancy Zieman's passing.  I watched Sewing with Nancy for many years.  Her touching note about her illness and sudden retirement to followers and admiring fans was posted to her blog in September.  We will miss you Nancy.

What I'm stitching..

 

Prairie Schooler #36 but only three of the designs.  Because of being sick for 3 weeks I never got around to listing all the PS books on Ebay.   Since I have duplicates of several Santa leaflets I will keep a few for myself. 

 

I had a doc appointment at 4:00, Mark was golfing (unless it snows, they golf) and I was just putzing around the quiet house.  We don't have a wall clock, I use the stove's digital.  As I passed and saw the time, I realized how late I was and grabbed my keys.  Once in the car, I wondered why the dashboard was reading 2:10.  ???  It was the same on my $5 phone.  So back into the house I go.  The 350 I saw was not the time, it was the oven temp for the cake I put in a half hour before. 

 

Last chance to enter Chums part II!  Make sure your comment is on the prior post, not this one, or an email (postcard top right).

Have a good day folks.

Thanks for visiting.

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Chums part II

Yep.  I stitched two, gave one in gratitude, now giving one in celebration.  Although I certainly trust a CT, there is still a little anxiety in the back of my noggin which I'm sure will fade.
A tiny little lavender stuffed pillow. This time, it's voluntary!  Leave your name or initials if anonymous, I will notify the recipient in a post. Entries close Thursday evening 11/16 at 8pm EST.

We went to Jimmy's Italian market for good ricotta and pecorino romano and Meander Hill to see their Christmas wares. They once again have the 72" and 50" skimpy trees.  They mimic feather trees, single branches are fairly stiff with longer needles from the main trunk.   Perfect for loading with stitchery or family heirlooms.  The ornaments become the focus, hanging freely without lights and dense foliage.  I think Kraynak's have this one or similar and I will check it out this week.
Photos from my $5 cell phone - sorry!

A photo of the tree from last year, better than mine, is here.  They will ship if you can't find that style of tree near you.  $50 for 50" and $75 for 72" plus shipping.   All their contact info is on that link to their Facebook page.  Decorating was the last thing on my mind recently, but I am looking forward to getting the little trees out now.  I'm always asked where I find those feather style trees so I try to post any source that I know is willing to ship.  Click here to see some of their shop, all photos will enlarge.  They had huge mostly silver/rusty jingle bells (maybe 8" and 10" across) hanging from beams and I LOVED them but don't know where they would hang.  A covered porch ceiling - perfect!  Maybe a little hook in the ceiling for over the kitchen sink.  Hmm.  I-80 is an absolute mess with construction but I may have to go back!

 

Such a wonderful shop complete with original beams and charm.  This is on the second floor.

 

My favorite room on the main floor of this very large barn/shop.

 

 

 

High quality, DR Dimes, lighting, textiles, and smalls.  I so enjoyed our visit.

 

Don't forget to leave a comment for Chums II!

 

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