Sparkle

Hello all.  I'm sorry.  I didn't intend to boo-hoo or appear to be exploited.  It was just an example of a typical gifting session in this family.  I am 13 and 10 years younger than siblings, and the only one with technology skills although limited.  When asked if I have children, I answer yes, a 79 and 76 year old.  Many of you wonder why I put up with being the go-to efficient one in the family.  Because I am.  Rather than deal with endless phone calls of inquiries about stores, online offers, reviews, payments, and the constant issues with using technology, it's much quicker to do it myself.  But I am also Type A (well.. used to be but fading fast) and get a kick out of finding fabulous bargains with precision, exactly what is needed.  The frustration is because their requests are incorrect.  Carole is a Food Network junkie and her prior years gifts were for items she saw being used and just had to have, but when received, not at all what she expected.   This year, she was happy.
My brother the perfectionist doesn't even have internet service.  He prefers basics and donates a little too much to organizations every month.  The problem with him is, he obsesses.  I am on the phone for close to an hour at least once a day listening to the same thing over and over and over.  He has enough in his house for several antique stores (which he and my SIL planned to open before her second cancer diagnosis).  He's at the point of wanting to keep and display it all, which is creating quite a space problem.  Unfortunately, I cannot reason with him to get rid of the many items that are prefect for flea markets and vintage shops, and just keep his (too) many favorite collections.  If he passes before me, it would take me years to go through it all, literally.  And every item is spotless, clean, not a defect in sight.  Being the only family left, I do what I can and accept their faults, all the while reminding them that I have none.
 That information is always well received.

 

I received a sparkling gift from Catherine (I Love to Stitch).  She makes these light catching ornaments with tiny beads, mine is red, and I love it.  Thank you Catherine!

 

 We took a ride around the area called teacher's woods (most residents retired teachers), a development with huge beautiful homes.  The theme this year was outlining the dramatic roof lines with what appeared to be large white bulbs in a clear tube.  Absolutely perfect alignment so I doubt the bulbs were wire strung.   We may go riding in another exclusive area tomorrow before the displays are taken down.  But it is SO cold!!

 

We did have an icy dusting of snow Christmas Eve and temperatures are predicted to stay very low for a while. 

 

Since our mall lost its stores, a trip to Macy's and others is planned today since we have to drive into Ohio to exchange the tool chest anyway.  I can't believe Sears shipped this chest with obviously missing parts and a total mess inside. I still have difficulty dressing with my shoulder problem so trying on a few items may not be feasible.  I missed out on all the bra sales because of it.  You know I've had mishaps in dressing rooms before.  But this is minor and not even a blip on a screen compared to others so I'll accept the limitation and smile in pain.

 

I am having more difficult a time than I expected with the 40 count linen and had to remove many stitches to reach errors.  I was coming up one linen thread over instead of two, noticeable when looking over the work but not while that row was being stitched.  I need to go much slower than usual and that's OK because it is a small project, but I would never attempt a complicated or large design on 40.  Who am I kidding?  I wouldn't attempt them on 30 count either.

 

Hope the week goes well and you stay warm and safe. 

Please pick up any strays that you may see in cold temps and take them to shelter.

Thanks for visiting.

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Gifting, schmifting

And so this is family ....

Carole - Could you find a nice pair of golf shoes for Chris?  His are in terrible shape and really beat up.
Carole - Could you get a good headlamp for Chris?  He could use one when going out to the shed or cleaning snow at night.
Carole - In answer to your question, yes, Chris could definitely use a new ShopVac.  His is missing a leg and very old.
Carole - Could you order Mexican jumping beans for Tyler?  I know he would love them and even though you told me they only live a few months and require care that he won't give, order them anyway.  They'll be alive I'm sure.
Carole - Could you order a boy's youth watch that is digital and has other features?  Not expensive cause he is reckless and not cartoony because he is getting older.
Carole - Could you order a Thomas & Friends mini car track?  No one is getting one for little Matt.
Carole - Could you order sleeping bags for the kids that have characters for the head pillow?  She likes Minnie and Peppa, he likes Thomas and Dash.
Carole - Could you order the tool set from Sears on sale for 199.99?  Just found out that's what Matt wants and that's the only one at that price.
Carole - I know you already bought the little ones clothes but they really need snow boots.  I can't stand seeing them in the snow with those old shoes and you always buy their shoes, know how to get a bargain, and you can order online because there is probably nothing left in stores since it is TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
Carole - Could you tell Chris that I want a small bird feeder for the back window?
Carole - Could you tell Chris that I want a steamer instead of an iron?  A good one?
Carole - This is the wrong tool set.  Hmm.  Must have two for that price.  Could you carry these 340 pieces of metal in a case back to a store, hold it while waiting in line for customer service, and get the 450 piece one?  Are you going to therapy today?
Chris - Will you find a small feeder for me to give mom?
Chris - Will you find or order a steamer for me to give mom?
Brother - Could you look for insulated underwear that are heavyweight and all cotton waffle weave?  All my others are large because they shrink so even though I am skin and bones, order the large if you find them.  If you have coupons.  And they're on sale.  With free shipping.  Dark, not white.

And so this is Christmas...

Chris - Mom was wrong. I have two ShopVacs that I won in golf tournaments and the big one from Dad.  Matt's is missing a leg, not mine.  I don't need another one.
Chris - Mom was wrong. I have several of these headlamps, powerful bright ones, from work and the fire department.  One in the house, one in my car, one in the shed, and a brand new one.  I don't need another one.
Chris - Mom was wrong. I have two pairs of golf shoes.  Neither leak.  They may be beat up but they are comfortable.  I don't need another pair.

Carole - Only one of the beans are jumping!  The other ten are dead. 
Carole - Grandma bought him a BIG Thomas the Train track with cars and a big train that jumps.  He won't want this small one.
Carole - They don't want to smash Minnie's/ Dash's face on the sleeping bags. They won't put their heads on the faces.
Carole - Tyler didn't like the watch because he wanted one like his dad has. So the hours you spent looking for a non-cartoony youth's watch with a camo band were for what I wanted him to have and not what he wanted.
Carole - The 450 pieces in the tool set are all over the place.  Nothing is in its place, there is a piece missing, and the pivoting doors to hold the drawers in place are missing from the chest.  I certainly can't carry something this heavy so you'll have to drive 40 minutes and exchange it for another.
Carole - I love my birdhouse and this is a nice steamer!

Brother - Holy moly these large are enormous.  I threw the bags away and cut the tags off, didn't realize they were this huge.  Can't wear them.  Take them back?  Are they still on sale, with a coupon, and free shipping, to order a smaller size?

Me - to one and all, get out of my house. 

And so this is stitching ...

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Wishing you

 Merry Christmas

may it be blessed and joyous

 

 

 

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The colors of Ellen Ford

 

 

 

I've received several emails regarding colors of Ellen and the DMC equivalents to the Gentle Arts Simply Wool.  Here ya go.  From what I found online, these are the DMCs...

Harvest Basket is 612
Grecian Gold is 733
Forest Glade is 937
Dried Thyme is 3051


Two I could not find and just went by the photos
Chocolate - I chose 3021
Driftwood - I'm using either 640 or 3032

Since I had Dried Thyme from another project I am using it.  The GAST Buckeye Scarlet, I ordered because it is the main pop of this piece and simply gorgeous.  An equivalent was hard to find because most of DMC reds are cool (pink or blue) based and the GAST looks warm (yellow or orange).  The closest DMC I found in my Stitcher's Color Guide of actual (but old) samples is 817, it's a little lighter but the same tones.   I thought it would be 304 but that was way off, much too pink.

 

That's all I got!  I hope this helps.  They are what I found and am using but doesn't mean they are the only options. 

 

I came from therapy with a pounding headache and neck strain.  He really hurt me today and I feel it to the top of my head.  No pain, no gain.  But I am concerned with my neck problem and the reaction to this therapy.  I can't take Advil any more because of the switch to Eliquis and Tylenol does nothing for me.

 

As for my nephew's rip-off, he paid cash.  No recourse.  I found the owner's name which is common and there are several in this area.  I am letting it go mainly because there is nothing I can do.  They already have a bad rating (not members of the BBB either) and don't even care that people posted on the shop's Facebook page about receiving wrong items and not being allowed to return.  Maybe this guy is a real a-hole and will make me even more angry, so let it go, even though $56 is a lot to lose.

 

In a few days, they will be getting longer!  Good news!  Can't wait until spring.

 

Enjoy your day!

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Out damned spot

Hello people.  How was the weekend?  Next week at this time, Christmas Eve!  As we say every year - already???  Yes.  And my sister is driving me nuts about gifts.  I have to search online, find best price, order, find in store, or pick up in store.  I hope tomorrow is the last day of this.

 

After much deliberation with an old lady who can't make a decision, and kept leaving the room to open a door for air, then going for another chocolate covered pretzel, searching for her water bottle, making bathroom trips (quickly!), letting cats in and out, and then finally pulling out all the linen in the 35/40 count drawer, I decided on the newest piece of 40 count.  That lady can sometimes be a royal pain in the ass.

 

The 40 count piece is WDW in Beige and so much thinner and softer than other colors I have.  Way too wimpy for me but I did not want to send it back for another try.  I used Mary Ellen's Best Press about five times to give it more body. 

This evening I thought I would have some time to get back to it and when I opened the Magma, I noticed a black spot half way down that was not there before.  I have no idea what it is.  The flower will be in that spot so I'm hoping it will cover it, if not, it's close enough to it to not be noticed. 

 

This Buckeye Scarlet GAST is fabulous.  What a glorious red!  I did buy a skein of the red wool to use for either the lions or the house but that won't work on 40 count.  I had a lower count piece but didn't want the sampler too large, and I'm still having issues with two threads on 32 count being heavy, and one being not enough.

 

Monday is a day filled with many stops and stores to visit, hoping to accomplish my goal.  Mark will drive since I can't turn my head without pulling my shoulder, and drop me off at the door which will save time.

 

I hope your week gets off to a good start.

 

Thanks for visiting!

 

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Thumbs up!

Julia emailed to tell me about a solution to my thumb issue. 

 

 

 

Unbeknownst to me, there are finger covers for quilters called Quilter's Tips.  That brand is flexible plastic and one size for all.  The are meant to allow for a better hold on fabric and small pieces.

Another is Finger Cots sold in S, M, and L.  On searching, I found that these latex tips are available in 144 count boxes for cheap (medical category).  They do look like mini condoms, no?

 

I thought this may be the answer but with no where to purchase locally and not wanting to wait for shipment, I pulled out the box of latex gloves.  I use them for hair and linen dyeing, painting, detergent waters, and now ... stitching!  And from now on, a full finger or open ended piece will be keeping bandaids on whenever I have a cut.  Perfect.

The thumb was not snug so I cut off a smaller finger and it hasn't moved a bit.  It's not that my finger's soreness will be any better when stitching but I don't have to be concerned that the needle will enter the split, or be caught in a bandaid.  The ointment and covering are secure and the latex not only protects but gives me a good grab on the needle.  Thank you so much Julia!!  I may use this even after healing.

Since I thought today was Saturday, and it wasn't, I get to have two Saturdays.  Big deal.  My big outing was riding along when Mark drove Carole to her Christmas party and getting a pizza on the way home.  Can't even drive with this shoulder/arm. 

 

Have a good weekend!

 

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