A bag of rice ...

a little sewing, and a new neck warmer is born.  I used all cotton fabric for the inside bag, added less than 1 1/2 cups of rice in each of the four sections, and made a removable cover for washing.  Following my current ratty warmer, the fabric is 24" x 12", folded over and sewn with 1/2" seam on the long edge and one end.  Turned right side out, FriXion pen marked a straight line every 6 inches for seams, and cuffed it over on itself so there aren't any folds for rice to settle in.  After filling each section, I pinned as if I was quilting 1/2" from the seam mark, and sewed.  This kept the rice from moving into the seam and allowed enough room for the machine foot.

The final edge section was folded under 1/2" and sewn shut.  I used a checked linen dish towel which was two inches longer than the inside bag, seamed and trimmed to the right width, and added two handles made from the same.

I didn't want to use a heavier towel but a thin terry one works well too.  Any material used throughout must be 100% cotton, linen, or wool, no synthetics which may melt in the microwave when heating.  I need to attach and large wooden button and loop to prevent the rice bag from slipping out, or maybe just sew a few basting stitches across the center.  It's only a few inches to remove for washing and I doubt that would be frequent.  My next one will be buckwheat, assuming it would be much lighter than the rice.  Even though the rice sits heavy on my neck, that weight sometimes feels good.  I heat mine for 2 1/2 minutes on high in a small 700 watt microwave.

 

Mark's foot has suddenly flared up again, back in the boot, and an MRI will be scheduled.  Doc thinks surgery may be on the horizon.  As for my shoulder/bicep, one week after the injection and today it is very painful at the joint for some reason.  No change in the bicep yet, maybe this new pain means it's healing somewhat and I will soon be able to lift high enough to apply deodorant.  That would be nice for all concerned.

 

Hope the week is going well.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Findings at a new location

 

Greetings! 

We were hit harder than surrounding communities with snow, but many of you were much worse.  Hope it was the last big snowfall of this lousy season.

 

My brother has been moving things around and came across a few more items from Pat's stitching. 

 

 

The first edition of The Proper Stitch which doesn't seem to be as popular as the revision.  Pat had many books and used these stickers inside of all.  She loved anything mouse!  Elizabeth, you're no-reply, and I don't really have a pattern for the mouse eyeglass case. 

 

The item that I am thrilled to have is this little pincushion.  Stitched on Congress cloth over one, the colors are beautiful.  Unfortunately, like many items finished locally, a horrible job.  The edges had stiff peaks sticking out and there was so much glue!  I put it in the freezer which many times allows glue to be removed easily.  It worked for removal from the wood, but not from the fabric.  My only option was to cut away the gobs, trim to the blue stitching, and sew to a backing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the shape, although odd to me for a pincushion.  There isn't enough of a rim for securing needlework, hence the half bottle of Elmer's. The bottom label is Count Your Blessings in OR which I have not been able to find, probably closed.  Looks a lot better now.  When I use glue to close a seam on my stitching, it is a tiny amount (usually applied with a toothpick) and water soluble.  I've even been able to open a seam with a firm yank.  I was using a fabric glue but switched to Aleene's Tacky and much prefer it.

 

And what else did I come home with?  Four of the Leisure Art Christmas books.  One has the Postman Santa and I am amazed at the amount of charts in them.  Many are the Victorian postcard santas, very similar to Boyd's, some very large.  Charts to stitch Santa on sweaters and sweatshirts, ornaments, tons of projects.  Some I really like but I know I will never stitch.  More browsing will take place this afternoon and if not being kept, I may offer them for shipping charges.  

 

I haven't sold on EBay in quite some time and found it is such an easy process now.  Payment and shipping all done easily, no confusion.  But once again, my mail carrier refused to take them.  I had payment envelopes along with these two large envelopes (with my flag up) and she pushed them aside to throw my mail into the box.  Our PO is closed at noon and I rely on her for pickup. I am so tired of this and of course, she is protected and can get away with not doing her job.  We had one carrier that was arrested for DUI twice, reeked of alcohol, even ran into a woman with a stroller, and he kept getting his job back after being fired four times.  Oh how I miss my prior carriers!  They were the best and I still keep in touch with the last one who retired. 

 

Have a great start to a new week as we inch closer to sunshine and flowers.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Surprise

I actually had no trouble removing those letters and it ended up being a good thing, because I did not like their color anyway.  This is a very very small piece, not enough room for several colors.  I did use the recommended threads the first time I stitched it and this one will be very different.

For those that didn't see the error, here it is!  I was down one thread on those four letters and the dividing band beneath would have made this more obvious.  This is a simple design and in my opinion, anything off a little would not have the charm of a reproduction's misplacements.  It would look like some old lady had the wrong glasses, messed up, and was too lazy to correct it.

I so wish Bud would allow himself to be bathed.  This guy has such odd and dirty hair for a cat.  It seems these three ferals never had the time to clean themselves, staying alive took precedence, and bathing just isn't something they do.  He and his girl heard about the Olympics and are practicing synchronized sleeping.

Have a great week's end.  One more closer to spring.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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The trouble with 40

I took this photo to show my wonky 4-sided stitches in the first dividing band.  But when I looked at it closely, I saw that I K L M are one thread off.  How could I miss this?  For me, it's very easy on 40 count.  My 3.25 glasses broke, I can't find the 3.0, and have been using the 2.5 which are not quite strong enough.  But getting back to the wonky, I always had trouble with the very easy 4-sided stitch looking very messy.  After completing a short section, I decided to do a running stitch the entire length, then went back to do the vertical part, finally completing the row with another running stitch on the bottom.  Well that worked.  Doesn't it look neater than the first part?  This ain't your momma's 4-sided stitch, it's a counterfeit from the reckless stitcher.

 

 

So now what do I do?  Removing four letters on 40 count will be tedious.  Changing the G H would be less work but the next row is in place and will be off.  So here's the plan - stop it.  With my desire to stitch still lacking, any stumble turns into a full face plant.

 

Woke up Wednesday to another 6" of snow and not one of the brats had any intention of walking in it.  The day before that we only had 2", which was still too much for the Budman.

 

 

Have a great day friends.

 

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A few things

Hiya.  Not much going on here other than doctors and very sick family.  Chris is very sick again (and refuses to miss work), his son Matt also (not at work and can't afford that), and little boy Matt is recovering.  I hope Carole doesn't catch it, haven't talked to her yet this morning.

The new doctor, an orthopedic, diagnosed my arm problems.  The bicep tendon is the culprit, extremely inflamed with possible tear, and the swelling is causing the impingement of the shoulder (not impingement from injury which is the therapy I received - no wonder it made the bicep pain worse).  Received injections to calm it and will return in 3 weeks, MRI if no improvement.  Since the shot, my entire arm including thumb is feeling weird so no stitching today either.  (Do I really care?  No.) 

But I want to share a few things I found online and also remind you to visit https://circahomeliving.blogspot.com/, click on the desktop calendar, then right click and chose Set as Background.  It's fabulous!  Too bad it will be a short month.

 

Also found a site https://noramurphycountryhouse.com/magazine/ that offers e-magazines (mostly of her Connecticut country home) that showcase her style of decorating.  Very light, mixed with rustic, kind of the direction I am leaning.  I especially enjoyed the issue featuring kitchens.

They are free for viewing, and you can subscribe for future issues.

Two other sites I discovered through a FB post are for framing.  Many of you have projects that are very costly to frame, and if you can mount them yourself you can order the wood cut to fit your project.  https://www.pictureframes.com/ and https://www.americanframe.com/.  There are many YouTube and video tutorials on mounting and lacing, one I liked is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGajH991q_c.

 

After the dentist and running errands I will probably do more browsing since I am to "take it easy" for three days.  That's all I've been doing for months! 

 

Have a great day folks.

 

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Ebay offers

Hello people.  For those of you planning to enjoy the Super Bowl, have fun!  I'll be going through more charts to offer on Ebay.  Right now I have three, and it just happened that Goode Huswife released one of them in a reprint the same day.  PA Beehive, Fanny Erb, and Eliza Low Pumroy.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/early-works/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

 

After seeing many fabulous craft/sewing/stash rooms shown on FB's needlework group, I realized that my stash is a mere drop in a bucket.  And why am I keeping charts I will never stitch again?  There are unstitched big girls in the stash and I considered relinquishing them, but one day I may feel like tackling a large project so they will stay.  Some are favorites that I would not mind stitching again and those I will keep also.  The way my mind has been operating lately, I may choose them for a new project, not realizing they are already on display somewhere.  The scariest situation is searching for the correct word which is happening way too often.  More so in thought than speech, but still unnerving.

I haven't stitched anything because of my neck and shoulder.  Tomorrow is the doc appointment and they were really surprised that I was sent for weeks of therapy without an xray first.   A little work with the sewing machine for now, until a tantrum strikes.

Little boy is finally down to a 100 degree temperature after ER visits to two separate hospitals.  The first did nothing but bloodwork, said it was fine, and sent him home.  His doctor who recommended the ER said to take him elsewhere (fever was over 104) and the next day at the other facility (we only have two) they did film and ultrasound, hydrated him, double dosed for the fever, a shot for the inflamed appendix, diagnosed the strain of flu, and instructed a return if no change within 24 hours.  It dropped to 102 yesterday and this morning he is 100 and taking fluids.  Whew.  But now his dad is sick and it seems like this will be passed from children to adults and back.

 

I put my bear on the steps and he makes me smile.  Glad I kept this pattern.

 

Enjoy your Sunday!

Mine is spitting white crap.

 

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