Quadruplicate

I could not figure out why I ran out of ink and was printing for what seemed to be way too long, for only a few boxes.  Duh!!!  There are four labels for one box so it was like making 24 boxes.  Mark cut thick cardboard for inside the lids so they sit up high, I added a thin cardboard layer to the inside of one and that made it really sturdy and fixed the defect.  So I think the sale will be for six boxes, two 5", two 4", and two 3".

 

 

I hope everyone has a very safe and fun celebration of the 4th.  Fireworks are now legal in PA and it will be nights of terror for the critters.

My red white and blue will be spaghetti, elderberry pie, vanilla ice cream.  We found a good batch of berries and are hoping to pick them before the birds do.  There are plenty of bushes for them that are inaccessible to old people.  Most people don't bother, in fact, my friends never heard of elderberry pie which is my favorite.   

 

Feel like stitching something patriotic?  (1776 chart is under the FREE tab).  Once again, I searched for a finished piece only to realize it was offered in a giveaway.  I should have added labels to my posts so I can quickly look up projects no longer in my possession, would save me a chunk of time and frustration.  Too late!!

 

Happy 4th!!

 

 

****************************

 

Limited

There will only be a few boxes offered.  Purchasing a set is taking a chance that the ones inside are not usable.  That's what happened.  If not broken....

 

 

the flimsy kraft layer holding them together was not glued well and once painted, the paper lifts.   For what I charge for boxes, not worth all the work and effort to correct defects. 

 

Rather than open the sets and check each one, I will return the others.  The first two sets of three should have yielded six boxes, I can use four and two require fixes.   And that's the box report!   So glad I did not discard the old sturdy large ovals still in my closet.

 

Have a good day.

 

**************************

Mary of a different Elliott

When searching for a 1736 Mary Elliott chart (Scarlet Letter) after a reader inquired about the designer, I had a hard time locating a photo other than mine.  I guess it wasn't very popular?   Maybe all verse is not as desirable, I think it is special and different, glad I purchased when I did.  The sampler that did appear, is an antique from Mary Elliott done in 1851, for sale from across the pond.  Several areas of deterioration, but I do like this piece, would make a great reproduction.

https://www.rubylane.com/item/1491561-Samperx20Maryx20Elliott/Antique-English-sampler-Mary-Elliott-1851?search=1

 

Since I've never purchased an antique sampler, pricing is a complete mystery to me.  I have seen Pinterest photos of antique Ebay offers, and some sold very reasonably in good condition, some were high priced with damage.  What demands higher pricing other than condition?  Elements?  Time period?  Location?  Or just aesthetics?  I'm not buying, just curious. 

 

************************

Starting

Ann Hicks 1820 on 30 count over two with two threads.  Ann is a nature lover.  She enjoys frogs.  Loves them.  Another few rows of verse and the rest is all motifs, none of which are perfectly aligned so the frogs will have more room to hop. 

 

 

How am I enjoying the stitch on a very large sampler after all this time?  Not so much.  But I do love the sampler and hope I can have the patience to complete her.  This would be much nicer on a higher count but my eyes would not handle 40 count for this size project.  I always preferred alphabets over motifs and thought Mary Elliott would be a good choice for me.  Not so sure now.

 

Seeing the doctor Wednesday and asking for PT, specifically the Epley.  My friend had it done last week, said it was not unpleasant and the dizziness and uneasy feeling left her immediately.   But she was no where near as affected by the vertigo as I was.

 

It's July, finally warm and feeling like summer.  We were cheated out of June and this wasn't the first time.  My neighbor is already complaining about school starting in two months.  One more year and he's retiring with full benefits and salary at 53.  And he still complains.  I hope it doesn't go as fast as he believes, but it usually does.

 

Have a great week.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

********************

 

 

Method change

Hi stitching buds.  Everyone OK?  JULY!!!  Damn.

 

When using two threads I have always threaded the needle by inserting the two ends into the eye, leaving a loop at the end.  So easy to secure the first stitch using that loop method.  But since I'm having issues with the two threads being uneven, I decided to try a reader's suggestion.  Her method is to insert the end of only one thread through the eye, and the two ends would need to be secured rather than using the loop.  But this allows the needle to tug on the thread evenly and the wonky stitches now lay flat.  The only downside for me is not being able to slip the needle off the thread when using it to frog or pull an short end through for one more stitch.  The other benefit of this method is not ever losing your needle!!  It's attached so the needle cannot slip off when setting your project down.  So I'm continuing on with this method even though I miss using the loop to start.

 

And that's all I have.  I was stitching last evening and when I turned my head to view the chart, the vertigo hit and hit harder than it has been.  I could not even walk.  So I am very drowsy and lightheaded from meclizine and trying not to move much.  Carole had to reschedule her tests until late July because Mark had a commitment and I could not take the chance of it hitting while driving (the car or her wheelchair).  I need to limit computer and stitching time this weekend and I hope the situation will end soon.  The Epley maneuver usually works for people, but if it doesn't, I may end up making this last even longer.  I would much rather endure pain than this feeling and nausea.

 

Hope you have a great weekend as we usher out the cold and wet month of June.  The heat and sun have finally arrived, we'll have a week in the 80's. 

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

**************************

Everything happens ....

for a reason.  Do you believe that?   Only when it fits a scenario?  Or always?  Not the first time for this situation, but certainly the most profound.

This morning ….
Carole has plans for a haircut, return home, out to lunch and then to see D'Auria.  I was to take her to that doctor but since his office is a short walk, she told me to stay home, she can manage.  Leaving her house for the haircut, the car makes a strange noise and keeps pulling to the left.  She calls, I tell her to take it to the garage and I will pick her up.  CANCEL your other plans.  No, not yet.  The gentleman we hired to fix some things at her house calls, he's coming, would she be there?  No choice Carole.  Someone is trying to tell you to stay home.

Two miles away …
Mark and I are sanding the blotchy deck to prepare for sealing.  I leave to pick her up and when I return, Mark decides we are going to Eastwood mall to pick up my boxes instead of waiting until Saturday.  I'm tired, covered in sanding dust, joint weary (that's when my joints scream - hey, we're weary), but he is insisting we go.  Now.   

If our plan for me to take her to the doc was not changed, she would have been gone.
If her car didn't break down, she would have been gone.
If the workman hadn't come on an unscheduled day, she would have been gone.
If she would have been gone, Chris would have died.

If we didn't change plans and were home, Mark would have answered Carole's call.
If Mark had driven over, checked on Chris, then called the paramedics, in that elapsed time Chris would have died.
If the paramedics weren't within a mile returning from another call, Chris would have died.
If they decided to transport instead of treat immediately, Chris would have died.

He was comatose, rigid. After injections and 30 minutes on an IV, he started to awaken, after one hour, he was coherent.  His sensor failed, and it's only a few months old.  Chris worked midnight, slept only a few hours, was to get up at 1:30 for golf.  If she was gone all afternoon, she would not have returned until after 4:00.  She called for Mark at 2:00, we left at 1:45, forcing her to call the paramedics who arrived within minutes.   They would have been back at their base had Mark gone first and then called them.  Usually he sits Chris up, tries to reason with his foggy brain, gets juice and a PB&J sandwich in him and all is well in a short time.  If he sees a more serious situation, the paramedics are called, and they are familiar with his case. 

 

There were a lot of minor daily happenings that all came together, if one would have been different, the result would have been devastating.  But look at how many needed to be in line for this outcome!  As they say, everything happens for a reason.  Could our family angels be the source of such events?

 

***************************