Drum roll

But not too loudly.  Doesn't the mini sampler look sweet?  Just slightly different, enough to be noticed.  Jennifer suggested nun stitch edges in an email after I had already attached the mini.  It can be removed, and I am contemplating her idea.  Would it be a little too nice looking and more formal on this wonky piece?  Maybe.  I need another slice of creamy swiss cheese first to fuel my brain.  I also added the r to Pitminster.  It just bugged me.  

This 30 count linen stretches easily and did so from working in hand.  I'm not a hooper, have used it and been pleased for some projects, but failed to with Ann.  Don't know why.  I'm old.  I've recovered from menopause only for it to turn around and bite me in the ass again.  So many (most) times I have no rhyme, reason, or sensibility.  I pressed Ann but do not want a smooth finish, prefer the slightly wrinkled look for reproductions.  And for those of you squeamish, stop reading.

I will probably dip Ann a few times in a light wash, rinse, and machine dry on low.  The result will be a tighter linen, the stretched areas will rebound, and I will have that overall slight pucker that I want.  All DMC, never had any color run, but will check my left over strand of 919 by soaking it first.  But before I do that, I will lay her on a quilt and use my steamer to see if that does the trick.  It may.  It's what I use to stretch my sweaters in length and also ... ahem.....  butt.  They really hold their shape after blocking this way and when my excess reduces (if ever) I will rinse and dry to rebound.  It's a plan that's been in effect for years.  Whether steaming without shaping will encourage the linen to revive to form, I don't know.  

Right now Ann has a strip of boning in the top fold and I will let her hang for a few days, but she does need framing.  I have so many unframed samplers that I hang from boning and they've been fine for many years, but I can tell that this one will not be.  The wave at the bottom is just from the loose hang, not a stretch.

With Micheal's 60% off coupons, I may be able to afford framing, one at a time.  I don't want to abandon my local framing businesses, but using them, my Lucy Redd sampler would cost over $300 without glass and mounting it myself.  Can't justify that.  I need over $600 to get my Eliquis which I haven't taken for months.  I don't know if that is a reasonable price for a 20 x 22 simple frame, will see what Michael's will be in a few weeks.

I may try to post her to Instagram if there is a way to preview your photos before posting.  No idea on sizing so I need to test a few first.  

Thanks again for all your encouragement on Ann Kirby Hicks.  She certainly enables errors to be hidden and has taught me that an elegant detailed sampler would not be a good idea for a while.  

Or ever.

Be well!!

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DONE!!!

No drum roll until the mini is attached.
I did not know there was more over one on the tiny sampler.  I hadn't put away your stitching over one notes to me yet so I was fine.  Not happy, but fine.  I considered moving the e closer and adding the r to Pitminster, but followed the chart.  Color changes on this mini?  Of course.

I didn't have a linen color that complimented the sampler, most were too dark or too gray.  So I chose a similar shade, just a little lighter, and it's 28 count rather than 30 but still fits in the space.  It should be hemmed but the linen is heavy and may look bulky.  I'm considering a fringe of just two rows and hand sewing it along the edge.  But first I'll press the hem back to see the result before I decide.  The cross stitching is done!!   It's been a long journey.  Thanks for your support and encouragement!!

My ultrasound was fine.  It was after 2:00 so we stocked up on the $1 snack size Jamocas for the freezer.  Several places here are offering a special take out menu with reduced prices, really good deals.  One is so busy they had to add another phone line.  Other places not as much.  We've going to try to order more take out this week. Many retailers are offering online discounts too.

Stay safe everyone, call family and friends that you haven't spoken with for a while, send out some "just to say hello" cards, take an afternoon ride and stock up on Jamocas.

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Another row bites the dust

Over one is over!  Thank goodness.  I do have a few larger projects and I'm not sure if I want to attempt them for quite a while.  Honestly, I'm surprised I finished this.  Not quite yet, but the tiny sampler to attach should not be a problem at all.




Still debating if  I should use a slightly darker shade of linen or the same as the sampler.

We now have a confirmed case in my county but they aren't releasing details.  I suspect it may be a worker that came in contact with public and they don't want a panic.  I got a call this morning to come in for the ultrasound review of last week's treatment, not another which was originally scheduled for today.  They are shutting down but this follow up is necessary.   My toe surgery was of course, also cancelled.

Two years ago when I was sanding the cedar siding, we bought masks to wear since cedar dust is harmful to lungs.  I went to the basement to see how many are left and guess what?  They are the N95.  

Little Monkey Mona was enjoying yesterday's sun on top of the grain bin, but still gives me the stink eye.

I'm not going for the ultrasound until this afternoon so we'll get the nuts ground this morning and ready for the pan.  It is very difficult to not eat this nutroll filling with a spoon while preparing.  It is just so good.  I told my podiatrist that a nutroll was designated for him at my Wednesday appt.  He said everyone else is doing take-out, why aren't we.  Rescheduled for April 22, he can thaw it out then.

Have a great day!!  Stay safe everyone.

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Make masks for family and friends.

https://youtu.be/9tBg0Os5FWQ in case the video doesn't work.
Another with more coverage is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSNQTSIQnLo

There are many others offering instructions for larger masks and other materials.  Just go to YouTube and search Face Masks.

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YAY!!

I had a GC at 123stitch and they finally listed the Needlework Press EF sampler, so along with Becky's Family sampler I will receive a happy package next week.  But what about linen?  WDW Beige is out of stock, so I added 35 Wichelt Lambswool.  I swore I would never dye linen again but the Beige is a little too green, and the Lambswool a little too pink.  I quick dipped the Beige in a very diluted red to tone the green and it's perfect.  The pinkish one will be quick dipped in a very diluted green.  I always cut a small corner off to test first and completely dry before comparing the change.

 Both top pieces are WDW Beige and the left one was dipped, original on right.  Is there a true non-pink non-green non-yellow neutral that I could try?  That's like asking for an off white paint without a cast!  My Country Mocha is too pink and I don't care for heavily variegated linen.  I have a piece marked 28 count Natural, it's not unbleached but a very nice light tan and I love it but it's very old.  No idea whose linen it is and Natural in most means raw or unbleached so ordering would be a disappointment I'm sure.  I have a piece of 40 in a yellowish shade and violet/purple would be needed to tone it which I am not messing with.  Maybe I will offer it.

Thanks to everyone for offering to send floss!!  I am done with the 919 and still have a 6 strand piece left so I'm fine.  Today is the last day of Michael's 30% off website sale so I may stock up and place an order.  And to Betty, you are no-reply so I cannot offer any help to your question.  All the free charts of mine are listed on the FREE tab, Pears on a separate tab.  

About the caregivers.  Karen works for a private company that contracts with a local county agency and clients that the county never got to.  It takes them months to go through applications and qualifications before approving people for help, and most are told there is no money for new clients.  Home health through the hospital for released patients and some government health agencies may still be working but my sister's agency told her the visits will stop.  Maybe I am incorrect in assuming they all will, I hope so!

I made nalesniki (polachinki) and the bottoms are too browned.  I hate that.  I like them soft, like cheese filled pillows.  Monday I am going for another vein treatment followed by an ultrasound Tuesday and then they will close for several weeks.  My US for the Monday treatment should be a week after which they can't do, but I am going forward anyway.  Wednesday will be nutroll day.  I sure hope my dough cooperates because that grease spot on the wall where it lands is hard to remove.

Stay safe and well!!
Thanks for visiting.

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Wolf

What a jerk.  My governor announced yesterday at 5pm that the state would be shut down by 8pm until further notice.  Everything except "life sustaining" services.  Couldn't the jackass have done this at noon allowing people a few hours to pay a bill, get a necessity, pick up an order before everything and everyone must shut down?  No.  Wait until the end of day when everyone is closing.  Politicians without brains really tick me off.  And PA is full of them.  Caregiver services are stopped and Karen has clients that NEED her there every day and rely on her to bring food and set out medications.  Who will check on home bound elderly for weeks?  Isn't someone wearing a mask and taking precautions a lower risk than no care or help at all?   Someone with a brain should rethink this. I'm done.

Went to Walmart at 7am for the floss I needed and also to avoid crowds, neither panned out.  Tons of people and no floss in the color I needed, but I did manage to finish with a strand left.  They had boxes of hand sanitizer and cases of TP, even chicken.  I guess if you go that early, inventory is fresh, but gone by 8am. 

This bottom border is off three inches and I have no idea what happened.  No matter how I count and recount, it seems everything is spaced properly except for the height discrepancy.  So why is the width off by three????  Thank goodness adjustments are not noticeable on this sampler.  I should complete the band tomorrow with the pink flowers and attempt to finish the over one line.  We can't finish painting that room or installing crown moulding because we couldn't get what we ordered with the sudden closings.

I hope everyone is staying well and spending some time outdoors for fresh air.  These guys were hunkering on the deck and enjoying the very warm day we had.

Stay safe!!

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