Reds!

Hi folks.  Hope everyone is well.  I sound like an elk calling in a mate while stomping on a goose.  No fever.  Without a fever, you aren't tested.  Mistake?  Who knows for sure, but I will check will my doc again tomorrow.  I'm not sick, just the throat and chest, sleeping a lot, so I'm not concerned.  I have an antibiotic (chewable!) and I started on that already.  How are you and your families?  Any concerns, colds, flu?

I am working on 35 count and doing OK, but I don't think the coverage is as good as I expected.  The WDW Beige linen is perfect for the threads.  The called for Winter's Brew (R&R) is listed as similar to DMC 612 on 123's site.  DMC 611 is used throughout the sampler so I would think that thread would not show at all, but it's very pronounced on the model.  I'm sure some linen pieces are lighter, some darker than that, and ordering online offers no choice.  

I've already changed two colors, the 611 to 610 for the clothing and and 3859 to 407 for the flesh.  Very subtle change.  GAST Pomegranate is the charted red used throughout or DMC 3777 which I've used so far.  But the house?  I want a variegated thread and my closest reds are Mulberry or Buckeye Scarlet.  One is too purple and the other very bright.  I'm not ordering the Pomegranate or any other GAST without seeing it.  Too many skeins dramatically different from others of the same name.  

These Mulberry skeins are subtle and very nice.  One Scarlet skein is pink, one bright, one is like yarn.  The twist is loose, fibers are raised, and none of the three are noticeably shaded.  I will order several (Valdani?) online today between naps and wait until they arrive before deciding on the house red.
EDIT- OMG!! It IS yarn!!  It's wool!!

And speaking of arrivals ... has anyone received or heard about Amercan Country magazine yet?  Emails, texts, no replies. 

The brats are doing OK.  Nit's hair is growing back on his ear except for the scar, but still curled in.  He smacked Petey a few times yesterday and Petey backed up.  Poor guy is trying so hard to be a part of the gang and I think he is making progress.  They were all peacefully napping on the deck yesterday.  He was a big bruiser when he arrived and ate like a horse.  He had round worms and received the medication in his food over a month ago.  Now he is much thinner and hardly eating at all, even fancy shmancy canned food.

Stay well and be careful!  I think this will be longer than expected.

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New

houses

helpful drink

start

ordered sampler

Mary Ann Hickling 1809, Gigi R

had. to. have.

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How did this happen?

Mark has been doing most of the shopping because he is concerned about me being exposed.  I will go for the ride sometimes, with my Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer, cleaning everything that comes into the car.  Woke up early this morning, couldn't swallow, coughing, headache.  I will wait a day or two (recommended) to see if I worsen before testing, and I am already coughing less as I drink my Chai tea.  I am assuming a cold/flu.  But after being so careful, how???  And here's the real worry ....  Mark took food and money to Carole last night that I packaged.   She certainly doesn't need my germs.  I haven't seen her in person for weeks.

I have a new project chosen but I'm browsing stash anyway.  Guess what I found.  Samplers.  And Santas.  Not much else!  I considered ordering the latest outstanding Blackbird book, there are two that I love in there, but wouldn't stitch the others.  Then I browsed Stitching Bits and Bobs selection of Ewe&Eye&Friends adorable designs, especially those with houses.  I love how they incorporate easy specialty stitches but many have over one alphabets.  Any can be modified easily, I may choose a few from the Small Sampler series.  But for now, this is what's next.
Blackbird Designs
Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?

Calls for Winter's Brew from R&R.  ????  No idea so I will choose something from stash.  Probably 35 count, after Ann I am anxious to use one thread.  We'll see if with the Dazor's help and my glasses, I can handle that count.  Right now it's hard to keep my eyes open and I may just nap most of the day.

I would like to see Floss Tubers do a presentation on linens.  The texture, feel, heaviness, tight/loose weave, consistency, and most importantly - SHADES of the various types and brands.   From a group of lights, which lean toward a green, pink, gray, yellow cast?  Compared to raw/unbleached, how dark are some of these?  Linen isn't cheap and many of us purchase pieces that come to our homes with an odd cast that isn't the best for our projects.  I know the computer screens (I like to transfer videos to the TV) and other viewing options aren't accurate, but showing the fabrics together gives some idea of their difference plus the opinion of the presenter would be a real help.  Is it just me and my color phobia or do many of you have the same problem? 
What?
It's just me? 
That hurts.  But not unexpected. 

Stay safe folks.  Doesn't look like things will change any time soon. 
I am certainly not leaving the house now, unless my doc suggests testing.
I'm not concerned.  With all the crabby in this crabass, it wouldn't stand a chance.

Be well!

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To make the BEST DIY face mask

For those of you making masks to donate, this video is full of information and a demonstration on types of fabric and lining for the best protection. Must watch!  Amazon is sold out, my Walmart is also, the fabric stores are closed, but Hobby Lobby has the Oly or the non woven interfacing to order.

https://youtu.be/v8HNYKvlaN8

The Fabric Patch.net also has two other videos, one just a short while ago, on the different types and another option for the nose bridge.  They offer the free pattern for the fitted mask.

http://www.fabricpatch.net/face-masks-for-covid-19-relief.htm
https://media.rainpos.com/220/face_mask_pattern_1.pdf

 

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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