Samplers and Santas

Apr 21, 2020

It's all over but the red

I love houses in samplers, but do not like doing windows!

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Apr 20, 2020

White

Finally finished with all the light outlines, windows, and trim on the house. Very difficult for me to see but I did it and will start on the dark roof tonight which will be so much easier for me.

And then I have a decision that you've been waiting for, on the edge of your seats, wondering when it will be announced. Today is the day. White Cotton is the paint that will take over the rest of the house, kitchen cabinets, shiplap, and any clothes I will be wearing at the time. Stick a fork in me, I'm done. And very pleased. It's not glaring white, it's not a bit of yellow, it's not pinky, it's perfect.

And for the last white, it's a dirty shame. Someone came running home full of mud. He must have been in a fight because he was rolled. Top of the head, face, and sides. He's been bathing for a while and cleaned up somewhat, but this poor boy is wanting to come inside more every day. What would happen? Missy smacks the crap out of him, Nit attacks when too close, and I can't anticipate their reaction if he enters their home space. But I still can't touch him! Would he start running inside to get away from me or the brats? He misses the family that dumped him.

To clarify my prior post about online classes, I was referring to my local school. They did not have to submit a plan until end of this week. The students were referred to online schooling that was available as a stand alone curriculum, no need for them to really be involved other than the weekly check in. I don't know what the new plan will be, but whatever it is, it's a little late.

I'm wondering if a prom will be held the end of June or mid summer. What about brides that planned for a year and right before the event had to postpone. So much is prepaid and trying to get another date will take quite some time. There were always weddings every weekend starting in early spring, a page in the local paper about the event with bride or couple photos, now you rarely see weddings.

Hope your week is starting well. We had another two deaths here from what we read. I had to do a shopping trip for Carole, the curb side pickup times are a week in advance and she couldn't wait that long. The few things I needed for us, I forgot. If it's not written on my note, it doesn't go into the cart. But I got toilet paper!

Stay safe everyone.

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Apr 18, 2020

Drum roll please

My linen order arrived with the Sewing Club book from BBD.

And one that I believe will also make a great drum.

I need to make a few more masks, trying a different pattern because I'm not comfortable. I had no idea JoAnn's was considered essential and is open, but of course no elastic. I prefer the cording type and found it online, not listed as elastic. It's called shock cord, available through specialty shops for paracord and camping equipment. Ripstop by the Roll has it in 1/8, 3/32, and 1/16 and from doing a little research, it is elasticized. Several places had stock but one site had a boatload of colors, all sold. If you need it, do a search for shock cord.

My great nephew's very young kids are having a very difficult time with the online studies because they aren't seeing their teacher and it's just not registering with them. I thought as with Facebook and other platforms, they were holding classes online but they aren't. Our districts only require teachers to "check in" with a parent or student once a week. All studies are directed to learning sites. Requirements of offering instruction in order to count as a work day was waived, full salaries continue, and no days past the traditional year's end will happen. Parents were hoping June would be offered for classes.

Snowed quite a bit yesterday, but Mark drove me to the pet store for a pantry stocking. And then he made a few more birdhouses from left over cedar. The bluebird houses have been up for weeks, but not one has taken residence.

The flip up fronts make cleaning them so much easier. I've had my dad's for many years and they needed tools for cleaning. Most of them are deteriorating and I hate to see them go. His houses were white with red roofs but Mark prefers to keep the cedar bare. I wouldn't be at all surprised if on a golf day, a can of red spray paint appears.

We had our first death here and believe another happened yesterday.

Stay safe.

Be well.

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Apr 17, 2020

Almost

purchased a Patricia Nash measuring tape after seeing another in a post. Darling! And her website has them reduced to a really great price so I added to my cart, one for you, one for me. Enlarging the photo made me think twice. Not over concerns regarding Covid, but where I don't want my merchandise to originate.

Am I reading the stamp on the leather correctly? Does that say Real Leather Made in China? I searched the fabulous items on her website and tried to find where she has her products made, there was no information. Any leather I see from that region brings back the horror I felt in 1998 when a major network had a hidden camera in a factory where they clubbed and skinned dogs, many still alive, and dipped live cats into boiling water, like barbarians. The leather and fur on coats sold to Burlington were from these tortured creatures. This leather is not and the PN website states the leather is high quality sourced from Italy and other countries and I have no doubt it is. But I just can't move on from a reminder of that report and never will, even knowing that the leather is from a responsible source and not from their barbaric factories.

Stitching is slow going, I have to keep gel in my left eye which blurs my vision. The light thread is very hard to see on the linen. I'm stitching most areas of it before using the red, and this makes it very difficult for me but inviting to frogs.

Hope your day is productive. And safe.

Be well.

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Apr 14, 2020

Boring nonessential stuff

Hey. What's up folks? Hope everyone had a nice Easter. One neighbor had family over, the others did not. I put on my better leggings and a paint free top, used the scalp dust to cover my bald spots, and plucked my lip.

My eyes are better, not my peeling lips and multi split tongue. So I picked up the sampler last night and after a few outline rows, the vertical did not match the horizontal. Counting showed too many spaces between the door and window. Over and over. That led to removing everything I just stitched, the misaligned door, and the horizontal outline. I can see, but I can't count. It was right the first time! The door is outlined in light thread and I was counting it as the door's edge which made it short by one stitch. All I really needed to remove was one vertical row just stitched. So I'm starting over tonight.

What have we been doing? Painting. What should I be doing? Exercising. The second floor has been the same color for decades. Except for the sewing room or when we have overnight guests, I rarely use this floor. I could leave it all as is but I think a little update may initiate more interest if we decide to sell.

This is the tiny second floor hall with the first floor's paint, almost white. But with the incandescent bulbs and no natural light, it's yellow. Greenish yellow. I don't plan on painting again in this house and because this will naturally yellow over time, it needs corrected now.

So to Mark's dismay, the entire area will be final coated in White Cotton from HGTV Sherwin Williams at Lowes. (Yes they are open.) It's lighter and so very neutral. Even in this photo, no pink, no yellow, no green, and still not a stark bluish white. Bingo. But before this final coat, I have to make sure I can live with it and not instead want a very light contrast on the trim/doors. I know this is so tiring to hear about but no where near how exhausting it is to me!

These are the doors in the dressing room and I am considering purchasing a good paint sprayer because of the number. There will be five others in addition to the room side of three passage doors. The carpet will be replaced with new flooring. I can't get the painter out because of the state restrictions and I know he will be so backed up when all reopens. I do believe businesses with one or two workers and no contact needed should be allowed to operate.

While cleaning out the hall's closet I came across mom's pillow cases kept with her doilies. They have no seams and were woven like a tube. Never saw anything like these, hand sewn hem on one edge and unfinished on the other, very long.

All cotton, probably ready for hand embroidery? Not sure what I will do with them. My sister's back is really bad right now and Chris is not working (he's high risk to the virus so took a lay off) so he's bringing down boxes from the attic. She could open a flea market. Gorgeous glassware, depression glass, a very heavy red wive carafe with silver etching. Matching glasses, trays, creamers, bowls, you name it. We have no consignment shops so I will have to try the Youngstown area this summer. Shipping is just ridiculous.