Comfort zone

Ahhh.  This is better.  Switched to cross stitch, counting the squares for placement.  Much easier for me to see.  The light colored threads are really giving me problems, darker is more conducive with much less eye strain, but stitching cross vs. satin is better yet.

Some of the issues I was having in determining satin placement is whether a corner/turn was the same hole, one over, even, or not.  Some did/were, some didn't/weren't, and I am not one to continually look at the chart once I get a rhythm.  Not sure I am explaining it correctly but you can see what I mean in this snap.

I had to remove the border beneath the first row, failed to see that there is a space between the two which moved the alphabet.  Should have only been by one thread, but it's wasn't, so somewhere along the way I erred.  Again.  Not a concern. But I was three threads off and needed to correct that before continuing.

I'm disappointed that the top alpha is not satin, but I'm young, I'll get over it.  Still a great sampler and I can't wait to get to the bottom.  This top alpha will go a lot quicker now.

Have a great day!!

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Little red steps

While in the attic trying to decide what stays and what goes, I came across mom's little red steps.  How stinkin' cute.  I had her other fold out stool but have no idea where it went.  This is stationary with the hinged top to open when using the steps, or not when using as a stool.  I hosed the dust off and saw that the red paint is chipping to show white beneath, maybe the pressure washer will remove most of it.  Probably oil based since that's all they used back then.   My small kitchen cannot take even a small piece like this, but I may be able to set it by the back door.

 

I also found a huge glass apothecary jar with lid, a small square table needing rid of that same red paint, and a few other items for donation. I have a very heavy writing chair from a school with shelf beneath for books and it's so comfortable, also an old lift top child's desk with fancy cast iron legs.  No where for them to go.

This is what we had to do for Petey.  He doesn't want to use his rain protected housing out back, prefers to stay close to the house and he was using a box beneath a makeshift roof, covered with a vinyl tablecloth to keep it all dry.  

I don't want to look at that mess all summer so I moved the brats shelter (my black table with paneling nailed to three sides) over to that area.   His box is there for him and the upper shelf is where the boys lounge.   My oil cloth covering from JoAnn's makes it more appealing, and I couldn't think of another shelter during storms and rains that would not look like a homeless shelter for cats.

We're getting a new furnace and air conditioner, need a garage door badly, and are still waiting for an insurance policy of Mark's aunt.  Even with a will, an attorney, all the necessary paperwork, the PA unclaimed property office has had this for over a year and still hasn't reviewed it.  It's a few thousand and we expected to have it long ago, especially with her will!!  But no.  That's my PA.  And even though it's life insurance which is exempt from tax, PA will still take 15% inheritance tax on it since they hold it now.  I promised Carole a grand so after the attorney and fees and taxes, she may be the only one benefiting!!

Removing the satin stitch letters is very tedious, even with the Lift 'n Snips.  Without them, there would be no way for removal.  JoAnn's did not have the seam ripper with the rubber end for cut thread removal (thank you Marlene) so I ordered one.  If it doesn't arrive soon, duct tape!!

Happy hump!

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Throwing in the towel

Uncle!!  Geez.  This sampler is a little unusual and I like a dash of quirky.  The top alphabet is somewhat odd looking letters done in satin stitch over two threads.  I think this section makes the piece interesting and I am disappointed in my difficulty to work them.  Its not only my vision, it's placement of where and when direction changes.  Stitching through the entire alphabet would take forever and maybe I will adjust, darker thread may help.  But what if it doesn't get any easier and I have many more letters to remove?  I already redid the first two from one strand to two.  One was impossible for me to see.  I should be able to work this as regular cross right?  Since it's charted in satin over two (36 count) single cross stitches can be substituted and if there is one thread difference in a letter, it won't matter.  Plenty of room at the row's end for a little fudge.  I really hate to have to make this change, but I am afraid to continue only to give in later.

My tunias need a second haircut already.

Glenna, thank you very much for the description of Parchment linen.  You saved me the cost of a half yard that I would not like!  I really appreciate your help.

4th of July is around the corner and since I gave away the few patriotic pieces I had, I may indulge in a short diversion to these two of my designs.  Knowing what fabric I used would save time but the four journals purchased for that purpose are of course, lost.  I could buy a fifth one but we all know it will disappear too.  

 Hope you're all having a good start to another week.  June will be gone soon.  

Thanks for visiting.

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Pink pop

Instead of my usual red geraniums and sometimes white tunias out front, I switched to the Bubblegum.  I kind of like the pink pop!

Like mother like son.

My birthday gift to me was a chart I will never stitch, but had to have.  

Mary Barres by Stacy Nash.  Still have a problem with linen.  Is Parchment pinky?  Yellow?  Gray?  What about Wren?  Trying different online shops doesn't help because most have the same stock photo, and others have a photo that isn't even close.  Will order the smallest piece to see color when they are in stock, the best and only way for now.

Matt was ignoring us Sunday, but no more than usual.  I asked Jess what the school and other help has been doing these last months (he's autistic).  She said the teachers emailed once a week to give the new lesson and instructions to the online site.  They called daily to ask if the student was present or absent for study.  That. was. it.  Grading and all else was done by the online study class. 

Mark took me for a ride in the country, my favorite thing for relaxing, but a storm came quickly.  We stopped at McD's to get my iced coffee.  It was a small instead of the ordered and paid for large.  Sent it back and received a vanilla flavored coffee, also not what I ordered.  Then came home to sit on my swing and enjoy a yucky fake vanilla taste and a downpour once again hit me.  On the way into the house I felt something sharp on my tongue.  It was a large portion of my tooth.  Can't get an appt until July 6.  All in all, a good birthday!!

Enjoy your day!!

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Annie's Keepers

Totally new to me.  Not many shops carry this system, very few online also.  It looks like a marvelous idea, especially when paired with the needle keeper.  But where do you keep it while stitching?  No hoop to hang on a hook or stand, and with all those threaded needles, an easy way to lose a few when picking up and putting down.  Am I missing something?  But I do like the snap in keeper for storage, easily pulled to add to a ring.  Do any of you have this system?  Mark made the wonderful floss ring stands for me but I also have high strength magnets on the lamp's metal stand/pole which the ring attaches to.

I went to Michael's today for more silk flowers for the gravesite.  I tried to stay in the store and look around, there are so few customers since it changed from Pat Catan's, but I cannot handle the hot mask for any length of time.  Signs on entrances to grocery and other stores state that a face covering is required for entry but only half of the people are wearing them.  Who isn't?  Young people.  My nephew's grandson is autistic and trying to get a mask on him causes a melt down.  The walk-in hair cutting salon told them to leave if this 5 year old with a problem would not wear one.  He has slipped into such a bad place since the schools closed and there was no contact with the teachers except for a weekly email.

I really hate to mention this, but the nest I was protecting is no more.  I am used to wren distress and warning calls, but this momma was chirping something I had never heard before.  She went daily for food, but I never heard the babies chattering for food.  I decided to use a flashlight and peek inside.  This poor creature was not normal.  Needless to say, a few days later the odor hit me as I left the garage.  Our single baby bird was dead.  We don't know why there was only one, why she called continuously for two days, but there was something wrong with her baby.  The other houses are full of chatter and hungry nestlings but I am still upset about our baby in the bucket.

I'm making pistachio cake and icing this evening to take to Carole's tomorrow.  Chris's grandkids both have birthdays in June (and mine) so I am taking cake over.  Matt usually hides from us so I am assuming his setback will be worse, we probably won't be able to stay.  Carole hasn't seen her great grands for 3 months and is ready to have them over.  No kisses or hugs, but I have my doubts.

We got my parents' spring chairs from the attic and gave one to Carole, sanded and painted ours.  The comfort and gentle motion is just so relaxing.  They have high shaped backs and it feels sooooo good!  I get carried away on the single swing until I am flying high as if on a playground set.  I wonder how far I can go with the spring chair before it launches me out.

Enjoy your weekend.

Thanks for visiting.

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Well that hurt

I TOUCHED PETEY!!!

I stretched my arm out through the door which pulled a muscle in my back at the same time the rag rug my knees were on started slipping on the wood floor and once in motion, nothing I could do to stop it until my chin hit the door's threshold.  But before the slow motion mishap, I was able to reach him as he laid on the bench.  Once I smacked down he ran but I stroked his back three times!!  Now mine has a hot pack on it.

Thanks for the suggestions on the Hickling vase caper.  I plan to take a better photo, upload to Paint, and manipulate to find the best of these options.
1.  Extend the top border to the right over the flowers.
2.  Remove the flowers and space them further apart.
3.  Remove and stitch the flower section as they are but higher and add to the top of the vase.
4.  Remove it all and stitch again 3 rows up and extend the diagonal stitches of the border beneath.
5.  Have an iced coffee and do something with the uneven piles in the sewing room.

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