Any shoppers?

Quick question - has anyone ordered from Carol's Boutique?  I'm not often on FB but see the ads all the time and found several tops I would like.  Their policy is not consumer friendly since returns must be received within 14 days of ordering (not receiving) and no refund is issued, only store credit.  They seem to do a great amount of sales but since I have no idea about their sizing or quality I am leery of placing an order.  But what the hell.  Do something exciting!  At 69, risky behavior is ordering an article of clothing that isn't refundable. 

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By the numbers

I received several emails scolding me for posting about the DMC order at Michael's, saying their store was in order and I probably couldn't follow their method for display.   A few examples from my $5 phone today.

Sorry.  There is no excuse for this.

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Tablet test

Hi folks.  Trying to post from my tablet including photos taken with it.  Have no idea how to edit, posted to IG too, learning as I go.  Not the best of ideas.

I haven't chosen a linen for the new project and forgot that I am still waiting for my 123 backorder.  Laura and others mentioned "girls" so I thought that would be a quick stitch while deciding.  Girls in Blue Dresses from Merry Wind Farm would be my choice but I needed something quick.

 

And I'm making it even quicker because of course, I changed a few things.  Including size.  I should call myself The Abbreviated Stitcher!  Can you guess the chart?

 Missy has no shame when it's hot.

Have a great day!

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A little too natural?

Csferra was the winner by email entry which allowed me to reply directly.  The chart with the four troublemakers is heading out!!

Today I bleached two large pieces of unbleached 28 count and am happy with the result.  A very neutral lighter tan, still brownish, not at all too light.  The original fabric is the folded piece, decided to only lighten two at this time.

This has happened before and I never did find an answer.  The water in this bucket was from the very light wash I gave the linen to get rid of that water repellent finish.  It's like sizing on most fabrics and I always remove it before dye/bleach.  Since this linen was unbleached, this brown water can't be from excess dye, so what is it?  Stored in plastic yet the wash water is always dirty.  Are we stitching on dirty linen?  Does the unbleached retain a residue since it is not processed as those dyed and bleached? Is natural or raw the same as unbleached?  Any thoughts?

Remember when I took apart my older samplers and realized how dirty the glass had become?  Professionally framed with sealed backs, yet this film can really obscure the stitchery.  What an enormous difference once that glass was cleaned.  My earlier stitching was all unbleached so I can't say if the other linens emit the same off-gasses. Would this be reduced if washed first?  Does the finish I find (almost water repellent) on the fabric contain something that adds to this?   I'm just full of queries tonight.  And I expect answers.

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Half the battle is over. Or is it?

Now the linen color and count becomes the second half of the war.  Why is it so difficult?  Since the majority of my linen for many years was 28 count unbleached, my on hand choice is limited and orders for a higher count haven't arrived.  This afternoon I plan to bleach dip those very large pieces of unbleached, kitted for the larger girls, hoping to lighten just a bit.  But do I want to go back to two threads?  Not really.  And I wish they were at least 30.  I've used a hot tumble in the dryer to shrink a little and will give that a try.

These four have been on my list for a long time.  I've always been monogamous, but I may start each of these and try to pull them out on certain days in an attempt to get these girls stitched.

So many choices for a daily project including the recent purchases, but I went back to the older stash and chose one of the R&Rs.  None of the photos on their old charts are good representations of the finish, most are quite dark and details are not clear.  But I see through that and think this will be a wonderful piece.  Size is 152 x 279.

This bottom area in blue, the bottom motifs...

interesting bands and colors.

So Ann Stone it will be when I choose a linen.  I found several older charts have no stitch count, or no finished size per count.  That irks me.  I don't want to count the squares which would require pencil marks or I would start over 100 times, and I don't want to find a calculator to estimate size of linen required.  Maybe that's a small thing for some, but not me.

As I type this, Nash's Hannah Jenkinson is staring at me.  No!  Ann Stone it will be.  Nancy Nurse 1807 on Murky?  Sheepish Antiques EB sampler?  Stop it.

I plan to list a bunch of charts on Ebay soon, easier than here, but I need to check their rules and changes since the last time I sold there.  I joined a FB site of sampler chart sales, maybe I should check that too.  I just prefer the convenience of the address and payment being handled.  

Hope your weekend is going well!!

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Another come on down!

You could be the next winner on the Chart is Right!  If you'd like to have the last project's Miniature Quaker Sampler chart, leave your name or initials or email in the comments, or email me directly.

samplersandsantas@gmail.com

Adding a wreath around the bird's neck, berries instead of flowers, and red brick on the house, would make a nice Christmas stitch.

New owner will be named Sunday evening at 8.

Happy weekend!

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