Seeing the light

 No I'm not.  The 738 and ivory are causing me much distress.  I don't like thread that melts into the linen to begin with, and I just can't distinguish between the two.  I'm coming up in the wrong hole, can't count the linen threads, can't tell if I finished crossing the stitch.  I'm giving in.  

I need to assign a new color to those symbols but will still use ivory in some areas like the side border flowers.  But alpha, no.   I'll remove those light letters (third time) and decide what color to use tomorrow.  I had already replaced the 738 in the zig zag upper border, should have realized it wouldn't work in the body either.

Hope your weekend goes well. 

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Confused?

Sorry.  I've posted before about my method of filling in blocks of stitches.   Several posts showed detailed photos but I never use labels and can't seem to locate them.  So here goes.

I used to fill in blocks like roofs, houses, grass with the standard sewing method of first half of the cross the length of the row and then returning with the second half.  I go from left to right /////////// and then return right to left with the other half of the cross \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\.  Over a larger area with my tension issues, ditches appear between the rows.  So I started filling the entire area in with half crosses (basically a tent stitch) working all the same direction either vertically or horizontally.

Once filled in, I complete the stitches going the opposite direction.  This roof was stitched horizontally, so I would be completing with vertical.  This gives a really nice appearance to the block without ditches.  For me.  If using an overdyed and you want the striations to be horizontal, the first fill would be vertical.  Striations going top to bottom would be the opposite.   

This is another fill that was completed vertical after first filling in horizontal.  The left half is completed (and no ditches!) and the right only has the first cross.   I don't believe there will ever be another post that has those two words this many times.  Wow.  Am I explaining it?

I turn the piece upside down every other row so I can utilize the sewing method (top to bottom).

This is the way the back looks when using this method, a bunch of squares.

I hope this helps!  It's just a way for me to create a uniform block instead of my usual ditches and pulled/overlapped corners.

I searched for a similar color to the 738 in an overdyed (for Elizabeth's house) and most looked too bright, too gold, too yellow, and unreliable on a monitor.  So I took a shot and ordered a skein of Weeks that may or may not work out.  

Can you believe October is ending this week?

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Get this straight

Make the door one row wider so it centers under the window.  Done.  Not the first change I've made to this and certainly won't be the last.  

And this is a big one coming up.  I love this sampler.  I do.  But it's flat.  If I had access to overdyed threads and could hand pick a skein that wasn't all over the place, I would.  A rarely use those threads for that very reason and have stitched many a house with DMC.  But this one, right at the top, sort of large and very pale in color, needs something.  I could carry on with the rest and wait for a few skeins of overdyed to come (I trust the subtlety of Colour & Cotton, maybe even Weeks) or I could pattern the house.  My blocks of stitches are so much nicer when I do the horizontal/vertical method.  For overdyed, filling it in with vertical rows and then completing the stitch with horizontal rows works.  No need for individual stitches and allows me to use my preferred sewing method and still get the shading.  Sounds easier than my other idea.  Brick it.  Brick it good.  More work for sure, but using the called for 738 with maybe 422 would be such a subtle difference and give it a little ...... depth.  What say you??

I spent part of the very warm Friday dipping my pinkish linens into a diluted green bath.  I can't tell you pleased I am with the result.  Yes I can.  I'm pickled tink!!  The Faun is now very neutral and looks closer to the Vellum I am seeking (123Stitch is on back order as are all the shops listing 36/40 count) and I am so happy with it.  A few others were also done and blowing in the breeze.

I soaked my 28 count unbleached and after a dozen times, finally had rinse water than wasn't dark brown.  It's a little lighter, a little tighter, close to a 30 count.

Leaves leaves leaves and then leaves.  We've never seen them fall so rapidly.  Three days in a row where so heavy no grass could be seen.  I'm tired.  Thank goodness for mom's shower chair that I can height adjust for landscape work and push myself out of with those side handles.  This is AFTER we were done on Saturday.

Hope the weekend is a good one!

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Enjoying Elizabeth

 Hi buds!  Even though the eyes are causing slow progress and several misplaced pokes, I am enjoying this sampler.  The moifs are easy, the large side borders beneath can tolerate errors, the body is simple alpha.  This is a good sampler for anyone wanting a large finish with no over one or complicated borders.   The big yellow house is close and I hope this thread color shows well.  If not, I will change to a brighter or lighter.

Speaking of large size, my tunic tops in my new size are in at Kohls and I will have something to wear.  Tek Gear has really nice casual tunics and I don't even need tall size.  Mid thigh and hides it all!.  Well, it hides rolls and thighs but I'd have to add black side panels to hide the width.  Why don't they have tops with black side panels or vertical accents?  I look at women's sizes for Carole and am surprised that they continue to offer asymettrical hems hanging low at the sides and shorter in front which makes anyone look wider.  If the lower hems are at front and back with the sides shorter, you look slimmer!  

Have a good day!!

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Chart drawing

 Carol Sferra was the name drawn and since she included her email in the comment, I was able to contact her directly.  Thanks everyone!!

I found the small canned pumpkin and the purchase limit was three.  I got three!!

But it's dark before 7:00 so I'm still crabby.

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Spool hugger Thursday

 And it will be 78 today and 80 tomorrow.  Then we'll knock 30 degrees off and it's all downhill from there.  The end.

Elizabeth is coming along on the 35 count Winter Brew.  I do love this color linen.  Several shops have listed Vellum but when I order, I get a backorder notice so no stock is available.  I emailed a recommended shop showing inventory but they never replied.  It's been over a month since my request at The Attic and no reply from them either.  People are busy!  I will try calling both tomorrow.  I have Wren and also Faun and although I love seeing your work on them, I'm still disappointed.  The Faun has too much background pink (you know I have that pinky problem) and the Wren is very dull.  Half yards of both so I may take a snippet and try a dip.

The single border (except for the top) is all first leg of the cross.  It's easy to remove if misaligned so I usually don't complete the stitch until I'm sure it's correct.  I can finish them without needing the chart if I'm outside or waiting in the car.  So far, all looks good.

I told you how disappointed I was that my supposed orange mums are dark red.  Well, looky here.  They are just starting to open and what do I see?  Orange.  Never saw an orange start out burgundy!

Hope your day goes well.

Be back this evening for the Stitching Girls draw.

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