Little fixes

 Hiya.  How's your day week month year going?  Mine continues to test my patience.  On top of all else, the tooth that has been bothering me (crowned) has been examined by my dentist and also hygienist, looked good to them, now feels like my finger in a light socket.  A piece at the gum line came off during flossing, and I know there is decay that they did not see.  So until I can get in to the office, bitch, bzzzzt, bitch, bzzzzt.

A few trees in the top section of Elizabeth require freehand vines, and I want to fully complete that area.  Many times I've left small annoying tasks till the end but failed to return since they are most times not noticed or forgotten.  I was never happy with the vase colors in that section so tried to remedy that.  The end result of replacing light threads with darker did not justify the work involved.  Outlining in the darkest blue worked, no shredding, no crabbing. Well .....

Happy weekend!!

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Filling

Hi folks.  I'm continuing to feel unwell and trying to get answers, and I hope you're doing a lot better than I am!!

Since I am prone to errors and even more so when the threads are not highly contrasted to the linen, I usually don't complete the cross of stitches that must align until I'm sure they are correct.  So much easier to remove a tent or uncrossed row if the border or outlines are off a thread.  

The house was also first cross only, necessary for my fill in method (vertical rows first followed by horizontal rows) to control my tension.  That method is also great if using the sewing method with overdyed thread.  The base is completed, and the top cross done horizontally allows the variegations to do their stuff while still working the sewing method.

Took quite a while to complete all the stitches which surprised me.  I was thinking .... single rows, how long can that take?  More than you thought nitball.  They are numerous and long!  But all are now fully crossed, house will be soon, and I can focus on completing the bottom area.

I've been craving sweets, especially nut twisty donuts, but the easiest and path of least contact comes from my oven.  Being lazy in activities other than needlework, I tried the ready to bake packages in the dairy aisle, next to the cans of biscuits for sausage gravy (can't beat McDonalds but only at few locations).  Huge bonus with this pack of 24.  I separated, wrapped, and froze half with the time and temp on the card.  Smaller batch, less piggy.  The number of baked cookies is never what's expected because I prefer dough to baked, and a few are always plucked off the baking sheet.

Have a good one!!

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AUGH!!!!!!!!

 

Even when you find what you love, nothing is for certain.

I give up.

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Another one down

 Christopher & Banks.  Damn.  A wonderful collection of coordinates, stylish, with a snappy attitude for us older gals.  I ordered a few things for Carole online, hoping they fit.  Sorry to see them leave.

Michaels announced that my store was to close the end of January.  I've been waiting to feel better before perusing aisles for the final time.  The sun was out so I couldn't drive, as Mark pulled into the lot I got excited to see it empty thinking not many shoppers for contact.  How long do you anticipate it would take before you realize that a store with no lights, an empty lot, and blacked out doors is not open for business?  It's not the end of the month!  Put the lights back on and open the damn doors!

I ordered another small piece of Sand, and rather than tinker with tone on the two Faun pieces I think I will sell them.  Probably 13 x 17 and 17 x 26 but I'll check that and what I paid.  The Murky is a wild child and Fox & Rabbits Seaweed is a glorious dark green. 

 I considered using it for Merry Christmas with a very light gold (or bronze) thread for the words, but haven't decided, also have the called for Brash.  The Seaweed is 40, and I would prefer this design in a little larger finish, but need to choose something because it's too fabulous to sit in a drawer

I mentioned a while back about finding small old insurance policies of Mark's aunts in PA unclaimed property.  Inheritance tax in PA is not owed on life insurance but when turned in to the state, it is cashed which allows taxation.  We had to pay an attorney, it's been almost a year, and tax was of course owed.  We received notice today that the state thinks we should have known about these policies (his uncles were beneficiaries, long deceased) and despite the attorney's argument, decided to charge us a penalty and income tax from the date of death.  It wasn't turned in to unclaimed until two years ago.  So we owe more for the penalty than the tax and after the legal fees, a complete waste of time and expense. 

Have a good hump day.

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Much better

 Every time I unrolled Elizabeth she seemed off, like the crabass stitching her.  But now that the border is becoming filled, great improvement in balance and she looks so much better.  I knew she would be great when completed, but when the end is near and something doesn't look right, it's bothersome.  Pleased as punch now.

After several attempts with different golds and their removal and reappearance, I decided to repeat just two vine motif colors and the leaf positions.  The light thread looked OK but only visible when close enough to see it.   

 Hope your weekend is enjoyable!!

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Fabric bulbs

 Good morning.  It's a dark and gloomy morning with afternoon rain expected, not terribly cold, so husband's group decided to hit the links early.  It's rare that I have morning alone time.  

Our Altmeyer's and Michael's are closing in a few weeks.  I missed the framing sales before Christmas, and would have to visit the store in Ohio.  My procrastinating has cost me the frames I liked at a very good price, reupholstering of two large sofas and two chairs (he closed), the color stylist I planned to use to blend the gray as it grows (she left), the chairs I chose for the dining room (they closed), all just in the last few months.  I really need to do better but my indecisiveness is the real cause.  When you can't make a decision, you can't move forward!  Glenna's words, indecision = paralysis.

An online order had to be returned to Macys, and while there, found a nice top for Carole.  She's lost (without trying) about 40 pounds and needs new.  I don't plan on buying much because the last batch of outfits, as before, were never worn.  I really miss our Macy's that closed, and I am very concerned that this Ohio branch will have the same fate.  The store was bare, half the racks as before. 

Hobby Lobby had what I needed to make (maybe) these fabric light bulbs I saw on Pinterest.  Not sure the size of wooden spool required but since my trees are all small, I chose the 3/8" and 1/2".  I need to keep this in mind before taking a match to any stitching.  Little stitched snippets would be a good fabric option.

 I plan to paint the wood a bronze color or stain dark.  If the coverlet scraps can be sewn and turned for such a small shape, that's my preference.  If not, wool or cotton print.  Should be quick and easy, and I would like thin leather lacing for the hanger.  Will I ever make them? 

The vet never called last night as he promised to talk about the injections.  His assistant did earlier after speaking with the doc and told me the injections are not going to help.  ???  Bud raced out the door when I fed Petey and refused to come back in until late last night.  Had the same problem this morning, can't get close enough to grab, but he did come back in a little while ago.  Petey is crying at the door, never refuses food, but after three types and chicken offered, is still not happy.

Hope your day goes well.

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