Here she comes!

 After an absolutely maddening day of phone calls and checking on incorrect information, contacting various outlets, getting prices, days, times, measuring doors, calling therapists, I booked a five hour window Friday, got a transport chair that will fit through that opening WITH a leg extension, she will be home for a visit.

Making stuffed shells without my favorite Polly-O ricotta, avocado*fresh mozarella*baby tomatoes with honey and balsamic, garlic bread, and cheesecake for dinner.  Busy day today and tomorrow and I am NOT happy with any of the other ricotta.  It is what it is.

Her goal and plan is to return home once her rehab and one prosthetic (for help with transfers) is completed, maybe two months.

I was involved with catching up on flosstube videos and didn't start Mary, decided to check on Rachel who has been quite lonely.  Finished the right border and outline, beneath the house, and it lined up!!  YAY!!  Lots of over one coming but I can handle it.  After what Carole has been through for ten months and my friend going through with a devastating diagnosis, I'm going to complain about over one?  Put those large white cotton full coverage old lady big girl panties on and shut your pie hole!!  Oooh.  Pie.  I have apples.

I love my battery candle, and am thrilled with being able to have that glow very near to stitchery and fabric.  Carole is happy with hers and my friend hasn't received her gift yet.  Maybe next week we will get together.

Ending a rotten year, but we are still here to bitch about it.  Blessed.

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And done

Mary Bell is ringing for me.

Crabasses paint grumpy Santas.

I'm out of sherbert.

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It's what I do

 Changes.  Difficult to do on larger pieces and much easier to do before starting the stitch.  But I made that decision late and the main reason for the changes.... I'm not fond of initials in stitchery, have never added my own.  They occupied the center area which required several moves to fill.  But who the heck is S.C.?  Lori's would be L.B., and it took quite some time for this dipstick to realize they are the chubby guy's in the red suit.  

So here I am, ready to add the star motifs, and I want to remove the ecru and stitch his beard in white so it shows better.

I made a huge purchase blunder several years ago, a pair of  used DR Dimes red crackle bow backs.  I could never afford new, love the style and color, but the paint is coming off very easily.  VERY easily and they are rarely used.  How could I sell them like this?

It's raining slush, very bad road conditions.  

Winter crap.  Or.... winter.  Crap.

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Get it right!

 Sorry.  The chart I am stitching is not Santa Folk, it's Christmas Folk.  But I changed it.  The top zig zig border of bells is higher on the right than the left, one bell is shorter.  I did them all the same and level.  I moved the big center star up and added a second, moved the date, removed S.C., created a second smaller tree, added a zig to the left border edge, shortened the right, moved flakes.  Is that enough?  We'll see how it materializes!!

The only change shown here is the level border and same size bells.

Making plans for Carole's visit to her home, the patio slider opens to 29", front door would be through mud (yes it's raining for days) with a stoop/step entry too small and high. We'll need to remove the slider's handles and try to extend the opening.  Working on it.  

Enjoy your day.

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Good grief

 My head is pounding like the carpenter that installed my fun-house stair rail.

I'm stitching the clappers with the darker thread directly over the gold.  It's perfectly fine.  Better?  I think so.  But I realized it was much darker than the top border's gray.   I used the wrong gray and didn't realize it, but it's perfectly fine too.   

Do you dislike those solitary stitches as much as I do?  This time, I just kept running the thread around to the next single.

The red I chose for Santa is Brick from WDW and it is really dark.  Not a purplish red, just very deep cranberry.  Not my usual Christmas red but I think it looks really good on this Faun linen with the other threads.  Until I decide it doesn't and change it.

Last week of the year.  One more closer to summer.

Have a good one!

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Browsing Day

 Hi folks.  Merry day after Christmas ....  Browsing Day!

It's difficult to be familiar with all the talented designers that are not the names we hear over and over.   My Paypal account is empty and I went back to Etsy to see why (being familiar with spending is difficult too).   The suggestions Etsy offered for future purchases included Santa designs, but one in particular tempted me to investigate the designer.  New to me, Twin Peak Primitives in the Netherlands.  Available as downloads and also on Etsy.  I looked closely and saw what appeared to be over one, but reading description stated the fabric was 16 Aida.  So easily done on any count linen over two.  The various snowman designs are sweet too.  Are you familiar with them?  Here are a few ...

Sweet!  I am taking my time to use the generous gift for stitching items from an anonymous friend.  What I choose will be a special reminder of her kindness and thoughtfulness.  

Mark has the large batch of spaghetti sauce on the stove.  It takes hours so we will freeze in anticipation of Carole's visit and stuffed shell dinner.  His Italian family used pork ribs, not meatballs, and after browning they are cooked in the sauce to flavor.  Our visit with her yesterday was very nice, but I can't stop thinking about my friend and her rare cancer.  An excellent nurse, a mother of five, an old soul who takes great pride and enjoyment in caring for her family and home.  

This is the finish of Sprig, I used the white thread for fewer flakes, and this fabric is the only one I've found that goes well with the 730 and 830 DMC series.  

  I considered finishing Sprig as a small pocket, but it will be added to the pile of final finishing.  

The start is NFF's Santa Folk and will be another finished with that fabric.  The far right bell is deliberately absent because I may shorten the width of the design.  I'm sorry I didn't use a dark gray thread for the clapper.  I may add a single thread over the gold, we'll see how it looks. 

 I plan to find a rheumatologist closer to me, and an orthopedist.  Will also proceed with the hair loss issue which was worsened greatly, my wrinkled macula surgery, my cardio appointment which I had to cancel twice, and try to find a GYN since they have left my area. 

I hope everyone has a relaxing day to read, nap, browse, stitch, reminisce, and give thanks.

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