Gifting

 Hi everyone.  Sun is out, wind is blowing, my a** is freezing.  And look what I received this weekend from my recent chart winner, Jan.  Holy bluebird.  Gorgeous fabric, the green of which will be the backing and ruffle, threads, and a thread puller which I need.  I certainly never expect a reciprocal gift after a giveaway and yet this is so appropriate.  My sister mentioned as we spoke of winter that she hopes she is home by spring to watch the bluebirds out her window.  She has several houses, they nest yearly, and those beauties are her favorite.  Arriving shortly after that comment was this WTNT chart titled with her hope!  And at the bottom, the word home, which is her other hope.  Do you have goosebumps?

I don't plan to mention this to her, you never know what her situation will be in a few months, but it will be ready for her.  Thank you so much Jan, you had no idea when you chose this chart how appropriate it would be.  Again, thank you.

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Over one with two

 Na-uh.  By the time I get to the beast's back, the linen will never lay flat.  This is 36 count and the instructions are for two floss threads over one linen thread and it is crowded, uneven, and distorted.  In just this small area of one leg, it may be difficult to see, but the linen is arching around the outline as if being stretched/pushed out.  Not something I can do well. 

 I also can't railroad over one so threads are quite bumpy.  I tested an area in the margin using one thread, much better.  So all the two thread over one motifs will change to one floss thread.  Unless I find a way to chart them into basic over two stitches.

The placement of these motifs in this bottom area is not clear and I will search instructions and the chart again to see if there is a mark.  When a new chart arrives I study it all, but when actually stitching, I do not which is irresponsible.  Without Krista's comment on IG, the rice stitch failure would not have been caught.  Aligning the beast to the edge of the 3013 will leave one linen thread, so I plan to look at this later today and mark starting points for all three motifs so I don't get frustrated.  Not really important since I'm usually reckless, but I want this done without any issues that may stall a finish.  People that lack decision making skills like myself, will waste a great deal of time "thinking".  Pick a mark and move it along!

Time is flying isn't it?  Snow melted, rain today, frigid for days after.  Oh yippee.

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Rice a Ruining

 I know it's bad for you, but I do like Rice a Roni even though I've never been to San Francisco.

But this is rice that's 'a ruining!  I do believe the worst is over and I am continuing with less trouble.  

I outlined 4 squares on the chart to represent each rice stitch because I had a very difficult time discerning where one ended.  Messy, but I also colored the adjacent symbols and it did help.  The DMC 422 is quite pale and hard for me to see on the linen.  I ended up first doing the full cross over 4 threads to make sure I had correct placement.  Once the base was in place for that row, I did the additional corner crosses, confident that the frogs were napping.

This area was removed twice previously, and the rice frogs made the linen limp and stretched for holding a stitch.  So I used the Best Press twice to size and give body to the linen.  It helped, but I feel a little stickiness and its scent is noticeable.

Everyone loved the flannel pillows, but the wheelchair's extension has changed from the wooden board to the chair's attachment which is much lower.  They weren't enough.  The bag her rolled twin comforter came in was perfect.  I used a bag of fiberfill, drew it closed, and it's a fat bolster shape that raises her stump high enough so the knee isn't bent.  The small flannels are perfect for reading in bed.

Have a great weekend folks.

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The tube

 It's only been a few weeks since I handled them yet I was baffled as to why these tubes were in the Christmas totes.  Takes a while, but eventually, it will come to me.  Bingo.  The wrapping paper rolls have a wider opening for the denser trees, but these feather style can use the kitchen wrap rolls.  Wrapped in muslin or protective paper, I have several large samplers rolled on the wrapping paper size and smaller projects on the others.

Got several loads of clothes dropped off last night, she "needs" them today, so I've been busy.  I managed to sew the 12 inch pillow cover and the flannel choice was a good one.  

It doesn't move.  I really like this pillow form because the cover has a small zipper allowing fill to be removed if too much loft, or more added.  Great feature.  I removed about 1/4, gentle padding is all that's needed.  

I used the same envelope method as I do on smaller stitchery finishes.  This has a longer overlap since it will get a bit of use.  If I have time before we take the ride to her facility, I will get the 12 x 16 done and can adjust the fill while she is in the wheelchair.

Breaded pork chops with worcestershire and leftover kugel for dinner.

Have a good one!

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Today's project

 Greetings!  Carole got the brace (prevents contracture after amputation) off her right leg during daytime, but still needs some soft support on wheelchair and also for the left which ends at the edge of the seat and is still sore.  I've been using a 12 x 16 pillow as lumbar support in my chair and thought it may be a solution to the cumbersome large bed pillows she is using.  

Mark drove me to JoAnn's this morning and in addition to the 12 x 16, they had a sweet little 12 inch.  All on sale, grabbed both.  These sizes should be perfect!  I also saw 40 off on flannel material so I got a yard of a gray with pastel hearts and I think this fabric will stay in place better, no slipping.  I dyed the vintage crocheted/embroidered pillow cases pink and pale blue so this pattern is perfect.

After seeing glimpses of samplers that will be released soon, I decided one will be my gift from anonymous.  Fell in love with the antiques shown, and can't wait for the chart.  Been waiting for something special, did purchase the WTNT Santa I wanted so I'll have a Sampler and Santa as a memento of her thoughtfulness.

Hope your day is going swell. 

 We've got cold temps blowing in with high winds.  Big change from having hair so thick they were barely felt, to so thin it feels like being slapped in the head.

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The beast, the bird, the berries

are all over one.  Oh goodie.  Can't wait.  The large center rice stitch may be next.  I removed and enlarged the leaves that touch the outline border so they match the left side, still befuddled.  The main dark branch down the center of each side is properly positioned, so how could I continue off so many times by two, and only on the right side of it?  Whatever, the leaves that touch are all corrected, any other misaligned elements stayed in place since they are not noticeable.  The single outline to the right of the tree was also off by two and needs removed.  

Carole's doc appointment needs repeating in three weeks.  He did not remove stitches, still some bleeding and non-closure, a wide band of scabbing that is deep all the way around.  He is not too concerned, said it's not perfect, but will check again in a few weeks.  

This is a wood box that carries wine bottles, free at our liquor store.  Mark sanded, stained, and varnished, added a knob, and his golf buddy is anxious to get it for his bar.  My Santa are starting to gather on tables for hibernation.

Hope your year is starting slow and uneventful!

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