Two great finds

 unrelated to stitching.  Well, not really.  But first, my nephew is one of those male shoppers that buys somewhat of a .... well .... goofy gift.  So I take over to make sure it's appropriate, would be used, and what I tell them to like.  Yes, I do.  If it's something they do not prefer, I talk them into it.  Anyway, I spotted these on my infrequent social media visits, and told Chris it would be a perfect Valentine's day gift for his mom.  She made angel pins for several years, she wrote and I designed/printed cards and verse for them.  This is from silverplate flatware and one of many options.  She will love it.

And after watching Lori's video about her planner, (cards, tags, pens, and do-dads also), I wanted one but wasn't going to spend that much.  

I started thinking such an item would be a good training tool for procrastinators.  Things I "plan" to do, usually are not accomplished near the expected time, or at all.  A notebook that tells this putz  - this is what you need to do today - may help.  I would feel pretty good about completing a task.  

All the books to keep track of linen, charts, completions, changes, are never followed for too long.  This cheap yet very nice planner has plenty of room in day sections to also use as a stitching book of days.  Ready?  $6.23 at walmart!  The paper is quality, heavier than others, bright white.  And three pages of stickers included.

 So on the way to see sis tomorrow, I am getting one for her.  She could keep track of therapy, appointments, days and hours of aides, symptoms and duration.

Beginning of each month has a page for goals.  I don't have that many, but I can be excessive in description to fill the page.  End of month offers another blank page for notes, which will probably read ... failed to complete items on goal page.

I'm hoping I can follow through and become organized and efficient.  I haven't thought of what to line up, when, how to express it, which page, so I'll do it tomorrow.  Or Saturday.  Maybe Sunday.

I can at least enter daily stitching action.

Hey.  It was only $6.23.

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Throwing in the towel

 Good grief.  Although the majority of the stress from previous ten months has waned, some of course, still remains.  And I know it's not important compared to crises, but losing my hair has also continued to be a daily anxiety.  Should that interfere with stitching?  

When menoemotions return, your patience is limited, and hissy fits occur with minimal hesitation, yep.  I've tired several methods including adding thin stabilizer beneath, I am struggling.  Why should I?  Not being even close to a purist, I've changed many reproductions and will do it again although this one will be more difficult.  

One more attempt at the bottom areas by doing full cross over one rather than the two direction tent.  It's not that every letter's thread fails, but the concentration to accomplish is not welcome.  Once I understood the under/under method, over one became much calmer, and I'm hoping changing to full cross with be the answer.  Now about that beast.  Lots of tent fill, started twice (once with recommended two threads and once with single thread) and I've decided to chart him over two.  If I cannot, that beast will become a cow.  Happens to the best of us.  Nothing charted yet but I feel it in my sugar craving torso, and I don't have a problem or feel guilty changing Rachel's work.  

I am so anxious to finish this project.

Have a good day.

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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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