Overstitching

 Not the endoscopic suturing system, nor the embroidery edge technique, but the easier way to change a few stitches.  Rather than remove a few that I would prefer to be darker or stronger, I stitch over them with the other color.  Removal with too many tucked tails and run threads on back results in a real can of worms at times.  I want to clean up HOME whether same thread or a shade darker.  One thing probably done incorrectly, was to stitch the word first because I think stitching around all four sides of a single causes it to lose distinction.  Corners are no longer obvious unless adjoined with same color.  But filling an area and counting to leave a single space would create a real issue for me.

This is not the 612 called for, I lightened to 613 for better clarity.  But I did the first cross base with the darker 470 since neither 612 nor 613 showed well on 471.  To prevent a solid block I alternated the second cross with both 470 and 471 and the variegation is subtle and I like it.  I'm thinking overstitch of the same 613 may do the trick and allow the word to show more.

Her appointment yesterday was excruciating once again, but we stopped at a pharmacy on the way and I purchased a tube of 4% Lidocaine.  The nurse applied it after removing completely blood soaked bandages (she take two anti-coagulants). We don't know how bad the extensive debriding would have been without it, she said she couldn't imagine it being worse.  Last week a scalpel was used, this week, scissors.  Another appointment next week, and we doubt she will be healed enough to rehab with a prosthetic in time for bluebirds.  We can bring her home for a visit when the birds are in the houses (she has three).

An icy mix starting tomorrow.  We may start deep cleaning before the painting that should have taken place a few years ago.  The cans were never opened so should be just fine.  

Stay safe and warm everyone.

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Stitching journal

 Hi folks.  I've looked at all the journals for stitching and liked one more than others, but decided to try my own.  I don't have Word or any of those programs, I just use Paint, started with Properties and sized for two 5.5 x 8.5 per sheet, wide left margin for punching.  Made 25 b/w copies at Staples for less than $5 which yielded 50 pages when cut.  Their copiers have heavy, bright white, beautiful sheen finish paper, so much nicer than my copy paper.  

I had two designs from online free clip art, and the oval printed more clearly so that's what I used.  Two 6 x 9 disc style (Arc) notebooks and mini punch would work well.  Very versatile since you can purchase larger rings for a very thick book, clear pockets, plastic tabs, dividers, and lots of other accessories.  A mini 3-ring binder would do as well.  I have Title, Designer, Started, End, Fabric, Size, Threads, Substitutions, Finishing, and Notes.  The dividers will be marked for Samplers, Christmas, Smalls, and Misc.  It's a shame I didn't start this forty five years ago.  But I had a mane of wild hair and plenty of estrogen.  Who wanted to be organized and efficient outside of the office?

This sweet 5x7 was a few bucks at TJMaxx and I am using it as a daily record.  It's a planner but each day has plenty of room for recording daily stitching progress, changes, notes, and obscenities.

Eyes were bad today so not much accomplished, but I did remove his breast color and change to 403, a little more apricot.  The house and bottom area will probably take some time but without having to count and continually check a wandering vine, maybe not!

Have a good Monday.  

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On the green

 Thank you!  The 469-471 I found as subs were for GAST and I couldn't find the big pit greenie (avocado) for CCW.  Online photos look very similar between the two and are very close to the chart's photo.  Bingo.  The 471 seemed too bright so just to take the edge off, I dipped a few strands in a little brown dye for a second and it's barely noticeable.  Seems to have quieted the shouting.  It looks great and I would never have considered it without your help.  Thanks!

I changed the 355 to 356 just to soften a little.  And it's so nice to hold a small project for a change. I know this past year has been distracting to say the least, but I don't believe I've ever worked on a single sampler (Rachel) this long.

No visiting this weekend.  Carole's nurse is positive now so I don't know when that will change.  I honestly can't imagine how they wear those heavy medical masks for the ten to twelve hour shifts.  No one, including departments that have no contact with the team, can be in the building without them.  After two hours I am gasping!  Monday's appt. hasn't been cancelled so I hope that doesn't change.

Enjoy your weekend.

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Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

 It's really hard on an already resized photo to do detail work in Paint.  Not sure if birds are even necessary but these look like aircraft aimed at the house.  

Even though more work than I expected, I do like this finish, basically easy solid fill of grass and hill, straight rows of fencing, minimal charting.  Yepper.  

Or should the fence be further back?  Mmmm..... no.

Both are messy because I didn't want to take the time to copy and paste the stitching so I just filled with color.

 This is how the original was charted.

We haven't been to Carole's facility in a while, and with residents around her and aides testing positive, the January 30 lifting of quarantine won't happen.  Before spewing, yes, everyone there is vaxed and boosted.  I hope she doesn't get it, I hope she can still make her appt Monday which is necessary, I am more concerned about healing after speaking with the nurse yesterday.  No N95's are in this area yet.  Good thing our Strategic National Stockpile has been storing over 750 million of them.  Following other countries rebounds and relapses, contradictions from agencies and self proclaimed experts, I still believe a medication is the only hope.  At the very least it would start a fight response rather than allow the virus to gain control during those days waiting for results.  And if the first few days - BEFORE symptoms and testing - are the most contagious, splain it to me Lucy!  I was tested (as many others) with negative results several times, but actually positive. Just my opinion.

Can anyone help with the conversion of Classic Colorworks Avocado to DMC? I've been searching and can't find it, already started with 3051 on the Bluebird design but I don't think that's it.  May not remove to change it but I'd like to know.

Have a great day.

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What's in my mini Magma?

 Bluebirds!  I'm using the same 36 count that was excess on Rachel and converted the overdyed to DMC.  Well, best that I could.  I have enough disappointment in linen ordered online, no need to add threads to it. Some have been perfect, some totally goofballish. 

Rachel is napping in my large Magma.  I finished the white outlines and bands, checked for any stitch omissions (found two), over one corners complete, over one row revamped and also complete, and beast be damned.  I don't know why, but it's not working and the more I need to remove a misplaced stitch the more the linen suffers.  And why am I focused on a cow?  Sheep!!  Regardless of critter, they will be too large in scale for the house but that's fine too.  I'll figure something out.  Maybe a few birds, fence, yadda yadda.  I'll get back to her when I know what I want.  The lastest idea is too much work and way off Rachel's original.  A fence with hills done in the grass color with grazing sheep, may look distant and more appropriate.  But I want her DONE so whatever is the quickest while appealing to Queen Crabass, is good enough.

My right hand is failing me when a grip is required.  So this tiny cast iron pan from the dollar store is great for candles.  Flat and level for even large size, a handle which is easier for me to hold  Rubber bands are around most large/round items to offer more grip but doesn't always work.

Not going to mention the two feet of snow and frigid temps.  But I will say that it if you are offering to shelter a stray or feral,  a styrofoam hut and a tarp works great from wet and wind.  This is from HD or Lowe's and if I remember ... 8x10.  I wrapped sides around a small table first and folded the excess beneath the top, tied to hold.  Tarps are a great option even used on two saw horses with a board over top.

Stay safe.

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Boom. Part 3

 Well.  It's snowing again. But we made it home from Carole's appointment before the roads were too bad.  I had to leave the exam room. Needless to say, that incision/wound is worse that two weeks ago, six weeks after surgery.  They had no injectable lidocaine or numbing topicals and I told them to search the building.  It's quite large but outpatient surgery is down the hall, and you have no lidocaine?  Both nurses were wonderful and after a trip upstairs, came back with 2.5% cream. My eyebrow tattoos were done with 5%.  The scalpel and debridement was done across the entire leg, deep and wide.   Stitches removed but they never closed the wound initially and there is a wide recess.  Her shrinker and preparation for the prosthetic is delayed another (at least) month and she will be seen every week by the surgeon.  They aren't happy with the result after how well her other leg healed, but concern is not serious yet.  Well it is for me!

I woke Rachel for a word or two at times, and yesterday went better than expected so I continued on.  Placement is off in several places, not that noticeable, and don't give a horse's hoof.   The focal points are the grapes and large rice stitched center for me, not the over one.  

I saved a few white areas for last to prevent soiling from handling, but the large blue flower on the right side needs corrected first.  I thought it was good but after filling with white edges, nope.  Easy fix.  But that beast will attack me again.  If I did the 310 outline first it may help, counting these tiny stitches and numerous rows is very difficult.  Letters are much easier than a massive blob.  Rachel will nap again until I decide, but at least three problem areas are completed.  None of the cows in my charts are size or appearance appropriate.  

Just checked radar, snow until 9pm.  

Yippee ki yay.

Stay safe everyone.

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