Not feeling it

 But will soon!  Once this satin stitch band is completed, the area of this sampler I was attracted to will begin.  I do not and never did like alternating red and blue letters and only a few would need changed to the bronze, thinking about it.  Insignificant isn't it?  But you know I'm weird and that second row is annoying this crabass.

I had to change to a darker blue for the satin stitch band because any threads that aren't contrasted enough to the linen are very difficult for me to see. One shade darker was enough to solve that, and no harm done.

Taking Carole's friend to see her today while we visit a furniture store a few miles from there.  She is ticked at me because her last call yesterday was to complain about the new cable box and she couldn't get the tv to work.  ASK SOMEONE!  HIT THE BUTTONS ON THE REMOTE!  She calls me for every little thing as if I am in the next room and I'm 40 minutes away, and most always it's something she or the staff could solve.  She'll get over it, has before, and will again.  

I am still searching for a female doctor, may have to stay with one that I was sent to for covid.  She told me to come back in a year, and that tells me she is casual.  I don't think a hot flashing 70 year old with auto immune, high stress, balding, and a-fib should be seen annually.  I don't understand why after almost a year of anxiety, fear, and extreme stress ended, and a brief time of relief, it feels like it's starting again but less intense.  

Heavy rains are melting the piles of snow into lakes, and the filthy black piles along the roads are sure making a mess on cars. Winter in PA.  Crapola.

Enjoy your day!

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Hanging poms

 Half of the month gone, closer to spring.  So many appointments coming up (mine) and I dread them.  A few more of Carole's but they are follow ups.  

Carole decided that she would like the same finish on the bluebird as mine, not the bright green.  I have more of the poms and fabric, backing boards were fleeced and ready,  how much easier when no decisions are needed.   I didn't think inserting the pom hanger ends between the boards would be ideal because of the bulk, and removal if hangers are no longer preferred.  I cut the poms off and then held a lighter close enough to seal edge from raveling.  I added a few buttons over the edge, glued it all and weighted for a good bond.

 The hanger is long enough for a doorknob, she will ask why I made it so long.  If I shorten, she will ask why I made it so short.   But I think it's too long so I may remove before the glue hardens.

I plan to re-chart Jean's sides which are not balanced so they will be last, but wanted to get the sawtooth border started.  My eyesight has worsened quite a bit (not related to the dryness) and I am making a lot of errors, so ran purple thread to make sure they are the correct length.  This is the last row before the fun begins, and how nice that every OTHER letter is eyelet!  Another error because of not paying attention to those directions but the letter had to removed anyway because once again, the wrong color.  I'm on a roll with mistakes but catching them early helps.

Have you noticed that the still advertised as 6"x9" envelopes are just a little too snug for items that used to fit inside?  They are now 5 7/8" x 9".  

Have a good day!

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How far will I go?

Changed the 830 to 831 on the darker linen and 832 on the Affogato lighter linen.  Quite a few errors originally, some in mistaking the symbols and since I did not like several of the letters with two colors, they are now one.

Mark prefers the darker linen, I am favoring the lighter.  I need to choose today before I end up with two samplers.

I watched my favorite floss tuber, Saltbox Stitcher, last night.  Almost exclusively samplers, and holy hanks of floss is she proficient.   She featured some outstanding framed pieces and big gals do not deter her.   Brenda and Laura had my dry mouth gaping wide with their show and tell from The Attic.  Those extraordinary needlewomen are amazing.  The backs of the projects were stunning.  Remarkable work and we're all grateful for their on the spot reporting.  

 And I have to say, NO ONE should feel the need to explain their abundance of stash or purchases.  I have friends that abuse benefits they are not entitled to and buy expensive recreational toys and twice yearly cruises.  Young healthy people that don't even look for work and are in line at Starbucks nearly every morning.  Add that up per month!  My local store's drive thru patrons block a large intersection daily.  Three drinks are a sampler chart.  Several friends use marijuana daily, some still smoke cigarettes.  Add that up per month!  How much do some pay for monthly hair color at a salon?  We start around $90 here and those ridiculous neon heads are over $150.  They're wearing shower tongs and pajama pants but want to spend their money at a salon.  That's their business.  Some prefer to buy books to read in hand and keep in their vast collection, a diversion from stress and solace for the soul.  Just as it is for needleworkers whose expenditures actually result in creations worth much more than their cost. 

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Bluebird journey

 Hi folks.  A little late, for some reason the email entries were not staying in the giveaway folder, and kept going back into my inbox folder.  Move 'em again!  Finally gave up and wrote email and comment entries by hand for the drawing.  Microsoft Edge kept telling me I need to switch to them because IE is no longer supported.  Maybe not, but it won't be to Edge.

Anyway, Amanda from the comments, please contact me with your address and the birdie will fly your way soon.  Thanks to all for entering.

Have a nice Sunday!

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Frogtown

I plan to do this over with the lighter threads.  Question is whether to frog or change linen.  Not much margin so removal is necessary or I could save for a shorter project.  It's not too much to frog, but it's the second time.  In fact, these four buds are all that is left from the completed row.  Frog was full after eating eight others.  Seeing this photo is making me lean toward a darker linen.

Hogbristle is recommended, mine is very pink, not yellow/gold at all and the bronzy threads are not nice on it.  I have a WDW Beige that I dipped long ago, and although I do not like that linen at all, the color is good and maybe the best choice.  My start was on Affogato but my other piece of Affo will not work.  Totally different and too dark.  Probably best to start anew, don't want to chance another linen cut no matter how cute that frog is.

Jean Donaldson's cover photo is not very clear, but oh my her chart is the BEST.  High quality glossy paper with very large magnification.  Splendid!  And the designer is also very thorough and thoughtful by including four thread conversions.  Wow.  So NPI 315 is DMC 830, what I used, but looking at the photo it appears lighter with a striking bronze contrast to the two reds and I like it much more.

Carole's pacemaker/cardio visit went very well even though the expected 20 minutes visit was close to two hours.  Unfortunately, the records and medication list sent with her were for someone else, and three calls were not answered to fax the updates.   I won't see him for another month, he recommended finding a PCP and having a physical and complete lab work done beforehand.  Just realized her vax card that was copied was not returned.  Rosanna danna, it's always something.

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The Bluebird

My first flat finish, added mini poms.  I tried Tacky, Fabric Fusion, and except for the fabric to the cards, rick rack would not stay, even had issue with the poms.   I was expecting a quick grab to hold it, did not happen. This will be mine for now so I changed to the backing and colors I prefer.

She does not want it there now for several reasons.  The green looks sweet and cheerful, but I so prefer this!  The backing board for hers is already covered, I'm using the same threads on the same linen, the second one will be an easy and pleasant project and a quick finish.  

If you are interested in the pay-it-forward giveaway, please leave initials or email in the comments on this post, or email me directly,

samplersandsantas@gmail.com

This is for chart only, With Thy Needle and Thread's Bluebird Out My Window.

I will draw a name on 2/12 at 8 pm.

I request that you pass it on to another stitcher when you've finished this project and continue the bluebird's flight of kindness. 

I'll be back on the 12th, not feeling well.  Meeting Carole at our cardiologist office Friday and hope to talk them into a sooner appointment for me, or testing before then.

Enjoy your days!

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