Pouch #2

 Just posted to Instagram, Ooh la la finish of the second pouch.  It's not sewn yet, will wait until the grouping is stitched before deciding to flap or not.  

30 count unbleached, DMC two strands over two.  I was surprised at the DMC conversion to 647 and 648.  The are quite dull and not the recommended conversion for the GA colors which are 522 and 524.  I used 503 and 3053, because .... well, you know how I am.

As for aging, I may dab/drip a brown or gray dye in a few places after testing in the margin area, especially where the pouch would have been handled most.  Adding a drop of water immediately after sometimes creates that ring that mimics a stain.

Missy is starting to eat a little, not much though.  How a cat can eat the head, bones, fur, and paws of a mouse or mole and turn down $2.00 a can food is baffling.  But she was on her own and survival depended on that hunting, even 12 years later, habits die hard.  She will not leave me, and is continually talking.  We are allowing outdoor time since she loves it.  I have not removed Nit's favorite "hut" on the deck yet.  She still goes to it first thing, several times, sniffing and rubbing.

Have a great weekend folks.

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Halo halo halo

Hello.

Going through a pile of crap in the spare bedroom, I found another piece of the Waverly upholstery fabric.  I had a camel back sofa upholstered in it many years ago and have 2.5 yards extra.  I don't want to lose that sofa but with no upholsterers, have no choice.  If anyone wants this piece for chair pads or something, you can have it for the shipping cost.  Yardage weighs 2# and would probably fold into a medium Priority Box.  Email me if you want it.

I had such a difficult evening.  All the old photos were gone through and I burned the duplicates and ones of unknown persons.   The kids with ratty clothes playing outside, row houses with front porches and everyone sitting out and talking after dinner, picnics with the guys playing cards, just so emotional.  My aunts, my parents, uncles, cousins, looking at how they lived and struggled with very little.  Yet they found pleasure in getting together, playing cards, and telling stories.  Connecting.  Wireless meant something different back then.  Nothing plugged in, it was person to person, face to face, this was the original wireless.  How I wish I could go back, spend more time with Nona and learn some Italian, take my aunts out for the afternoon, and more importantly, have my parents tell me in their own words about their early days.

And then .... the tiniest little frick of a tick has caused inflammation and itching.  I got him with my gifted tweezers for stitching.  Hated to use them but needed that pointed end.  And now we wait to see if anything develops in a few weeks.  Geez.

I have never seen a rainbow on a bright sunny day, nor one that is not arched, nor one that has no beginning or end!  Weird huh?  I must have snapped the lens 25 times to get the right area.  I can't look up at the bright sky for more than second so just held up the camera and clicked.  The second photo shows a ring around the sun and after searching online, it is not uncommon.  Called a halo, certain conditions can create a rainbow ring.  Huh.  A rainbow ring.  Who knew?  Probably my husband.

May is half over.  WHAT???

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A good match

 With the prices and selection this year, I am glad we bought the petunias.  No sense searching for anything else and that bubblegum pink with lime green vines looks great against the dark house.  But the front door gets only a few hours of sun and they will not do well there.  So what did I find today that is the same pink and tolerates part shade?  

Bingo!

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Wow

 Unbleached thirty count, two strands, over two, blast from the past.  What a difference.  So quick and easy.

Following the chart color of 407 for the border, but changed the 3777 to 347.  I think the really bright red looks close to the original piece and a little more primitive.  Surprising since muted and dusty is the norm for an aged look but on this coarse dark linen, none are.  Can't figure that out but it is what it is.  And I like it.

We went to four Amish greenhouses in search of the Vista petunias in Bubblegum pink, Silverberry, or Paradise.  Carole wants ferns and Bubblegum for her house as always, and I was so worn out I decided to purchase the same for here.  Only one greenhouse had the Bubblegum, no other Vista colors.  We found one large Vista mix in another greenhouse, that was it.  Prices were quite high so I am glad the tunia we were looking for was in the smallest 8" pot and less $$.  I am very surprised that the other colors weren't available and especially that the Bubblegum best seller was not even offered at several places.  Or were they already sold before Mother's Day?

Our garage door will be coming in soon and I still haven't found a paint to match the stained cedar or even come close.  Computer matches have had green or red tones.  Almost impossible to match a charcoal brown.

Happy hump day.

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And another

 from Ooh la la.  I'm using a coarse 30 count with two threads and will distress and break a few threads to age when completed.  I don't have wool in a red shade which would look great on this, but sanding a little will age plenty.

The original done in wool.

Missy did not run from the new plush cat as she did with others, but it's not a comfort to her.  More of a what the hell is that.  I brushed her on the sofa with the cat at the other end, she stayed afterward and stared at it.  And yes, I always need peroxide and a bandaid when finished.  I guess it will just take time as you've mentioned, and I will remove the shelter and box that he lounged on top of from the deck this afternoon.  Or should I not?  She is constantly checking it and sniffing to see if he is behind, inside, or atop.  Adopting another is out of the question.  This girl is not friendly, has even attacked large feral males.  If we would consider it, the new member would be a senior.  We've been restricted by family and pet responsibilites for over twenty years, do not want another twenty.  Good grief I'll be 71 next month!  

I plan to apply for part time work soon, which also sends the message to others that I will not be available.  Husband thinks it is a mistake for her to return home because of how much she will be relying on others, but I don't blame her for trying.  My feeling is for her to stay where she is, and we'll work out a transport for weekends at home.  Best of both worlds.  No daily meal prep, no bathing struggles, no meds to manage.  For two days, easy meals, family and friend gatherings, peace in your own home, back to 24/7 care for the week.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend.

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It's all over

 but the pouching.  

I have several deep red fabrics that will work nicely, but I'm thinking .... too formal for a primitive piece.  That in no way means they won't end up as the backing.  The pattern uses the linen front and back, I don't know if I want to do that.

The larger prints should do better on the next two because they are more uniform, less wonky, can handle a larger print.  But if they are to be the backing, I will lightly mist with bleach to age, or sand.

The bottom right corner bugged me, so I removed the leaf vine and brought the right border to the bottom.  Better!

I need to stitch at least one more before construction.  Too distracted right now. I'm still not settled from the shock, and also worrying about the test.  I need to go out of town or have a cath here.  I guess it's silly but going to a new facility and dealing with strangers doesn't sit well.  I had a reaction during an IVP to the iodine contrast (related to shellfish allergy?) so that adds to the anxiety.  I know.  I already have big girl panties so pull them up.

We've tried several plush creatures, some noisy, some quiet, Missy is not interested.  She runs from a few and ignores others.  Tomorrow the final attempt is coming.  Solid black full size plush cat.

Wishing you all a wonderful and special Mother's Day.

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