The 40 difference

 At 59:27 during Saltbox Stitcher's video, the BBD design of my last small sampler was shown. Her border was noticeable because she used a lighter linen and it looked much nicer.  The 407 is barely visible on my dark linen, so I am changing to the red.  Being three rows wide of alternating stitches, I could have just added the red and kept the 407 in place.  But it was too much so I removed it.  Carol's looked SO much better.  I can't tell you how much I enjoy her floss tube.  L.O.V.E. her.  I wish she was weekly. 

Now about Meg.  My cataracts are progressing and not near qualified for removal, but the linen had more to do with my frustration.  It took a while before realizing this.  Meg's simple border, as much as shown here, was two days of work.  Over and over, constant removal.  I used 40 count recently without a problem, yet I struggled with this one.  

Meg was put aside and I started on Mary Bell, another small sampler.  Same problem.  My stitches were in the wrong holes and I was struggling to see.  WTH???  Maybe I mottled the linen too much and it was throwing me off?  I decided to try another piece of my limited 40 count stash.  This new piece was not as troublesome.  I was actually in the right hole!  Both Meg's border and Mary's were easier.  Similar in color, both 40 count, same needle, same 4.0 mags.

But those first pieces were not Flax, they were Lambswool, and neither had the orange stripe.  That linen had finer threads resulting in a looser weave, yet I could not get those stitches in the proper hole.  Zweigart's orange stripe is a heavier thread, tighter weave, which I assumed would be more difficult to see. I guess I need to check for the selvage stripe, but most of my 40s are small cuts which may not always include it.  Probably not necessary since side by side I could see the difference.

Holding my breath, I can't tell you how many people have covid that I have been around.

Whatever you plan for this weekend, remember the reason.

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Meg

 Until I decide on the border of Kezia Turnock, Meg Adams seems to be a good choice.  The sampler is done over one on 28 count or over two on linen of your choice.  I tried over one on 28 and also 32 (see those tiny letters next to the 5.5" wide chart) for just a few letters, and know that the entire sampler in such would be a royal PITA for me.

I chose a neutral 40 count over two and hope to start this evening.

Possible color changes in this one, but won't know until the floss is tossed. 

Happy Monday as we close in on the end of May.  Already!  

Good grief.

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Rolling along

on a sweet cheese Nalesniki kind of day.  A short time before serving from the oven, we top with sour cream and a sprinkle of sugar.  

Terrible storm last night.  I move my flowers under the swings when heavy rain is predicted, but the wind actually knocked a few over.  My Grabber Buddy helped with the loads of fallen branches.

Sending a few crepes and other goodies to Carole along with some laundry.  Chris and Matt are taking it all up today for their visit.  This was one of the hankies being pressed, we love this black edging against the colors.  Wouldn't this make a great sampler border?  Pastels outlined with black is not in a design I remember seeing but that doesn't mean there isn't one.

Hope your week gets off to a good start.  Mine starts in the dental chair finally.  

Be well, stay safe!

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Options

Knowing full well that the pouches will be added to the pile in need of sewn finish is pushing me to do it now.   That pile is large enough.  After a load of options and closures, I settled on two.

 Fringed flap on front piece that won't interfere with opening.

Simple drawstring.

Since I plan to age and stain a little, the construction should be fairly simple and primitive.  Adding closure buttons or loops would appear a little too modern or cute to me.  This week anyway.  Next week may be a button and loop party.  

I haven't found a chart for the third pouch, two may be enough.  If I do add another, it will be very small and have a leather flap.  Sort of like this rosary pouch on Etsy from CLNleathercraft, but I envision an oval shaped bottom.  Leather lacing for a strap, maybe just initials and a few motifs.  A leather flap will be too heavy and the body needs to be structured enough to hold it.  How do I know?  I've tried it before and failed.

We visited with Carole and took food goodies, one was the Tortellini crock pot soup/stew/something.  Very easy.  Crumbled cooked Italian sausage, 6 or 8 oz bag of fresh spinach chopped, 24 oz low sodium chick broth, two 12 oz cans of petite diced tomatoes with juice (or one 28 oz), an 8 oz brick of cream cheese chopped.  Low for four-five hours, stir a few times to blend cheese during cooking time.  Half hour before serving, add 19 oz bag of frozen cheese tortellini.  Continue cooking until tender, anywhere from 15 minutes to 30.  You can use seasoned tomatoes or add Italian seasoning to taste.  A few years ago I started to lay a towel over the top of the crock and secure with the lid to catch the liquid.  When wet, I slide the towel to the dry end and it works great to keep the meal from getting too watery.

Sunny and warm today.  There is a fat hairy spider between the screen and window which will now not be opened all summer.

Enjoy the weekend, be safe.

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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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