Does the reason matter?

 Hello people.  Is it because my new front crowns would make any horse jealous, the background heartache, the fact I offered to help pay for it, anxiety about not feeling well for months, the visual that haunts me of my Nitzy suffering and terrified from the attack, or ...... just not paying attention to the chart that is the cause of so many stitching errors?  WTH???  This very small project had the outline done twice on the right and three on the left.  The lowest band was done two and a half times.  The top band was changed to make it easier for me so it would not be a three timer.  This is a tiny project!!!  SO surprised that I did not take a match to it or even fling it across the room.

It's August and I am upset that summer is soon to close.  The contractor that promised to build Carole's ramp for the motor chair has failed six times to show up and no one else will even consider it until late fall.  We hired this guy in March.  Purchasing one is much more money and would not resolve the step at each door.  The small porch needs to be raised with a deck to meet the doorway, ramp off of it.

Last year we had a pile of dirt and broken concrete to look at all summer from the sewer project.  This year we did as much as we could but can't shovel that much gravel out, still a mess, also hired in March.  But I get to sit on my swing and see the gravel, the weeds, the broken stones, and I have two legs that are strong enough to hold my overweight body.  So I will bitch but enjoy and feel blessed.  Maybe nibble on some grass or hay and see if my crowns' appearance is matched by function.

I used my birthday money to purchase a few goodies, fat eighth of Creme Brulee Tabbycat linen, Heartland, and this chart.  Thirty colors in it, how many do you think I will change???  LOL!  I do not like script lettering at all, and yet this is my purchase.  No explanation other than I am drawn to it.  And the NWP coming soon, Mary Carr, AUGH!!  Cannot wait.  But that means summer will be over.

I have appointments to schedule this morning, and a trip to Walmart for Carole's list and some basics. I hope your day goes well and everyone is safe.  

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Amy

 I did not know.  Amy's needles from Thread in Hand were put down forever in May.  I previously mentioned her blog and the interesting and intricate needlework projects that she featured.  Just amazing talent.  She received a new Amy Mitten kit right before she passed.  She passed away the day after her final post.  She will be missed.

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I've not finished updating my linen inventory, and Lori's Spools of my Thread is being worked on until the kitting is done.  I have loved this little bag for years, and am finally stitching it.  I should have used 28 count for a larger bag, but I'm using the leftover from the last project and it will be tiny and sweet.  And I spy an error in the following photo.  

When I started samplers decades ago on 25 and 28 count from Scarlet Letter, alphabets were my favorite.  Now, I see marking samplers in my files and am no longer drawn to them.  Years ago I could not get enough of Sampler Farm Carol's albums.  Her work was certainly not all alphabets, and I started slowly dipping my needle into new territory.  I did stitch a few with limited motifs, none with elaborate borders that I can recall.  Love love love those borders, hate hate hate to stitch them.  But nothing worthwhile comes easy so put those big girl cottons on.

Some in the stack I have chosen have unique and beautiful borders.  Not a wimp in the bunch.  Which means I better get those cotton whiteys out, ready for action.  In the meantime, sorting linen and enjoying Lori's chart will keep them dry.

OMG.  AUGUST??? 

 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

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Kit!

I've decided to kit these charts that are considered every time I need a new project.  My linen pieces are not large, but so far only two samplers require more than I have and have been set aside for now.  I tagged these with the minimum cuts in three different counts.  I have more 28/30 from years ago than any other, but prefer one strand of floss now.  This will take some time but well worth it.  Since DMC is not expensive and I don't use silks, purchasing for each and including in the kit will be a plus also.  Those ghost colors that I do not like will already be changed and I am so looking forward to being able to just choose a sampler, and start it without frustration and decision making.  It's ready!!  Not the first time I planned to do this but this time .... I am resolute.  

My menomania flashes have returned, patience is nonexistent and anger is hair-trigger.  For the sake of these wonderful charts, KIT!!  And when that task is done (hopefully without issue), how do I decide which to start?  If all are at the ready, is it possible I may start a few and then decide?  No WIPs to show, ever, maybe it's about time.

Enjoy your day!

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Miss Petite

 Catherine had a valid question... why didn't I move the arms out by one stitch?  I wasn't counting the space between arms and dress until the leash.  That's when I realized my error.  I snapped a photo and moved her arms in the Paint program before I decided to remove the stitching.  It sort of looked odd, maybe because they are already extending outward.  One row further made her look as if she was ready to raise her arms to shout out a song.  I agree with you and she's wearing patent leather shoes. 

Miss Petite is completed, and I have not been able to capture her richness with the camera, tablet, or phone.  I changed the 3064 to 435 for better show on this linen (36 count C&C Oatmeal). The red is dmc 347.

Doctor yesterday and dentist tomorrow.

Yippee.

The doctor is close to an hour away and we stopped at a grocery store, found FRESH figs!!  They aren't the large darker ones with pink flesh that I had decades ago and were not cheap, but they came home with me.  My 12" high fig trees will hopefully become strong and productive.

Have a good day!

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Patent or pink?

 Whenever I got new dress shoes some sixty years ago, they were always black patent.  And I loved them.  So I am debating if Miss Petite would like hers to be the same, or the pink she is always wearing.

I didn't realize I had left off an entire row at her waist until it was too late.  To compensate for her total height difference I stitched another red row at skirt's bottom since her pantaloons allowed it.  Not important, didn't really change the look.  But that missing short single row affected quite a few areas that could have been a problem if I wasn't aware of my error -

... the flower vase motif which was counted off her sleeve is down 

...the floral clouds counted off the vase already down one row 

...the arms are one row closer to her dress

...her "finger" at the end of the arm had to be moved in one stitch

...the leash is closer which changed position to the dog

...the dog would be touching her dress and had to be moved to the left.

 Why is everything moved one row to the right if the error was not in width?  Because one row higher would have started her arms in the narrower area of the dress.  If these elements weren't stand alone and I hadn't realized the error, it shows how our projects can be totally off by an error opposite of what we're searching for.  I would have been counting horizontal stitches and they were not in error, it was a vertical error that threw off the horizontal! 

I also removed that extra stitch on the left side of the skirt, and added a stitch down the right side to make each side match (charted narrower on the right).

I am having a hissy fit that July is ending.  

Enjoy your day!

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Well that didn't last very long

 I do not like the bottom's green.  Recommended 3011 and I found an overdyed that was very close, thought the gentle variations would be nice.

I am so upset about the background situation that I don't really care.  I was half way through when I realized it was too something-or-other, but continued on.  Depending on how it's finished, I could hide six of the rows and only keep two visible.  My pile of pieces to finish is large and with Hobby Lobby opening today locally, I may have some options for framing the large samplers.

Rain last night, enough to knock down the large heads of Annabelle.

My southern peaches are starting to fragrance the room.  Soon.....

They offer shipping but it's much more expensive than ordering a box online and picking up at the location specified.  My 25# for $50 contains 48 peaches, all very large and perfect.  They are grown at the farms in Georgia and southern states.  The refrigerated semi had a cab that was impressive and I wanted to sneak inside.  Sleeping bunk plus an area beneath, the driver seat seemed about five feet from the ground.  What a ride!!

Stay safe.

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