Out damned spot

 While listing my linen colors/sizes for the kitting adventure, I found this.  I never purchase, nor have, blue ink pens.  I also never open and examine my fabric purchases other than to see the color and mottling.  Since 18 x 27 is no longer the norm, I wanted to measure each piece to make sure I can squeak by on width for a project.  One was only 16", and if I started two inches in assuming it was 18", I may stitch half the sampler before finding out it will not fit.  That's when I saw these spots.  The double dots are in three places, another single elsewhere.  Some are visible on the opposite side, not all.  I know 70% rubbing alcohol dissolves ink and marker but I have never used it on overdyed and I'm sure the blotting would remove some dye.

My options would be to remove the offending threads and weave in new ones from the edge, or wait until I start stitching and see if the pattern would cover a few.  It's not a disaster, not irreparable, not intentional.  Don't sweat the small stuff.  Flashes are soaking enough.

We had rain yesterday, my tunias were thrilled to not be drinking softened well water.  Today heavy rain is expected but that changes constantly.  Mark rototilled the area of weeds while ripping out the dead shrubs, we threw the leftover wood into a pile, stacked the rocks, sprayed the weeds.  It's full dosing of Advil today! 

I plan to add a birdbath, maybe a few lime coral bells and small hostas, but not now.  When they come to clean up the gravel and move the barn stones they will dig out the clay and add sand or something.  The rototiller went down three inches and then hit that horrible hardpan, not advisable to have that equipment bouncing your arms and shoulders around while trying to penetrate the ground.  I am done with the bug infested whiskey barrels, already burned two.

I like the clean bare look after all was removed.  I did have hubby put a leftover 4x6 in the ground and I ordered two matching large hangers for the sides. Adds some interest, also another place for my larger windchimes, and a bucket of greens at Christmas.  Maybe pea gravel, the bath, some ground cover at its base, and two large hanging plants may be enough.  Less is more, and work is less!  Mom's planter is where the birdbath would go, the tunia in it is one I mowed down earllier.

Lots of small chores today, trying Arby's new hush puppy coated fish tonight.

Be safe!

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Finished. Twice.

Good grief.  Error after error!  The angled corners didn't appear matched so I counted, and the left was off.  I thought I counted wrong once again so I removed the left side including one stitch of top border and one stitch on the vertical left.  Then I looked at the chart and saw that I stitched it as charted the first time, no error.  The chart is eleven on left, and twelve on right.  So I counted correctly!  Yay!  But I had already frogged it, and would have done so anyway to have the sides match.  And no I didn't follow the colors exactly either, same blues, just not all in the correct place.  I did change the scissors to dark gray 535 and side spools to 433, added the thread overlay to the side spools also.

Now the fabric for the back.  I could use the same linen or a cotton print.  You know how I am with decision making, so I may have the husband choose. 

I'm leaning toward this print which looks more vintage and the blue features nicely.  But being on the back, it wouldn't matter.

The ticking on the left is leftover Blackbird that matched the sampler fabric.  

But the one on the right is better.

I lost another (and last) quilt shop of fantastic offerings.  There IS a difference in quality, and those popular brands are not sold elsewhere.  So now I hoard more than ever.  I ordered several small pieces on Etsy and elsewhere because I plan to make some things to sell.  Same as the unseen linen, it's hard to imagine scale and color even when the size is stated.  So I'm hoarding.  I love it, I save it.  Rather than have the pleasure of seeing it displayed,  I choose to hide it in a drawer.  Very small piece needed, I think your choice would be the hoarded tick.

Is it really menopause that caused my quirks or have I always been strange?

We have loads of zucchini and today we tried something new.  Cubed the zucchini, baked at 400 for almost a half hour to dry out.  Sautéed green pepper, onion, threw in the zukes, can of tomato sauce (little bit of water), cannellini beans drained and rinsed, and diced kielbasa.  Pretty darn good.

Enjoy the almost end of the first week of the end of summer dammit.

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That mother of a slub

 Hiya.  I was going along much better than previous evenings, when the slub got me.  Massive.  As big as my car.  Well..... 

So as I always do, if it's quite fuzzy, I keep picking until the majority of fuzz is gone.  This time, fuzz was all it had, no skinny strand inside.  So as many times before, I removed a linen thread from the same direction and rewove.  But when there is even minor shading, mottling, it may not blend.  One strand!  You would think it would join its friends and try to fit in, but no. 

It happens to be between the two bands and not really noticeable, but it bugs me.  If this replaced thread was in a more open area, the light stripe would be obvious.

I pulled three other threads and the middle one looks to be a good match.  Since this little bag will be gathered very close to that noncomformist, it will stay.  But I wanted to mention how these overdyed linens need to be looked at closely if reweaving is necessary.  Or better yet, let the slub be a slub.

The Mayflower linen I wanted to sell was very light and I could not see mottling.  Rather than offer, I mottled myself and it is perfect (first photo).  Love it.  The Hazelwood that no one wanted (and I don't blame for that) is not recognizable.  Still don't care for it but better than it was.

As for my teeth, I was referring to the crowns that were placed in the front last week after several appointments.  Four front.  Not happy.  No need to go into detail, doesn't matter why and there are a number of reasons.

I should finish up Spools tonight and rather than add it to the pile of projects waiting for final finishing, I want to sew that bag now.  And I will.  If I could force flashes and be done with them for a while allowing sewing without screaming, I would.  But after all these years, a remission, and now a sneaky return, I've had plenty of time.  Ain't happening.

Have a nice day folks.  I'm loading up on the zucchini pizzarelles from my recipe blog.

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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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