#3 and the Stitching Station

 

I've named my modified tray table the Stitching Station.  It is!  I can hang four projects at once, bags and all along the sides.  Not sure if the bags will stay but certainly the floss rings will.  

I have magnets on a raised strip so I can easily grab my scissors, and magnetic strip for holding working needles.

I can pull it over my lap and have a large surface to work from.  If Missy or my bladder requires a quick dash, the table with all my doodads is simply pushed aside.  Want to move to another room?  So so easy.  

This organization station will make a huge difference for me since most times, items are piled to a side table, some hit the floor, some require a search to find again.  YAY!!!

This added bonus is a real help also, you know, because of continually changing threads!  The DMC book slides right under the tray and is held by the legs' hardware.  Perfect!!

And this is #3, Kezia Turnock.  I never received a reply from Sassy Jacks about the symbol error, and since the over one chart's vine is 3031, that is what I chose to use.  From Robin's research of the chart, it would appear to be 310 since that color symbol .... well .... too much for a menobrain to explain. I'm using 3031 for that symbol in the border, but elsewhere will use the 310.

The linen is 36 Affogato, way too green, and very very similar to the Tobias of Jane that is also very green.  I've heard from others about their Tobias and it is the gorgeous amber mottle of my other piece.  Nothing like Jane's piece.  So after many obscenities and a bit of chocolate, I ordered a piece of Confederate Gray.  Why?  Don't have an answer, it just popped into my head and I hope it's a nice color and works with Jane's brights and pastels.  

Going to see Carole tomorrow, the sore throat is gone, never blew my nose but stuffy, now a cough that can call in wildlife.  I can't take cold meds or some cough, not a good idea with my level of Sjogrens (decongestants dry you).

Have a good day folks!

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The tray project on a roll

 How is everyone on this next to last summer weekend?  As crabby as I am?  I only had two mornings and nights this entire season that were not chilly.  I remember many morning coffees sitting on my swing and sweating from the temps.  Not this year.  Not here.  We did experience some very warm temps in July during afternoons, not enough for me to feel like it's summer.  And now, the lengthy lines at Starbucks and Dunkin for fall flavors!!  Yoi.

Now about my new aid. The folding wood tray tables can be found at Walmarts and Targets or online, not expensive.  I've used one for a while but have recently modified to become a stitching station. Easily pulled up over my lap, a full tray before me to hold project bag, stand with chart, my extra floss bags hanging from hooks, a row of magnets to hold scissors and needles, a spot for my glasses.  These cup hooks will be screwed under the edges, not in the side, so as not to extend past the tray.  I'll show you the tray next time!

These clipboards at the Dollar Tree fit nicely into my 13 x 10 project bags (the large clip models do not) and help keep chart pages from damage.  They have been a real help when attempting to kit for the first time. 

This was another item considered, a toilet paper holder!  This comes disassembled and the tall rod for extra rolls does not have to be installed.  On Amazon you can find various styles, some with just a single rod to hold floss, others such as these with a small tray that could hold beeswax, glasses, scissors.  I had planned to get this double sided to hang project bag on one and floss on the other, and cut a yardstick to glue to sides of the top table for a lip.  If too tipsy depending on the size of hangings, a weight can be placed on the bottom board.  A neat item for holding the floss rings and if using thread drops, no tangles. From shiny chrome to black pipe, a simple and unobtrusive floss holder.  But if thread drops are on it day and night, best throw a bag over to prevent pet play!  Where is your floss kept during stitching?

I decided not to attend Shaker Woods today.  Instead, I plan to move more gravel as joints allow.  

Have I decided on Jane's green vine and linen choice?  No.

Have a good weekend!

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Moving on to #3

 I haven't received a reply yet from Sassy Jacks regarding the unlisted symbol.  If you have the Kezia booklet, do you see the border vine color of symbol 2 shown (the over two chart)?  I'd appreciate info if you do.  

As for Jane, I am putting her aside to start sampler #3, probably one of Two by Julia.  I do not like the 3722 pink on this linen, too cool.  I searched for photos online and have found only two, the flowers are both done in  pinks.  Neither of these fabrics are the recommended Cocoa and I have no idea what it actually looks like or how dark it is.

But do you think the 3011 green shows well enough on my dark linen?   Is my chosen fabric not a good fit?  The lighter colors look wonderful on it as do the brighter flowers, but the only darker greens are the 930's.  These two and the chart photo show a prominent vine, mine is not.  I think that large border is a showy feature of this sampler and don't want to find out half way through that it fades to the background because the center colors are strong.  

This photo, the first time I saw this lower contrast, explains why two pinks are used.  

This one (my chart) appears apricot but it is because of the photo's contrast.  The color listed for DMC is 437 and named Pumpkin Patch from GAST.   Doesn't sound pink.   Does it annoy me because of the size of the project and I don't want to have all the work end in disappointment or regret?  Or just that I like too many options and can't make up my mind?  Or both?

Until I decide, having another sampler kitted and ready to start is a plus!  Most times when I am stumped all stitching stops until the question is answered.  Working on others at the same time may give me a better solution.  Sometimes, it overwhelms with too many threads pulled and the longer options are studied, the more confusing they become.  We'll see.  Right now, I like the brighter pink and apricot, but I am concerned about the border green.  Any speck of doubt for such a large project must be resolved.  If not, errors abound because the stitching is not the focus.

Bunnicula.  Love it!!

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As always....

 you may not get what you see.

A few stitchers emailed about the Tobias linen of Jane and were going to try to find a piece.  Just wanted to show the difference, and what you may get, or not.  

The linen I am using that I absolutely love was no longer in stock when I tried to order another piece.  Very different and subdued compared to an earlier piece, which is also a beautiful color, both 36 count Tobias, different shops, different shipments.  Just saying .... good luck!!

I am starting Jane again because of a mishap that I cannot correct.  Missy and her claw were involved, need to remember to snip those long serger thread chains that dangle and tempt.  A Missyhap.  I tried my best but it was too much fussing reweaving both warp and weft. This fat quarter has three inches to spare, so the sampler will still fit since the breaks are near the edge.  The damage is not shown, I don't post obscene photos.  Since the sampler has very little leeway on this fat quarter, this second start will be at the center mark.  I really dislike starting anywhere other than top left but with minimal margins, it's the best option.  I'm already crabby so what's a little more?

My friend in SC has the same symptoms as I do, kept testing negative.  Goes to the hospital and their more invasive swab showed a variant.  It's her third covid bout since spring.  I am still improving but the turkeys were not happy when I sneezed and scared the crap out of them.  

A tomato was knocked off the vine and partially eaten, leaving two tiny punctures a half inch apart like fangs.  ????  The cat?

Be careful!  Stay safe.

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Number two

I'm not having any problem with the 36 count!  Isn't that strange? 

I adore this Tobias color, lighter than my other piece, and perfect.  I pulled Kezia to start but had a problem with the symbol.  This wonderful booklet offers the border in over one and another chart for over two, but the symbol is not listed for the vine.  I thought it was 310 but after checking through a magnifier, it is a symbol not listed.  So she went back into the basket and the second pull was Sarah Needham, but I need a piece of linen for her.  Third was Jane.  And yes, already a thread change.  I am only substituting if I don't feel the charted color shows well on my chosen linen.  And I learned something important. 

 As with the yellow in Ann, choosing a lighter or darker shade doesn't always work.  Brighter is better.  These two are very similar, but the 3827 is brighter and that's what worked.  Going up and down from the 437 on the DMC card still didn't present as well on this dark fabric.  

Working only two (let alone five) at the same time is messy and I don't like putting away the work, the chart, all those floss bags every time.  So my plan today is to drill pilot holes into the side of my oak tray table, install the hooks, and keep the floss rings hung around the table for easy access (they are tagged with sampler name).  The projects will be stored in the bags and without the bulky floss bags, easier to handle.

  The basket is working well to store these bags and I bought extra clipboards to hold the current working page and thread list.  A few extra hooks on the table can also keep scissors at hand.  I actually worked up a wood project that I will show soon, not quite finished yet.

Feeling better today, thank you for the well wishes!

Have a good day.

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Oh no

 What am I seeing .....

not again.

This is the female (?) that Missy took off after a month ago.

Her solid yellow boyfriend is around too.  And mean.

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