A slow down

 Yoi.  Cleaned carole's bathroom today and it wasn't easy.  Her cast iron tub has no finish, neither does her floor.  I doubt wax would help the linoleum, the tub should just be replaced.  I purchased a wall cabinet for storage and that didn't sit well with her.  Wants nothing changed, wouldn't pare down the toiletries, makeup, nothing.  Been dealing with this for some time so not a surprise, but my paining old body was.  Did not expect the on my knees stretching and scrubbing would be a problem!  Good grief.

My next project, should I decide to stay with it, is also from Ooh la la, Spring Green pincushion.  I want to make the matching needleroll also.  Took a while to get threads right.  The WDW Tarragon DMC alternative is shown as 3768, but I didn't like that blue as leaves.  Checking a few sites showed the DMC match as 3022.  Nah.  Chose a lighter and darker green from my overdyed.  Very limited stash, but had the perfect shades.  DMC 3721 and similar are not my favorites, especially on this gingerbread linen.  Switched the 3721 to 355 for flowers and I'm a happy crab.

Not a sampler, but this design is too sweet to pass on.

High winds tonight.  After a few advil I should sleep through the howling.

Thanks for visiting!

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Boom. Again.

I added two rows to the last band to make it more of a square, and also didn't think a single row fit nicely with the other heavier bands.  Outside border is not stitched .... yet .... I think it would crowd the design because of the heavier thread.

A Little Bit French from BBD Ooh la la book.

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Ooh la la

 Continuing with the flower thread, the look is heavy with full coverage, and I like it for this project.  A small area on this 36 count was stitched with one strand dmc and the difference was dramatic.  Not for all samplers of course, but I was imagining this and also Maud with a heavier thread.  

I didn't realize Ginnie Thompson thread was still available, there is a website http://www.flowerthread.com/ and it includes dmc conversion.  Mine is decades old, a little fuzzy that gives the look of wool.  I'm using Thread Heaven and a shorter strand.

I am leaning toward 32 count with two dmc threads for some projects.  Excellent coverage which (to me) gives a stronger appearance in color and definition.  Flower thread only requires one strand.

As for my neck problem, that is not recent or related to the minor surgery.  I have two vertebra in my neck that are pushed forward into the spinal canal and have been for many years.  When diagnosed I had to wear a brace when in the car, but a physician seen later said it was not necessary.  Hard to get that fear out of your head once heard!  I would love to take road trips but the first doc's reaction to my tests and warnings about quadriplegia have stayed with me.  But hey, cars have many more air bags these days!

Have a good one!

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Seeing red

Hi to all!  The snow melted, we'll be in the 40's for a while, follow up in Pittsburgh next week should not be a problem.  Because I've been warned that a jolt to my neck could easily result in paralysis, road trips are a real fist grip.

For some reason, small red samplers have been distracting me from the ridiculous task of choosing colors for Maud Fuzzard.  This one from the BBD book Ooh la la will be 4.25" on 36 count.  

Also distracted by Fat Thread Syndrome.  Yes, it's a new threat.  Many old sampler photos I've seen are stitched on coarse or loosely woven linen, threads are fat and heavy.  Wool?  I like the look.  Not for elegant or detailed works, but great for primitive marking samplers.  I could use my 28 or 30 count, but I want a very small tuck.  This test is with flower thread.  I may have a red wool, need to look before I go any further.  

I love this linen color but only the count is marked in the selvage, no idea what it is.  This is Ginnie Thompson flower thread 370 that is easing my FTS.  I really like it.  Will my attempt to mimic those old pieces not work on higher count linen?  I need to stitch more to decide.  

About Maud, I can't decide on the gold, three different choices here.  So she will be set aside while I treat my affliction.  The BBD will not take long.  Hopefully.

Have a great day!

Stay safe.

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Clutter Colonel

A few notes on the background.

The reason I want order is because we are still working there and have more projects to do.  Disorder is also affecting Carole's mental state which is already fragile.  Right now, her focus is adjusting to her new life and if I can help ease some anxiety, I will.  The look on her face shows how unsettled and lost she still is so after two years of terrible stress and responsibilities, I can handle a few weeks more of non-critical help.  I'm sure once she gets her bearings, she'll be spouting marching orders. The real stress has been the kids well being, they are doing better after court ordered custody, and we feel will continue now that it is almost over.

Harley was adopted months before Carole announced her homecoming, no one was expecting that.  By then, Matt and the kids were attached and Carole is smitten with the big galoot too.  A PITA at times, she is still a puppy although monstrous, and pups love to play.  

I am great at organizing and giving orders, enjoy doing so, and refuse to give up my rank.  We just spent another four hours there jiggering the trapeze aid over the bed and fixing the sliding barn door.  Several smaller projects to do that will offer more storage space and solve the kitchen/food clutter.  Bathroom will have woven stacking organizers tagged with everyone's name, big enough for all essentials plus.  The kitchen counter will also, and those tags will make it easier to see what favorites need restocked for who.  When we walked in today, all was neat, swept, orderly.  They knew I was coming.

Once we get her bedroom arranged, a bookcase built, and fabric bins for her mess to hide in, Tracy should be full time and take over.  We've worked out a wall surround for her TV that will offer a great deal of display area for her angel collection and photos in her personal space rather than the living room.  That will probably be the end of our projects which have been numerous to help her adapt.  Harley will miss seeing us so often!!

Any conflicts or issues will be solved among themselves.  I am the Clutter Colonel.  Carole will still expect me to continue handling finances, bills, appointments, phone calls, but I will explain that she is perfectly capable to handle such matters very soon.

I have not stitched, can't decide on fabric or count, and this needs remedied quickly before I decide it's time for a break.

Have a fabulous weekend folks.  February!  Getting closer and closer to spring.

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Background noise

 A candy coated description of the added stress and commotion.  

And I'm betting it is not what you imagined!

Carole came home in December to what was her house, now her son's (Chris), after being gone for two years.  Early July, Chris's son (Matt) left his SO of ten years when she refused to agree to counseling and moved in to the house.  The court was for full custody of their two kids who do not want to live with mom.  The 8 and 9 year olds also now live in the house every other week, soon to be full time since mom failed to follow court ordered counseling.  Matt's dear friend from work passed away suddenly from an aneurysm, her husband decided to take her new pup to the shelter which was devastating to their kids.  Matt knew how she and her kids loved that pup and adopted it so the kids would know she had a good home.  That "pup" is a Great Dane, now eleven months old, and very hard to manage when she is in play mode.  Then Matt is introduced to Tracy, who is now staying at the house and has been helping Carole since she arrived home.  She left her job to be hired through an agency as her caregiver.  Chris is type 1 diabetic, ADHD, very high strung, stressed.  Matt is as messy as can be, unless you count Tracy in.  The two youngsters are like their dad.  Maybe it's selfish, but none of us thought Carole coming home with her needs and adding to this scenario was a good idea at this time.  

So in addition to Carole, there is Chris, Matt, Tracy, Sophia. Matt 2, and Harley the Dane occupying a three bedroom cape with a one car garage.  The house is packed full from attic to basement with Carole's "treasures", Chris's crap, Matt's junk, kid's clothes, more toys than Walmart, a massive dog crate, huge motorized chair, manual wheelchair, disability aids, and a sampling of all strewn throughout.  It's difficult to take a meal, leftovers, or even a treat to one person when five others are there.  No, they don't expect anything and are also contributing to her needs, but it's uncomfortable for me.  They all pitch in, continually ask what they can do for her, personalities are thankfully not an issue.  

I can't take clutter, disorder, deafening noise, racket from three conversations, kid's screaming (one is autistic), a barking dog that can knock me down, not having a place to park, not having empty counter space to set something, on top of trying to deal with needs no one can fill for a sister slapped in the face with reality.  Not only of her condition, but her home's also.  Yes, they've been told, are driving Chris nuts, are as nice and sweet as can be, but more work is needed. When you have lived without order, you don't recognize it since it becomes the norm.  Matt does not make enough for an apartment (most here are drug infested and unsafe), and Chris wants his grandkids in his home, they don't need more changes right now.  Both men working shifts and with Tracy, someone is always available to be with the kids, very important.  Now that I am done with health crap and ready to start the dental, I will be the toothless bitch with crooked fingers and enforcer of new rules.  Any bets?

The end?  

Not by a long shot.

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