About that linen

 I am not sure if this is Gingerbread or dipped Gingerbread to tone and darken, or if this is a darker Ale.  The linen matches dmc 3862 very well. 

My throat is so painful I can barely talk, obviously not working at Carole's today.  Non-drowsy cold meds still put me to sleep, I hope to stitch between naps.  Sunny warm day, and here I sit.  Damn.  Good day to binge SBS (saltbox stitcher) floss tube.  I don't subscribe to many videos, and some I change speed to 1.5!  I can stop and slow down when something catches my eye.  

Hope your weekend is swell.   

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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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