Ween Beans

 As my sinus continues to pound, I thought the head banging task of choosing a linen color would be a good idea.  These larger samplers were kitted and I expected not to change anything.  I was wrong.  As I looked through them, contemplating a start to rotate with the smalls, my selections needed a second look.  Trying to work more than one project at a time didn't last long and I need to try again.  The floss tube channel, Recovering Monogamous Stitcher, caught my eye since I am monogamous and what a great stitcher.  Her projects are gorgeous, mostly samplers, her personality and voice is as pleasant as can be.  I still have a problem understanding how 56 count is stitchable!

I have a piece of Oatmeal linen that I will sell soon, too greenish for me, and Ween Beans was also in the folder to sell.  Hmmm.  It's dark, strong, but when I put the floss colors on it, ooooh baby.  I can't picture this beautiful sampler on such a dark ground and wonder if it would be too much contrast and detract from the design.  Bright colors on colorful dark (not a neutral dark) are not my preference for beautiful floral borders.  Soft and elegant is nicer but I need your thoughts please!!

This is quite a bit stronger in color/depth than the chart's cover photo.  The colors really pop on this, but I am concerned maybe too much, and a marking style sampler would be a better choice for the Ween.

We spoke with Carole last night about returning to the facility, even for a month to regain herself and get more therapy for independence, it is out of the question even after admitting she made a mistake by leaving.  So we will continue with the next project to make her bedroom more accommodating.  Mark wants to pay for this also, I said no.  What would Stella do?  LOL!!

Dentist today for more consults on how I can be fixed without mortgaging our house.  Most options are not feasible because of not having saliva.  

Have a good days folks!  Stay safe.

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The Stella in me

 These past few days have been.... stressful.  The headboard made it, it looks wonderful.  I cut down and edged her massive puffy king comforter to a double size.  The bathroom cabinet is hung.  The broken leg bench is fixed.  I made her favorite kugle, Hawaiian sliders, goulash, crostini.  That's all that went well, and only because they were jobs planned, made, and completed by us.  She is having more issues, looks terrible, is miserable, and needs to return to SNF.  

My 20 year old cheap wifi router croaked.  Went to Walmart (it's our only place to go) and found a basic router for $63.  I know it's necessary, but I thought about the linen that could have purchased.  After checking online (no manuals are ever included) I see that Walmart's price is $41.50.  Did they not increase the website price?  Who cares?  I added to the cart for pickup and a few hours later, it was in my car and the same for $63 was returned.  I saved $20.  Mom Stella would insist on that being put away as a saving, and I used to agree, but no more.  I've decided to buy what I want as long as it doesn't add to debt.  I will soon be 72 and see no reason to continue "only what is necessary" fiscal thinking.  Bull cookies.  Stella's lessons will never be completely ignored, but a little change is in order. 

Over a month ago I purchased these from The Wishing Thorn.

The Tindale Sisters two charts (in one offer) are very similar, not sure about doing both.  But framed and displayed together, maybe a few colors changes in the body, would be nice.  Either bottom would be great as a drum also.

I found two charts from the upcoming show that I plan to purchase, both small, and need to decide about that honker piece of linen I need for the two big girls.  I also decided to order several small pieces of 32 count and use two strands of floss.  I don't know why the 36 counts are looking so sparse but I want more coverage.  I do have a few pieces of 40 for a tighter stitch, but I'm not as comfortable straining to see it.  I don't know if it's only me, but if a selvage edge is right or left, I can see the weave much easier than if that edge is top or bottom,  On the small pieces without a selvage, I can tell where they would be when starting to stitch.  That's really weird isn't it?  I see an almost v shape to the weave like a knitted pearl stitch, and it's not on every piece but certainly too many!

That's all I got.  Still taking cold meds, plan to do a little cleaning today.  Stella would say there is no such thing as a little cleaning.  If it's halfway, it's not clean.  

Yes, Stella.  I hear you.

Be safe!

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Now ....

 How do we get it in the car??

Five foot wide and over four high!

Headboards made from old paneled doors are nicer, this was a flush pocket door.

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Sidetracked

 That's what happens when you can't focus on your plans and covid is rebounding.  If throat, sinus, and cough are the worst of it, I can handle that and be grateful it's not more severe.  Day by day!

Here's the headboard work.  Keep in mind, we didn't expect or intend for this to be "showroom" quality.  More functional than decorative.

The hollow core door is 28"wide, he cut length down to the 54" width of the double bed and inserted a scrap piece into that edge (not necessary).  Oak cost would be close to the full yard of linen I need for Mary Carr and Mary Barres and if I can't get that, no one gets oak. Pine it is.

We constructed the end posts with 1x4s and ripped the filler strips to the 1.375 door thickness, recessed in post for a 1/4" reveal.  Left a 28" opening for the cut door to slide in, nailed and glued.  Simple, does the job.  I do not like the post caps one bit but I was again napping and missed barking the order.

There is no linen in my mailbox, but oak boards would have too much grain compared to the oak plywood anyway.  Considered painting blue to match the barn doors if the stain was off.

The End.

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On a roll

 BBD roll.  

After my Zofran and Advil, I plan to pull linen scraps and kit these sweet rolls.  Ah.  Sweet roll.  Have not been craving sugary treats which is a good thing whether from the meds or the virus.  I will try my best to keep it that way.  Still need the sweet in my tea and coffee.

I have another BBD pinroll working copy that I enlarged, bird with a berry, no idea where it came from.  That one makes five.  I do plan to get back to samplers, but I am picturing a bowl filled with these tootsie rolls.  I've not been keen to hiding half of a design with this shape, and I may add some sort of vertical border at the seam to increase the size a little.

These are all from the BBD Book Sewing Club.

Come on Zofran!  Do your stuff!!

Enjoy your day everyone.

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Sun is out!

First - Maureen, oh my goodness there is no reason to apologize for your comment!  It was in no way offensive, insensitive, or judgmental.  Please, do not feel you owe me or anyone an apology for your thoughts. 

Mark is working on a headboard for Carole's room.  Using one of the doors that we removed, he will construct a post at each end with a simple top cap, the slab door will be horizontal between.  The trapeze bar above the bed was attached to the hospital bed (now gone) so he modified and attached to the wall.  It stands about 6" away from the wall and the pillows fall through, so the headboard will help and dress up the place a little.  Because of the bed being adjustable, the headboard cannot be attached to its frame, only the wall.   I am hoping our caution and PITA wiping of everything near to me will end soon and we can get over to finish the room.  If the throat, head, and cough persist for some time in lieu of serious complications, I won't complain.  But how long before I am not contagious??  Too many differing guidelines.

So what's next on the stitching station?  I don't know.  I have the big gals kitted but am still resisting such a commitment.   Lots of final finishing to do, but not until the head clears.   Sometimes all goes smoothly and sometimes my words can make the old metal machine rust.  Yes, they are that abrasive!

Maud Fuzzard may be picked up again, and I would like to use two strands to recreate her heavy primitive look.  The 36 count of the two BBD projects did not have good coverage with one thread.  In fact, I had a difficult time getting a nice cross.  The stitches were loose and messy as if there was too much room.  Does anyone use two strands on 36, maybe depending on the linen?  A lower count would give me the rough look of Maud's original but I wanted a smaller finish.  We'll see.

Hope your weekend is peaceful!

Thanks for all the good wishes.

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