One down

 three sides to go. 

I decided to stitch the chart pages vertically instead of my usual horizontal.  I would like to get a start on the large lawn and house of the lower half which will be tedious for me.  I am not a border, motif, fill, or detail stitcher.  Started with alpha marking samplers and they are so simple, although boring, for me.

The photo doesn't show the colors in the border very well.  

I still believe these threads on a darker linen would be stunning but the 869 and 680 of the border would not show well at all.  It's not like I have a problem changing thread colors!!

I don't like having a lot of appointments in a week so I will be a cranky crab until Saturday.

And .... I feel the slump creeping in.

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Floss tube's fault

Hello stitching buds.  Hope everyone is doing well.

During a photo search for the two bigger samplers I'm working on, a floss tube with a cameo of Jane was listed.  Threads were silks, Attic conversion, and the lighter flower was a beautiful pastel peachy pink.  The stronger pink was very nice so I assumed my screen was showing colors fairly true.  It was gorgeous.  Silks and other threads can be converted to dmc but even a slight variation from the original can impact the work.  Seeing that made me consider a similar shade in place of the 3827 which I plan to do tomorrow.

Sarah was still on the station, and I decided to continue with the 40 count.  I don't want to purchase more linen for her, prefer to use what I have.  My big girl panties are larger since the banana cake with coffee frosting (thank you Carol!) but I can still pull them up.  I hope.

There is quite a bit of over one so I tested a few stitches before proceeding, and I managed.  How I hate choosing fabric!  I still question if the Ween Beans should be Sarah's ground, but the vine's thread is very close to the linen color.  I still may test a piece.  Maybe it wouldn't be what I envision.

Not even 8pm and I am already fighting sleep. Happens quite often and since I only stitch in the evening, really cuts my stitching time.

Hope your weekend is going well.

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Throwing in the towel

 It's time to move on.

You know I have to have symmetry or I get cranky.  Gave it my best, it isn't possible with this border.  The pink flowers are all facing inward, the tan are facing outward.  So alternating the two colors isn't possible without changing the direction of each.  Using the Paint program thankfully prevented a major disaster which I did not see until then.  I have flipped, rotated, mirrored, nothing works.  So ...

Paint also showed how all pink would be overwhelming, even if changed to a pastel.  So now, I will move on, follow the chart, stop trying to modify.  

I didn't realize how large Jane is until I saw the portion I'm working on as a tiny section in the photo!  Hoping I can try the WIP plan again and not fail as I did previously.  Also, my mojo is waning.  I went through the pile of finishes that are not framed (probably won't be) plus the others hanging on my ladder display.  I guess having samplers on wall isn't as meaningful as in hand, and I started questioning the large projects.  Doubtful that any more will be purchased.  The two market pieces I chose are not samplers.

 32 count was ordered yesterday.  Not only do I prefer the two thread coverage, it is a comfortable stitch for me.  Giving up the ease of one thread is not a bad compromise, especially when I can use the loop start.  Tails drive me nuts.  I can't get the needle beneath most times and I have no patience.  The last large sampler done on 32 (Ann Stone), is in that pile of finishes and looks great.  Not a huge difference from those done on 36.

Meeting with a roofer/sider today at Carole's.  Mark is very worried about her.  I told her if things don't change she will end up in the hospital and her doctor, who has authority to determine discharge, will surely not send her home.  She will have to take whatever facility has an opening at the time.  Many folks don't know that they have the right to request a transfer to another facility (waiting list most times) whether on Medicaid or self pay.  Facilities will try to deny that.  We also found out that some of the Advantage plans are not accepted at some of the better places.  Carole's does not accept Mark's plan and has that right, which we were unaware of.  Best to check with any Advantage plan if your preferred rehab/long term facility is included.

Gloomy and spitting snow, not expecting sun this weekend.  Hopefully the snow won't be sticking around, we have to drive to Pittsburgh Tuesday.  Covid caused a cancellation and after six weeks, my stitches are still in.  All were dissolving, but of course they have not.  I can see and feel the "strings" beneath my skin.  This won't be a pleasant visit I am sure.

Have a great weekend folks!

Thanks for visiting.

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Can you see me now?

 

 Can you see me now?

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In the pink

 While deciding on the linen for Sarah, I moved to ...

to check colors on this 36 Tobias.  Sort of greenish and the cool pinks of 3721, 223, and others recommended do not make me happy.  Well .... what does?  

After quite a few (more like 14) stitch-and-remove tests of various pinks, I think the bright but not gaudy 3712 is the winner.  The others leaned to a peachy pink, not good with the darker reds in the body, or too light as the last test of 3778.  As of today, this color is perfect.  The other flower is light, changed from 437 to 3827.  I may do all in pink, depends on my mood.

Another change may be the border, as is.  I stitched the second color and didn't like it as well as this more open vine.  Plus it's less work and I'm lazy.  And tired.  Very tired for numerous reasons.  If the border needs frogged, I will have one color of spaced stitches to remove.  Always an option to fill with the second color later.

This is what hubby made to hold my $2 iced coffees from mcD's instead of the carriers they offer.  I don't follow current music and had to look up Cardi B (her name is on their cups).  Checked the lyrics for two hits, WAP and Up.  Wow.  

Not finished at Carole's, shooting for this weekend.  The kids will be there and I'm hoping their dad will take them out for the day.  I don't want them to hear me rip into him, the pressure beneath my cork is ready to blow.

Have a good hump day!

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Chances

 That's what I take when ordering linen.  This 40 count Prairie Grass works well with the floss colors except for a few.  I do not have a linen stash that offers many options, most are PTP light neutrals.  The stitching is quite slow and deliberate, but I seriously doubt ordering a piece in 36 count would be similar.  Do I chance it?  Sun is out, slight breeze, maybe a dye job is in order. But that's a chance too.  

With a good amount of over one, the Dazor would be necessary.  The light it provides is essential, but I don't care to use the magnifier.  Clarity is excellent, the high stand and arm bug me.  Silly, I know.  My brother's is a pinkish, copperish finish, really attractive, but the same exact model as mine.  The arm is detachable and has a table clamp, but not usable near my chair.  I'll stick with my 4.0 glasses and the good light, but still uncomfortable having to be cautious on this 40.  Good news is that errors could be easily hidden in this border.

I had to start over because I stitched the top left flower, never checking to see if it was the edge.  Nope.  The vine continued down, ten stitches further to the left so my margin was a little short.

 I am miserably dried out today so stitching may not happen.  When I am ill, Sjogren's calms down.  I guess my immune system fights the illness and lessens its attack on me.  But when it's over and no more virus to fight, that high gear activity reverts back to me with intensity.  

I have until 2:00 to make a decision about the linen, whether to chance dyeing or ordering.  If I don't give myself a deadline, there will be no decision for days!

Be safe, be well.

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