Two minor decisions

 and this sampler will be finished.

The critter was worked from antlers down, removing the grass as needed.  Since the three stitches off were in width, I never checked height.  That's where the problem was.  Adding more horizontal rows than charted caused the angled edge to increase in width.  Never thought of that!  

So the two birds will be stitched, 

and after removing the bright blue in the cartouche border, I need to either choose another color or leave as is.  With so much going on in this area, the blue was too distracting.  I am sorry I didn't study the chart more, would have moved the first row up one.

Border is done!!

I will list Jane's link and info next post.

Enjoy your weekend.

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The critter, the cake, and the crab

I have lost count of the number of times this corner has been counted.  AUGH!!!!

I know the body is one stitch to the right, the outline for her name is not.  But the grass is three off!  So I stitched the bottom border hoping to shed light on the error.  Nope.  WTH?

So the critter will be stitched and the grass will grow around it, no more counting.  Even its shape can take a few errors so except for the tail that's sort of a shrub, and the wonky antlers, the rest will be filled as I go.

Now about that cake.  Carole's birthday (85) is Sunday.  The great grands go back to their mom tomorrow.  I thought one of the three adults would get a cake so she can celebrate with them.  I should have known better.  I had to buy a costly last minute cake and gifts from the kids for our (kids and Carole's) caregiver's birthday a month ago.  So last minute today, boxed cake.  They have skimped on package sizes in everything and no exception here.  The damn thing is less than an inch at edges!.  They used to be much higher.  From now on, scratch cakes from my 50 year old cookbooks.  I line the pan bottom and overlap the paper so easy lift out, at least that went well!

We bought Carole a curved transfer board, hoping it will allow her to get into a car.  The straight one is not usable when the car doors don't open wide enough.  Her wheekchaur can't get far enough forward to line up with the car's seat.  If this works, we'll take her for a ride to see leaf color and a Rita's custard.  She has not been in a car for several years, just the back of a transport van.  Fingers crossed.

And the crab?   Need I elaborate.  Hello!

Be safe.

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The critter in the corner

 which has a nice rack will hopefully be worked on this evening.  I thought Jane was closer to a finish than she actually is.  The border, two rows of her name and such, two birds, and the critter corner yet.  But that's still within a few days.  Hopefully.

Started at the beginning of September, should this sampler have taken this long?  Jane was not worked on for probably a week or more when days were busy with chores.  More stitching was done this past week as I worried about Peanut.  

She passed away yesterday evening.  My brother is inconsolable.  He saved so many cats over the years, all strays, found agencies or homes for the litters, but this little brat was his favorite of all.  He has one remaining in house, not very social as some rescues are (our Missy, Nit, Petey, Tootsie!).  The mobile vet we have used ended practice a week ago.  The primary vet gave him liquid medication to calm and sedate her if she worsened.  One day you have hope, the next day is desperation.  Having med on hand to ease their anxiety or pain is a blessing.  We think she lost eyesight yesterday ( still no explanation ) which was terrifying for her.  The medication could not treat whatever caused her condition but certainly helped her stress.

I've been trying to hold back tears for days, assuming this was coming.  No doc has an explanation why my eyes become so bad after crying with no tears.  Doesn't it make sense that the lacrimal glands getting the brain's message to produce tears and struggling to but cannot, would become irritated?  It irritates the hell outta me!

Hope you have a good day.

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Big Bird

 One of the great Halloween costumes.

But this big bird has been removed and restitched four times.  The fact that the tree is one stitch farther to the right than charted, is not a factor.  There is room at the right edge to compensate for this error.  

The very light thread on the bird's breast edge did not show, so have reversed and also changed colors.  Then I realized the long skinny shape was bothering me.  Not a big deal with all the other motifs, but when stitching/focusing on an area I don't see the whole picture.  He's two colors and fine for now, moving on.

My brother is slowly losing his beloved cat, they have no diagnosis despite twice weekly visits and multiple meds.  Two weeks into this, CHF became an added issue.  But meds are not helping any of her symptoms.  So upsetting.

Our thoughts and hearts are also with those in harm's way.

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Set sail

 to finish Jane.

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The decision

 Not my preference, but I have a good reason.

The upper section is perfect for a box, but the bottom has too many quirks not to be seen.  Since the quirks are in the corners, a drum or box wrap would hide them.

For this reason alone, I plan to finish Jane's sampler.

The deer's antlers will be another color as will the tree growing as a tail, for them to stand out.

And these guys that remind me of Virginie Cochepin, another should-be-seen corner.

So there you have it.  Time to pick it up and return to stitching.  I have the box bug now, will search the pile to see if something fits.  If not, next project will be sized for them.

Damn.

Happy October?

Nope.

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