Marching orders

 of a different kind.

Ollie was ticked because I wouldn't open the door to fill his dish until they were gone.  

The increasing cost of the corn for the deer and this flock is mounting!  And they stick around until it's gone, sometimes waiting for more to be thrown.

The pipe on the bird feeder pole is heating duct that snaps to close, works better than plastic pipe which squirrels can sometimes claw to climb.  A few have made it up, but this isn't the largest size, next time, bigger.  When filling the feeder we lift the pipe sleeve to see if any birds or critters fell inside. 

 

Cardio tomorrow, ortho offered the Synvisc injections for the knee, but that cost is hundreds more than others we know have paid last year.  Complicated and confusing, too much to explain.  Still debating.

The large house is fully stitched, fill in continues for the lawn area.  Between these rows I will work on surrounding motifs to test the woozy wonk.  I think I'll do fine.  Current debate is whether to replace house's stitched section of the far left which was done a while back.  I used the two direction method I love which creates a really solid look.  So why didn't I use it when pulling Julia out later, or finish that side first?  I would have noticed but instead, I worked on the right and the left was completed last.  Since returning to her, stitching was done in horizontal rows, not bidirectional.  The wonk got me.

And I realized, I do have WIPs.  Two large samplers have been set aside, another small one that I lost love for is in the bag.  Wow.  I'm growing up.

Hope your week ends well.

Stay safe folks.

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Green light

I've been testing my woozy vision on a fill-in and it's doable.  Eyes moving back and forth from chart to fabric will be tested next, but I had no problem with fill for brief periods. 

Julia's House in the Two by Julia book is the design, the roof is completed and not much left to stitch in the body.  I've seen a few Nashville previews and will preorder from ?????.  Several Superbowl sales took place, there is one shop that has the worst program for viewing and ordering.  Confusing, frustrating. 

Will be finishing the organizer installs at Carole's this week, then cleaning begins.  Those wire bins hung on the inside of doors have created quick visibility, easy access, clearing shelves for larger items. 

Time to shut off the screen, less time viewing offers more time stitching before the wooz returns.

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Answering inquiry about projects in the header photo ..

Front left samplers are my Miniature Sampler 1 and 2, found under the FREE tab.  Center small is The Next Step Sampler from Needle's Prayse, the dark green sampler behind it is Dorothy Allen from R&R Reproductions.  Tiny ladies in the front is a treasured gift, Tokens of Affection from Pineberry Lane.  The pin roll at right is another special gift, I think it's an older Stacy Nash.  

The label on the notebook inside the basket is Safrona Ager from The Examplarery.

Stay safe folks!  

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I'm thinking

 If those Fraktur girls find their way to my stitching station, which fabric would be best for me?   On the 40 silk (which is over one) they would be 4x4, double that for over two.  First, I would ignore the top and alphabet, reducing height by 30 stitches.  The chart lists 172 x 162 but the numbers on the graph are 182 x 172, unless I'm wonked.

So maybe use 30 count over one?  In a brief sample, the left is one thread over one, full cross.  What a mess.  The right is two threads over one, half cross.  Less stress, less time, better outcome.  How do you stitch over one on lower counts?  I usually do tent with one strand on higher count for lettering except on curves or angles that look nicer with full crosses.  But a larger block on 30?  Not having neat and uniform stitches, this two thread tent option would be best for my mess if I choose over one.

I think I could handle it in short sessions, leading me into WIPlandia.  A dark 40 count linen over two is still my preferred option, that 8 x 8 finished size could be made into a pouch.  I had a NWP sampler pouch chart in my cart for way too long, expecting it to always be available.  It ain't.  You snooze you lose!  I had issues with the PTP Murky and have to test my ability on a high count dark fabric.  PTP seems thick to me, which linen has a looser/thinner weave?  

I hate decision making.  They are agonizing for me!  I would like to decide on ground for this design and just keep handy in case I am calm, reasonable, kind, quiet, and can work a small section.  So probably never.  I have to tell you, yesterday we were in our locally owned lumber yard that we have dealt with for years (they know me).  The manager patted my shoulder and asked how I was, I replied bitch nasty (lately, yep).  Four men seated behind the order desk started laughing, but their faces changed in a second when I looked up and said you have a problem with that?.  I was kidding, but they aren't taking any chances.

Happy Friday.

Have some ice cream.

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Not yet

 Hey.  How the heck are you?

Hope you're doing well, comfortable, serene, not wanting to throw items through windows.  Mine are still intact, but some days ..... getting close.

A bright spot is my luck in finding 36 count Winter Brew linen in stock.  Love this non pink non green neutral.  Not much left!

Ye Olde Cross Stitchery  

When browsing my charts, I saw this favorite.  Recommended for this full coverage design is 40 count silk.  My plan would be a dark linen to avoid that.  Another option .... black perforated paper?  Its 14 count would be much larger of course, but if that would allow a finish to enjoy instead of a chart in a drawer, something to consider.

Wine with a light greenish khaki have been roaming my brain for a while, and I may stitch this design with them.  My mind is swimming with so many things that I can't settle or make decisions.  Therefore, charts are everywhere with more options added daily.  Why can't I start several and have WIPs like everyone else?  Where would flosstube be if we were all monogamous? 

 Or dye a linen piece to a soft khaki green.  But before a project is chosen, I need to make sure it wouldn't be set on fire at the first sign of trouble.  

Spring is coming.  Birds are strutting.

I've had problems with email programs for a while now, but as of the 1/31 windows update, Live Mail is not working at all, nothing coming through.  What a mess.  I have emails for Carole's accounts, our accounts, my brother's, and need a program where I can view all as Live allowed.  So I have no choice but to log in to the provider for each email account until I find a suitable platform.  My brother has been burning my toast with his incessant and obsessive calls, over and over, which has become the norm.  Very frustrating. 

Hope your week has been good, the coming weekend even better.

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Mail

 Hello people.

Today's mail brought a chart that I thought was removed from my cart.  Happy it wasn't.  Small yet packed with interest.

My cart is always loaded with "maybe" and then thinned to favorites before checking out.  The others are saved to lists for future orders.  

I decided to order a few Weeks overdyed threads in red, and was surprised (not really) in the match of these two.  I stopped ordering GAST long ago but after trying a few Weeks, found their variegation and color consistency really nice.

2259 and 1333

Choosing a project this weekend.  

Hope you have a great one!

Be well.

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How much longer?

My only needlework activity is browsing for charts online.  I can't get in to the cardio doc for another three weeks to work out a suitable med, but blood pressure is not causing this wonkiness.  I have to limit my screen time, reading and stitching are impossible.

Hoping my browsing and ordering online during this break will prevent a deep slump, so far it's working.  The perforated paper I jumped to order will probably require a report to Paypal for refund.  This company doesn't answer phone calls, emails, has not shipped.  Most receive payment when an order is filled and ready to ship, this place takes payment and ignores you.  We'll see.  

  Lizzie is still missing, as is the linen I wanted to sell, and my Cat chart from 1984.  Dammit.  I stitched a number of these and adore this design in various colors and sizes.  I have a finished pillow, I have the chart's cover page, and there is no chance I would have discarded it.  Charting from my finish is certainly possible and should not be difficult.  But where the hell are these items?  I know I set the linens aside but they seem to be in witness protection.  With Lizzie.  But Lauren lost a recently finished hooked rug so I don't feel alone.

To add to the other issues, another crack opened next to the healed one.  Cream, gauze, finger, repeat.

Cavatelli and meatballs for dinner. Easy enough when you have a great Italian store a few towns over.

I hope to catch up on blogs and IG posts soon, very limited right now.

Stay safe everyone.

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