The big crab that could

 Holy crabcakes!!

The lower case and border, stitched without the Dazor, just using my 3.0 readers.  It's remarkable how our eyes adjust.  When the 46 count piece was first received, I had no hope stitching was possible.  

Being smitten with small and very small samplers lately, I decided to give 46 a try.  The longer I worked on it, the more it became less scary.  It's like seeing 25 count after working on 36, and thinking it's burlap.  But if 25 is routinely used, 36 appears to be extreme.  Until you start stitching.  You grow accustomed to the weave.  

So when I picked this up yesterday in bright light, the longer I gazed at it, the more my brain adjusted to my view.  I changed back to a 26 needle, expected to just anchor the first stitch, but then kept going.  As excited as a kid whose training wheels came off!!  I.am.shocked.  Really.   

Thanks for the suggestions on light, magnification, and hand help. Checking on them all.

Testing over one on 28 for the other new chart, and comparing the two, 46 wins.  Coarse fabric and tiny delicate x's do not meld for me.  A thin and wimpy 28 may look better, and I'll keep playing with that.

Hope your Monday is ordinary.  As I age, ordinary is good.

Thanks for visiting!!

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Higher!

  I ordered a very small piece of 46 count a while ago.  After seeing this old Scarlet Letter miniature sampler, I decided its simplicity would be a perfect first attempt.  It is to be stitched over one on 25 count resulting in a 2.5" x 4.5" finish.  Over two on 46 will be a little larger, not much.

Because of this monstrosity and my 3.0 readers, stitching is possible.  Replaced my 26 needle with a 28 (tugged and bent it), the dmc doesn't flow through its eye easily, but it's happening!  I want a new light.  The bright tech ordered a few years ago was rusty so returned.  My old Dazor is excellent, quite expensive now, but not want I want.  I've checked with vision offices here, not one has higher than 2.75 power readers to try on so I may order 4.0+ online.  Is it difficult to focus with a greater magnification?  If not, maybe a high power reader and a bright light would be enough.  I don't want an arm with a lens in my way.

The linen is not what I had hoped, quite thin with very irregular threads.  Some as thin as a hair, some thicker than in a 32 weave.  Another linen may be very different and a little more uniform, and hopefully easier to work on for beginning a higher count.  I could work on the other smalls until a new piece of fabric arrives, but will probably continue with this.

The crack is back!  This time at the corner of my nail, so once again, I cut the fingers off an exam glove and my thumb is ...

Last week of March!

Hope it's a good one for you.

Signed .... the blue thumb stitcher

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And another

recently seen and added to cart!

I can picture this with a stitched berry hanging from the edge of its frame or finish.  But what caught my eye initially was the white and black on this color linen. It appears to be the same as two goldish greenish pieces I showed weeks ago, planning to sell.  Have not seen them since because those "safe places" for protection and ease of finding, always screw me.  But that is exactly, when found, I will use for this.  

As you all know, I never learn from self-taught lessons, which technically cannot even qualify as lessons.  Too many times I have impulsively sold, given away, only to regret it much later.  The Tabby Cat to be offered is visible as I type, and I do not want it.  

Or do I?  

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Two more

 Very small, very sweet, very reasonable, very convenient.

Two more from The Wishing Thorn to download.

You are most likely familiar with these smalls from Birgit, but in case not...

I have many many times discovered a chart I love that everyone knew about, except me, or that I overlooked.  I've purchased from The Wishing Thorn, mailed charts and also pdfs several times, yet these were never added to my cart.  So .... which will I choose this evening?

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Jane Moore

The Wishing Thorn

Downloaded to my antiquated tablet, and found today.

Yep.

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How did this happen?

 A few years ago, sanding and priming fifty six 10" wide boards would not have taken the toll that it did yesterday.  Wow.  They were laid flat on a long table!  How will we roll the walls and ceiling with paint?  How did aging smack us down so quickly?  The excellent painters we've had for decades in this area retired during covid and no one has filled their shoes, so we'll manage.

Except for that, no other work was done. Scott said he would be here at 10am with the patio door and wood delivery, but that was to help unload.  One person, the driver, required a second helper.  I didn't realize that and he plans to start Friday or next week.  Missy was ready and had no problem with her food and water being moved, but she wailed at the door (within sight of her litter) until we moved it back.  Brat.

I am still waiting for the two charts from market that I ordered, another with the black perforated paper coming later. But last night I watched floss tube and fell in love with this chart.  It is over one thread for a tiny finish but still very small on 40 over two.

Immediately went to 123 and placed an order for it and another chart that she featured, very late at night.  This morning, the entire order was shipped!!  Wow.  I think the Fraktur Friends design that I do not want to stitch on silk would be wonderful on a very dark (like WDW Chestnut but darker) 40 count and made into a pouch/bag.  But with linen prices, taking a chance on color is not an option.  Some browns look purplish, greenish, too gray, and most likely, none would be dark/rich enough.  So I'll attempt dyeing at some point.

My arthritic hand is swollen and stiff from usage, and I cannot take Advil with the other drug I am taking for my knee.  Arnica offers no help, neither do the other creams or Tylenol.  So after another stop at my cardio office's complaint department, I plan to purchase a compression half glove which my neighbor uses regularly.  Knuckles, thumb, and wrist, oh my!!

Carole's visit was late and brief, we just dropped off her items and food (stuffed cabbage casserole).  

 I hope your day is going well!

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