The influence of Lauren

 Purging.

Being the ruler of the Procrasti-Nation, I have thought about removing items yet failed to act.  Why.  Because I worry that I may be sorry, as has happened with charts and stitched pieces I gave away.  But seeing Lauren tackle this, and needing rooms emptied for painting, it's time to get serious.  This isn't needlework related, it's household, it's baskets, it's boxes, it's the brown jugs I loved and collected.  Most must go, a few perfect pieces will not.

Everything, even in small quantities, is making me anxious.  Changing from the dark colonial colors and paring down visuals is the goal.  Not easy.  Store excess in the basement?  That's just moving from one place to another, not really purging.  Went through charts and have a load to offer.  Again, procrastinating.  Never sold on those destash FB groups.

I added racks to the bottom shelf of the hutch and will try to organize better.  Since I have a very small inventory of charts and linen I want to use, it should be easy.  It ain't.  Nothing seems to fit or offer easy access.  I'm not sure if the years of meno madness or the severity of covid changed my gumption and ability to focus.

I found this (again) and searched for a chart but no luck.  My SIL made this for Carole and I would like to stitch one.  Easy enough to follow I guess.  Add to the list!

If anyone is interested, Ice Cube candies are sold on Amazon.

Break is over, back to work.  

Very warm this coming week, hope you enjoy the sunshine.

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Browsing

 Online?

Nope.  I was scanning the sewing machine mess and decided to look through the pile of finishes.  So many I had forgotten about.  

Spring Green was a finish I did not care for because of the Gingerbread linen.  It matched the photo in the book, the threads were changed since most were ghosted, but still very blah.  This previous blog photo shows the roll stitched but it is nowhere.  

I tried adding one darker stitch in the ziggy border, hoping for .... something.  One side in the roof's brown, the other in a darker green.  Better, but I should just stitch over on a different linen.  I think the green will stay, brown removed.  The top border is original.  Thoughts?

Outlining in the green would be too much, I think the single stitch add works.

Warming up here this week.  Progress to spring.

Went to a shop that offers deli items, and every imaginable condiment and sauce (brand and local Amish) plus gifts galore.  Nice heavy canvas bags, other purses, scents, puzzles, signs, jewelry, kitchen items, so much to look through.  Since we have few stores left here, something routine elsewhere is a treat here. 

 But we never left without a bundle for Carole, so it's difficult as with every place.  No shopping trip ever ended without her favorites in a separate bag, regardless of the store.    

Many appliqued small bags.  Neon Dion is still feeding here daily.

I grabbed an Ice Cube at the checkout, rarely see them, and my hubs had a fit because I unwrapped it and popped it in my mouth before using the hand sanitizer.  He still can't forget my first covid.  And I touch everything in stores like a five year old.

Be well, stay safe.

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Market

What a hassle for impatient crabasses like me.

I saw what I would like, I ordered.  Then more charts are shown for preorder daily.  My usual 123stitch shop does not offer preorder.  Being notified when new charts are in stock doesn't work for me.  Not attached to a phone, check emails once daily, by the time I see the notice items are sold out.  So the first order was placed with Anabelle's.  Both Kogut.  I wanted the Jingle Ball blue santa and this stocking offers him in green.  I will choose a blue thread and work him alone.  

The other finished as a pocket/case got to me, the sampler is too large and involved.  Searching for smalls.

Other items desired were found at different sites, different days, listed as sold out for preorder on one, and not offered at all on a third, fourth, fifth.  So much back and forth!  Did not realize that preorders can be sold out so do I take a chance by waiting for the next batch to show?   I settled for three at one shop offering free shipping for Nashville and will get the others eventually.  I don't like ordering single items from several places, too confusing and leads to doubles.  My old brain needs order.

Kathy Barrick

Lucy Beam

Blackbird

This Parlour Pinkeep from NWP is available from some shops for preorder at this market.  I have an idea for finishing, not sure it will work.  I dyed this 36 count and chose thread colors.  I am very surprised at coverage on 36 which is the majority of my linen supply, prefer 40 count.

Hope your weekend is a good one.

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Late to the party

But I did show up.

I ordered two Kogut charts, made the deadline for market pick-up so I won't need to wait as long for shipping.  The order is with  Anabella's, (also on Etsy), new to me, and I saw the shop has a flosstube. What nice videos!  Very different from what I subscribe to but I saw a few finishing ideas that I like.

I love these 5" x 3.7" round bulb shapes for smalls or any ornament  The PS Halloween designs on black would be perfect.  I watched the video of construction and a smaller wood piece is used to mount the fabric, then glued to the base shape. No added trim needed.

And this group of Christmas smalls lined up on a roll is a great idea, any designs similar in height could be used.

Both  photos are from her flosstube.  

They have a nice website with various wood items for mounting. Even if samplers are the majority of my stitching, I can find finishing ideas for holidays or gifting, and will be watching more from this tuber.  Nice online offers on their website.  Something different.  And you are probably familiar with this site, but I'm once again late to the party.

Have a nice weekend!

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A comfort stitch, Finish #4

 Hi folks.  Apologies for my rant yesterday that I removed.  Explanation.....

The Dr. that I heard over the phone and had to deal with (since my pcp ignored abnormal lab results), was Carole's.  It triggered my emotions and recalled my disgust of his attitude toward her and callous disregard of her feelings in her final week.  Triggered is too gentle a term.

His arrogance also refused to order the specific form of the medication I need to combat this since I cannot swallow capsules.  He is not happy, but my pharmacist called him on it.  I have what I need now.

The ER .... my hospital that closed is currently trying to reopen. Cardiology called me this morning that they can see patients again.  The practice is now under a hospital two hours from here, but stays in its current location.  We have two urgent care offices and another hospital at capacity with their patients.  New/transfers to this facility wait months, and no prior tests/reports from the other are accepted.

So it seems by spring, these issues will be resolved.

Comfort stitch.  This little heart that is complimentary from Stone Street Stitchworks, is perfect.  It looks best (to me) with a lower count linen and flower thread or two dmc.  Simple to follow, easy to see, no color changes.  Worked this last night on 32 count 2 over 2.  What a delightful change from 40 count, and truly without stress.  Should I try one thread on 40 for a very tiny finish? 

Sorry for all the blah blah blah rants.  I was just so raw.

Have a sweet day.

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Piling up

Hi folks.  Hope you're having a good weekend.

It's been a week of appointments for me.  Found out this continuing (for months) vertigo is actually Meniere's disease.  Great.  Many other issues and various tests next week.  Too many things at once.

Next project will probably be one of the floral smalls in the same book as Ann Dexter (Small Samplings).  There are three, not sure which will be first.  I really detest choosing a linen color.

I like using clipboards to hold projects, original chart, working copy, thread legend all together.  Otherwise, I'm holding or reaching for one or the other. These of chipboard are standard size so hubs cut them down for the small charts or cards. 

Baseboards are painted, walls next week if this arm pain subsides.  So far, nothing helps.  Hiring for the other rooms.  We have no furniture stores here, my favorite in ohio closed recently.  Could not find workers that showed up, weren't reeking of marijuana, or interested in learning about products for customers.  Ordering online without knowing if it will be comfortable is not an option.  And most are huge, way too deep for small rooms.  

Have a nice weekend, stay safe.

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