Hide the matches

The crabass is quite irritated.

I did a half stitch first to mark the backstitch location, easier to see and count, simple to remove.  All went well .... for a while.  Backstitch has always been a problem for me on 40 count.  Using black thread, even more so.

The height and corners were positioned properly but as I proceeded, that was no longer the case.  My only option was to hop skip the stitches making it easier to find the extra linen thread errors.  Finally.  Now to go back and complete that outline.

Sometimes incomplete or missing stitches are not caught on a visual inspection.  Such as now.  Until I checked the photo, the section missing the second half of the cross was not caught.  I looked this over several times!  Yet one look at the photo and it was obvious.  So once that's corrected and the outline filled, I can start the closure.

The ferns are covered with a blanket, the flats are in the garage, the hanging baskets are in the dining room, and the fig trees are also in the garage.  Why did I put away winter clothing?  Just like every holiday's decor is offered many months before, the spring ritual of buying flowers Memorial Day has joined in.  If you don't have them by mid May, they're picked over.  Too soon for the unpredictable weather.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable Mother's Day.

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A tiny humbug

Since I have black beads to finish the edge of this humbug, I decided to stop the blue and start the black.  I think mustard is often used with black in overshot weave, ivory with blue. These hearts need to be outlined to see the shape, I thought adding the second color would be another option.

Quite tiny on 40 count darker linen, with dmc 310 and 680, and very sore arthritic fingers.  Sanding has them in terrible condition!

It did not rain today, the sun actually appeared for a short time, and these two (Ollie & Tootsie) had a ball playing with tree debris on the deck.

Did you see Stacy Nash's IG post of the retreat's designs?  Just. So. Fabulous.  Won't be offered to the rest of us for a year.

Hope your May hasn't been as cold and wet as mine has.

Stay safe folks.

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More work and time

than this job took years ago.  Arthritic hands and body sure slow you down.  

The older paint is not dark, a medium tan I'd say.  But the White Dove Aura is taking three coats.  Small kitchen but overwhelming me!  Five lower cabinets and four uppers plus the backsplash vertical shiplap, fridge cabinet, and beneath bar to do yet.  Yoi.

My nerve tests showed nothing requiring surgery yet, and they can't explain the pain that radiates from mid bicep down through fingers.  I expected it was something weird, always is.  The cardio tests are still not scheduled after seven weeks.  Now they are saying the facility won't accept my insurance.  They do.  I spoke with them, I spoke with Highmark, and the office is being very testy and telling me to choose another facility.  I'm changing to another doctor, but first opening is in August.  Matt broke up another fight at school and was hurt, he's been off seven weeks, no check from workman's comp yet, and his MRI can't be done until August.  No openings.

I dyed a piece of linen I didn't care for to a lighter shade of the Sanguine.  Pink is not a favorite, but neither are florals and fussies yet I'll be stitching them.

It has rained heavily with no mercy for days, is raining now, and will be all week with cool temps.  June 1 will probably be 90 degrees.

And I found a nutroll in the freezer!  Last one, thought they were all gone.  It will be very soon.

Be good, be safe, be well.

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And just like that ...

I'm stitching hearts that I recently claimed to avoid.

I mentioned Needle 'n Thread, Mart Corbet's site for all you need to know about needlework.  Another is Jean Farish Needleworks.  This tiny heart on 36 count (you can see my attempt to increase its size) is a free chart from her site here.  

There are others also, listed in the left hand column along with her post titles.  The Americana Sampler Flag is one of them, here.

My plan was to stitch individual hearts, stuff to finish, and then I went to her site for a look.  Change of plans.  I will do all three on 40 count for a tiny fob (a humbug), and follow her tutorial.  It is floss tube #27, here.  Check out her site if you haven't seen it, loads of good information, links to charts and floss tube.  I am anxious to do that edge finish, perfectly shown in her tutorial.

There is another shape I am not familiar with called a Pendibule, designs for this finish are from Durene Jones on Etsy, here.  In the UK, new to me, loads of smalls in various finishes.  I found quite a few I would like to order such as this scissor case.

And this one.

Have a good weekend.

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Ringing in the ear

Not the type that has no rhythm and I can't shut down.  I'm referring to daith ear piercing for migraines.  You know, the one doctors tell you is a bad idea and isn't proven?  I had a nerve conduction test this morning and I noticed her ear piercing.  When I inquired (this is the fourth nurse over the years), she said the same.  Her doc said don't do it, she said I have a nose pierce, two in each lobe for earrings, and one more will not hurt. Worth a try and if it doesn't work, she can choose not to wear the ring or add another earring.  She said it worked.  Migraine intensity is minimal and less frequent.  Four out of four.  MUST be experienced in daith piercing, not the parlor on the corner.  

Another strange treatment that has worked for two local hairdressers, is the removal of under eye bags.  Both had pronounced puffies, the fat pack was removed, the migraines are no more than a routine headache, no aura at all.  Hmm.

Now for the happy mail.  I saw this on finisher Faye's IG post and said "ooba dooba".  Is this an indication that I watch too much flosstube?  I say no!  Anything that increases your vocabulary is good.  

I searched for a pink linen online and was concerned that it may be too cool, too bright, or just crappy.  The only small I found (not paying $35 for a quarter yard when I only need a smidge of it), was Sanguine in 35 count.  Better than nothing (I wanted 40).  Well.  It came. Glorious color. Most likely better than other pinks.  Looks to me like 611 or 869 and ecru or 822 are the threads, close enough.  Some stitchers know how to cook the charts to perfection.  And Faye topped it off with a fine finish.  Ooba dooba.

Oh say......

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Palestrina

Are you familiar with this stitch?

As I was searching posts from 10 years ago trying to find the cabinet old paint color (I need to touch up the interior side of the doors), I found a post about this stitch linking to Needle 'n Thread.  Such a wealth of needlework knowledge, help, and encouragement.  This stitch, Palestrina, looks like a great edge finish and fun to do.  

Link - Palestrina

All photos are from Mary Corbet's site Needle 'n Thread.

Have found a few other videos but surprisingly, this is not listed in any of the stitch books/manuals. I plan on trying this as an edge finish on one of the small samplers.  After seeing Cardamen Pins post, I ordered four small projects from MFE, so I have a few more to choose from.  

These photos are from Modern Folk Embroidery IG and website.

This will be split in half for a double sided pinkeep like Carmen's.

This can also be split for two tiny finishes or folded for a needlebook.

All very small!

Hope your weekend is going swell.

Be safe, be good!

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