Choices .... or not

 I worked a few options for the border offering easier to remember repetition for me.  I've studied the chart, and just can't seem to follow without constant referral which frustrates me.  Following the basic outline count, I came up with three options I can handle. They are nine stitches deep (#3 is eight) rather than ten, preventing border from touching interior stitches.

I will test them all, but the center is the closest to original with a two stitch simple pattern, easy to remember. I think one row less will make a big difference in the crowded look.  It may be modified a little more if not pleasing when test stitched.

This is the start of the giant pear, not my type of stitching!!  Too many colors and ziggys to follow.  I realize that A Miscellany may be too much for me.  Never did care for such detailed sections and being distracted with memories and regrets regarding Carole makes for many errors.  Having a difficult time.

Dryer croaked, roofer coming for estimates today, and it is quite cool out there.

Hope your day is without breakdowns or repairs!!

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Well ....

 Your input is appreciated, and has me questioning what to outline that side with.  I like the lighter color because as Gail mentioned, the older brick houses usually have quoins (don't be impressed, I looked it up), which are lighter stone corner blocks to accent the brick.  Good grief... a decision needs made!

My sinus headache is telling me I need a break.  So I'll make a Panzarella salad with the heirloom tomato that ripened, and enjoy the weather in Mom's spring chair.  That won't last long since the smell of neem oil on my destroyed petunias gags me after a while.  I have lost the Bubblegum petunias in the front, and two in the back.  Aphid infestation is massive.  Summer beauty has ended very early, never ever lost those Vista tunias, they always lasted until late fall.  

You know by now that I am a little too thrifty and still suffer from the Stella in me.  Well my current chart of $30 was my b-day gift to me because I don't pay that much.  But it must have shaken the Stella because I am ordering this one for even more.  And guess what?  My house didn't rumble, my phone still works, no dishes fell from the cupboard, the car started .... and I survived Mom!!!

I see gorgeous projects such as these on floss tube and IG, knowing I would never attempt.  

But lo and behold, here are four in similar style, all cross stitch, no background fill, no tent stitch, and I could separate into four smaller works.  Or quit after one.

A Miscellany from The Scarlet Letter.

ooooooh baby

I see a velvet pouch with gold braid straps.  Four of them?  Pfft.

One of the reasons I won't start into silks is the Stella ($$$$$), but I also understand that it sometimes knots and twists.  I have enough frustration.  But after seeing how dmc new stitches are smooth compared to the first stitches done, I can only imagine how gorgeous a silk finish would be.  Just routine handling during the stitching causes the dmc to sort of raise or fuzz slightly or dull a little.  No big deal. Just remember to wax.

A sad note.  One of the three young poults is seen wandering alone at times, lost and sitting in the yard constantly turning his head, waiting for the others.  He appears to be blind and cannot make sound to call for them either.  But he does feel us walking toward him.  So very sad.  Another mom showed up with a new hatchling the size of a sparrow.  Very very late, and tiny.

Hoe your week has started with good ice cream.

Rita's custard. Magnifico.

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Is it me?

 Something has bothered me about the house.  And I think the chart may have an error.

Look closely at the right side edge of the two story section (chart photo).

Doesn't it appear to be the same apricot thread as the left edge?

The chart and all the finishes I've viewed online have this right edge as gray, same as the roofs.  Maybe this is not a good idea, but I always compare and check my work to the chart photo.  Many times there is a difference from the chart itself.  I didn't like this when I stitched it and now that the house is finished, I plan to remove and replace that edge to match the left side.  Is it just me or do you think it's charted incorrect with gray?

Oh my. Seeing that border close up is giving me the willies. I wish I could simplify it and may give it a shot.  

I heard Dole bottled lemonade was excellent and found it in single bottles at Tractor Supply.  No other stores here carry it!!  We tried it, love it.  Yes it's rough on my dry throat but I don't drink a large amount.  One store in Ohio carries the 2 liter size.  Good stuff without having to make from scratch (which is of course, the very best).

I have been losing my voice at times along with terrible back ache and lymph (jawline) discomfort.  PCP doesn't feel any lumps under my jaw, said I was fine.  Sjogren's patients are at higher risk for lymphatic cancers but hey.... I don't have a lump.

Beautiful day, less humid, less heat, glorious.  

Hope you had the same.

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An overnight build

Windows need filled with the called for dark green, and I'm debating the chimney brick.

Solid as charted or matching the house? 

I'm liking the match better.

Knee doc today, chiro tomorrow, starting therapy for the right arm/shoulder.  Still no definitive diagnosis.  But it's worse and I can stitch, but not much else!

Hope your week starts swell.

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Little house on the linen

What is the linen? 

A basic 40 count cream that I spritzed lightly after accidentally ruining the Paperbark.  Careless as I am.

I am really liking this color as I start this design, AGAIN. The Heartland was good, but the gold leaned green and something did not feel right.  Paperbark was good until it succumbed to recklessness.  Tired of the border and decided to start in the center this time, love the house.  

Since borders are not fun to me, maybe doing different elements between that chore will help.  

Another weekend closing, another week of summer gone.  Mid August.  And leaves are falling already.  I am crabass, hear me roar.

Be safe.

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The favor of spray

 Hiya.  Retina looks good, but the exam caused my vertigo to act up.  Meclizine and a recliner, much better now.   Truus, my dry eyes blur quickly also, and lubricating drops as soon as the blur starts brings me back into focus.  Some days, every 15 minutes.  Hope you find a solution so you can stitch comfortably.

Robin posed a question regarding my hesitation to continue on Heartland.  I asked the same thing!  Is it too yellow/gold, is the mottling too distracting?  Yes and yes.  This design in my vision should have pronounced colors on neutral ground, not much distraction.  Heartland is fine, but I'm not settled.  Looking through my very limited 40 count, I found PTP Vellum a very nice option, but my needle had difficulty entering this piece.  Fabric weave is thick, heavy, sort of glued in some areas.  Paperbark is a great option, but needed a smidge of interest.  Spray bottle with diluted Rit Tan worked perfectly.

A very fine mist doesn't wet enough to tranfer to the back of fabric, or at the most, barely noticeable.  In this very light case, no change.

This is hard to see, the tan mottling is very subtle, perfect.

Scrunching fabric and pouring dye soaks the backside also which would destroy my option of the original if it fails.  If you spray, hold the fabric to hang as you spray, drips will not land on fabric.

I have to decide soon, Heartland or Paperbark.  But in case I become frozen in ridiculous conflict, I'm searching another small to have ready.

I can't believe how quickly summer is passing.  Why is everything else (like chores and projects) going so slowly?

Have a great day.

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