A failed challenge

Hiya.  Thanks to everyone who has been so thoughtful to help me with the threads.  I've learned a lot and I appreciate your help!   I have another little finish to show.  Little.  Did you all see Lori's Notforgotten Farm's freebie challenge?  You can find it here.  As soon as I saw the design, I pictured it stitched on a tan linen and applied to (or bound) by a black/tan check homespun.  The finished piece would be sewn or safety pinned to a black t-shirt or sweatshirt.  I failed. 

I got through the 18 and thought - I don't have a black top (from years of yellow Labradors).  So I just finished the date and made it into a little pinkeep.  You know the odd shade of DMC's 830's, kind of brown with olive.  I was surprised to find a fabric that coordinated well even though the photo doesn't show it.  I told my husband that this is the reason to continually buy fat quarters of every color.  When I go to the quilt shop I'm worse than a kid in a candy store.  When he asked if I really needed 100 fat quarters just for a 3" x 4" piece, I knew he still didn't understand.  I asked him why he needs four sectioned storage boxes with plastic worms of every color, 6 hook sizes, split shots, sinkers, bobbers, lures, Mister Twisters, bobber stops, floating jig heads, and the sparkly chartreuse and orange crazy thing that doesn't even look like a known species, just to go fishing for a few hours.  And do you really need a complete set of irons for golf?   Buy one iron, hit it softer for close shots and harder for distance.  Get an average degree and turn the club face to compensate for loft.  Or bend a little more contorting your shoulder downward.  There's no reason to have a choice, right?  One should be enough? 

I have Fanny and Eunice ready and waiting for the trip to the framer, but Lucy.....that Lucy.  The design area is around 20 x 21 and I was very close to finishing her mounting when I realized one side was stretched too much (from stitching) and if I stretched the mount, it wouldn't leave enough to clear the rabbet.  There was just too much fabric and the other side was perfect.  So I took her apart, spritzed lightly with water, and threw her in the dryer.  I'll bet this makes some of you squeamish along with gluing seams shut!  I knew from all the dyeing I did that she would return to square or even shrink a little.  She did.  Both.  So I need to start over.  Joy has been helping me with tips and I found a YouTube video that instructs on lacing your needlework.  Lucy is way too big, I need to start with a smaller project.  If anyone is interested in watching this lacing method, the video is here.

The name drawn for Stella's chart was stitchinPeanut.  I visited her blog Peanut's Place for the first time and like it!

That's all folks.  Sucking down the Advil after periodontal surgery on one side and an extraction of the last molar.  Not as bad as I expected!   I just caught a glimpse of something - my deer is wanting her bread so she is looking in the side window!!  She must really be hungry!!   I have the heart box and tray packed and weighed and I will post the weights next time so you can figure the postage in case you are contemplating purchasing one.

Thanks for visiting - stay safe - talk to you soon.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A little finish and a lot of threads

Hi fellow stitchers.  Thanks for all the comments on the new stash.  A few readers mentioned that they would love to see them finished.  Me too.  I didn't need any more charts, that's for sure, but I liked them and was afraid when they are gone, they're gone forever.  Just couldn't take that chance, especially for $5.  So does that make me a cheap chart hoarder? 

I happened to find this little free chart from Pineberry Lane while searching for their Wool design that I misplaced.  I took the photo of the chart for the prior post to show where I erred and ..... well, you know the rest.  It's close.  I can feel it.

I used a dark red star print for the back and felt it was too small for the envelope closure so I left the short end open instead of the bottom.  Used my trusty Liquid Stitch to close the seam and then attached the bells.  I like them on the corners too and may change it, but when displaying in a bowl you can't see them on the bottom.  I shouldn't have used two strands on the end finishing and may re-do that too.  Why not just do the whole damn thing over????  I tried something a little different when using the glue closure and I like the change.  Instead of pressing the hem to the inside and then filling, I pressed to mark the hem, but didn't turn it in until the filling was in place.  Folding the hem OVER the filling allowed the stuffing to be more even, and the glue was only on the inside hem, not through two layers of fabric since the stuffing is between the outside fabric and the inside hem.  You know what I mean?  Moving on. 

I found these threads (again) and really don't know what to do with them.  I like the reds and will keep those for Santa, but what are these mostly used for? 

Some of it is so tightly twisted and thick, are they to be separated or not?  Wildflowers looks like it should be used as one strand but I have no idea what type of design calls for these threads.  Lots of flower thread.  Why? 

These wool/silk blends are foreign to me too.

I love the red in the Needle Necessities, but what they heck is this thick blue stuff?

I visited Caron's website for info but the photos will not open.  Maybe tomorrow (after gum surgery) I'll take some time to read about their threads to see if I can use any of them.  That's enough confusion for one day.  I still haven't planned the kitchen and it will be September in a few weeks.  Ouch.  That even hurt to say it.  I'm putting the few names that are willing to give Stella a home in a bowl and will let you know next post whose name was drawn.

Thanks for visiting.  Have a great week and stay safe!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

p.s.  I just noticed that my Dannon Oikos is only 5.3 oz.!  I thought it was 6 oz. like Chobani which is in the same container.   I need to pay more attention as a consumer.

New stash ~ Stella's looking for a home

Hi everybody.  I received my R+R Reproductions order from Homespun Samplar and thought you might like to see what I got.  I took the Lightbox feature off so photos should open and enlarge if you want to see a close up of any chart.   I don't like the black screen option and if you want to change yours, go to Dashboard, Settings, Formatting, and scroll down to Showcase ..... Lightbox.  Choose No. 
Bye bye black screen.

Cross, straight, eyelet, and chain stitches in Thankful. 142 x 198 stitch count.

Cross, half, Algerian eye and some over one.

 Ann's verse is "O sweet Jesus who was so good even to those who were so wicked that for the very same parties who did crucify thee thou didst pray unto thy Father saying Father forgive them for they know not what they do." 152 x 279 stitch count.

The verse on Barnard is "Diligence industry and proper improvement of time are material duties of the young.  Sincerity and truth form the basis of every virtue.  Time once past never returns." 271 x 101

 Cross, over one, rice, and smyrna stitches.

Rebecca's stitches are Cross, Rice, Long armed cross, Eyelet, Satin, and Herringbone. 240 x 116  Looks like these colors may need a Pearl Gray dip!

 

Flora includes Cross over one, Rice, Eyelet, and four-sided. 90 x 209
 

And the petite Dorothy (who was 24 years old when she stitched this) has Cross, Four-sided, Long-armed cross, and Herringbone, with hem stitched edges.  She is to be stitched on 35 count with silk threads.  65 x 109
I haven't found a conversion to DMC so I looked up the AVS colors, most are very pale and similar, and I may just pick my own.

Could you believe I got all of these for a total of $31?

These charts are so wonderful to use.  Very large easy to read charts with multiple pages and clear instructions.  But did the young snots really have to use all those stitches?  What's wrong with the basic cross?  Yes I know they were learning, and in order to become proficient they needed to practice and include these attractive stitches.  I'm not practicing or trying to impress a man so I may just go with the basics.  I haven't fully read the charts and if the areas involved are small, it could be fun.  Let's hope so!  Thank goodness I'm almost finished with this post because I am soaked and ready to run outside.  Flashes have been really bad again but my mammoslam was benign so ~ I'll accept the soakings without complaint.  Even though they are still frying my brain.  Today I put a bag of sunflower seeds in the critter treats and when my husband asked why, I said they were expired.  The date on the bag is Oct 10 2012.  ????  WHAT???
See something you'd like to stitch?  Homespun Samplar still has a very nice selection of these oldies.

Remember Stella's Brooms 'n Brellas from Fanci That?  I was going to stitch her without the bottom element, and realize now that I won't.  Anyone interested?  If you would like to have Stella broom her way to you, let me know in a comment here.  If more than one, I'll pull a name from a hat and send her along to her new roost.

Thanks for watching show and tell.

Hope your week starts splendidly!

Thank you for visiting.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Winner and loser

Hello!  Hope your weekend is going well.  Random selected a name for me and it is Anonymous Barbara.  I looked up the Anonymous entries and Barbara left her email address - thank you!!  I'll be sending a note asking for your address and will mail your boxes Monday morning.  Thank you everyone for participating.  I was feeling bad that I only had one offer so ...well....you know how that guilt thing goes.  I may have to go get another box or something.  I really appreciate all of you wanting these little boxes of mine so I may have to get busy.  Now for the loser....

ME!!!  While I was deciding on a sampler, I thought I would knock out Pineberry Lane's Wool Pinkeeps.  A wonderful stitching bud gifted me with a piece of the 18th Century Rook linen and I am using Medici wool for the thread.  I found skeins of ecru, gray, and black and I think it's appropriate for this Wool design.  So take a look at what I stitched.. and then look at the actual chart.

Putz.  Pure putz.  I stitched the two W arms with the two stitch row NEXT to the left one instead of UP!  I looked at this chart over and over and why I did this, I haven't a clue.  One long look and I thought - holy cow that's one big W!  Good thing I caught it now!  It wasn't easy removing this wool thread but duct tape removed the fuzz and I'm starting over.  I am having a problem with the linen and will try to show it here.   One side of the linen is darker and more aged looking than the other but do you see a difference in the weave?  The one on the right (which I am stitching on) appears to be a honeycomb and the other side (left photo) looks like what I am used to seeing.  I'm having a heck of a time but like the darker side.  Never saw this before and maybe it's just me!!

We finally had rain and it's cold here - I'm not a happy camper.  But my portulaca paint can pots finally bloomed! 

Tomorrow I will be posting all the new charts from R&R.  Have a great Sunday!  Thank you again for participating and visiting!

Talk to you soon.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Zucchini and Sudberry

ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

Shred a large zucchini (about 4 cups), salt, and put in colander

In a large bowl mix the following -

4 beaten eggs

1 cup Bisquick (light is fine)

3/4 to 1 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 cup (I use 1/4) vegetable oil
1 tsp. Oregano

After a half hour, squeeze the liquid from the shredded zucchini and measure three cups, add to bowl and stir to blend.  Pour into a sprayed 9 x 13 glass dish and bake at 350 for about 40 minutes.  It can be cut into squares or sticks and is also good cold.  I'm not a fan of Oregano but it is fabulous with these ingredients and makes this dish.

Now for  Sudberry House.  I showed this box a while back and haven't found any information at all.  Obviously, they aren't made anymore.  I found a photo of the small box like this but it is also unavailable.  I believe it was Sudberry since that's what was offered in my old shop.  The tray is still wrapped, includes the glass, and has a price of $33 on it, now it's much more and is only available with applied brass handles in this size.  It is labeled "petite" but is considered "medium" now.   I like this old style because it has wood outlining the stitchery as part of the tray itself.  The new ones look like frame molding with handles and the stitchery ends into the sides.  The heart is 8" wide, 7" top to bottom, and 2" inside depth.  The tray is 12 1/2" x 9 1/2" with a 7"x10" frame opening.  Both pieces have screws to dissemble and install your needlework. 

                           

 

 

 

 

  They are heavy and shipping won't be cheap. I may take offers through my email  instead of Ebay, and will let you know when. 

Before I'm done - some notes on the prior post.  Thanks for the comments and your help!  I don't like to use interfacing when mounting.  I only did that because this $&#@ linen is wonky and I had a heck of a time straightening it.  Using the fusible is tricky and I only presssed/adhered two corners from the back, turned it right side up to made sure it was perfectly straight, then pressed from the front to adhere so I could see it.  I used to use acid free artist's masking tape on mat board when I worked at the gallery, which was their method.  I find it easier to use pins now and will purchase the stainless steel flat heads and leave them in.  I have never done lacing well.  NEVER!!  Not even acceptable let alone well.  Especially when the linen is this stretchy!  I also like to use a darker mat board beneath which really hides the threads, but my linen was too sheer.  The darker mat changed the appearance of the linen's color and I still saw the black and rust threads.  With a nice tight weave, the neutral (gray or tan) mat is a perfect solution.  If I find any more of this linen, it will be used with a muslin lining for ornaments!  Or a nice blaze.  So thank you again for your suggestions and tips to all of us still learning.
And Sherry I don't know why you are being thrown into Spam!!  I have to move you into the comments every time!  There isn't anything I can do to change that since Blogger makes that determination.  Sorry!! 

While throwing out more patterns and papers (BIG fire yesterday), I found a local map.  Even though the B**** in my GPS sends me in the wrong direction, I won't be needing it so I used it to line the offered boxes.  And I still know where they are!!!

Hope you're having a great day.  Thanks for stopping by!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Preparing Eunice for framing

Greetings.  Eunice is ready for framing and I thought I would show my steps in case anyone would like to direct me to more efficient mounting.  First off, cutting the tails. 

When examining for the threads to snip, I also use a tiny piece of muslin to slip behind threads carried over.  This mystery linen is very limp, stretchy, and its weave is easily distorted.  No way for a thread to hide at all so I found several areas that needed this treatment, even though some were pastels.   Looking at the right side, you wouldn't know a dark thread is lurking.

On colored linen, I use something white since I mount on white foam core boards and it will just disappear.   

Even the over one got a few tiny threads of muslin here and there.  I tried mounting but because of the fabric, was getting flustered.   So I applied lightweight fusible interfacing to prevent the distorting, after I measured for squareness and marked the fold back line by running a perfectly straight single thread. 

 

So here she is, ready for framing.  Would you believe I had three large boxes of brand new stainless steel flat head straight pins from 20 years ago?  I did.  But prefer the round heads so I got rid of those boxes in favor of new cheap and easily bent crap.  It never dawned on me that they were for framing!   What a putz.

 Lucy and possibly Fanny are being framed also.  I like Fanny on the large basket but ..... haven't decided yet.  I was surprised at the cost difference of Hobby Lobby compared to Michael's (with a coupon).  Their weekly 40% off coupon can be used for the glass and the frames are always 50% off.  I also learned that the frames are not made at HL, they are ordered, shipped to the store glued/stapled, and then completed. 

My new sampler charts came in and I will show those to you next time along with a great zucchini casserole.

I'll leave you with my doe that comes to the back door for bread several times a day, and her disgusted look at the two boys tussling on the patio.  She will stand here for quite a while until she sees me, and then patiently waits for the bread to be thrown.  She has two fawns with her in the evenings.

 I'll be spending this afternoon looking through the new charts and trying to decide on another smaller design for swing stitching.  Pumroy will have to wait for a while.  I took her out last night and she is just too much linen lying on my lap when it's hot.  I should start the Santa but I so don't want to think of winter!  Enjoy the rest of your week and I'll talk to you soon.

Thank you so much for your visit!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx