Stitching limits

Hello stitching buds.  Did you get mosquito bites while watching fireworks?  I didn't.  They can't bite through sweatpants and sweatshirts.  Damn it was cold!  My neighbors were setting off blasts that actually shook the muntin bars in my windows.  Nothing pretty to see, just the sound of an explosion.

I was browsing Scarlet Letter again and I saw a few that didn't catch my eye the prior 1,578 times.  Unusual (to me anyway), but because of my reluctance to stitch over one thread, they weren't added to the cart.

These photos are from Scarlet Letter's website.

I really like Susey Oliver.  In keeping with my wimp status, I still prefer alphabets, some elements, but not a whole mess of little changing-thread-lose-your-place motifs.  This fits the bill but with way too much over one.

 

There were others that I almost added to the cart, but chickened out for that same reason or another.  I enjoy seeing others' complicated or intricate samplers and wish I had them on my wall, but I can't even bring myself to purchase them now.  I used to, and they would sit in the stash.  Years later, I would add them to the cart but remove them before checkout.  Now I don't even add them to the cart.  I'm finally catching on.  You don't buy just because you like it, if you know you won't use it.  All the larger or more involved sampler charts have been sold, except for Ann Medd.  Oh Ann.  You're my last one, my last hope, my last I-wish-I-could-but-I-can't.  We may have to say adios Ann, but I'm not quite ready.  With your larger motifs and simple backstitch, there is still hope!  But what about that pesky patience problem?  Every time I add a year to my age, I lose a little more.  And a very large project, even a simple one, may also be unattainable.

But after seeing Lanie's Sarah Harvey (check it out here), I need to order it.  Very little over one with a simple border and mostly letters, I think this is a large piece I can handle.  Or hope to.   Lanie's birds were stitched over two yet looking at this closeup on the SL site, they appear to be done over one or like they are painted.   This is why I never ordered it before, but now I know they are regular cross and that I can do!  A few specialty stitches are welcome and I did enjoy working on Mary Haslehurst.  That was another sampler I had put off ordering many times because it looked too involved but it was fun.  Maybe because it wasn't a large piece and I had the help of Mary Corbet's videos.  I'm really glad I added her to the wall and would not mind stitching a small with stitches other than cross.  Except for the Queen.

Thought I would show you the boys this morning.

What are they looking at?

 

 

Squeak.  His back legs are still nothing but skin and bones but I can see that his sides are not sunken as before.  Progress!!  He ate two baby foods and a half can of cat food this morning.  Good boy! 

 

Have a great weekend.

Thanks for visiting.

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Another wallet of Ann's

Happy 4th of July!  I can't believe how fast summer is moving.   Hope you are all doing well ~ stay safe to those of you in Arthur's path.  I lost yesterday to a food that was fighting mightily to get out of my body but am starting to feel better.  As for Squeak, I took your advice and mixed baby food with cat food and he is eating it ONLY if the ratio favors Gerber.

This is the Ann Wade sampler Needleworker's Pocketbook.  A prior post featuring Ann's wallets can be read here.  In continuing her amazing work, she completed this Amy Mitten project and I asked her permission to share it with you. 

 

 

 

 

That's a lot of work and done so beautifully.  Congratulations on this finish Ann and thanks for allowing me to share it.  A variety of stitching techniques were used and I see a narrow ribbon laced through eyelet stitches. Assembly is all by hand, no sewing machine involved.  This project and other amazing items and tutorials are on the Mitten site (see it here).   Ann sent me a package of wonderful fabrics and goodies that I will show soon.  I can't seem to find my camera and I'm not done admiring my gifts.  I have a habit of handling, holding, squeezing, and stroking gifted stitches.  Yes I'm weird.  I'm like an animal that wants to leave its scent and claim ownership.

Fancy has arrived at her new home and my pears are scattered across the US. I have a lot of finishing to do and am having difficulty choosing another sampler.  Usually a design clicks the last minute but I've got too many R&R's, Essamplaire's, and Scarlet Letter's on my lap along with others.  The big ones ~ Mary Elliott, Sally Fiske, Elizabeth Clayton.  The medium sized are too numerous to mention.  I need some larger pieces for wall arrangement but I am SO not up to large projects.  We'll see.

 

Enjoy the 4th safely!

 

Have a great weekend.

 

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Murphy's Law

How are you today?  We're hot!  I enjoy being outside in the heat because even though my hot flashes have reduced in number, intensity remains.  They bother me when I'm in air conditioning, but either I don't have them or don't notice them in 90 degree temps. 

Here's the same supertunias in the front, and they sparkle even when the sun goes down.

 

They really are so much better than the calibrachoa.  Need sun and a lot of water.  I lay wooden paint stirs across the top rim of any hanging flower to keep it up off the wet soil and let it get air. 

I came up with a fabulous way to clear coat the cabinet doors.  Because of their height (to the ceiling), it was difficult to get a smooth finish.  By the time I got a section done, the overlap was starting to dry.  So I used what you are told not to. 

 

The small high density foam rollers.  I used them in the foyer and they do leave a texture which I don't want on the cabinets.  But it would certainly do the long area quicker than a brush.  So I tried, and immediately followed with a wide sponge brush to smooth out the texture and it worked beautifully.  Then the roller jammed and wouldn't roll.  I tried it anyway and found that it created a perfectly smooth finish when it doesn't roll.  Just use a little pressure - I was thrilled.  Look how nice they came out!!  I have to work on them on the kitchen counter because of my neck/back.  Just can't lean over for any length of time.  Three large ones were in the new room drying, and the two small and other large were staying on the bar counter.  While cleaning the mess in the sink and washing the sponges, I set the hand sprayer back into its fricking hole, but it never shut off.  It sprayed me and all three perfectly smooth doors that were drying.

As I stood at the sink debating on which obscenities would be most appropriate, I saw this.

 

 

and this.

 

So I walked out of the kitchen, not even looking at the spots that ruined my work, and scratched a few buddies.   

 

There's always a bright side.  The other three large doors weren't affected, and I got hosed down on a hot day.

 

 Find the good in the bad.

Make up a few new cuss words ~

that usually ends in a laugh.

Eat a piece of L'OLakes 4 cheese Italian blend.

Follow with 4 Dove dark with almonds.

Have a good day!

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

Summer. Finally!

Hello people!  It's hot here - summer has finally arrived.  You would think that the brats would prefer to be in air conditioning, but I can't get them to come in.

You know it's humid when the camera from the cool house hits the outside air and fogs.

I went with all white supertunias (not million bells) this year and love the way they sparkle in the sun.  They don't look it in the photo but trust me, they sparkle.

 

 Million bells (calibrachoa) never last the summer for me.  Fertilized or not, they get spindly and brown out.  The supertunias are my choice for hanging baskets and the bubble gum color is always gone early.   A little larger flower than the bells, smaller than petunias, dense and never needing trimmed.

Squeak is eating $9 worth of baby food a day.  He won't eat anything else!  After one, he's crying at the door.  After two, he's crying at the door.  After three, he leaves without so much as a goodbye.  Morning, afternoon, and night.  He comes very late and I have to stand outside with a broom to keep the coons away while he's eating.  Baby coons are out now too.  Mark said we will have to factor $270 a month for his food into our retirement plan.  My chiropractor brings his Jack Russell to work and the mobile vet was there the other day.  He is a great doc and went out on his own, and has a fully equipped truck to handle all situations.  Good to know.  Our last dog was seen by this vet at another office years ago and I asked him about Squeak.  Of course he can't make a diagnosis, but from the fact that he ate way too much (prior to this) and stayed extremely thin, he feels it is hyperthyroidism.  Treatment is daily medication.  He will come out and test him if I can confine Squeak.  That may happen since I can touch him for 1/2 second now.

 

I have made the mistake of getting rid of charts I would never stitch and then wishing I had not.  I will be doing it again.  Lots of Prairie Schoolers that I don't want.  Ever.  I think I will do an EBay listing for all in about a month, after I go through them several times to make sure.

 

That's all I got!  I'm polyurethaning (water base) my cupboards with a few coats and up they go.  The first coats of satin finish actually made them look  more yellow, not because it is tinted, but any sheen changes the look.  I mixed the satin 2 to 1 with matte, and it's good.  You would think after all this that the kitchen would be done. Believe it or not, only the two new ones are.  Now that the paint is decided, the clear finish chosen, no more samples, no more testing, no more changes, I can start on my old ones.   The Dekton for the counter top is still a possibility, but at only 3/4", I have no idea if it would look good.  The soapstone is 1 1/4" and I can have a farmhouse sink made.  Twice the cost, but because I saved by not replacing the majority of my cabinets, I can splurge.  My sister's car is finished so that will be done today and we got the repairs done on ours, all that's left is part replacement on our dryer.  And a new push lawn mower.  And Squeak's food.

 

Have a fun and safe 4th!

Thanks for visiting.

 

 

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Magma review

Hiya.  Just got my Magma today. 

 

Large enough for the entire chart with very small but powerful magnets, and one full width for keeping your place.  Pocket with velcro for fabric and supplies.

With everything in, it can still close but if you had a lot of floss bags, maybe not.

It took me a while but I finally realized the additional snap is for securing in an open position for standing.  It can be upright or angled on its side. 

I think it's a great piece for take a longs, and even the smaller version would be nice to have.  I like it!! 

Squeak seems to continue improving slowly.  Keeping my fingers crossed. 

My girlfriend in NJ just called and is so excited to early retire.  She found that she could get healthcare for $120 a month, $0 deductible, and max $500 OOP, considered low income.  Even though she has over a million dollars in IRAs and annuities.  I guess you only have to claim the interest or gains, most of which stay in the fund so her "income" is low. I thought open enrollment was closed but she said since there is a large discrepancy in taxable income (since she retired) she can sign up.  Lots of things I didn't know.  Our far from wealthy friends have high monthly rates and very high deductibles, so I was surprised.

It's hot here. Chance for storms off and on with high humidity.  I have gained a few more pounds but it could be my hair expanding.  Well, truth be told, that's not the only thing expanding.  I had to give in, again, and get my new big girl panties.  I tried the slimming stretchy jeans and they only move it all up to the diaphragm area and then I can't bend over.  I dropped my keys this morning and had to tilt sideways to pick them up.  Couldn't breathe.

Enjoy your week.

Thanks for visiting!

 

 

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Wee Santa 2005

Good day all.  Just finished the Wee Santa and it was a really fun stitch. 

 

I changed his belt and hat, left off the border.  I usually don't stitch outlines on ornaments and don't know if it's laziness or aesthetics.  Here's lazy for you - I decided the belt needed holes and I had already stitched it solid.  I just went over the existing green stitch with brown thread.  It's fine.  Can't tell at all.  Well..... I just did.

 

  

Not sure of his finish - kind of liking the idea of fringed edges on the wool bag to fill with greens.  Or just backed with fabric.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

When I lost my computer, I also lost the link to these knobs.  I found the source in only one place and new searches have failed.  Anyone know where to purchase? 

  

I tried the suggestion of turkey or chicken baby food for Squeak and he is eating it.  Still can only eat so much and then stops.  The other three were sleeping and as soon as I put the dish down, the aroma made them all converge on Squeak's dish.  Didn't expect that!  I picked up Bud to put him in the house and he tore up my right hand, one is between the fingers.  Still haven't patched the hole Missy put in my other shirt, and now I have one more to do.

 

 

Have a wonderful week that is ending a summer month.  If only winter went as fast.

Thanks for visiting!

 

 

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