Taut or not

Greetings stitching buds.  Just wanted to show you how I set up the large hoop.  While waiting for the basic floor stand quilting hoop to be revamped, I thought I would see if the K's Creations scroll stand could possibly work. 

 

 

Well it did.  I expanded the bottom to accommodate the huge hoop and used the same wing nuts.  It already had bolts on the inner hoop because it came with a stand (that doesn't angle toward me and I can't use).  Sally was just stuck on there to show you her size.  I'll press the linen to remove the mess from handling and secure her later.  Probably not the right size hoop but it will work well enough to keep my hand from holding all that linen.  I need to leave it loose for the sewing method and it's not my favorite way to stitch.  Though in this case, necessary.  So please, those of you that know proper size and position for hoops, stitching on taut and centered linen, accept my apology for any queasy stomachs brought on by this photo. 

Finish off a few more rows and I will be into the bottom area of motifs.  Soon I hope!

 

Have a great weekend!!

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The sun is still shining

 

even though I need a light jacket after sundown.  It's August but more like late September.  Someone is enjoying the warmth in her own little secret garden.  Since I started watering the flowers with the diluted fertilizer, they are almost covering the barrel.

 

Also in the sun was my monster bowl that was close to black from being dirty. The oil soap did nothing but make it more sticky and it had to be cleaned before display.  My other spray cleaner Simple Green (auto section in Walmart) wasn't touching it either. I assumed the tackiness was built up household grime but I needed Lestoil to remove the layers.  Took many rinses between scrubs and finally got it clean.  Now you can see the wood grain and character.  And when I saw that it doesn't fit in our chairs, I was very pleased to realize it's much larger than my a**.

 

 

 

 

 

 

While continuing our new car search, Mark stopped at the quilt shop so I could browse and I found a few more prints.  With all my leftover boxes, fabric covering sounds like a good idea. 

 

Still slowly working on Sally, been feeling out of sorts for a few days.  Also not happy that it may be my menoride (a bright car easily found in parking lots, eliminating the need for wandering around in a sweaty snit) that is given to Carole.  Neither of us want to let go of our old vehicles but one of us must. 

 

That's it folks!

Hope all is well with you and yours.

 

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Choices for Ruth

Greetings all.  Another nice week coming, now predicted for high 70's.  Mark is finishing up the second coat of oil base of the last swing.  We have one other chair in the attic, brand new unfinished, which we will probably keep that way for now.  We bought the swings locally many years ago and since then the high back cedars have more than doubled in price.  Doesn't bode well for replacing our cedar siding if it's risen that much.

 

 

 

I was trying to decide if I should just line and hang Ruth on the wall with the others.  Then I thought a larger kind of flat pillow may be something different.    With a little stuffing she would fit perfectly here and the black back shows her off nicely. 

The other option, since I have so much fabric left at the bottom, would be to fold it back and create a pouch with fringed back flap.  It would double as a display pillow but I could remove the quilt batting piece and have a usable pouch if I change my mind.  Two options for one finish sounds good.

Then I saw the Gable House Goodes post here and my plans melted.  I started searching the house for a piece of shaped wood or something I could dismantle to use.  And then it happened.  I lost Ruth.  Bad habit of setting something down when I am distracted and then .... where the hell is it.  Took me quite a while to find her again.  My mind was made up to do a board pouch, but I have a tattered old quilt from mom and it may be better to use those scraps for the pouch, making one for Carole too.  This one is just gorgeous fabric and color isn't it?  Well what of her creations is not? 

 

Have a great day!!

 

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August!!!

NOOOOOOOOOOO!  This is probably why I never have any Christmas items for sale.  I don't want to think about the coming seasons so I ignore them and then it's too late to start sewing or painting.  We've had two weeks of very nice weather and this week will be low to mid 70's.  Next thing you know, 40 at night and it's all downhill from there.

 

I started working on Sally Fiske again because I have to finish her now or I won't ever.  Kitpin was staring at me and I apologized, she would have to wait.  My new hoop (10") is not large enough for Sally.  There is so much fabric in my lap and on the sides that I can't get to the back of the hoop.  I took the large floor stand from the back of my car (should have been dropped off at Goodwill last week) and was grateful for procrastination.  Mark is going to modify it for me so I hope it will work out.

 

My brother's wife had many many baskets, most of which were handmade by weavers she knew, or from shows.  It was time to move them out so my car is filled for the consignment shop.  My sister took a few beauties and I only kept a few smalls, a very well made round, and a larger flat back which had hearts and houses stenciled on the wide band.  I used a soft wire brush and Simple Green - now they're gone!   When it's dry I may have to go over that band with a little stain but it's better than stencils.  Must have been purchased long ago. 

I'm concerned that my favorite shop in Volant, James Creek Galleries, may be changing too much.  Several friends noticed it and think it may be heading for closing.  I sure hope not.  The gal that worked there through several owners and many years, knowledgeable and a pleasure to visit, is no longer there.   We lost a shop in Vienna Ohio recently and except for Meander Hill, there isn't much anything around.  Especially for upholstered pieces and case goods.  Pine Cone gift shop is about 90 minutes and looks to be a nice place, but I try to stay away from any distance rides because of my neck.  Years ago there were several nice places in the Boardman area but I keep asking, no one knows of any now.

 

A peek into my pantry - Walgreen's had Dove on sale last week 2/$5.  Great price.  Can't pass up a bargain.  They must be making smaller bags because they are not lasting as long as they should.

 

Have a great start to your week.  The first week of the last month of summer.  I need a pill.

 

Thanks for visiting.

 

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...and the funnel...and Ruth

Hiya.  Forgot to show you the wooden funnel I got too.  Never saw one of these either.  The stem appears to be broken at the tip, very thin wood there but the rest is substantial.  Very fine turning grooves, barely visible.

 

I wasn't going to take it but Mark thought it was nice so it's mine.  I decided to keep the monster bowl.  I tried propping it against the wall on top of a cupboard but it's hard to stabilize.  It's much bigger than the top of my stool but I will eventually find a spot.  I plan on cleaning it with Murphy's Oil Soap.  The funnel is pretty clean and I read that they were used for cider instead of metal which reacted with it.  I'm sure they had other uses too.

 

I don't care for vegetables but I do like this.

Cut the sprouts in half, brown cut side down in large fry pan with minimal oil.  Add some (3/4 - 1 cup) chicken broth and golden raisins, a little sugar if needed, a little salt, cover on low until tender.  Just roasting them in the oven at high temp, cut side down, is good too but Mark loves these.

 

 

AND....

 

Ruth.  Aged.

 Of course I changed some colors, moved the large vase over one, changed the base of it, added green for the leaves, and then moved up the Ruth box.  I wasn't going to stitch it at all because I didn't like it just hanging there by itself.  I could have added some motifs or border along with it at the bottom, and depending on the finishing, may put it back where it belongs if I need more height to the piece.  Not sure what it will be yet.  The large vase is stitched over 3 and once I got the first row done (I started with the vase top edge) the rest was easy because I followed their placement.  I used two strands instead of one that is called for.

 

Have a great weekend!!

 

Thanks for visiting.

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Bowl me over

 

Greetings pals. A short post with photos of one item.  My new purchase.  It's sitting on a 38" wide table.  Yowza.

 

I have never seen a wooden bowl this large.  It's huge.  A few cracks within the bowl but nothing on the rim.  The top lip is worn down where it was always handled but most of it isn't. 

 

It was at an estate sale on top of a very high large cupboard.  No one saw it but my brother's friend.  So they brought it down and put a price sticker on it but no one wanted it.  There were no primitives, mostly traditional pieces, so he made an offer after the sale.  Bingo.  The inside is dirty and dusty, anxious to see the wood after cleaning. 

The last bowl I bought was the largest I had and I thought it was huge, but you can see how much larger this one is.  It's almost too big.  The stitchery smalls wouldn't even show, just sink to the bottom.

It certainly catches your eye, too big for end tables, the desk, and I'm wondering if it's too high and large for the table.  Not bad in the photos, but in person, it's looks disproportionate.  It will be a good trade at an antique store if I can't find a suitable spot.

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