Nov 30, 2018

Bristle feather style tree

Hi folks. Visited Meander Hill in Austintown Ohio yesterday and as usual, a lovely colonial shop.  In case you are looking for a feather style tree, they do have these and are willing to ship.  A large version is available I believe.  The branches are fairly stiff and can hold your stitched ornaments and glass, not sure about really heavy ones.  This is their Facebook page where you can contact Evan.
 
 
 
 
They had another short one that had more stems off the branches rather than singles, really really nice, more expensive.  The photos of that one did not come out!  Stringing lights on this style isn't easy but they are a perfect way to display stitched pieces, plenty of space to hang free.  Same goes for vintage or family glass balls.  They also have the German twig trees in two sizes.
 
Just thought I would mention for those of you that have no access to these sweet primitive trees.



 
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Nov 29, 2018

Almost!

The door and windows need painted but without cooperation from the weather, they may have to wait until spring.   I do like the contrast of dark and light which is one reason I wanted the beams for this room.  This light gray which I thought would never work, has turned out to be the perfect color.  Yes, I am amazed.
















Not sure I am loving the black hinges but they will stay.  I've decided against farmhouse style decorations, will stick with primitive/colonial but on a much lighter and more sparse note.

And someone is getting comfortable on these cold and snowy days.

Hope you are!!

I'm still a crabass.

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Nov 28, 2018

Another add

to stash I will never stitch.  But maybe, just maybe, I will have enough confidence and patience to pick up Sharon Cohen's designs one day.  I've managed to snag the pockets on Ebay, last month the Tree of Life, and yesterday this beauty.  Tent stitches on 32 count and I may be able to handle that.
 
 
Even if I never stitch them, having them is a good thing.  I'm sure many of you understand wanting to possess special designs that make us smile, even if we only look at the photo!
 
Have a great day.
 
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Nov 27, 2018

Interior white is OK

but exterior white makes me snarl.  And it's been off and on along with rain for weeks.  This is the most cold, wet, gloomy, and miserable fall in memory.  Which is short but that's beside the point.  And I am certain that you are bored and annoyed with paint posts, but I search and read blogs about color choices, many have helped me.  So just in case some of you have an undertone phobia as I do, here 'ya go.  Can't believe I found what I feel is exactly what I wanted. 
 
So if you're wondering how I'm liking the white room, here's the scoop.  I had to change the color, just a bit.  The walls of BM White Dove with a reduction in the yellow tint is perfect.  The same color on all trim (which experts advise against) was nice, but looked like the room was primed, not painted.  Maybe it was the soft look (I chose eggshell), or maybe the experts know more than I do, but Mark did not care for it either.  So before the final coat, I got a few samples, one of which looked to have a pink undertone but I was out of options.  Bingo.  Even in this room that always shows a pinkish cast, this color did not. 
 
Classic Gray from BM (mixed by Behr). 
I've seen it on blogs paired with Simply White which is lighter and more yellow than White Dove, and did not want the modern vibe of gray.  But here it is.  It doesn't look gray, it doesn't look beige, it looks like a darker version of the wall.  Very neutral.  Do I see the pink that I saw in the swatch?  No.  Is it a noticeable difference from the wall?  Yes, but not much.  No color really, just a slight difference from the walls, as if a dirty white.  If I didn't remove some of the yellow in the wall paint, I don't think it would have worked.
 
The sash isn't painted yet but as you can see outside, it's snowing.  If it's not snowing, it's raining.  If it's not raining, it's blowing frigid air.  Maybe one day before June I will be able to open and paint it!
 
I'm really glad I used my trick on the hinges.  Just in case they would have to be removed, I did not want them to lift the paint from the cupboard which has happened on other pieces.  I back the hinges with 3M scotch tape and trim excess.  They won't stick into the paint and we had no trouble when removing them, even with fresh paint.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thanks for your help about the DNA kits.  I ordered them for the two people that really want this.  And because of the sale price, ordered an extra that I may take.  Why?  Well, to see why my mother's wedding photos that only my immediate family have, are there and by whom.  Also, there is a village in Switzerland by Italy's border with my father's family name.  I do not plan to be public, nor do I have intentions to contact anyone, and I understand that I can delete my results with this company as long as they were not shared by another member.  If I'm not public, there is no way to be shared.  We'll see.  I've done some research after your emails and comments and found that as time goes on, the location of your heritage can change as more people submit their ... well .. spit.  So it's certainly not written in stone, and although for some it may be very accurate, for others, it's a guess.  Would I have ordered for myself if it wasn't half price?  No.  I only buy on sale or with coupons (thank you Kohl's!).   I have a year to take it, and if I change my mind, I can gift to another.
 
No stitching, no decorating, but heading in the right direction.  This evening I plan to bleach the osnaburg curtains I made since they are so very dark, and then take some time to fringe the edges and hang this week.  Not sure if I will like the look but until I decide on a style to purchase, they're a cheap and easy alternative.
 
Hope your week goes well.
 
Thanks for visiting.
 
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Nov 24, 2018

A question

Hi folks.  Have any of you taken the DNA ancestry test kit?  Two family members want this for Christmas and we were wondering how invasive they are.  To my absolute surprise and dismay, my mother's photos and wedding pictures are on a site that a cousin tried.  No one else in the family has these photos, nor did she, and I am really upset that privacy does not seem to be a concern with these companies.  How the hell did they get photos from over 70 years ago?  They are not on Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media in fact, the cousin did not ever see these photos and wasn't sure who they were.  What the hell?  I need to investigate further through phone calls and whatever I need to do to find out where they get permission to use, and sources to find, such personal items.  I am really ticked. 
My nephew is adopted and has never desired a search for biologic parents.  When his son does this test, they will obviously be listed.  You don't have to contact others, but we understand that once you submit your sample you will become part of the database and your information will be out there for contact from others (that you may not want to hear from).
 
If you submitted your DNA, would you mind sharing the experience and what was available to you from which company?  I would appreciate any input.  Thanks.
 
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Nov 21, 2018

Can a crabass be thankful?

Of course.

Does that mean gratitude can change your mood?
Not necessarily. 

Can you be thankful for what you have and still be a crabass?
Living proof.

Does knowing others are worse off lighten your mood?
Not necessarily.
It just makes you more grateful, not less crabby. 

How about when you spend a lot of money on a fresh and natural no antibiotic and no hormone turkey and breast, and the meat squeaks when sliced?  Tastes unusual?  Must be swallowed whole for fear of breaking a tooth?
Not really.

How about when the fresh market squash you bought has a secret inside?
Nope.

How about when there is more pie filling on the bottom of the oven than in the pie?
Keep going.

Maybe when you shop at 10pm for another breast and will be up all night thawing it for an early roasting?
Getting close.

Or when the doors on your new expensive cabinets are so warped you need to buy wood and make new ones yourself?
Not quite.


How about when you sit down and think about all the things that DO go right, and the people that are still with us, and the fact that we are still here to crab?
Bingo.

Many people go through mood swings, depression, sadness, isolation, grief, stress, loss.  And how many times do we tell them to be grateful, even during hard times, because there is always someone worse off?  It's true, but in many cases it is not that simple and their burden cannot be lightened with that thought.  They may believe it, and know they are better off than some, but don't be upset with them if that fact doesn't make them feel better.

Just a thought on a day of Thanks.  I'm doing well, hope you are too.

Happy Thanksgiving to you.
 
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