Just Tryin' to Get Ur Done

Making great progress on HATS Jane Marshall.  It was the fund raiser for the fires in Australia.  She is so pretty.  I used DMC colors:  356, 729, 758, 869, 924, 926, 3051, 3053, 3750, 3777, 3799.   I think I had dyed the fabric a little darker after I stitched the outside border in Tan Rit Dye. I finished the flowers on the vine last night after I took the picture.  

I joined the Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe Linen of the Month club and got my first half yard last week.  It is a very lovely lightly mottled cream similar to between Lakeside Light Examplar and Butter Cream.  I'm sure I will put it too good use.  It is 40 count.  I look forward to getting more. 

Trying to get the bugs worked out of doing therapy over the internet and telehealth during these crazy  times.  Good thing I have computer geek kids.  I used Katy as my sampler today and getting things to work out.  

Been using a new harness on Buster and walking him periodically.  Kind of windy here today.  Trying to decide whether to go.  

Not much else going on here.  Hope you are well!  We are fine here.

Keep on stitching 

Monica

Are We Freaking Out Yet?

What a difference a week can make, or two weeks.  Just a few weeks ago, I was thinking about getting some new clothes for the Stitcher's Escape British Isle but, that tour got cancelled.  I am sad but relieved at the same time.  I should get most of my money back.  That is a good thing.  I was really looking forward to going.  I could have scheduled for a future trip but, who know what the future will bring at this time.  

Been doing stuff around the house.  Yesterday, I cleaned out and rearranged my pantry.  It was really disorganized.  I found several packages and ounce here and there that are old.  I ate some and didn't get sick so I figure they are usable.  I need to Google how long chocolate is really good for.  Doing a little stitching but, didn't get too much done today.  

I'm a Hand therapist at our local hospital.  The hospital has pretty much suspended non critical procedures at this time.  We have a department meeting tomorrow to figure out what is going to happen.  We see post operative clients that a delay in treatment could adversely impact the process.  Those people may be seen on a limited basis for a short time and then periodically to upgrade home programs.  We also see inpatients and thats who I will see tomorrow.  Just like everyone, everything is up in the air.  We maybe able to work in other areas like, screening people at the entrances to the hospital.  Since my trip was cancelled, I can also use PTO.  

One of the things I did today was make an emergency stitch kit to keep in my work bag.  I got the last issue of Prim Stitching and Punchwork.  I'm not renewing it because I really haven't liked that much but, I did like the Theresa Kogut.  I used Rit Rich Chocolate Dye.  I probably should have used more dye but, I'm good with the color the fabric turned out.  I will probably use the red as the darker color because the terra cotta color may get lost with the fabric color.  

Had to pick up a prescription at Walgreens today.  We loaded the boys up and took them with us for a car ride.  Then we all got home and took a nap. 

Buster is all over the place.  Henry would be too if he could get up front.

Hope everything is going well with you and you aren't too stressed out.  It is stressful time.  What gets me is the unpredictable nature.  Its like waiting for the hurricane on snow storm of the century.  I am thankful that I stitch! 

I got one more good thing.  On our walk this afternoon, Buster and I heard robins!  Hooray!!

Hang in there. 
Keep on Stitching
Monica

Some Market Stash

Picked up some of my Market buys from the Stitching Bee last Thursday.  It was kind of a spur of the moment trip.  I wasn't sure if my order would be ready but, we decided to take the chance and go.  

I do have more on my list that are coming.  

From Cross Stitch Antiques:  Catherine Morgan and Carter House.  The Carter House was actually from last year but, I decided to get them both.  Some of the proceeds go to the Battle of Franklin Trust to support historic sites.  I lived in Nashville during the mid to late 1980's, so this is kind of special to me.  

WTN&T:  Manor at Quaker Hill and Token of Love

BBD:  Little Birds. 

I finished the BBD Petites Lettres Rouge on a small old piece of 36 count Lakeside Linen Examplair.  I used Classic Colorworks Cherry Cobler and Colonial Rose.  My initials are in the rose.  I probably have said this before, the antique samplers often employed this as a way to personalize a sampler.  Its a lot easier than trying to find a place to put it in.  I just like the way it looks too!  I put my grandmother's name in.  It has specially meaning to me since she bought me my first iron on cross stitch piece and skeins of embroidery floss.  Boy, did she create and animal!  She also taught me how to crochet and quilt.  She was an amazing woman and I loved her to pieces!

I had to take this picture of Buster, nearly sliding off his perch on the back of the couch.  He was out cold. 

I got this frame at Hobby Lobby but it was kind of a bland wood.  When I Briwaxed my tray for the Quaker Sewing Tray, I did this too.  It darkened up the frame a little.  I think the wood looks richer than it did initially.  It fit Mary Miller pretty well too!  Now I just have to find a piece of wall to bang a nail into to hang it.  

I hope you all are doing well and have enough toilet paper!  I know that I find great solice in stitching at this time. Even the act of doing it is calming.  I am so glad I have plenty of supplies! 

Everyone hang in there.  Wash your hands, call and check up your elderly neighbors or family members or seek out help if you need it.  Even though it feels like we may be isolated, we are a community!

Keep on Stitching
Monica

Fully Finished

I finished Brenda Gervais' Quaker Sewing Tray.  It was very quick and fun stitch!  I added my initials in the top flower and latice motif, over one on 36 count, so it wasn't too bad.  I love colors in it:  Weeks Baked Apple,  Oscar, Sage and Palamino, Colorworks:  Colonial Rose and Barn Door.  I took me about a week...so like I said, very quick stitch!

This is the napkin holder before I painted it.  I took the leather patch that said napkins off and sanded it down before I painted it.  

I used Cremacoat Barn Red per the directions but, didn't mix it with white.  I left it the Barn Red.  After it dried I used Briwax which is tinted furniture wax.  I use it on a lot of things over the years.  

I let it dried overnight and buffed it up this morning.  Mounted the piece on some board, used some framer's tape and laced it up a little before putting into the tray.  I decided not to glue it in since there is a little space between the box and the piece, so if a needle or something got in that space, I could easily get it out.  

A side view of it.  I can't say its perfect but, it is rustic.  I should sand it between coats of paint but, I think too much would have come off.  

While I was taking pictures, my trusty sidekick just couldn't hold his head up.  He was sleeping with his head on the chair rung.   We started walking yesterday with his new harness.  Too much for a short guy. 

I'm starting on a BBD freebie Petites Lettres Rouge.  I think I will finish this as a stitch matt, not sure yet.  The fabric I'm using, I'm only leaving a one inch border.  

The weather was fantastic this weekend.  It was in the mid forties yesterday, and mid fifties today.  Good days to walk Buster.  We didn't go far, we both are woefully old and out of shape.  

Hope you had a good weekend!
Remember wash your hands often for 20 seconds or sing Happy Birthday twice!

Have a wonderful week. 

Stay Calm and Stitch More!
Monica

Leap Year Day Start

I thought would work on Sarah Braizear for a week.  I wanted to finish that section to the right.  I have a lot of satin stitching to do at the end.  There are also all kids of little leaves in the dark brown I may also have to put in the spots.  I am not too concerned about getting those exactly right because to be honest with you, things may not be perfectly spaced to begin with.  There are a lot of places I have fudged it. Don't get me started on a few motifs I missed on His Eye is On the Sparrow, that I didn't notice until it was framed!  That was a holy crap moment. 

I finished the section yesterday.  I have the bottom third left to do and all the satin stitching around the border.  I have a system for the satin stitching that will help with coverage, keep the thread from warping and isn't too thick.  I'm doing this on 40 count.  I tried double thread for coverage but, thought it was way too thick.  A single thread isn't right.  I experimented with doing a tent stitch then a satin stitch over it.  I think it worked really well.  The satin stitch doesn't seem to move around or warp the fabric.  I will probably see how it works on the border.  I must say she is looking really good.  

Last weekend, when I went to the Stitching Bee I picked up Quaker Sewing Tray and the threads.  I started that yesterday evening.  I also got a tray to put it in when I'm done.  I'm using the called for thread and stitching on 36 count Lakeside Examplar one thread over two. 

I started sanding the tray.  It was painted white, felt like chalk paint.  I think Brenda Gervais' finishing instructions recommended painting it white first then red.  I will finish it finally with Briwax.  I am really excited about this.  I plan on using it next to my stitching chair to keep my Ort jar, extra supplies, dololly and scissors. 

It was a beautiful weekend here.  We went to Pet Supply with Buster to test drive harnesses.  We got him a new one.  He is hard to walk, pulls and chokes himself.  Then we took him to see Grandma.  He got lots of pets from the old people hanging out.  He is really good with people.  Henry not so much.  Henry is too nervous and can get a little nippy.  He can't be trusted.  Buster on the other hand would be a great therapy dog.  He is very chill. 

I did join the Victorian Motto Sampler fabric club, at least for a little while.  I signed up for 40 count but, may change it periodically, get some 46 and 36 count.  She will let you do  that.  You can cancell at any time with notice.  I'm looking forward to it.  I will try it for a few months.  I can always use fabric. 

Hope you had a good weekend.  Remember good hand hygiene wash for 20 seconds is the best defense for these viruses.  Hand santizer should work too. 

Keep on Stitching
Monica