A little chart for you part 2 and an egg critter

Hiya.  Me again.  In case you downloaded the chart or were interested in stitching this, I thought I would show you the update that I changed on the original post.  I don't know how to publish the edited version as a new post so here's the chart with the verse.  So many emails from readers (THANK YOU!!) that like the chart but knew that the initials wouldn't work, so I graphed two different lines if you would prefer either of these.  It could be stitched without the verse, too.  On 28 count it would fit in a 5x7 frame if you remove the entire top branch, or without the verse and roots.  So here you go.

 

And now for the egg critter.  I made a few hard boiled eggs for a chicken salad and look what I got.  This never happened before!!  The entire yolk held together and scared the heck out of me when I took the lid off the pan.  I thought I boiled a baby chick!!  The rest is still in the shell. 

That's it!!

Later!!

Needle Keep Free Project

Hi all.  Just a quick post during a raging flash.  I posted a project on the page titled Needle Keep (under the header).  I'm soaked and want to get outside in the cold for a few minutes so this is really quick.  Here's the finished piece...

 This is the inside.  The chart and the instructions are on the page, so if you're interested, check it out.  I would like to post more but I really need to get outside.   I really appreciate the support, friendship, information, and needed help over the last year and I hope you like this project as my way of saying THANK YOU!!!   I gotta get outside!!!!

LATER!!!

Finishing a freebie!

Hello people!    I'm still playing with interfacing and decided to try a shape without corners.  Since I don't have any - that I can find or remember stitching - I made one up.  And guess what?  I don't like it.  I used Jobelan for the project as a test for the Santa ornaments.   I would have much preferred one floss color for the alphabet on an unusual linen color.  And after all my bleaching and dyeing - I have that!    Instead, I picked five fall colors on sage Jobelan that was later coffee stained. 

I'm going to post the chart and template at the end of the post if you would like to stitch the pear.  If you don't want to be bored through my photos and routine instructions, just scroll down.   Blogger has changed the format when you click on a photo but you can still right click to print or "save as" when the new page opens.

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Please understand that posts sharing my experiments or trials certainly are not meant to imply that you need my advice or that I know it all.  After 25 years, I'm learning again, and dragging you down with me!  I get emails from readers asking for more clear information on subjects, as well as emails telling me the mistakes I am making, or suggestions to help.  So I'm learning from you while I'm sharing my progress.   

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    After I stitched the piece, I used a marker and just followed the outline at least an inch from the stitches on one side.  Folding it exactly in half and then cutting on the outline gave me evenly matched sides, then stitched right sides together to a piece of felt. 

I used my presser foot as an edge guide and I could have sewn in a little further for a smaller piece.  Now to cut the facing.  

I placed the pear over the facing and used a thick needle to pierce through the seam, poking holes in the facing beneath.  You then have a perforated outline to trace, fold, and cut.  I had trouble seeing the holes so I placed a dark fabric beneath.  Minor adjustments and cuts were made to fit inside. 

 After pressing the Decor Bond, I decided to hem it a little higher and had no problem pulling the facing off the fabric a little and cutting more off.  If you need to make an adjustment, reheating with the iron will allow the facing to be lifted, repositioned, or cut.  Pressed the seams open and turned it out.  No facing on the felt, it stood by itself, and held the shape nicely.  

I'm using quilt batting again instead of the loose fill and just cut to fit the shape.  Pretty easy finish once again!  Now I'm anxious to see how both coarse and fine linen work.  I did finally get a silicone finger to prevent burns when ironing seams open and it worked fine.  (And hid the crooked bumpy joint.)

 

 So here's the chart if you would like to stitch the pear shape along with the template.  I had a heck of a time trying to get this to scan properly.  Click on the chart/template, then right click and hit print and it should print the correct size.  If not, try "save as".   I must have used half a ream of paper testing the copies and scans but I did get a nice fire out of the deal.   I'll test again once it's posted and if it doesn't work, I'll try again.  Your seam will be stitched inside the template, width depending on your seam guide.  Don't forget to add a little rolled piece of felt/wool for the stem, or a real one!  Add the little leaf and there you go.  I think I will stitch one on my saffron linen, a greenish shade, and a darker brown, all different thread counts.  Several sizes and colors in a display might look pretty darn nice.  And if not, they'll make a nice hostess or exchange gift. 

Hope you like this little freebie!!!  

Thanks for the visit.
Oh!  One more thing.  If you're a Yankee Candle fan, they are having a buy 2 get 2 free offer on their large jars and tumblers.  Go to their website and use code CATH211 or I can email a coupon to use in participating stores.  Great holiday gifts for a good price!

Sampler bag freebie

Please bear with me!  I have no idea how to do this correctly so if this doesn't work - I'll try to find the correct procedure and post again.  There is a chart with color only, and one with symbols.  I don't think this program shows the symbols clearly so I wanted to post both.  I'm editing here to add that I checked the blog once this was posted and the symbols for the vase are not correct.  I can't get them to be all the same but they should be - the color is 844 and the vase is solid.  Same with the bird - the legs have two symbols but they should be all 844.  The program is very user friendly, but I can see now that it saves differently than the original file.  Yikes.  Using the color chart, it may be hard to tell the browns apart, so 898 is the middle border line and the entire small alphabet.  The other brown areas are 829.  The page with floss colors is separate.  Why?  Because I can't get them on one page!!!  WHY???  You should be able to click on them to enlarge, save, and then print.  Please email and let me know if this isn't working.   I hope this works and hope you enjoy the chart!!  Feel free to email me with problems or comments.  I'm new!!!  Help!!

I also forgot to mention in the prior post that I kept the selvage edge showing on the bag because it has a little fuzz looking like chenille trim and I liked that. 

I'm stitching!!!

Hello everyone.  I finished my little sampler bag/pouch/pocket.  Here it is....

I like it!  SO much easier when it's not fabric that needs stretched to be straight, interfacing, lining, and fleece!  This is much more my style and as someone once told me - stick to what you like!  It works.   I enjoyed it so much that I am doing another on the saffron colored linen.  Here's the lining I used. 

Not sure how the color of this fabric is showing so here's another pic in the sun...

I charted this and will be posting a freebie of it later today or tomorrow morning.  Not sure if you will like it, but I do!   I'll check Blogger help to see how to do it, and I hope some of you will be interested in stitching it.   

I am still undecided about framing Fanny, so here's where she is perched...

A few other things I wanted to bring up.  I've been blog lurking for a few years, and I've never seen Amelia Boyce.  SL has her back on the purchase list, but I really can't see the stitching very well.   Is the cathedral all cross stitch or left bare?  I love the design (and will never stitch it) but it's always intrigued me, especially since I've never seen a close up or an actual stitched piece.  Maybe it was popular before my lurking.  

I have to tell you what happened the other day at McDonald's when I stopped for a quick cup of decaf.  While I was waiting at the counter for the pot to brew, an older gentleman with a toupee as obvious as black on white, looked at me and said "you got some wild hair".   Then he winked.  He was 6'4", his rug was thick, curly, and reddish.  I'm 5'10" with hair that is thick, fuzzy, and REAL.  Can you imagine?   Hub said he probably thought we would make a cute couple.   Or at least command attention.

I'll be back with the chart later.....I'm going to my brother's to see the latest feral litter of six.  He can't keep any more or afford to have any more spayed, so these are going to a farm which kills me.  There will be at least 20 more in nine months.  Mom and three of the babies are calico (99.9% are females) so that's 4 at least.  Our agencies are over run and can't take any more.  He is the only one in his area that is feeding and trying to help these homeless babes.  He just spent another $50 today for antibiotics for two from the last litter.  Thank goodness for ONE vet that will dispense for ferals.  None of our others will help without bringing the animals in.  Do they not understand the word FERAL????