A cording experiment

Sometimes I find things to amuse me and other times to teach me but always I try things for the sake of trying. I am waiting for a cording tool to arrive from Amazon.com but in my search I found videos on other ways to make cording. One was using the bobbin winder on the sewing machine, and another using an electric drill. Yet another used an electric mixer. Now, I did not want to use my sewing machine, I did not dare touch Mr H's drill so that left the mixer.

The cord at the top was with the mixer. I used my hand mixer of course not the stand one and still managed to get my finger caught in the one beater!  The bottom cord is made by hand twisting with a pen. Each was with DMC 6 strand floss folded over itself twice equaling 4 strands at 32 inches. Finished length is approximately 11 1/2 inches with the mixer and about 10 inches by hand. The object is to control the mixer for thickness. Conclusion: leave the mixer for baking, and until the tool arrives, twist by hand. Not that I do not like the mixer cord, but I do not wish to break a finger. These will make nice ornament hangers.
I have been stitching on Elizabeth and have almost finished the outside border. I am enjoying taking my time with this one. I am about to finish the stitching on my strawberry and made a start on Amazing Grace. I love to keep busy. I just wish the draws in my brains file cabinet would stay shut so I would not find other projects.  I really just noticed that the picture of the linen I dyed, the Apple Green is not what it shows. I will take another picture and hope to capture the truer color.  So glad you visited today and hope you will again....thank you for the kind words.   Hope you have a great day.

Today, give a stranger one of your smiles.  It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.  

 H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Playing with color

Last week I bought a chart, Amazing Grace. It was ordered for me by The Attic and when I went to pick up the remainder of my Elizabeth Doll order it was in. What I did not do was purchase linen for it. What to do? Well, since it is a 51 mile one way drive there, I decided I would dye my own. I finally bought the dye, but of course like chips, I can never eat buy just one.....

going from left to right: the Rit color is Apple Green, small square is a quick dip into Rit  Navy, the middle is Sunshine Orange and finally Navy. For the Navy I left it in the bath for several minutes, until I liked the color. I have no idea what I will stitch on the Apple Green but I do have an idea for the Orange. Such fun playing with color! There are so many good designer out there. Sometimes we get into the habit of stitching from only one or two. Now that is not necessarily bad, but I am trying to discover other designs. This was found by Mr H while he was roaming around The Attic. I love the hymn and have often been referred to as Amazing Grace.....

I am pleased with the shade the dye bath gave me. The chart is by Brenda Riddle Designs. I will be stitching on 32 count and not sure if I want to use the recommended thread, WDW White Lightening. I may go with DMC white or B5200 or maybe a very light grey.... have to think about it. Anyway, I will look into what other designs she has. I just noticed the time! It is 4 am...what ... how can I be so busy?! Update on Elizabeth; still working slowly on this and  I am in no rush with it. I really enjoy the process of stitching a design and never try to hurry it along. While Mr H was in for his procedure yesterday (which seemed to take forever) I began a small BBD Strawberry design...nice pass the time stitching. I would like to fill it with emery sand.... has anyone  used this and if so any suggestions? I would appreciate any thoughts on it. Okay, it is really time for me to settle back for a while before doing laundry, the market and so forth. It is always nice to have you visit with me and thank you for the kind words. Your friendship is like a big hug ..... have a good day.

A hug is a handshake from the heart....

A surprise and a witch....

Yesterday when I returned from the Post Office I found my mail delivery. A package for me! I love to find mail especially for me, not bill, ads and the like. Something for just me. The letter with it said Surprise! and I was....

a lovely pin-keep and personalized gift tags! I will be using these soon. How thoughtful of Lynn to think of me. She is very talented and her blog is wonderful, be sure to stop by and visit with her. Did you notice that the gift card for the pin-keep is the same design? Talented indeed. Lucky me.
Another witch has been stitched and this one is for me...

I really enjoy embroidery, it was one of the first hand work crafts I learned as a child. I may be doing a little more of it in the near future. Thank you for the wonderful comments on my Hummingbird Garden framed and hung. It really is nice to see as I enter the kitchen from the living room. Today I will be at work so my stitch time is nil. Tomorrow Mr H has more tests... and today he has many restrictions one of them being no food! I have posted so many notes: no milk, no solid foods, only orange jello, drink all day, etc., etc. Hope he reads them! I will be a little stressed at work to say the least not being here to "take care" of him. I think I want need a glass of wine....too early so I will settle for a cup of tea. Thanks for stopping by today and do have a good day.

Sometimes you just need to take a deep breath.

Busy busy......

I have been a bit busy. Yesterday was my Tatting Meet-up and it was get. Several ladies stopped and a few asked to join us for September. Hope they do join us. One of the ladies who did come was a 99 yer old lady. She has been tatting for 80 years! I thought I would get some tats in, but The Debra and I were too busy explaining and signing them up. Good day. I did get to find a frame for Hummingbird Garden...
.....plain and simple. Oh I see my reflection...sorry about that. Just think of it as Gracie the Ghost! There is another chart in this booklet but I will have to wait to do that one. This is why I choose this frame...

it is from the same collection as Clematis and since I was going to hang them together, I thought it would look nice. They are on the wall with the slider that exits to our lanai into the garden. Perfect place I think. I did work on Elizabeth....

I would have had more stitched but going out to Tat for a few hours prevented that. I also spent some time organizing myself with it. I separated one strand of silk from each 5 yard hank and wound it on a clothespin and labelled them of course. I also decided to start the center designs as I came to them stitching the inside border so I will not have to count for placement later. Love the colors.
Our day is partly cloudy. Last evening we had a pouring rain which lasted all of 5 minutes.... as quickly as it started it ended. Other than a trip to the Post Office to mail out my RR piece, I plan to stitch. Now if Mr H cooperates and has no errands, that will be my day. Around here, there is no such thing as plans, everything is on the fly. With that, I must "fly" now and make a cup of tea and stitch, Elizabeth awaits my company. Have a wonderful day. It was so nice to visit and chat with you.

Page 1, at the corner

It is just so quiet....the only sound is the ticking of the clock's pendulum. It just struck 5 (am). The morning newspaper has not yet arrived and I have not had my cup of coffee. Later today I will be going to my Tatting Meet-up but for now, it is just me up and about.Yesterday was a nice relaxing day. The sky was cloudy most of the day and some thunder could be heard last night. In the afternoon, I began Elizabeth...

well, her skirt. I have am ready to turn the bottom left corner. The colors are so pretty and I love working with these Gloriana silk threads. While it is quiet and little to distract me, I will  continue to work on her skirt. First, I must have some coffee and breakfast. Slice of toast and a hard boiled egg sound about right. thank you for visiting with me and for your kind words. I am happy to have you as a friend. Enjoy your day.

Friendship is a knot tied by angels’ hands.