Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Hand-Dyed Floss ... What Are They Thinking?

I have gotten back to stitching these past 2 days after being out of town & then recuperating from same.  I had joined a mini SAL but unfortunately could not finish the mini project in time so it had to be abandoned.  I did, however, resume stitching on my May RAK which of course I can't show you right now but will do so when it is received by the person who is getting it   : )

One of the things I did yesterday, in addition to going to the dentist again, was I filed away my new floss acquisitions that had been piling up here on the diningroom table for longer than I want to admit.  All went well until I filed the GAST threads & saw I already had a skein of this particular color ... or so the tag says!

Both skeins are GAST Simply Shaker Sampler Threads & both are the color Grape Leaf.  Really?  If it wasn't for the names on the tags I would doubt that!  I know other stitchers have sometimes mentioned the difference in shades they have encountered in skeins of the same color name now & then, & yes ... hand-dyed skeins often come out a bit different with each new batch ... but this different?!?!?  Both skeins were purchased within the last 9 months. 

Another thing I did yesterday was I finally disassembled my designer floss filing system from the diningroom chandelier.  For those of you who did not see this system while in use or who may have forgotten about it, here is a photo of it in all its glory.  As you can well imagine, the chandelier looks rather bare now & is definitely no longer unique in the world of home decor.  I made some space in a closet upstairs & hung the rings of floss on the rod in there.  It's not as convenient for me since I now have to go upstairs in order to gather floss for a project that calls for designer stuff, but the floss is more easily accessible as far as finding the brand & skein color I am looking for.  I suppose the exercise I get going up & down the steps every now & then to do this ... the only exercise I get for the most part ... is a good thing as well.  
Yesterday's visit to the dentist was rather painless.  The root canal has finally settled down (thank goodness!) but the permanent crown keeps popping off & the bridge is taking some getting used to.  I just have to make it through another 2 appointments & then hopefully all will be well & I'll be able bid farewell to dental visits until next year.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Today it's off to Lexington again.  I will be visiting the eye doctor to pick up my no-line bifocals.  I can't say I have a whole lot of faith that these are going to work for me this year since they didn't work for me last year but we shall see ... no pun intended    : )   Then I'll be off to my regular doctor for a followup with her.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if the glasses work well for me & my doctor says I don't have to see her again for 6 months?  I'll hold that thought   : )  

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi

Such a difference in those skeins!
I really liked your original chandelier with all the threads!

Good luck with your spectacles!

LoriU said...

Wow that difference in thread colors is crazy! I would email that picture to Gentle Arts!

Good luck with your glasses. Remember...just point your nose at what you want to look at! It becomes second nature after a little while. The other thing is, it is better to start new glasses first thing in the morning, so don't try wearing them today...put them on tomorrow when you get up!

Dawn said...

I can't believe there is such a big difference, I agree with Lori and would email them. That is crazy, and they aren't cheap either. I also liked your chandelier as a organization system, true home of a needleworker!

I hope your doctor apts are productive. Keeping my fingers crossed for you. OH, btw, I loved the polish pottery, I am Polish so I truly appreciate their beauty. You'll have to share the address of the store :) I know my dad would really love a piece.

Vickie said...

Shirlee I sent prayers for both of your upcoming appts. Sure hope you adjust quickly to the specs this time. :)

Michelle said...

I had this happen to me with these threads - they were so different I had to abandon my project. Sending you hugs my friend x

Anonymous said...

Never saw such an imaginative way to use a chandelier. Here in Portugal we never see skeins other tham DMC or Anchor. I got two or three of those thanks to my friend Judy from Canada and it is a pleasure to work with different than usual skeins. Nevertheless those are really different! If you had to use both in the same scheme it sure would not look good! Hope all goes well with the appointments and fingers crossed for not having to go back for some time!
Hugs

Natasha said...

Wow such a big difference. What a great way to dress up your chandelier :) Best of luck at the docs today..

Mouse said...

mmmmmm to the dye lots been there seen and done it and worked round them .. used them separately and bought enough for what ever project required that colour at the same time ... absolutely adore your chandelier mmmmm wonder if I could get away with something like that heheheh
hope all goes well at the opticians the dr's and the dentist ... cooo you will be all new soon hehehe
take care :) love mouse xxxx

Kendra said...

Shirlee,
I didn't have the time to read your whole post but I did want to comment on your interesting decorating style on your chandelier (LOL!).

Kendra

butterfly said...

Wow those threads do look so different.
I never know the best way to keep my threads they have been in different box's now I have them in little plastic bags and it's working for me so far.
I hate the dentist just had mine done a few weeks ago.
HUGS .

geeky Heather said...

Oh, I feel your pain on the hand-dyed floss. Scroll about 1/2 way down this post and take a look at the two skeins of blue Belle Soie next to the Rovaris chart!

natalysneedle said...

hand dyed floss can by tricky but i find that Weeks Dye Works is pretty consistant from skein to skein. Gentle Arts and Crescent Colours vary from lot to lot so be sure to have enough for your project or you may have trouble finding a match. Love your filing system. Happy Stitching

Karen said...

Maybe one grape leaf got more water than the other! :)

happy stitching...

Prims By The Water said...

I liked Weeks Dye works as they were pretty consistant, however the sore I use to purchase them from does not carry it anymore...back to DMC. Love your chandelier! Take care, Janice

Veronica said...

Dang, that's a really huge shade difference. They're not cheap too. Shame when companies can't keep their dye lots consistent. Love your decorating style ^.^

Hugs,
Veronica.

Hazel said...

Wow that is a big difference. x

Chris said...

The color variance is crazy in the those 2. I love the organizing system :) I can also see some of your lovely pottery collection in the background.
All those appt. stink. Just get them over with so you can get back to the fun stuff!

Carol said...

I hear you on the vast difference in dye-lots, Shirlee. That is why I'd much rather go pick out my threads in person whenever possible. (which is rarely since the nearest LNS is almost an hour away and with the cost of gas... well, it's just cheaper to take a chance and buy online!).

Hang in there with all the doctor's appts. I just keep telling myself how happy I'll be when they're over :)

TheCrankyCrow said...

Yikes...unfortunately, been there, done that with the varying color lots. But I didn't realize it until I finished the project and couldn't understand why it looked nothing like the photo.....Then I needed that color for a different project, went back and bought some more, and it was totally different. Awwww....sad to see your unique storage system go....If you get lonely for it, you can visit me - I have my floss hanging off my Ott lamp - along with varying strips of wool. Drives my hubby (and the kitties) nuts..... ;o) Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin