Monday, January 14, 2013

Need Help With XS Fabric Choices

Before I say anything else, I would like to thank everyone who has left comments on my blog these past 2 weeks or so.  Sadly, with the very, very, very bad thing falling into my lap (please do continue to pray about this, by the way ... it's still overshadowing my every waking moment), the holidays, & my getting sick, I have not been able to respond to them   : (   I deeply apologize for this.  I know that some of you have asked me questions in your comments & I will eventually answer these.  Please just give me a bit more time.  Thank you   : )

Now for the fabric choice question.  This year I would really like to stitch Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow.  I will be using the recommended silk threads thanks to Santa Bear's generosity   : )   I know some of you have stitched this chart on something other than the recommended 40 count examplar linen.  I don't mind stitching on this linen.  I'm assuming I stitch over 2?  However, if someone knows of a nicer linen for this project, please let me know.

I would also like to stitch a few Prairie Schooler ornaments this year.  I have yet to stitch any even though I started buying charts during the Christmas of 2011 when Marly so brazenly posted photos of her multitudes   : )   I remember someone posting once upon a time that using the recommended 18 count Davos made the ornaments too big.  I don't want them to be too big.  Can anyone recommend a nice fabric to use for these ornaments that won't make it look like I'm hanging sofa pillows on my tree?

I've been stitching but I have no photos to share with you yet.  Maybe today   : )

Yesterday I noticed a female cardinal perched outside the back door for the longest time on top of a tree post.  She seemed to be looking for something in the yard or maybe surveying it for some reason. She was there for so long that I grabbed my camera.  She flew away soon after I took the photo.  Last year we had about a dozen pair of cardinals coming to partake of our bird seeds & cakes.  This year I'm counting 6 pair.

Now that I'm relatively healthy again I have been sorting through long overdue insurance forms to file, letters to answer, & of course looking forward (not) to my gum surgery tomorrow.  It's supposed to be a relatively simple procedure, but when the terms "incision" & "prescription pain medication" are bandied about, it always makes me a bit concerned.  

Someone suggested I save the gifts still under the tree for after my surgery since it might result in me needing a little pick-me-up.  I thought that was a good idea so the tree is still up & the gifts remain underneath it. After opening them I will have to take down the tree.  Then I will have to start getting the house ready to list with a realtor. Remember when we were growing up how many times we uttered the phrase "There's nothing to do!"  Those words are coming back to haunt me now   : ) 

Incidentally, I'm not extending Christmas on my blog ... I just can't figure out how to get a new template uploaded & make color/font changes.  Whatever happened to the design button that you'd click on to do these things? Between this & my inability to leave comments on some blogs, Blogger is trying my patience   : (  

Well, I guess that's it for this post.  Last night I slept a total of 1 hour & 45 minutes.  This has been the norm for the past few days ... ever since I started feeling better.  I know I slept a lot when I was sick but I don't think I could've banked all that rest   : (   Hopefully I will start sleeping normally again sooner rather than later.  I got out of bed this morning & tried sleeping on the couch, then on the recliner.  Then I decided to do a bit of stitching (yes, I was that awake).  Then I tried sleeping in the recliner again, then back to the couch, & finally I just gave up, made a pot of tea & got ready for the day.  

Happy beginning of a new week to everyone!  

17 comments:

Maggee said...

Gosh, I hope that you get some sleep soon! Not good! Surgery tomorrow.. ugh! I will say a prayer or two for you... Leave the blog for now. After all, YOU are not done with Christmas! Hugs!

cucki said...

Oh dear you are in my prayers..I am thinking of you here so much..
Big beary hugs for you sweetie
God bless you x

Peggy Lee said...

I am still having trouble leaving some comments. I hope it all clears up soon!
Praying that your surgery tomorrow goes well.
I do hope you get more sleep! This can't be good.
~hugs

Vickie said...

I have prayed for you and will keep on too. I am thinking after the surgery with the meds, you will sleep. I suppose you have gained extra time for now though.=)

Mii Stitch said...

Good luck for the gum surgery tomorrow. I'm sure you'll be fine, failing this, open your presents! Whoever gave you that idea is brilliant!!!

Siobhán said...

Oh my gosh, that cardinal!! Be still my heart. Fantastic picture!

As far as the CaHRH piece, yes, you stitch one strand of silk over two. You can use one strand of silk on 32 count and above, which is one of the wonderful things about stitching with silk. I love Lakeside Linens so would go with that, but you could easily do it on 36 ct, if that might be preferable. By easily, I mean that you could still do one thread over two and still use the same linen, but in 36 ct.

As far as the PS Santas, I stitched my first one of the yearly Santas but went with 32 ct. I figured even on 40 ct he'd still be big, so I'm just going to go with the plan that he'll be a small decoration to put in a basket, hopefully with a bunch of his fellow Santas. ;)

Best of luck with your surgery. I'll be thinking of & praying for you!

ArchangelDecker said...

I have Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow that I am stitching a block per month on. I am currently waiting on the first of the silks to arrive. I have two fabric choices for this piece; the suggested 40 count Exemplar linen and a piece of 40 count Picture This Plus in Legacy. I am waiting to do a floss toss to see which one I like more. I do worry about the white fading into the background of the Legacy.


I, personally, am a huge fan of 36 count. I think it would also look really nice with a raw or dirty linen in a 36 count. You could always stitch the piece one over 25 or 28 count, then that way you are not limited to merely linen.


Hope this helps some and you're on the mend. It's no fun getting sick, I know! :)

jennifer768 said...

Shirlee,so glad to read that you are on the mend.Will be keeping you in my prayers,dear friend.Big hugs,Jen

Trace4J said...

Praying for you friend.
Love the photo of the cardinal too.
Sending a you a giant hug and will be thinking of you all day tomorrow.
Woolie blessings
Trace

Michelle said...

Blogger is also trying my patience these days my friend. Thinking of you always and thank you for your continued prayers for us xx

Mouse said...

ok where to start , can't help with the fabric as not stitched any of them or on any of that fabric sorry:(
paws crossed all goes well with the wee surgery tomorrow ,are they doing an apiceptomy (sp) on you ??
glad to hear you are feeling a wee bit better an hope you get sorted out soon with the forms etc and good luck with putting the house on the market too :)
squeak to you soon :) love mouse xxxx

marly said...

Hi girl. I had 3 perio gum surgeries and they were a breeze but I don't know if that's what you're having. I used 28 count over two for the leaflet Santas, and 18 count Davos over one for the yearly card Santas. Glad you're feeling better!

Chris said...

I hope that everything goes well today with the sugery.
I always like 28 or 32ct Lambswool for PS designs.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Sally said...

I can't remember what I used for my Shores. I think it's 40 count or 36 but I have no idea what it is exactly. I will have to look back through my blog.


Good luck for your gum surgery. I hope it goes well {{{hugs}}}

Myra said...

I am glad to hear you are feeling better. You have been in my thoughts and prayers daily. I like stitching PS ornies on either 32 ct lambswool linen or 32 ct khaki linen or Jobelan. Of course, I don't do 40 ct, 36 ct is pretty much my limit. I hope your surgery goes well - know I will be sending good thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.

Kaisievic said...

Praying for you, always, dear Shirlee.

Catherine said...

Sending continued thoughts and prayers!