New Glasses, Or New Brain?

I need one or the other.  I suppose I could need both.

Last night I made some progress on my Stacy Nash design.

Fear not, the words are not really running uphill ... it's just the way my fabric is locked in my Q-Snap.  I got to this point last night & my next step was to start on the geese feet.  I was sure that the pattern directions said to stitch the geese after staining the fabric but I thought I had better check to make certain because I wasn't quite sure if it said to stain before stitching the "geese" or to stain before stitching "the white of the geese."  The feet & beaks, of course, are not white.  They would be a part of the "geese" but not a part of "the white of the geese."  I then noticed something ... the design appeared rather small.  The design itself is supposed to measure 6-1/2" square.  I grabbed my ruler.  It was no surprise that mine measured 3-1/4" square.  Uh-oh.  Why on earth I thought the directions said to use 1 strand of floss over 1 thread of fabric is beyond me.  I have been cross-eyed while stitching this thing & it turns out I got it all wrong!  Not only that but the pattern says absolutely nothing about stitching either the "geese" or "the white of the geese" before staining.  It simply says to stitch the design, make it into a pillow, & stain it.  So you tell me ... is it my eyesight, or is it my Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz brain (prior to him seeing the Wizard of course).  In my defense I did contemplate stitching various designs before settling on this one so I suppose the directions from all of them kind of meshed together.  What a world, what a world!  (Another Oz reference for you.)  I guess I will end up making a little ornament out of this & try stitching it again as the directions tell me to ... but why 1 strand over 2 threads?  Won't that be a bit bare?

Yesterday I received a little package from Italy.  I love Italy!  I love most countries in Europe.  Have you ever felt you "belonged" someplace else?  John & I feel we "belong" in Europe.  He worked there off & on for a few years before he retired.  I was able to visit him during those times.  We then visited various countries, some more than once, & went back after he retired in 2008 to visit again.  We haven't been back since.  Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco but John & I left our hearts in Europe.  I'm a European girl stuck in America.  That would make a good book title, wouldn't it ... Stuck in America.  I'll get right on that   : )   We actually looked into moving to Germany about 2 years ago but John (not me) decided we were "too old."  He sometimes gets on a "we're too old" kick & guess what I want to do at those times.  Kick  him.  So as I was saying, yesterday I got this little package from Italy.  Inside was some linen I purchased from Isobel at The Primitive Hare.  She designs the most wonderful primitive cross stitch patterns & the linen she uses for them is always stained to primitive perfection.  About 2 weeks ago she posted on her blog that she has received so many questions about her linen that she decided to produce it!  I of course contacted her & bought some & I can't wait to use it!!!  Not only is it wonderfully primitively stained but it is packaged so nicely & Isobel even included a little prim bookmark & personal note along with it!

I will be finished stitching the geese today.  As I mentioned previously I ran out of WDW Navy & had to put my mystery project on hold.  I did order the WDW Navy by the way.  It should be here Saturday.  Thanks again to those of you who offered to send me some   : )   Blog friends/stitchers are the best!  Anyway, after I finish the geese I will need to find a new project.  I can't sit around project-less until Saturday!  I have no idea what I will choose to stitch but I will most certainly read & re-read the directions before starting!  Hopefully that will make a difference   : )