Aug 31, 2016

WHO IS THIS PERSON, AND WHAT HAS SHE DONE TO THE SPINSTER STITCHER?!

When I sat down to stitch last night a very novel approach entered my tiny little brain.

"I'm going to follow the directions, use the tips and hints that I've collected over the years, breathe deeply, and enjoy this stitching."

And then I plunged into the sections that call for...gasp...shock...horrors abound...DMC metallic thread.

This stuff had been the bain of my existence from the very first time I picked up a needle.  I have approximately eleven hundren spools of it in my stash (OK...maybe that's a bit of a stretch), and every single time I tried to use it I ended up on the floor in a heap of teary frustration.

But this time I was determined to show it who's boss.

I cut shorter lengths than I normally would and I used Thread Heaven.  A LOT of Thread Heaven.  And, in a brilliant stroke of genius taught to me by Miss Vonna Her Very Self on her Twisted Stitcher channel on the Flosstube, I took it out of the container and wadded it up into a ball before pulling the thread through it.  

Can I just say that the beast was tamed once and for all and I love the way this looks?  



I'm pretty sure that my feelings about this will change by the end of this piece, since there looks to be a LOT of stitching with this stuff, but for now I am affixing the gold star to my forehead and moving right along.

Now all I have to do is hope that this same spirit will infect me when it comes time to bead this sucker. Somebody told me that there are 40,000 plus beads.  Or maybe it was 4,000.  All I know is that anything over 2 or 3 is going to be an enormous challenge for me, so...

Let.  Us.  Pray.

After three or four really bad nights, Stewey finally slept peacefully through last night.  He awoke this morning with his little eyes bright again and immediately complained that his tea was too tepid for his liking, so methinks today will be good as well.  He spends the majority of it sleeping in his little bed in the sun, but that's what he always did when he was well, so I am comforted by that immednsely.  

We're off for labwork and a few small provisions.  I am craving bagels with peanut butter like a crazy person, so that's what it will be.  I haven't decided on a Labor Day cookout menu, but I'm leaning toward ribs and pasta salad.  We'll see.

Happy Futzingday, dear friends!  

16 comments:

  1. Nothing beats a good night's sleep. It is truly a blessing. Glad for Stewey and you and Bosco.

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  2. This piece is looking very nice, and I know what you mean about them metallic threads. I've only had to use them twice, but both times I just cut the starting piece of thread quite short and just waited for the fraying to start each time. Keep up the good work and bless you for your patience!

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  3. Glad to hear Stewey is feeling more comfortable. Who doesn't love a snooze in the sun? And I cannot believe my eyes-that is cross stitch not needlepoint! (I cross stitch-can't get the hang of needlepoint) anyway I am a fairly recent reader of your blog and I finally went back and started at the beginning (it's nice to know when the insanity starts) and lo and behold a cross stitching sister (and of the designers I also admire) Still I do admire the needlepoint and the patience it must take to make something so beautiful.

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  4. So happy that Stewey is feeling better today.

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  5. You mean you took the Thread Heaven out of the little box and kneaded it like clay before you used it? Suddenly I see how that makes sense!

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  6. At first I thought you mean to wad up the metallic thread into a ball and I couldn't for the life of me figure out how that would help anything! Until I reread the "container" part of the sentence and figured the whole thing out :) Your progress is beautiful and I am glad that that wretched old DMC metallic is behaving for you. You are the DMC metallic queen!

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  7. So glad to hear that Stewey and thus yourself had a better night. I hope the same is true tonight and for many more to come xx

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  8. "Let. Us. Pray." LOL. Ahhhh Coni, I do... for your stitching, your very self and your little dogs too. Love, hugs & prayers, - Cathryn
    PS I think this piece is (as Harry Potter would say) Brilliant!

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  9. Isn't that Vonna quite the gal! I like the idea of wadding up the thread Heaven...makes sense now. Glad you conquered the DMC metallic thread. Hugs to Stewey...

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  10. I an addicted to Thread Heaven.....I always buy it if it is on sale and I keep a little ball of it with every project. I am keeping Stewey in my thoughts and pray for his comfort as well as yours.

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  11. Glad you didn't let the metallic thread win this round, Coni! You can do it. Happy to hear Stewey had a better night. Hope the labwork goes well for you! Hmmm, now I want a bagel with peanut butter.

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  12. The metallic looks great. Glad to hear Stewey is comfortable.

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  13. I don't like metallic thread but if it works for you maybe i will be able to make it work as well following Vonna's good advice. I just have to find that "Thread..." which I believe will be impossible in Portugal! i will search the net for it. Glad to read that Stewey had a good night of sleep!

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  14. I recently had a finish with 1699 beads - ack. I found a sticky bead mat that really helped.

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  15. Glad Stewey is more comfortable again and congratulations on taming the metallic thread.

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  16. Another suggestion for the metallics...there is a new product out called "Thread Magic" that I have been trying...and many have given good reviews. I have not tried it on metallics myself
    So glad Stewey had a better night!!

    Debbie in Kansas

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