Every so often, questions and comments come from readers, and I think others would like to hear my response. That’s when I feature them on the blog. This is one of those days.
After I gave you a garden update HERE, a blog reader asked how I get my astilbe to look so nice.
These are on the north side of the house. It is very shady here. I think that has a lot to do with it. Also, they get watered/fertilized once a week or so. I don’t fertilize my other perennials. These just get it because they are right by my annuals that do get fertilized once a week.
Susan from Kentucky wrote:
Hi Jo, I have a question. Can you share again where you got the glasses you use for cross stitching? When I had my eyes examined last year, I asked the doctor about getting bifocals with lower just glass and the upper for distance. He kept telling me it wouldn’t work. I take my left contact (for near vision) out a lot for stitching now. I can see much better than with the bifocals he gave me.
I have glasses that came from Zenni. I ordered them with my distance prescription on top. I have a lined bifocal. I put a 3.5 reader in them. These are not glasses that you can get up from the couch and go to the bathroom with them on. They are kind of funky if you’re walking around. However, if you are sitting and stitching while watching television, these can’t be beat. People often ask me what I use as a magnifier. These glasses. I only use them at home, so I bought a $5.95 frame and put the lenses in them. The total cost at the time was $29.95. I have two pairs. If I’m traveling, one pair stays in my bag with my stitched piece. Of course, you don’t need a 3.5 lens strength for the bifocal…you can put in a lower grade.
Becky wrote and asked:
Didn’t you do Blackbird Designs Anniversaries of the Heart series, all on different pieces of fabric, then sew them together? Any tips on matching them to line up when putting together? I’m on the third one and am doing that. Thanks!
I stitched my Anniversaries of the Heart all on one big piece. I used Vintage Country Mocha in 40 count. Nowadays if I stitched it, I’d likely stitch it on a lighter color.
I’ve never sewn stitch pieces together after I stitched them, so I can’t give you any advice. Can any of you readers help out? How do you do it? I have seen Lori Holt sew pieces together before. Maybe she has a tip.
If you want to know more about my Anniversaries of the Heart piece, you read about its finish HERE. You can read follow-up questions HERE.
From Vivian:
Jo, your flowers are looking amazing. Could you tell me more about how you pluck your mums? I have two mums that came back, and they are flowering now, however, the flowers are very, very small. Should I be plucking each flower as it comes out?
I don’t have a lot of early flower buds starting. Last year I did. I pluck them as buds form before they actually bloom.
I suggest plucking them until 100 days before your desired bloom date. I typically pluck until July 4th. After that, I let them go. I end up with blooms in September and October, right when I like them to be festive for Fall. My mom had mums when I was a kid, and I don’t remember her plucking them. So it’s not something you HAVE to do…just something you can.
To do it, I take a pair of garden shears and cut the buds off.
That’s what I have for questions this time around. Please let me know if there are other questions I can answer. Just leave a comment, and I’ll either answer you here on a blog post or there in the comment section. THANKS!!
Good questions and great answers. Thank you for sharing.
Zenni for the win!