Hippie Chick and my stitching necklace

I have been stitching.  For some reason I am fascinated with this Hippie Chick that I am stitching on purple.  I just want to work on this one.  It is supposed to be my travel project but I am working on it all the time now.  I didn't get much stitching done at the hospital yesterday as chemo was cancelled for the day.  My husband's numbers told the doctor that it was a good idea to skip the chemo this week. 

I have been asked to add this photo again.  I found this necklace when I was in New Hampshire Celebrations of Needlework, I found this wooden necklace that has my scissors and a threader in the base.  I wear it when I am out and about.  I get a lot of comments on it.  I always tell them "I run with scissors.".  What a hoot. 

A finish, A start and I new idea

My husband's hands are still very sensitive to cold.  Drinking cold beverages is difficult.  So  I made him a glass cover.  It is made with the same stretchy yarn I use for my water bottle covers.  It seems to be working well.  I can keep it in my purse so when we are out and about he has something to help his hands.

I need to start something that I can use as a travel project.  So I started Hippie Chick by Mary Engelbreit.   I wanted to get a good start before tomorrow's chemo 2.3 trip.  So I had to sort out floss and pitch the aida fabric.  I found this 30 count purple that should work out just fine.

I sorted the floss and used a card to line up the floss.  I had this ready to go and then I had a thought.  I took it all apart and placed a piece of quilt batting between the two layers of cardboard. Then I put all the floss back on.  What this should allow me to do is to be able to put a threaded needle into the quilt batting next to the color on the palette.  We shall see how that works.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I detest having to rethread a needle so I would rather park one and then it is ready the next time I run into that color. 

Another day, another almost there - -

Okay, I spent most of yet another day working on this Confetti of Hardanger, by Bee's Needleworks project.  There are some kloster blocks that are off by a bit but at least the out line is done and for the most part, I could walk away and let this one live the way it is.

So I took a few moments this afternoon and started something new.  This is Just Nan's Lady Scarlet's Scissor Roll.  Only 35 stitches high so it should go quickly.  I had to get away from the other project.  I just had to. 

Deep breath! Another Day of the same piece

It became obvious that I can't count when I went to do a finish on this piece today.  So I left it alone for several hours.  I was thinking of starting over with lots of gridding but I didn't have enough of this fabric to do that. I bit the bullet and started ripping out what didn't work and left what did.  I have one more center design to finish and then the outlines to get corrected.  If I find one more mess to clean up, this piece will become a ball of fire.  Perhaps this type of stitching should not be tried when one is really stressed out. 

It was a good stash day.  Halloween is the theme here.  I found a sale on pumpkin and honeysuckle linen, plus Just Nan's two new charts and Rosewood Manor's Halloween sampler.  I want to stitch it all.

I also received Sue Hillis's chart for Under the Deep Blue Sea.  I have the wool, the hornbook (engaved with Always In Stitches) and the ruler.  I am still waiting for the box and the linen.  I also have the Six Snow Belles.  Well, the first three.  I am have been thinking about the snow belles and snow men from last year.  I saw where one person make pillows of each design.  How about a dozen small pillows.  They could be spread out all over and little grand kids could try to find them?  Or I could do the two large pictures but mix up the guys with the dolls.  That project (or those projects) will have to wait while  I contemplate my options.

A difficult stitch day

On the left you can see the start of a Halloween ruffle scarf.  Thank Goodness for my MIL.  She figured it out and got me started.  I did a few rows but mostly today I spent on the &^%$ project behind the scarf.  This is Confetti of Hardanger by Bee's Needleworks which is a SAL on a yahoo group.  I have ripped out more than I have stitched.  I have counted upwards, backwards, sideways and to town and back.  I am not sure of anything any more.  I had to pull out the stitches from part one so that part two would maybe work.  I am about to put a torch to the whole thing.  ARGH!!  I had hoped to start a new XS project today but that didn't happen.  It is time for a big deep breath and a good night's sleep.

LK-Mystery Sampler Part Two Complete

Done, done and done.  I have to wait now until part three is released.  A blog comment contained the question as to what I do with my completed projects.   I do frame a lot of my projects.  I have too many to count on my walls here at home.  I make a lot of ornaments for year round celebrations.  Pillows are fun.  Pin cushions, check book covers, key chains, necklaces and the list can go on and on.  I do have a plastic bin that is full of finished things waiting for inspiration.  I do get a lot of finishing done.  One year at Christmas I gave away 27 pieces.  That was a highlight and I doubt it will happen again.  LOL.  Now I have been known to stitch something and send it off to another stitch that I think might like it.  I enjoy the stitching.   When I get on a roll, I love to do the finishing.  I do enjoy getting compliments on the projects that cover my walls.  It is my passion.

A little Liberty

This has been my travel project for quite some time.  I finished it this evening.  It is a Lizzie Kate design.  I find it fun and interesting to stitch in public.  Everyone wants to stop and see what I am doing.  Who knows?  Perhaps I will inspire someone to go home and try it or pick up an old project that they have forgotten about.

Meanwhile DH has a new 'button' tube which should work a whole lot better.  We are very happy to have this done and over with.  We are looking forward to at least two days of no appointments or doctors to deal with. 

Shoes are a girls best friend?

New shoes were waiting for me when I got home today.  Dansko with a print of knitted pinks, blues and purple colors.   I am happy with them but I am afraid to wear them right now with the ankle trouble.  I am now putting some weight on my ankle so it is getting better.  I think a few more days of being super careful and it should be fine.  Meanwhile I Love These Shoes.

It was chemo 2.2 today.  (Second round of drugs and second time to get them.)  I was exhausted.  I bailed out early and had family help bring DH home from the hospital.  What did I do with my extra time?  Sleep.  I took a nice nap on the back porch this afternoon.  While I was at the hospital, I did a bit of stitching on this one.  Tomorrow is another hospital day so maybe I will get even more done.

Part 2 Mystery Sampler - Almost done

I have the borders on both sides to do and one gingham row under the leaves.  That's it.  I was hoping to be further along today but I have been trying some new pills and they are putting me to sleep.  Argh!!  Two naps this afternoon.  The answer Connie's question, yes I do use a lap stand and I stitch two handed.  Left hand on top and right hand below.  It does to help to speed the stitching along. 

Mystery - even more is done

I have a row of the leaf blocks to complete, another gingham row and then the borders.  After all that this second part will be done and this one can be put away until the next part comes out.  I am enjoying this stitch.  Fall is coming.  I love fall.  The colors, the smells, the temperatures, baking, fires, and Halloween. 

Lizzie Kate Mystery part 2 continues

I was able to do a few more lines of the verse.  There are charms for the yellow block and the blue block.  The borders have to be done.  Please a few more lines.  My mind is spinning with what to do next.  It was a most pleasant day with lunch of deck at the lake marina.  A nice afternoon nap and a rain storm to end the day.  It was a good day.

We have a finish!!

The Isle of Hope is complete.  Well, almost.  I do have that darning section that should be redone.  I will consider that at a later date.  I finished up the statue of Liberty this morning.  I am so happy to have this one done.  It is long and skinny.  The project kit also included some fabric for backing and I have the banner hardware.  So finishing is decided.... I just need to get to it!!

As I looked around for something to stitch, I noticed that part two of the Lizzie Kate Mystery Sampler was waiting to be done.  So I started working on this.  I have done something to my ankle.  It hurts to walk on it - some times.  So I am hobbling around, I have a brace on my foot and I am taking a day to put my foot up and stitch.  I am enjoying it.

Almost to the end of Isle of Hope

I have been working on this project the last two days.  I have started working on the statue of liberty.  I am on the last pages of this chart.  The end is near.  The luggage tag has been joined by a pipe (?), a kettle and a key.  The windows of the buildings is represents below the specialty stitch row.  Now we have the flag and the statue. 

Things are okay at home so far.  DH has started a new chemo session that will be every week now.  I have been very busy with appointments and such.  We are enjoying a quiet weekend with beautiful weather. 

A bit of progress on a couple of fronts

I added a row of specialty stitches and then did the luggage tag with my initials and the year.  The end is in site with this one.  Jeannette Douglas was wonderful and sent me a bit more floss for a color that I had to use today.  It arrived just is time for me to keep going.  

This is my travel project. Lizzie Kate A Little Liberty, I believe it is called.  I worked on it today while Jack started what I am calling chemo 2.0.  The trips to chemo may now be weekly which will be a change.  I will have to find more travel projects if it is going to be every week.

Surprises! I love surprises!

Today the mail man brought me a surprise all the way from the Netherlands.  My dear friend, Lilian, made me this lovely needleroll.  She was just playing around with different stitches and this is what she came up with.  She is an amazing stitcher and I admire her work.  Thank you so much dear friend.  You gave me a smile for the day and I will smile each time I see this treasure that you have sent to me.  Purple, of course, because she knows me so well.  I love the yellow as it adds a bit of brightness.  I feel so loved.

While on our recent trip, I made two more bottle covers.  Another friend will be receiving these.  I am just a busy gal making things to send out.  It does make me feel better.  It is important to think of others and put goodness and kindness out there in the world. 

Boston and a few finishes

We have been to Boston.  No great news from the doctors.  Keep on keeping on.  I stitched this survivor pin for a friend whose mother is battling breast cancer.  I had the pattern but I didn't like the middle part. So, I filled it with Queen's Stitches and left the ends empty because they look like hearts.

Okay.... this won't happen often.  Here is a photo of my dear husband and I at Cheers bar in Boston last night.  I hate to have my photo taken.  We did have a good dinner and a good time 'being out on the town'.  Oh My - I don't miss big city stuff.  I was glad to come home today.

Darn Darning Stitch ----

Perhaps I am a bit distracted.  I have tried twice to tackle this darning stitch.  This photo shows it with one more thread to be put in.  It is horrid.  It is a mess.   The only way to fix this is to cut it out and start over.  I can't face doing that right now.  Today we head to Boston to the cancer center to see what is what.  I plan to knit and do other things on the long drives there and back.  For now we will b back on Tuesday.  I will have the camera and the computer so I might get to do some updates.  Prayers are all welcome.  Miracles would be great.  I am very worried and dreading this trip.  I am so grateful for the family members that are going to do the driving.  I am not sure I would be able to do it. 

I need strength - -

I did finish my Confetti of hardanger by Bee's Needlworks. Well, i finished part one.  This is a SAL with a specialty stitcher's yahoo group.  I am glad to have this done for now.

Then I moved on to the Isle of Hope.  I am at the darning part.  Darn is now my favorite word.  I am so utterly frustrated at this point that I just want to cut this whole section out of the project.  I hope to get a better shot at it tomorrow.

More quilts for the Isle of Hope

I really didn't have much time to stitch today.  I did do the quilt design motifs and I started another part after that.  Things are a bit calmer at home.  DH has some new medications and that is allowing him to get some good sleep.  This is always a good thing.

A Busy Day with some old and some new - -

I finished my travel project.  It is Shepherds Bush Get Scared.  It was a fun stitch.  I was able to test out my new fancy wooden hoop.  I like it.  I am glad to have this done but now I have to figure out what is next to travel with.

I have also been continuing on Isle of Hope.   The pile of blankets are two quilts are done.  Then I moved on to the next row which has the heart.  This project goes rather quickly I suppose because it isn't very wide.

In 2004 I stitched this piece.  It is a sampler and I stitched it on an overdyed fabric.  The border was done with Jelly Bean overdyed floss.  I hated it.  The dark fabric just swallowed the whole design.  I was about to pitch it in the trash when I decided to toss it in some water with bleach.  Yes, bleach.  The next photo shows what happened.

How is that for a difference.  Now I can at least use the design or frame it.  It took a lot of courage to pour the bleach but I think it came out pretty good.  I have been chatting with internet friends about this project and decided to share it on the blog as well.

Confetti of Hardanger SAL

I am starting a SAL - Stitch A Long for those that are not in the 'know'.  It is being done through a yahoo group called The Stitch Specialists and the design is called Confetti of Hardanger by Bee's Needleworks.  I have white fabric, white perle cottons and some purple for fun.  Well, lavender colors.  We will be getting more instructions every two weeks so I will have to work to 'keep up with it'. 

My husband is not feeling well.  We have another doctor appointment tomorrow morning. I have my fingers crossed that all will be well.  We are being referred to a big cancer center in Boston and will get there next week.  Getting to that appointment is my immediate goal.  I spent part of today deciding what stitching to pack for a trip that may be only a day but could be several days.  How does one decide?  So many projects, so little time.

Water Bottle Covers

Knitted bottle or can covers.  I had a request to make some more so I did.  They are simple and easy to make.  Simple knit, one row of purl and then some decreasing.  Stitch up the seam and done.  The yarn is a bit stretchy and that makes them work for this application.  I finished these up today while Jack and I are resting up after the last few days of hospital stuff.  We are very tired but we are doing okay.

Hospital Project Update

Well, now that chemo is cancelled for this week, I wasn't sure I would get a chance to work on this one.  As it happened, I did have time and at the hospital.  My husband was having bleeding issues around this gastric tube and yesterday I put my foot down and we went to the ER.  From there he was admitted and he had surgery last evening to correct the problems.  (We hope)  So today while we were waiting to be discharged, I worked on my little Halloween project.  Jack is doing well for now.  We are both exhausted from the ER/Hospital ordeal.  We are being referred to a major cancer institute in Boston, Mass.  That appointment is currently yet another week away.  I do have to count my stitching as a blessing as otherwise I might have already gone insane. 

A bit of progress and an evening fire

I missed my usual computer time last night.  We had family over for some giggles and laughs and then at dusk we had a fire in the fire pit.  It was nice.  Cool temperatures and a full moon to watch.  It was great.  Thank you to all that attended.  

Meanwhile I have made some progress on my Isle of Hope project.  Stitching is very slow right now.  I am working on that stack of blankets in the middle.  We have received bad news on my husbands cancer.  We are currently being referred to a major cancer center in Boston, MA.  That trip will be coming up soon.  Cancer is a terrible thing.  I hate cancer.