Sunday, July 29, 2012

Isle of Hope Continues


I had planned to do the outside edge while at the hospital as it is generally just a satin stitch over three threads.  However - - I am reading the instructions and there is a centering issue.  So to make sure I am doing it correctly, I had to go back and do the outside edge.  The checker board stitch was fun and it really is pretty.  The Kissing Post is represented and the big clock.  
The don't show up too well.  The last row of stitches are tulips and so pretty done with satin type stitches.  I am closing in on the edge so I can keep moving forward. 

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Sorry, Sorry, Sorry

Shame on me.  I haven't posted anything all week.  To make it worse, I don't have any photos to share this evening.  My camera battery is being charged.  I have been working on the Shepherds Bush It's Scary piece....  I have most of the base stitching done.  Now the pumpkins, bones, trees, and lettering needs to be done.  I worked on that piece while going to the many tests we have been to this week.  DH has been on chemo now for 16 weeks!!  This week they ran a bunch of tests to see what they can see.  Monday will be a big day as the doctor should have all the results and we shall see what comes next.  Meanwhile I have been working on Isle of Hope by Jeannette Douglas.  I did find a few minor mistakes.  I am enjoying the specialty stitches.  I have made a lot of progress when I see the last posted photo.  Hopefully tomorrow I can get some photos posted.  Our war against cancer is leaving a few scars.  I had a bad week and totally unable to share on my blog.  (Actually if I had it might not have been pleasant as I was horribly depressed.)  I took a bit of time.  I stitched.  I listened to music.  I stared at the sky.  Hopefully I am geared up for the next chapter in our journey.  Prayers are always welcome.  Thank you all for your continued support, prayers and best wishes.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Progress?


A tiny heart, a lock and key, the 'Kissing Post' and a time clock that isn't finished yet. I wasn't able to spend a lot of time on this today. 
I went shopping and picked up the floss for yet another afghan.  Plus this fabric.  I was looking for butterfly fabric to do some stump work on.  The big flowers should also work well.  I am kind of excited about working on this stuff.

The rest of my day was a major disappointment in the insurance industry.  Severe illness should not be met with obstacles and heart ache by the stupid fools that make decisions they have no knowledge about.  I am so angry.  Tomorrow we have a procedure planned at the hospital.  It should take about three hours.  I am not sure what to expect.  I will take some stitching but I am not sure I will be able to settle down enough to stitch.  I need a vacation.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Isle of Hope Continues






I finished the bargello section. It is to represent a quilt design.  I thought I would never finish that part.  Then on to the lock and key and the little heart.  I really didn't do a lot of stitch today.  I found my way to a swimming pool and totally worked out in the cool, clear water.  It was wonderful.  A mini vacation for me.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Isle of Hope - progress





I have a question.  Is it a WIP when you started a project at a festival?  This is the Isle of Hope by Jeannette Douglas, a class I took at Celebrations of Needlework in New Hampshire.  I haven't worked on it much since the festival in spring.  Today I worked on the luggage, moved on to the flower blackwork section and now doing the bargello part.  Perhaps I am a quarter of the way done?  Now that I have returned to it, it is my current project.  I didn't really consider it a WIP.  I think of that term being used when you do rotation and do many projects at one time.  I am amazed that people do that because I would never be able to do that.  Anyway - - I was lazy this morning.  I wanted to stitch.  I had nothing going on so I picked this up and made some good progress.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Mystery Sampler Part 1 is done





Well, now we wait for Part Two to be issued.  I am getting some stitching done but I haven't been able to do as much as I would like to.  I haven't been feeling great.  It is a medication issue.  I will be glad when this is done.  Also a party to attend.  The basket was a big hit.  I am so pleased.  What to work on next?  Maybe work on the small travel project or spend some time doing the kitting necessary to work on some other things..... what to do ?  What to do?

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Mystery Sampler Progress





I was up early this morning and out on the deck to enjoy the cool temperatures.  I sat and stitched for many hours.  I added the tree, crows, leaves, and whatever that purple thing is.  I think that perhaps part of the mystery is trying to figure out what things are.......

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Mystery Sampler Day Two


Today I worked on the acorn row.  This represents the bottom of the first part.  I will work on the other motifs in the next few days.  I get to enjoy some stitching today.  I am feeling better.  Chemo #8 is behind us.  We can both begin to feel a bit better. 

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Stitching has slowed down....


Yesterday (Chemo #8) was a very long day and rather frustrating for many reasons.  I did not get a lot of stitching done.  Today I did work a bit on Lizzie Kate Mystery.  Some progress was made.

The Shepherds Bush piece has a bit more done with the green hill the sheep is standing on.  It was difficult to stitch with so much going on yesterday.  Thank Goodness today is a better day.
Meanwhile I have some gift giving to prepare for.  I think this basket might just fill the bill perfectly.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Multiple Starts


Tomorrow is chemo day.  I will need/want a project to work on.  So I started this little Shepherds Bush project.  Halloween is the theme.  I am using one of my new wooden hoops.  I like to get one started to the point that I don't have to think too much while I am stitching.


Then I worked on the Lizzie Kate Mystery border.  I like the way it looks.  It was a good day.  We had some rain which was much needed. 

Saturday, July 14, 2012

The Start: Lizzie Kate Mystery Sampler

I had lots of errands to run today.  It is also very HOT here.  I hope it cools down soon.  I am already very tired of the summer heat.  I wanted to get this started.  Since this is only the first part, I doubt it will take very long to complete.  Then what?  I have several afghans I want to work on but the heat is telling me no.  I also have a very patriotic piece to work on that is huge.  ARGH.  So much to stitch and so little time.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Happy Dancing for SSS Finish

Here she is!!  Blue Ribbon Design's Sweet Simple Samplings.  I just finished it and took it off the scroll rods.  I am so happy to have this done.  The photo doesn't show the details so I took a few more closer.


Thursday, July 12, 2012

Lots of fun stuff today


My new recliner chair is here for the back yard.  I hope to be stitching in it soon.  It was too hot this afternoon when it arrived.  I will try to spend some time in it tonight or tomorrow morning.

Plus some stash arrived.  The Halloween book came and there are a bunch of things in there that I want to do.  Plus Lizzie Kate's Mystery project is here!!  I think I know what I want to work on next.  Plus some fibers and a freebie chart.

It was a quiet day and I did get some stitching done.  That is the last block.  It is block #8.  I touched the wall!  That is the right hand side of the project.  I hope to have this done soon.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Block #7 is done.






Block #7 is done.  I am working on the wording above and below.  One more block to go!!  We have been on the move this week with errands and getting things done on our 'off' week.  With one more block to go, I think it is time to start dreaming about what comes next.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Gardening? and more stitching


I am not a gardener.  I make plants run away or just stay and commit suicide.  I am terrible with plants.  When we moved in here, this little front garden was so nice and pristine.  Well, over the year, the bushes and stuff all got really high and full.  So today it got a hair cut.   We cut, and cut and cut.  Then we cleaned up the mess.  I think it looks better.  I didn't touch the center tree.  I haven't decided about that one yet.  The good news is that from my craft room, I can now see the driveway again.   


So after that yard work, I took the afternoon and stitched.  I was able to stitch about half of block Number 7.   I like the two blue birds.  Only one more block to go with this project.  Yippee!!!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Block 6 Done






I have been enjoying some stitching time.  I finished block number six today.  I am keeping up with the verse on the top and bottom of the blocks.  On to block #7!!!!!  The weather is cooling off and we are happy about that. 

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Block #6 Started


Blue Ribbon Design's Sweet Simple Stitches Block #6 has begun.  I also worked on the words above the blocks.  It was a good day.  I did get some stitching in.  I hope all my friends in St. Louis get to cool off soon.  We had a pretty good day and didn't even turn on the AC. 

Friday, July 6, 2012

Pin done, block #5 done and some turkey

It has been an interesting day around here.  Yes it was hot.  88 outside this afternoon.  I am hoping we can open up tonight and cool down soon.  I have been able to get some stitching done.


I finished up the pin.  I am not sure about it.  I think it should be smaller.  Smaller count fabric?  What about queen's stitches in the centers?  Some used ribbon in the center part.  Hummmmm.


Block Number Five is now done.  I also think of this block as the Sister's Block.  I have to keep marching on with this one.  There are three more blocks to be done.


We have several families of turkeys in the area.  This was taken out the spare room window.  This was a Mom and about eight little ones running around.  Earlier we saw three adults and a bunch of little ones out by the fire pit.  Do you see the little ones in the back?  I always knew this place was a zoo.  LOL.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Happy Fourth of July


Yes, we went to see the fireworks last night.  I missed my blog time because we were out on the lake.  My fireworks shots were not very good.


Earlier in the evening we watched the sun set.  It was amazing to watch.  Later we had to run for cover as a thunder storm was heading to us and the winds went crazy.  Once we made it to a protected channel, we were okay.  It was still fun to see it all.  We live in an amazing part of the country.

Meanwhile back at the ranch.  I have an 'almost' finish.  This is a piece of hardanger that will be cut out and made into a survivor's ribbon.  There is no color for esophageal cancer so I made this one multi colored.  Tomorrow I hope to do the cutting.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Cookie is Done


Today I did the back stitching on Cookie  He is ready to be fashioned into a small basket top.  He is rather cute.
Then I moved back to the Simple Samplings.  We now have two ladies.  It was a quiet day at home.  I am surprised at how tired I am after the Monday chemo experience.  DH is still receiving the last of the medications.  He will lose his 'brick' tomorrow,  We are almost done with this round.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Cookie Snowman Part 2





It is chemo #7 day.  I took the little snowman with me.  I had started him two weeks ago on a chemo day.  The base stitching is done.  He needs back stitching, buttons and bells.  Then he will be put on the little basket.  It was a good finish for the day.  (Well, almost finished.)  Chemo went well.  Now we have two more days of chemo with a pump at home.  So far so good.   Prayers are always welcome.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Block 5 started





i worked on block number 5 last night and again today.  It seems to make a difference when I spend time stitching and not just talking about it.  LOL.  It was a quiet day.  Happy Canada Day to my Canadian friends.  Happy 4th of July to my American friends.  It is a week to celebrate summer is here and fun at last.  The area I live in is popular in the summer.  Motels and hotels are full and people are every where.  I hope they all have a good time.  Tomorrow is chemo #7.  I was just packing up my stitching for the day.  I hope to finish up the snowman and move on to a Halloween piece.