It's Back!

 The bursitis, that is!  At least, I think it is bursitis. It is different this time. I am so tired of these flares! And it really hinders my stitching!  I can't raise my left arm even an inch. It feels stuck in place but still very painful. I took the first dr. appt. I could get which is next week. I will find out then. It has been a slow stitching week because of this but I have everything all ready to start up again when my arm starts to work again!  We both had a handful of appointments again and a sprinkling of more for next week.

 

I ordered a chart I have been waiting on for a good while! Amy Fisher by Hands Across The Sea. Isn't she just the sweetest!

 

Several more Happy Mail days. My storage containers arrived and another thread order made it's way to my mailbox. Now I am trying to get everything organized.

 

There really hasn't been any excting news lately other than rain and doctors!

 

Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart

NO PICTURES

 The worst part of the sciatica is winding down. I still have a limp every now and then but it's not constant anymore or as painful! Good news!

 

I was able to get some more stitching done on Ann Pegg 1877 by The Scarlett House but not much. I was not able to get as much done on her during infusions as I had hoped because the way I would bend my arm to stitch would cut off the tube and my machine would just beep all day long! The infusion nurse does her best to adjust it so I can stitch. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't.

 

We are only 2 months into the year and I have already labeled it The Year of the Doctor! It seems like between me and the Grumpy Ol Gazer, we have my pocket calendar pretty full for the next month or so! I haven't even had time to take many pictures!

 

Several more Happy Mail days! Some fabrics and threads from My Vintage Needlearts, some stitching aids and more threads! I have plenty of charts to keep me busy over the year and beyond (plus I am waiting on 2 to be released by HATS) but I just never have enough threads or fabrics!

 

I got an email saying that my new stitching storage containers would be arriving later than expected so I took part of a day to begin the re-organizing with the old ones I have. I found charts I had forgotten about and so much more!  I am very pleased with it so far. I don't feel like everything is cluttered and will take hours to find! I can finish up when the new ones arrive!

 

We are waiting for the yard to dry out some more before calling to get more estimates on a walk way going from the driveway around back to the deck. The yard is so sloshy muddy when it rains that a walkway would make it easier and much safer for us. Now we just have to find the right price!

 

Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart

I Am Still Here!

 Our computer has decided to develop a mind of its own and do things how IT want to! It started off with my blog. I have to hunt down several programs before I find one that will let me post and then it still refuses to let me leave any comments! So that is one reason I am often late in posting. Lately it has decided to make signing on the internet as hard as possible for us! Links and apps are either hidden or just GONE! We have had this one for a while but I am hoping we don't have to get a new one any time soon. I hate having to back up pictures and programs to transfer over!

 

Infusions are over for this round! I will start again in July!

 

No snow down this way - yet! And I am hoping it keeps its distance! We have had more than our share of rain. And a lot of thunderstorms with lightening! Our backyard is worse than a swamp! 

 

Hello, old friend! My neighbor gave me one of her extra canes when my hip went bad and it was hard to walk. I used it again after the hip replacement surgery and then again when I developed a case of sciatica. Both happened in 2015. Otherwise, it stays tucked away safe in the corner until needed again. I pulled it out last week when BOTH hips began to hurt again which turned out to be another case of sciatica! A much worse case than before but I seems to be getting better faster than the last time. I just have to be careful.

 

I have managed to get some more stitching done on Ann Pegg. It is still slow progress but she is actually starting to look like a sampler now! I have been getting antsy wanting to start on Hannah Jenkinson by Stacy Nash but I am still waiting on a few threads to come in. I am also still waiting on the Pink Sparrow sampler by Brenda Gervais to arrive!

 

Some happy mail arrived. Threads, some beautiful fabrics from myvintageneedlearts and some other stitchy items I was needing!

 

I have a bad habit of constantly looking for new and better craft storage solutions. I have been using project bags and putting them all in a basket beside my stitching chair. It worked good for a while but it began to get too cluttered for me.. I pulled out all of my old storage boxes that I used for scrapbooking and also kept quilt blocks in and I ordered several more. One box will hold all of my journals, stickers and Book of Days. Another box will hold stitching aids like scissors, needles, magnet boards, hoops, ect. Two boxes will keep my WIPs together and the last two boxes will keep my kitted charts safe and sound. I even have several extra boxes that I can still use for quilt blocks (if I ever get my quilting space back). And since they are clear, I don't have to label them in case I want to re-use them for something else, As for the project bags, they won't sit around unused. I plan to keep my threads and current stitches in them.

 

Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

I am Late!

 I am late posting! It seems like those dull days did not last very long! Life is back on the fast track again.

 

Some people have asked me about my infusions. I have been doing them since 2013 for a total of 8 days per year (a round of 4 days each time) because of an extremely nasty ol auto immune disorder!  I am used to them now and have the routine down pat. The nurse always has some coffee waiting for me. I set up my stitching while she gets my meds ready. It can take 5 to 45 minutes to hook me up depending how my veins co-operate. Then I stitch a little, get a short nap in (thanks to one of the meds) and stitch some more. I get up and walk around with my IV pole about every two hours to stretch my legs. Then it is time to pack up and go home. After that, the fun part starts. The side effects. Sometimes they are mild and bearable while other times they can be monsters! Life Happens

 

I have labeled 2021 as The Year of Samplers. I have my list. Some are kitted up and ready. Some are ordered. A few are still not released yet but should come out this year. What is your favorite type of sampler? Just alphabets and numbers? I love alphabets and numbers with a special verseI

 

I got a late start on Ann. Then I missed a few days of stitching because of side effects from the infusion and errands. Here is my progress on Ann Pegg so far. She has been a wonderful infusion project and companion so far! I hope to catch up on her this coming week!

 

I have been trying to stitch on Mary Eliza McMillan when I am not stitching on Ann. I have not gotten as far as I had hoped by this time because of so many distractions. I am trying hard not to let her end up in my WIP stack even if it means only stitching on her several hours a week! I think once I get past this house, her progress will move a lot faster.;;

 

 

Elizabeth Hunter and her threads arrived along with some new stickers for my journal and Book of Days. I couldn't resist the temptation any longer and ordered Pink Sparrow Sampler by Brenda Gervais. I hope it arrives soon!

 

I couldn't resist buying PFW by Modern FOLK Embroidery. I have wanted a sampler to  personalize with the initials of the 5 grandchildren in our family.

 

Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

It's That Time of Year!

 Infusion time! I will be starting another round the last Monday of this month and go for 4 infusions. A lot of you know that I like to take a special infusion project with me to work on. I prefer to work on a prayer, proverb or another spiritual piece. I am taking Ann Pegg by The Scarlet House this time. I would have to get her started the week before I go in. I am stitching her on 18 count Aida in Toffee by My Vintage Needlearts and am using the called for threads.

 

I still have over half left to work on with Mary Eliza McMillan and there is a nice little inspirational verse on it. I have not gotten as far as I had hoped thanks to several days of hand cramps and a visit from my froggy friends! I have noticed that the DMC conversion colors are not quite as bright and cheerful as the silks but I am still happy with her. Here is a picture of her progress so far. Updates coming later.

 

A journaling prompt for this week. What do you do to practice self care? Some days I like to focus on my hobbies. It gives me time to do something I enjoy which helps me to relax. Also I make sure I get plenty of sleep. A cup of coffee is my way of spoiling myself each morning.

 

Dull days are back! Except for the occasional dr. appointment or quick errand, dull has made an appearance once again! We did have a little excitement one day when we got some snow. No big accumulation but it sure was pretty to watch it coming down. Especially since we did not have to go anywhere!

 

When we got our new appliances in 2020, we decided to wait on a dishwasher because the one we had was still working good. It started to act sick the other night and we thought we might be making a trip to the store to pick out a new one but instead we had our local repair man come out and it was a quick fix. It was also a lot cheaper than buying new!

 

I did order Elizabeth Hunter by The Scarlett House. She has not arrived yet but when she gets here, she will be kitted up and put on the top of the stack!

 

I am anxiously awaiting the release of two designs by HATS. Amy Fisher and Amelia Bachelor. I picked up some new stickers for my Book of Days and Journal.

 

Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

Here We Go Again!

 I spent New Years Eve and New Year Day with my journal, my Book of Days (stitching calendar) and a WIP.

 

My journaling prompt for today is about stitching. Do you like to stitch borders? When I first started stitching years ago, I did not like to stitch borders and usually tried to leave them off but over the years, I have come to appreciate these as a big and important part of the design. I still get frustrated with them but am happy I took the time to stitch them after all is said and done.

 

 Have you ever lost a WIP? I have misplaced several before but eventually do find them except this time! I had been working on A Virtuous Woman by Carriage. House Sampling earlier in 2020 and set it down. I looked and looked for it and it was NO WHERE to be found! I had to re-order the chart, the threads and pull some fabric to start over! This will make me think twice about setting my work aside for awhile! LOL

 

I get so excited when I find a shop with an OOP chart that I had wanted but never got around to buying! This doesn't happen as often as I would like but it still makes me happy. I recently found Worthy Brown by Carriage House Sampling and had to bring her home!

 

In between the holiday rush and things going on around here, I decided that I would stitch on a WIP for the remainder of the year and until it is finished!  I have been stitching on Mary Eliza McMillan by HATS. I started on this when it first came out but I put it aside because of a bursitis flare. I thought about starting over with different colors but I like it with the called for colors. She is being stitched on 18 count Aida Beige by My Vintage NeedleArts over at Etsy in the called for DMC colors.

 

I decided to stick with stitching my samplers (and a few Christmas) this year. I have a bad habit of getting caught up in other peoples work and wanting to stitch the same thing only to end up setting it aside. No fancy wild hairs messing up my rhythm this year! I am going to stay within my comfort zone for a change!

 

Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

Good Bye 2020

 

It's Coming!

 A New Year is right around the corner! A brand new clean calendar! It is up to each one of us what we do with it. Each year I take the same basic goals with a possible extra or two tossed in for good measure. I prefer to use "goals" instead of "resolutions" because I feel that I am taking already important things in my life and putting my focus on strengthening them.

 

1. To make an effort to learn something new everyday. The joy of knowledge is indeed a blessing no matter what you choose to learn.

 

2. To make time for myself. It is amazing what 15 minutes sitting on the deck with a hot cup of coffee and watching the birds can do for my soul. A little time each day to refresh my spirit is all it takes.

 

3. To take time to appreciate each day. Too often we forget to see the beauty around us and take the simple things for granted. My continued goal is to look with my eyes but to see with my heart.

 

4. To enjoy my family and friends. I am lucky to have each one of them in my life.

 

5. To remember. So many people have come and gone from my life over the years and I want to keep their memories alive.

 

6. To keep my faith alive and growing stronger each day.

 

7. Organize and Simplify! Organize does not mean that I have to go on a cleaning spree each day. It just means that I need to get my life in some sort of manageable order so that I am not constantly feeling overwhelmed. Simplify. Just what it says. Stop making a mountain out of a mole hill and take life one day at a time.

 

8.  A Random Act of Kindness. Like so many others, I was raised to do them. Only back then, they were called "manners". I challenge myself to make RAKs a regular part of my days. Whether it be opening a door for someone. Taking a grocery cart back into the store. Buying someone a cup of coffee or just a smile to make someone's day a little brighter.

 

9. To Forgive. Things happen and often we are left with feelings of anger and hurt. Too often the people who cause these feelings don't even know or just don't care. We are the ones left feeling bitter. I will let the past remain in the past and let go of those feelings so that I can move on.

 

10. To use kind words and patience more often. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

 

And of course, I always add some personal goals just for me.

 

1. To keep the joy in my hobbies.

 

2. To journal more often.

 

3. To spend more time with my stitching

 

4. Keep my blog up to date.

 

5. Take more trips. Even a day trip can refresh the soul.

 

6. Enjoy each day!

 

7. Work on my Stitching Bucket List

 

8. Catch up some of my WIPs

Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart

What a Year!

 I hope everyone had a nice Christmas. It was quite around here which is the way I like it! The boys are grown now so that early morning excitement has been replaced with sleeping in a little longer. It's just amazing how much better I feel when the Grumpy Ol Gazer is home instead of the hospital!

 

I was asked to show the inside of my journals by Journal Junky over at Etsy. When I have hand cramps, I type out my journal entry and paste it on the page. My journaling drawer got too full so I switched it over to a tote bag (with journals, stickers, adhesives and more) until I can find a bigger drawer!

 

I also wanted to show the covers. You can leave them plain or you can have a quote (or anything else) put on the cover. You can get the inside pages plain or with lines. I like the lined pages.

While catching up some Flosstube programs at YouTube, I watched the most recent one by Hands Across the Sea. One of her recent releases, Cicely Margaret Ingram is such a sweet little design but I knew it was a must have when I saw that Cicely's birthday was the same as mine!

 

One of my birthday deliveries was this stitching frame that I have had my eye on for more than several years. It was too expensive in the past but I found a sale that was just right!

 

I also got a new boom box. My old one was really OLD and just did not work very good. This one is small enough I can leave it by the computer and wear my headphones to listen to some music while I surf the web or bring it out to sit by stitching chair.

 

One of my journaling prompts was "What time of day do you enjoy the most?". I would have to say early mornings. Usually everyone is still asleep and I can enjoy my coffee in peace and quite while catching up online. Even if someone else is awake, they are usually too tired to even acknowledge my early rising so it is still like being the only one up and stirring around.

 

Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

From Our Family To Your Family

 

He's On His Way

 

He's Home. Again.

 Thank you to everyone who sent sweet birthday wishes!

 Well, I had my birthday all planned out. I was going to to go down to my LNS with my birthday coupon and go crazy. Then we were going to go out to eat at my favorite place and on the way home, we would stop and I would get my free holiday birthday coffee. None of that happened.

 

Two days before my birthday, the Grumpy Ol Gazer landed back in the hospital.This time it was pneumonia and he was on a ventilator again. Luckily he got home about a week  before Christmas. I did not go the first several days because of freezing rain and I did not want to risk  another fall plus the hospital wanted me to wait for some of his test results to come back. So for my birthday, I ate left overs and just hung out by myself. Life happens. I am glad he is home and well.

 

Several nice books for keeping track of my cross stitch arrived from Amazon and now I get to work on filling them out.

 

I also have some PDF printable stitching record sheets from BlackCrowDigital over at Etsy to help me keep up with my stitching.

 

My journals arrived  this week (Journal Junky at Etsy) and I am over the moon happy with them! I was going to save them to start on for the New Year but I am so thrilled with them, I just couldn't wait! I will probably go ahead and order several more after the first of the year to have on hand!! LOL While letting my old bones heal some more, I set up my journaling drawer so I would have everything at my finger tips when needed!

 

My arms are starting to feel a little better. I have been exercising them about 30 minutes a day to loosen them up. I may just pull out a new start now that the Grumpy Ol Gazer is home.I just don't have stitching concentration while he is in the hospital!

 

I had a list of threads and charts I wanted to get at the LNS on my birthday. Instead, I just ordered them. Not as much fun but I still got what I had wanted except for a few items that were out of stock and I can get later. Several other goodies arrived that I will show off later. Plus there is more to come. Double the fun when your birthday is so close to Christmas!

 

Right now I am SO SO ready for some dull days! LOL

 

Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart. 

TODAY!

 

December Rolls On

 I have been having a blast looking up ideas for my 2021 creative journal! It may just be the best one yet! I am looking forward to working on both of them. Writing and creativity has always been a big part of my life. I grew up surrounded by people who were talented in both areas.

 

The bursitis in my shoulders is so much better after the shots but my lower arms are still tight and hard to move. I have been wearing an ace bandage to help out some and switching from a heating pad to ice packs. If it does not get better within several weeks, he told me to come back. But I have been sleeping like a baby thanks to those numbing bandages he gave me for that giant bruise on my back (from that nasty fall).

 

I tried a new recipe the other night. The Grumpy Ol Gazer is on a heart healthy diet now that calls for one day a week with NO meat.  I absolutely loved it and he was surprised at how much he liked it since he did not get too excited about the ingredients. I took two similar recipes and used the ingredients that I liked from both.I call it Greek Pasta.

 

(I seldom measure. I just add until it looks like the right amount)

1. start your angel hair pasta

2. saute onions, green peppers and mushrooms

3. Put #2 in a pot

4. add sundried tomatoes, artichokes (cut up),  black olives, black beans (rinsed and drained) and anything else that makes your mouth water.

5. Drain pasta and toss with olive oil. Serve with toppings and sprinkle feta cheese on top. Serve with garlic bread

 

Because of my arms and the fall, I am taking a break from stitching (and housework) for a while but I am getting everything ready for the first of the year! I have two charts that are up for grabs for the first 2021 stitch!

 

Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

Still moving around

 I have had back to back bursitis flares since August and I am really tired of them! I had an appointment for my dr. to give me his magic shot and make this nasty stuff go away. Hopefully I will have full use of my arms in several days! Same rules as last time though. Don't over do too quickly. Do a little, rest, do a little......

 

All of my dr. appointments are taken care of until the end of the month. I don't want to go anywhere else until I am healed and not so stiff and sore from that fall!

 

I had several Happy Mail days since my last post. I got Isabella Fox by Gigi R. and Mahala Barber by Fox and Rabbit Designs. I am not going to buy the fabrics until I see what I have in my stash. I plan to make a birthday trip to my LNS later this month and will pick up the threads then.

 

I really like the Mahala Barber sampler but only the top half. I doubt I stitch the bottom half. If we can switch out colors for ones we like, why can't we stitch only parts of the pattern that we like?

 

Since I have not been able to stitch (or anything else) I have been making my stitching plans for next year. I have more than one WIP but only one that I am determined to get finished in 2021. This piece has been on going for 15 years!!!

 

I have never cooked on Christmas. When the boys were little, I wanted to see every minute of them opening presents and playing with them so I would usually get a big tray of BBQ with all the fixings to snack on all day. The Thanksgiving dinner that I ordered was so good, I decided that I will be ordering our Christmas dinner from Cracker Barrel also. Only this time, it will be my favorite. Chicken and Dumplings with sides.

 

Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.