Just Words

 We had absolutely NO doctor appointments for almost 3 weeks around here! What a break! We did get a rainy spell which was fine with me because we have the walk way out back now in case we have to go out in it. We were able to get some groceries picked up before the rain moved in and then I had several days of good stitching!

 

Somehow, a feral pregnant cat got into the crawl space under our house. She had her litter of kittens and after they left, it sounded like she threw a big party! A lot of the duct work going to AC was torn down! We keep that door closed and locked. She must have found some other way to get in! Now we have to get all of  that fixed before it causes some major damage!

 

My infusions will be coming up again around the end of July. I have decided that I will either take in Ann Pegg by The Scarlett House or Be Who You Are by Lizzie Kate. They have both been started and are in my WIP basket.

 

It looks like I will be having several surgeries coming up. The first one will be fairly minor. My fistula surgeon needs to do a little tweaking to help keep the swelling down in my arm. Nothing major or urgent. I just want to get it out of the way.

 

Sometime before or after infusions, I will get something done about my shoulder. The x-rays showed a little more than just a simple dislocated shoulder. This one will be a little bit trickier since I will be wearing a sling for 2-4 weeks and basically will only be able to use one arm for several months. Several of my doctors (and my insurance) disagree on certain things concerning the timing but I am still in pain with it! 

 

Doing about anything that require two hands and/or arms is very challenging! Stitching, typing, cooking, doing laundry and more! My stitching has definitely suffered because of my arm so I have been working on my family history more lately.

 

I realized that I need to get my stitching pulled and ready to work on (in case I can) so I don't have to do a lot of hunting while I am one armed. LOL. I have plenty of WIPs I can work on but I thought this might be the perfect time for a new start. I have two that I am debating between.

 

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

Back Again

 Last week was an off week. I did not have a fever nor felt physically ill in any way. I just felt blah. No energy and even picking up my stitching felt like a major chore! Maybe it was all that awful pollen we have had floating around in the air this season! We had a little rain but not enough to wash all of it out of the air! Our red jeep looks like a lime green jeep with red undertones! LOL

The Grumpy Ol Gazer helped me out with my new organizing system. I love my new storage boxes but something was missing. Oh yeah, my craft storage unit! It had gotten old and just did not work right so out it went and I ordered a new one to replace it. Now everything is just right! I also brought out a smaller basket to keep my current stitches by my chair for easy access.

 

Boy, family history can be exhausting! I am still finding quite a bit of new information and am finding things that I had put aside to work on later on so that is like more new info all over again! I have gotten up to my 12th great grandparents on certain sides and to the Grumpy Ol Gazer's 13th ggrandparents!!  That is a long ways back in time! I decided that I am going to give our Family History several days a week until I get caught up again.

 

Since my last post, we have had a few more dr. appointments, a lot of errands and I got the first of my vaccines after waiting the allotted 3 months since my last infusion! As for my shoulder, this guy wants to do surgery and I just don't know if I like that idea! It doesn't hurt as bad as it first did and I can use it to a certain extent. I have a few more questions and maybe even get another opinion.

 

I pulled out all of my WIPs. OMG! I didn't realize that I had so many! And yet I keep ordering more! LOL. I am embarrassed but I have never let that stop me! I have 2-3 new charts I recently ordered and received that I keep debating on starting. I think I will hold off until June before I pull them out though.

 

Since my lost blog post, I ordered Songbird Sampler by Artful Offerings along with the threads. I have plenty of fabrics so I should be able to find something that will work!

 

I started another SAL with an IG pal. O My Bird by Teresa Kogut. Thank goodness this one will be a s-l-o-w stitch with no plans of finishing up until Mother's Day 2022.

 

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

Just Another Week

 I hope all of you ladies had a special Mother's Day! I did. It was a quite day around here. I wasn't feeling at the top of my game and just wanted to lay around the house. The restaurants are always super crowded on Mother's Day so the Grumpy Ol Gazer brought in some chicken to eat while we caught up on some movies. I did get some Mother's Day bling (needleminders). A bee, a bird and an owl. Cute!

 

I cancelled my Ancestry.com subscription when the Grumpy Ol Gazer retired. That was 2 years ago. When I cancel, I usually re-subscribe about once a year because they are always finding new info. I did that over the weekend and have already found some new family items for my side and the Grumpy Ol Gazer's family!

 

I placed an order for All Things Great and Small by Barbara Ana Designs, Consider the Lillies by Heartstring Samplery and His Eye is on the Sparrow by Heartstring Samplery along with all the threads. I have a good fabric stash so I was able to find what I needed instead of having to order more.

 

I stitched on the #bbdweekendsal (instagram) for a bit. I mentioned before that I am working on A Sister's Love from the Winds of Autumn book. I have actually done more that this and I am LOVING these colors! I need to decide if I am going to use my mother's and aunt's initials (they were sisters and very close) or if I want to use the initials of my infant brothers who never came home from the hospital (since I am their big sister). 

 

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

HAPPY MOtHER'S DAY

 

May is Here

 I can't believe it is almost May! And I haven't posted in almost a month! Where did the time go?

 

The first of the week was reserved for several dr. appointments and grocery shopping. Then I was house bound for the remainder of the week. We found a contractor to put in a walk way from the driveway around the back of house to the deck. Since my last fall, I stay away from the front steps and only use the back but it gets so muddy when it rains so this walk way will solve a lot of issues for us. Now I will have a nice dry path to the easy steps!

 

I went to the dr. about my shoulder. I have a dislocated shoulder.. I have consulted several other doctors because of other health issues that could affect this and they have all given me the green light as long as it is a minor surgery. 

 

I ordered some more threads. I needed the threads for Stacy Nash Rose Garden Sampler and others I never have enough of. I also ordered a few stitching aids, Seven Red Alphabets by Needlework Press plus several other charts and their threads. Some fabric from My Vintage Needlearts arrived. I am always thrilled to see a package from here.

 

While getting the last of my organizing taken care of, I came across an older chart that I wanted to do it but always opted to work on something else. Since it is a small design, I decided to add it into my WIP stack. Be who you are by Lizzie Kate. I am using the called for threads and stitching on 18 count Aida in Rustico.

 

Now I have a confession to make. People change. Well, so do stitchers. I can remember when I first began stitching, I would not dream of starting a new piece until I had finished the current one. Now I have piles of WIPs. When I first began stitching, I went totally by the pattern. No changes in colors or anything else. Now I like make the stitch my own. Also, when I first started, I liked the simple smaller stitches. Now I tend to go from medium size to BAP!

 

Part 2 of my confession. Whenever I stitch, my mind wanders to other pieces I want to work on. I am going to take the rest of this year (and probably into next year) to just work on ALL of these designs that keep creeping into my thoughts! Some will be new starts and some will be WIPs. I will probably only work on each one 2-3 days a month but I am in no hurry right now to finish up or frame anything. I just want to enjoy them all!

 

I have never participated in a StitchMaynia and really don't think I could handle the big numbers that people take on for this but I do have my own smaller list to concentrate on. I am not going to name any of the designs I have put aside for this because I may choose to do less (or maybe more). I will post pictures as I work on them though.

 

Brenda and Laura (Brenda and the Serial Starter on Flosstube) are going to have a BBD SAL beginning the first weekend in May. You can find it over at IG under #bbdweekendsal. I will be joining the fun and working on A Sisters Love from the Autumn Winds book by BBD.

 

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

Catching Up!

 What a month March was! Hopefully, April will be a little more low key. I saw my dr. about my arm. He referred me over to an ortho dr but that appointment is not going to be for a while.. He said I could stitch as long as I have support under the arm and don't do too much at one time.

 

It turned out that all of those bursitis flares (that were worse each time) on top of the osteoporosis (caused by one of my meds) did the deed. Damage on top of damage!

 

I have been seeing a surgeon at a hospital closer to me about their kidney transplant program. He wants me to build up my strength some more before we continue the discussion but he said the answer may still be NO because of all of my other health issues.

 

The Grumpy Ol Gazer got his first and second Covid vaccine. I feel good knowing that he is taken care of. I have to wait a while longer because of my infusions and my immune system has to build up some more.

 

What do you do when you can't stitch as much as you would like? I went through stash and made some orders for new charts that I'm sure I really didn't need plus a new thread storage system.

 

I have ANOTHER new start.  After this last month, I felt I deserved one! Hannah Jenkinson by Stacy Nash. I have loved this one and wanted to start on it for a good while but something kept holding me back. I finally realized it was the threads. I love the called for colors but I just wanted something different. I decided to just go through my thread stash and pull the colors that spoke to me! I have done this before and have always been pleased with the outcome! No real order to the colors either. I just use what I want as I want.  I am using 18 count Aida in Toffee from My Vintage Needlearts. No picture yet but coming soon!

 

I am still working on Ann Pegg and several others. My new storage system is helping me keep up with them much better instead of losing them in all the clutter!

 

I only pre-ordered one design from the Needlework Expo. Rose Cottage Sampler by Stacy Nash but I have seen several others I may buy once they are released.

 

My threads for Amy Fisher by HATS arrived along with some extras that I never seem to have enough of. Also The Pink Sparrow sampler by Brenda Gervais and threads came!

 

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

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.