WOW! What a Day

We had quite the day yesterday.  We had to go to a Doctor's appointment 200 miles away.  I had a premonition before we left the house to take a little extra cash in case of emergency.

After the appointment, we stopped for lunch and did a little shopping.  I planned on doing after Christmas/Christmas shopping for Katy.  She will be graduating in the spring and needed clothes for interviews.  Stopped at Trader Joe's for the basics:  olive oil, rice, marinara sauce and 3 buck Chuck...you know, the basics.  We were on our way home, making good time, home by 6:30 pm until about an hour into the trip, on the interstate, going 70 mph when the left rear tire went flat.  26 degrees outside, 4pm, cars and semi's whizzing by...really fast and the tire goes flat.  Thank God, and absolutely wonderful man, Sam with his daughter stopped and changed my tire.  We could not jack up the car on the side high enough so, he had to crawl under the car to jack it up.  He knew what he was doing since he is a truck mechanic.  God bless him!  We were back on the road with a small size spare that you can only go 50-55 mph (while everyone else is going 70) for 60 miles and we were about 130 miles from home.  I got to the nearest bigger town and stopped at a Fleet Farm for a new tire.  Sam was waiting for us to make sure we got there okay.  He will be in my prayers for some time!!

The holidays have been very busy with the kids being home and the mom's.  Just haven't had the time to post.  Here are some pics of the latest finishes.

Not a very good picture.  I could have used more batting too.  Limited edition from With Thy Needle and Thread:  Reindeer Games

 Where's Rudolph in a frame.  

I 

I just finished Pineberry Lane:  I Bring Thee Joy.  

I had some hand dyed linen from Notforgotten Farm.  

I should have done the words in a different color but, not going to re-stitch it now.  

One final Christmas Picture left.  

Our little dog Buster curled up under the tree the last stitching group I had here.  

Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year!!

Keep on Stitching!!!

Monica

One Down. One To Go

Ed graduated from college yesterday with a BS in Business, Computers and Information Systems.  

Looking pretty scruffy but, at least he had a tie on.  

It has been a journey.  

 Father and Son

 Mom and Son

 It was a very nice ceremony. 

The speakers were eloquent without being winded

The music was excellent and the procession started with a bagpiper who wasn't too overwhelming. 

We have the department potluck on Tuesday.  

We are voting for the best ugly sweater at $5 a vote to raise money for the Salvation Army

I got rid of my ugly Christmas sweaters a long time ago.  

The didn't have any plus size sweaters where I stopped today so I improvised.  

The gingerbread men are pot holders.  I pinned them on, one in front and one in back.  

Added a little garland on the bottom.  

I could use some bells around but, I don't know if I have any and don't want to go to Walmart to buy any. This may have to suffice.  

 I did finish Where's Rudolph.  

I love this little piece.  

It is small over 1 on 28 count.  

He will fit in a readimade frame

Just been very busy getting ready for Christmas and dealing with Mom things.  

She has not been feeling well and is going to need more care at the Assisted Living. 

She does not want to return to the nursing home.  

Finally, if you haven't checked it out, Nancy at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe has been doing an amazing give away for the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Check out my side bar.  

Hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Keep Stitching

Monica

Primitive Floss

Hohoho another give away from Nancy at the Victorian Motto Sampler shoppe.  Click the link on my side bar.

Another Great Christmas Give Away At Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

This is a wonderful give away.  Check it out with the link
Super Great!

Keep on Stitching
Monica

Fifth Day at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

The Fifth day give away.
Check it Out
Happy stitching
Monica

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe Twelve Days of Christmas

A new give away to start on December 13th.
Check it Out

Just Because I Thought It Was Cool

We had a little snow.  

As it melts off the roof it drips on the Burning Bush and created some very cool icicles.

I figured this would make a good background on my FB header.  

 Where's Rudolph is coming along nicely.  

Quite the jolly elf.  

Thanksgiving weren't well and everyone was able to be there.  

While the kids were home, we put the tree up.  

Katy won't be home until just before Christmas which is cutting it pretty close.  

Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful.  

Keep on Stitching

Monica

Where's Rudolph

Started working on Where's Rudolph from With Thy Needle and Thread.

It is down on 28 count over one.  

Teenie tiny stitches but, starting to look like something. 

 Not the world's greatest picture but, I finished off Give Thanks.

The pop pom is the one called for by the pattern.

Its a dark purple

I went to see Ed yesterday.  He doesn't have too much longer before he graduates.  He is living in an on-campus apartment which means he has to vacate very soon.  He is also getting a little worried about the future.  I went to help him with his resume and suggest letters.  We looked some jobs on line.  I also brought back some of his stuff.   We loaded up:  a bike, 2 skate boards, a snow board, two guitars, a guitar stand.  I also shopped and had a 72 pack of TP from Target and a 25# bag of rice and a few small bags.  Then once closer to home, I stopped at the grocery store to pick up the food for Thanksgiving and the kids coming home....so add another 5 very fully packed bags and a turkey.

Hope you have had a good weekend.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Keep on Stitching
Monica

The Butter Cutter

As always its been busy.  Mom is at a skilled nursing facility for therapy.  She is doing well and is scheduled for discharge on December 4th.  Had the care plan meeting today.  They did put her on the memory care unit which is the nice way of saying she's on lock down.  I did tell them I wanted her eating in the main dining room, participating in activities and continuing in therapy.  I don't think she needs to be there but, they are concerned and need to keep her safe.  She should be fine back at the assisted living.  We did see the pulmonologist today and she is scheduled for some tests.  She may need to be on oxygen at least at night, if she will do it.  That is always a big word "IF".

I and two of the stitchy girls went on the retreat in Door County again this year.  It was my fourth year and it is just a whole lotta fun.  We went to an amazing yarn store in Sturgeon Bay called the Spin.  We figure we could do the whole trip:  cross stitch, quilting store, yarn store and lunch in a day and be home for dinner.

 A skein of really amazing self striping sock yarn and then some yarn for a shawl.  I want to try  making one.  I did buy two other skeins for Katy as Christmas presents but, can't show it.

Stopped in a kitchen gadget store and got this.  I call it a butter cutter.  It has a big fancy name:  Casabella butter keep and blah, blah blah.  Basically, its a silicone butter dish with a plastic lid with a blade to cut the butter.  There are markings for teaspoon and tablespoon.  No more partially used stick of butter wrapped in the paper in my fridge anymore.  I think this is the greatest gadget in a long time.

 Finally, I finished Threadwork Primitives Give Thanks at the retreat.  I thought maybe I would have it finished as a pinkeep but, it has been busy around here.  Mom stuff all day with doctors appt and meetings about plans at the SNF and the AL.

Started working on some Santa's.  I was able to score one of the limited editions of With Thy Needle and Thread Reindeer Games.  Pictures sometime in the future.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks for stopping.
Keep on Stitching
Monica

There Have Been Trials and Tribulations

There have been trials and tribulations to say the least.  

Right after the post of October 18th, my mom started having stomach problems.  

We thought it was a stomach virus and thought for a day or two it was getting better, then it wasn't.  

I took her to the emergency department and they thought it was pneumonia and a UTI.  

Started treating her for that in the hospital and she was getting better, wacky from steroids, but, better.

Then the stomach thing resurrected and she was really sick but, refused to have an endoscopy to see what was going on.

Two days later, she finally agreed to it and was diagnosed with gastric paresis and treated with medication.  She has been getting better but, not good enough to go back to her assisted living and had to  go to a nursing home for rehab.  

My oldest sister was planning on coming home but, decided to do it sooner because we honestly thought this was the end. 

She is doing better, walking better and doing her daily cares, still wacky...mentally

While my sister was here, we did do some funeral planning as maudlin as it sounds.

After all that, we decided we needed something life affirming so we went to the Alpaca Farm/Yarn Store.

There are some very new babies, which are a concern but, they are soo adorable!

 Autumn and her momma...three days old and so sweet and a beautiful color.

 I do love the black alpaca's

 Artie who is about three weeks old and very energetic...not here. 

I love the color and markings on this face. 

Picked up this book and it has some wonderful patterns.  

Some alpaca sock yarn that was especially beautiful and needed to come home with me.  

Lastly, I finished Hocus Pocus.  Don't know when I will get around framing it.  I do love this pattern.
Onward to some Thanksgiving patterns.  I don't know that I have room for anymore but, I have one to do.

Friday, we leave for the Stitching Retreat.  I am really looking forward to this and have one of my other sisters coming for the weekend so I can go without guilt.

Hope things have been going well in your neck of the woods.
Keep on Stitching
Monica

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe Give Away

Another Fantastic Give Away.  I think if I don't win this I may have to order the set for myself as a Christmas present.
Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe Give Away

I have been having a little issue posting.  I will have to post later this afternoon.

Baked Potato Party

Had friends over last night for sort of a potluck.

We provided baked potatoes, butter, salad, dessert and adult beverages.  

Everyone else brought toppings for the baked potatoes.  

We had:  ham, bacon, taco meat, cheeses, sour cream, tomatoes, salsa and taco chips.

I've been wanting to do this for a while.  

It was a fun evening.  

Mom is nearly done quilting the throw.  

Last weekend I got the parts cut for two table runners.

The other one will look like this but, different fabrics.  

Pretty much took all afternoon to get it done but, it is ready to be quilted.   

 Update on Hocus Pocus.  

Nearly 2/3's done.  

I made a new dessert recipe last night...Pumpkin Bars.  They turned out great.

Pumpkin Bars

                   2 c. pumpkin

                   2 c. sugar

                   3/4 c. melted butter

                   4 eggs

                   1 tsp. vanilla

                   2. flour

                   1 tsp baking soda

                   2 tsp. baking powder

                   2 tsp. cinnamon but I used 2 tsp of pumpkin pie spice.

Mix the first 5 ingredients.  Mix the dry ingredients together and add to the pumpkin mixture.  Spray a jelly roll sheet or 2 9x13 pans.  Bake a 325 for 25-30 minutes or until done.  Cool completely

Frosting:  4 oz cream cheese softened

                 6 Tbsp milk

                1 stick of butter

                 1 tsp vanilla

                Powdered sugar.  

Mix the first four ingredients until smooth.  Add enough powdered sugar to make a creamy frosting.  

Hope you had a great weekend

Keep on stitching

Monica

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe Give Away

Another fabulous give away at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe.  Take a chance at winning some hand dyed linen.

Hocus Pocus

Been working on Prairie Schooler Hocus Pocus.  

It is turning out sooo cute. 

I am really sad that she has retired.  

Prairie Schooler has been one of my favorites for years.  

I have 75 patterns but, not really,  I have pack of the little free cards she use to give.  

Got to love the XStitch app and it is now available for Android.  

Working on Hocus Pocus.  

I took Buster to the groomers this morning and Henry Ford went in his crate.

He really thought that Buster was getting a treat.

When I got home, without Buster, HF was not too happy.

He searched the house, the backyard, the garage and did circles around the car.

I let him checkout the inside and then he would get out.  

I think he would have stayed there until Buster came home.  

I got him out of the car and he was relieved when I brought Buster home.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Keep on Stitching

Monica

Stressful Weekend. Last Weekend was Better

It has been a stressful weekend.  

Mom's Assisted Living called at 12:50 am Saturday saying they were sending her to the ED.  

She has been fighting bronchitis for a 2-3 weeks and was having trouble breathing with the coughing.  I was there before she was and stayed with her until they admitted her.  

Last weekend was much better at least until that Blood, Full Moon.

We went to Marquette last Saturday and the weather was amazing.  

We even had lunch out side at a restaurant called L'Attitudes.

Food was great, as was the company and the view.  

 My guys

 A fleet of little sailboats

A half and hour earlier a bride and groom were having their pictures taken.  

Hopefully, Mom will be headed home soon. 

She was a little high from the RT treatments

Hope you had a good weekend

Keep on Stitching.

Monica

Just Don't Know What To Do

Hard to believe that September is nearly over.  

It is sooo weird.  

The temperatures have been in the 70's to 80 but its dark by 7 pm.  

Trees are starting to turn but, just starting.  

I'm not complaining.  It's just so weird.  

I believe in global warming.  

I have been thinking about what to make for my stitching groups Christmas presents.  

I'm just dry, nothing, and uninspired.  

I just don't know what to do....so if anyone has an idea.  

I have done pre-blog:  altoid boxes, sew gadget with a stitched case, notebooks with stitching on the front, candle wraps out of perforated plastic (that was tough on the joints), and a stitching bag, to name a few.  

These were calendar covers with a dayplanner calendar, Drawn Thread, I did the months they were born in 2011

A wooden box, With Thy Needle and Thread with needle books, scissors fobs and a scissors.

Had a box and trappings leftovers and did it as a drawing.  

2013 was bracelets.  These beads I thought were really cool.  Don't know that anyone wears them.  

Maybe not such a good idea.  

2014 was a project bag, another With Thy Needle and Thread.  I think this did turn out awesome.

So here it is guys,  I think I may actually just buy something. (GASP)

I just haven't seen anything that really floats my boat. 

I think a lot has to do with just dealing with moms and having to quilt.....(ugh!!)

If anyone has a good idea, let me know. 

I think I'm tapped out. Should have had a drawing for that.  

Got my Pandora playing my Steely Dan station and Gerry Rafferty is playing.  

Takes me back to college days.  

That about wraps it up.

Keep on Stitching.  

Monica

Breathless Anticipation....And The Winner Is

Congratulations Pamela!
Everyone have a great stitchy week!
And a wonderful first day of Autumn!!
Monica

Couldn't Think of a Clever Title.

I have put away His Eye is on the Sparrow for a while.

I love stitching all things fall:  fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving.  

I also enjoy Christmas pieces.  

From now until after the Holidays, I will most likely be stitching those things.  

This a quick little stitch from Hillside Samplings called Bittersweet Farm.  

I started it last week and it is going fast.  

I just have to finish the hill infront of the house, the pumpkins, bittersweet border and a little back stitching.  

I thought I would add a few pics of the boys.  

Henry Ford has been out of the woods so he has some burrs stuck to him.

We are gradually getting them out with help from Cowboy Magic used on horses.  

Someone told us about this years ago when Huck had them.  

 Then there's Buster.  

I don't know if you remember the Schwepps Man but his 'stache reminds me of him.  

 Then my mom has been working on a quilt.  

It is a simple square.  She had tried doing a split rail but,  that wasn't working so good.

She kept sewing the strips the same way rather than making a 3 strip square and turning it.  

She has been fighting with this for a few weeks.

When I stopped to see her yesterday, she had one of the CNA's trying to figure out what was wrong with her machine.  

There wasn't really anything wrong with the sewing machine. 

You know how there is that little slit on a spool of thread to hook the end, the thread was caught on that.  

She had all the stitch lengths, tension and whatevers all screwed up trying to fix what was wrong.  

I fixed it, turned the spool around and got everything adjusted and it sewed just fine.  

I did offer to take it home and finish the last few rows.  

On thursday, when I stopped she was trying to pin a row that she hadn't sewn the squares together yet.  Some of the patterned pieces are wrong side.  It is hard to tell the difference. 

I finished the last few rows

 I also have it layed and pinned ready for hand quilting. 

Its just getting too hard for her to sequence things.

I wrote everything down for her.

My aunt had the squares pinned for sewing and the rows numbered.  

It was starting to get to her.   

 Hope you had a good weekend.
Keep on stitching
Monica

6:37

No pictures today.  I've been working on the Lizzie Kate Mystery Sampler and until its done, its a mystery.

It has been a busy day.  I did hem two pairs of pants and started logging charts into my Xstitch app for my IPhone.  I don't know if I will do the the thread or not, maybe, haven't decided for sure.  I am anxious to see just how many charts I have.  I'm telling you its a disease.  I have logged in 59 so far and thats just in one basket.  There is a lot more to come.

Haven't had to cook today since Bob is prepping for his colonscopy tomorrow.  I have to schedule mine.  I figured 6:37 was when things were really going to start happening.  Nope, not yet.  Could have started a Pooh Pool.  I'm just bad and maladjusted.

Have a great week.
Keep on Stitching
Monica

Another Give away from Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

Another lovely floss collection give away at:
Victorian motto sampler shoppe
Check it out.

Bad Blogger Give Away

I have been a bad blogger.  

Not entirely my fault, just too much going on.

I sometimes don't have the gumption to blog.  

Maybe it should be more "pay it forward."  

I actually won this as a give away from Samplers and Santas and knew I would pass it on after I stitched it.

However, its not just the pattern.

I have included a piece of fabric I used to finish the pinkeep with and a few other little doodads to embellish the piece if you are so inspired or keep for something else.  

So here is what you need to do:  1.  You must respond on this entry.
                                                    2.  Please be a follower
The drawing will be on September 23, 2015,  the Autumnal Equinox.

Hope you had a wonderful Labor Day.  I still labored on my sewing room, trying to put things away and clean out the extraneous stuff that came in the sewing table I got from my MIL.

BTW Check outVMSS: Prim Color Thread Give Away.....AWE-SOME!!

Have a wonderful week....and its a short one!!!Keep on Stitching
Monica
                                                 

His Eye on the Sparrow

I saw Ed yesterday and we talked about life, the future, getting things done and overall stuff.

He'll be graduating at the end of the semester and needs to start working on that before graduation.  

Its scary stuff!

And I loaded his refrigerator up.  

It was a fun day!!

Been plugging away at my His Eye is on the Sparrow.  

I'm nearly done with the bottom section.  

I usually frame my pieces but, because this one is so large, I'll have it professionally done.

Better start saving for that.

It really is such a cool piece.  It is taking a long time.  I still have the top section and then the border left to do.  I may have to put it aside for a while and work on my Lizzie Kate Mystery sampler.

Hope you have had a great weekend.  There is too much work and not enough stitching time.  I've been going like a bat out of hell all week.  Even Thursday, my day off I worked like a maniac.  The insanity needs to stop!  Yeah, right.

Have a wonderful week.
Keep on Stitching
Monica

New Phone

I went to Verizon, my carrier to see what kind of a deal they would make on an IPhone 6.  I knew I could get one from Best Buy for $99.  Nope, $199 at Verizon and they proceeded to tell me that I would get a much better IPhone from them then Best Buy.  I figured I would take my chance and get it from Best Buy.  I wanted the IPhone because of the app XStitch to inventory my stash.

I've been working on figuring out the new phone.  It isn't too different.

 Katy at the yarn store feeding the alpaca's.  I picked up a new book, Making Shaws with Sock Yarn

We made bracelets last night.  My cousin's wife has breast cancer.  She is going through chemo right now so I thought I would make her a bracelet.  The dangly by the clasp is removable with a lobster claw clasp and says "Believe" and "Hope".  I could have gone pink but, she wears alot of earth tones.  I will have to get it off in the mail, hopefully to brighten her day.  

It has been a really crazy month with Mom.  July was an overnight stay for chest pain.  Her nitro was just old.  Did you know that stuff only lasts a few months?  Then, last weekend it was a flare up of her COPD and she was in the hospital for five days.  I was suppose to go on my college girls weekend but, had to stay home instead.  I wouldn't have had a good time and there was no one else to take care of it.  She is back at the assisted living and doing fine.  She is confused and needs to do a nebulizer treatment four times a day but, doesn't get it right.  Either she does 1 or 2 or since she got home and is a little shook up, did 3 this morning by 10 am.  They are now going to supervise her.  

Can't believe how the summer has flown by.  Katy has been home since August 1 but, getting ready to leave to go back to school.  I'm glad she has been home because she has been an immense help through this.  

Have a great weekend.

Keep on Stitching 

Monica

What Will You Do When You Can't Cross Stitch Anymore?

I've been thinking a lot lately about what I'm going to do when I can't cross stitch any more.  I've been watching my mom struggle with quilting.  Quilting was her passion.  She is still doing the hand quilting but, we have the keep the projects small:  hot pads, placemats and table runners.

I thought maybe punch needle.  I bought a cheap punch needle to try and see if I might like it.  I got fabric too.  Haven't tried it yet.  It looks like it just sucks up the thread and may be kind of monotonous.  That might be okay when my eyes and memory aren't so good.

While in North Carolina, we went to Chapel Hill Needlepoint.  My sister does needlepoint.  I looked around and found a little piece thinking, this could be the thing for when I get old, can't see the linen and have no memory.  I really like it but, it is pricey.  Why I started cross stitch back in the day, because it was cheap....chuckling to myself.

Maybe if I'm lucky, I won't have a problem stitching or maybe I should do what Gladys did. 

When I was in high school, I was a bed maker at a nursing home. There was a little old lady, Gladys who worked on the printed cross stitch pillow cases and dresser scarves.  She had the kind of glasses that really magnify your eyes.  She worked with a darning needle and crochet thread.  When she got mad at you, she would poke you with the darning needle.  Maybe I'll be like Gladys.  

Headed on a road trip to The Stitching Bee today with Katy.  

Keep on Stitching

Monica