Merry Christmas.....Finally

I have finally gotten around to wishing a Merry Christmas.

We had a very lovely Christmas!

Katy was home.

We ate like little piggers.

Cleaning up the leftovers in preparation for the New Year.

I finished Plum Street Samplers Merry Two.

I am putting away the Christmas projects.  

                                        

      I have moved onto Winter themed pieces .

This is reprint Prairie Schooler that will fit into the frames I used for the 

Autumn Band samplers this fall.  

I have started with the first one shown on the left.    

Started it last night and have only worked on it about a half hour today.  

I think it will be fun to stitch.  

I got a new laptop for Christmas and this is the first post with it.  

I looked at Lenovo's and HP's.

I didn't want to spend the cash for a Dell or Mac.

I have a Lenovo at work and am not that impressed with it.  

My old laptop was an HP and I had terrific good luck with it so part of the reason why I stuck with an HP.

It is much smaller and lighter than my old one so I am loving it.  

I have to get use to it since it is a little more streamlined.  

I'm exited the battery life will be longer than twenty minutes.  

That pretty much sums it up for now.

I am looking for a low key weekend.

We are planning on seeing the new Star Wars sometime.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Happy New Year incase I'm lazy this weekend.  

Keep on Stitching 

Monica

My Life Has Been An Onion

A few weeks ago I was lamenting about my Stress test and hoping my knee was going to hold up.

I was able to walk for my stress test I am woefully out of shape but, I blame that on that knee too.

They take images before the walking part and after the test to see how the heart looks. 

My EKG was fine during the test but, the images weren't clear.  

When I talked to my Cardiologist he wanted a more definitive answer.

I was scheduled for a Cardiac Catheterization!

Talk about Panic Attacks!  

I had it Friday.  

On Thursday, I was having monumental Panic Attacks.  

I thought I was going to pass out so, I would sit down and check my blood pressure and it would be fine.  

Then the time kept changing:  10 am then 5:20 am then back to 10 am.  

We went that morning and while prepping the nurse reassured me everything was going to be fine.

As she explained, there are three outcomes:

Door #1:  Everything is fine

Door #2:  They put in stents or do a angioplasty

Door 3#:  They take pictures and have you meet with a Cardiac Surgeon (Scream!!)

Long story short, I got Door #1......Hooray!!!

So the best Christmas Present ever!

My heart palpitations are benign and Beta Blockers would and they do help!

Hopefully we are done peeling this onion!

Still working on Christmas presents so not many pictures.  

I have been working on Plum Street Samplers Merry One.  

I first saw this a couple years ago and it was a limited edition kit but, then came out as a pattern.

It is so much fun and I love the colors.  

Had to post this ridiculous picture of Henry after rooting around in the snow.  

Waiting for a couple of packages to come in the mail.

Wrapping needs to be done.

I have mailed all my boxes out.  

Hope your weekend has been good.

Mine has been much more relaxed than the last couple of weekends.  

Have a great week!

Keep on Stitching 

Monica

Not Much

Not able to post too much.  

Ssshhhh....I'm working on Christmas presents so I just can't show much.  

I finished WTN& T Merry Christmas.

It nearly blinded me 28 ct Laguna over one.

Ouch!

I am done with Christmas Shopping:  shopped small, then online and then in Green Bay.  

Been working on gifts all weekend along with laundry, cleaning and grocery shopping.  

I will be done my the big day.  

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Have a stupendous week!!

Keep on Stitching

Monica

Frame Bonanza

Did some Christmas shopping yesterday with Arttie.  

We went to the framer to pick up her step daughter.  

The Framer, who did my His Eye is on the Sparrow is closing for a variety of reasons.  

We went in to pick up some frames and she just gave them to us or she was going to donate them. 

I did give her some money because there was alot.  

She had bought the business and the Larson Juhl parts were from the old store.  

She told me to take them all.  

Filled a container 24x16"

I'm sure I will put them to good use.  

I have used a lot of these in the past to make somewhat custom frames relatively inexpensively.  

This is a nice frame not sure what size but, it is larger 26x18 or so.  

I'll have to measure it.  

Progress on Merry Christmas from With Thy Needle and Thread.  

I am also working on some Christmas presents so I can't show those.  

Having a stress test tomorrow to make sure the heart palpitations aren't anything more than that.  

With my messed up knee I'm sure it isn't going to be too much fun.

I did take the whole day off so, I should be able to stitch in the afternoon....

after a nap :)

Hope you had a great weekend. 

The temperature is going to start to drop tomorrow night and I think winter may be on us.

It has been a very beautiful and mild weekend.  

Have a wonderful week!

Keep on Stitching

Monica

Do You Want Some Cheese With That Wine?

Things have been just not going my way the last few weeks...thus haven't posted.

I'm going to whine a little, maybe I need some cheese to go with that.  

Had the Stitching Bee retreat two weeks ago and had a really great time!

We went to Green Bay the night before to get some extra shopping in.  

But, I'm fat and have bad knees.  

My knee replacement knee always lets me know it is there and doesn't like stairs.

We stayed at a hotel that didn't have an elevator so had to haul my suitcase and gear up stairs to the second floor.  

The stairs weren't that bad, they weren't steep.  

Didn't run into stair issues until the retreat venue.

Our condo was on a floor that when you got to a part in the hall there were 4 very steep stairs we had to go up and down every time we left the room.

The floor the conference room was on had the same thing.  

I wasn't the only one struggling.  

Where is whine is going is, my knee has been messed up every since.  

I doesn't help that there is no way to not be on it.  

After we got home, I came down with a virus.  

I thought that maybe I had the influenza flu...body aches, low grade fever but, not really sick enough.

Started Monday afternoon and by Friday I was starting to feel better.  

Saturday was a whole different ball game.  

Sunday at the walk-in clinic thinking I have pneumonia...tight chest, fever back, fatigued, headache, generally feeling like poop again.    

The NP started my on a Z pac. 

Finally starting to feel better.  

Some of my yarn buys:  

Almost feels like an alpaca mohair.  

Rowan Thick and Thin and some self stripping sock yarn.  

My little spot at the retreat table.  

I was working on WTN&T Schoolhouse Sampler Series

I have put it aside for Christmas projects.  

Back of my car packed ready to head home.  

Arttie and my stuff.

Patty's stuff in the back seat since she got dropped off first.  

Finished a FREEBIE from Plum Street Samplers, last year. 

I changed the colors from DMC to overdyes. 

Did it on some linen Arttie got this summer at a sell out.  

It is not a true even weave, 30 ct going one way and 32 the other.  

I dyed the fabric with some very diluted Tan Rit dye.  

Coffee would have worked too.  

Finished an infinite scarf out of Mini Mochi and Mohair.  

It turned out much better than the picture.  

Too bad Crystal Palace isn't making the Mochi's anymore.  

Finally, working on Merry Christmas from WTN&T.

It is on 28 count over over one.  

Have Santa's suit nearly done.  

We did have a very nice Thanksgiving.  

Katy was able to come home and had friday off as a holiday too.  

We did some small shopping on Friday and big box on Saturday for Christmas decorations

Needs some new lights and picked up some nice pine cone garland.  

Ed had Thanksgiving off too so they got to spend time together.  

He normally works 4 to midnight and sleeps until noon.  

He is going to stay with her next weekend and do some exploring.  

I am feeling better. the knee....well, trying to work on getting that better.  

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving

Have a great week.

Keep on Stitching.  

Monica

Autumn Band Sampler

Went bumming yesterday with Arttie and her step daughter.  

We first went to a craft show and I did some Christmas shopping.  

Next stop was Rainbow Yarn and Gifts.  

Sophie the yarn store dog has her spot....she is the sweetest thing.

Did some Christmas shopping there too.  

Finished the Prairie Schooler Autumn Band Samplers and framed them.  

I have more PS samplers that will fit in these frames so they will be used for other seasons.  

I pop a lot of things in and out of frames especially the seasonal pieces.  

And finally, I got my pumpkins done this week.  

This is before the jute twine was glued on the handles.  

I changed my mind a couple of times with the fabric.  

I am really happy with the ultimate selection.  

Just has been a busy, crafty weekend.  

Hope you had a great weekend. 

Keep on Stitching.....Dinner is ready.

Monica

Thankful Give Away

Check out the wonderful giveaway from Nancy. Here is the link:  Thankfulness at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

Keep on Stitching
Monica

Paper Mache Pumpkins

Last week, when I was at the yarn store with Katy, she had on display some fabric covered paper mache pumpkins.  

She had kits for sale, so I bought one. 

They were all the same size.   

The one with the black and tan fabric on it is the one.

I figured I had homespun at home and got some more pumpkins.  

I ordered two on line that were smaller and I found the tall one at Joann's Saturday.  

I got that one too.  

I may do all round ones,  or maybe them all and then decide what I like the best to display.  

Now the trick is....what fabric.

I have letters on each one and sent pictures to Katy to have her help decide.

So far she hasn't been much help other than the gold one with the "D"

I'm thinking I may like this combination.  

There is tan and black in the red plaid. 

Please feel free to chime in with an opinion.

Its getting close to hunting season and Bob and his buddy Gary have been working on fixing up Gary's hunting camp.  

They have put in new cabinets and installed a temporary counter top yesterday.  

I was suppose to do something with Arttie yesterday but, she had to keep an eye on her MIL who just had foot surgery and is not good about following doctor's order

The Stitching Bee was decorating for Christmas and looking for volunteers to help.

I decided, what the heck, I'll go and help and do a little shopping.  

I had taken Tuesday off because we were slow and I don't work on Thursday so for the most part the chores were caught up.  

I hopped in the car and headed south though some dreary weather, including some snow flurries.

Helped put up pictures, saw some of the new Brenda Gervais Christmas patterns so ordered O Tannebaum and Merry Christmas.

It is on her webstore Country Stitches under "New Items" if the link doesn't take you there.  

I really thought I wasn't going to do much Christmas Stitching but, oops....I will.  

Merry Christmas looks alot like a Santa I did of her's last year or the year before.  

Very sweet!

I then went to Joann's and lunch at Panera.  

Both ways I chatted with Katy for a little while so, it was like having company for the trip. 

I am almost done with Thanksgiving

There are leaves at the bottom and then the vine tendrils and I'm done

I think I will be framing next weekend so, stay tuned.  

This afternoon Bob and I went to the movies and saw Geostorm.

I am an absolute sucker for disaster movies involving weather...Twister, The Day After Tomorrow.

I loved it and now it is on my list to purchase when it comes out.  

How can you beat 4 or 5 Tornadoes in Mumbai?!

Hope you had a good weekend.  

I did but, I should have had more chair time.

Busy, busy, busy.  

Two week count town to stitching retreat weekend!

Have a wonderful week

Keep on Stitching 

Monica

A Golden End to the Day

It had been raining all day.  

About 530-545 the sun was starting to peek over the clouds and the house tops.  

I took some pictures or least tried. 

The color was indescribable but, I'll try.

It was a rosy gold.  

It was absolutely gorgeous.  

Our Japanese Maple is really beautiful.  

Its partner dropped all its leaves but, the big one is still a lovely crimson.  

There is a little gold peeking through

The clouds were just as stunning

Just so pretty.

I love fall and all the colors.

I just wished they would stay on the trees longer.  

I left my mums out one night and we had a frost but, they are just fine and so bright

They have really bloomed in the last week with the heat.  

Finally, my third Autumn Band Sampler from Prairie Schooler.  

this one is going very fast. 

there is a fruit/vegetable basket at the top and a leaf garland at the bottom.  

You will just have to wait to see it.  

Katy was home this weekend and we did a little bumming yesterday. 

We had fun at the yarn store, went out to lunch and then stopped to check out what 

Christopher & Banks had on sale.  

My sweaters are looking a little shabby so I found two I liked, that a coupon for $10 off, everything was 40-50% off and I had an old gift card so didn't feel too bad.  

Hope you had a great weekend and are enjoying the fall colors.  

Keep on Stitching

Monica

Finished the Autumn Band Sampler

I was hoping to post yesterday but, I was having issues with Google Photo and my phone.

Since I downloaded the new Apple IOS 11, it has been working like crap!

I don't like the texting, the return button is too close to the space and what happened to the forward and back arrows?

It is also sucking my battery dry, I have to recharge at least daily. 

I use to charge it every two to three days.  

I think they do this so you need to get a new phone.  

And what's up with that?

An IPhone 7 is still $600......WOW!!!

I digress.

The picture is a little crooked but, its done!

I love this one so much, I decided to start the third one in the series, Thanksgiving Band Sampler.  

I have the frames that I plan on using interchangeably with other Prairie Schooler Samplers.

I really think that Prairie Schooler were some of the best designs.  

It is too bad she isn't designing other than the annual Santa's.  

Hope your week has started well!

Keep on Stitching 

Monica

Why Do Things Have to be So Complicated or Do I Have a Story

Just when you think things are going okay, the gods just kick you in the butt.

I blogged about Katy's move to the big city.

She started her new job on October 2 and things were going just fine.

She got home from work on Wednesday and was home for about a half hour when she heard a commotion coming from the neighbors.

She looked out her back door and saw her car go peeling out of the parking lot.  

HER CAR WAS STOLEN!

She called the police and they started the process but, she had to go to the station.

She called home in tears.  Nothing worse than having your kid call home in tears with the news her car had been stolen.  I called my sister and asked if she could take her to the police station and thankfully she did.  Katy filed a report.  Her car wasn't worth much because it was fifteen years old but, it still worked pretty good and had gotten a clean bill of health from the mechanic before she left.  We only had it insured for liability since it was so old.  

Bob started looking at used cars that night.  I went to stitching what else could I do and it was most therapeutic.  By the time I did get home I was angry with the a--hole who stole it.  I hope for karma!

When I woke up in the morning I told Bob we are thinking about this the wrong way.  Instead of getting her a used car that who knows what is up, we should give her my 2010 Escape and I should get a new car.   I spent all Thursday researching and test driving cars.  The money we would have used for a used car I used on a down payment on a 2016 Equinox that was a fleet car.   I really like the car but, I really didn't want to buy a new car just yet.  Oh well.  

On Friday, Bob got a call from a guy in a lousy neighborhood saying our car was behind his building.

Bob told him to call the police because it was reported stolen.  Who knows what this guy was going to shake us down for.  When Bob asked what kind of shape it was in, the guy said, "Oh its not that bad.  The doors are open and they were smoking pot in it."  When Katy called us at 6:30, after she talked to the police the police had a different story.  The car was totaled.  It had been crashed through two fences and into another car.  Today, I sent a notarized letter signed by both Bob and I and the title to the city tow lot relinquishing it to the city.  I don't want to see it.  It had been my car before the Escape.  

We brought the Escape to her this past weekend along with The Club to further secure her car.  I got one too for when we go to see her.  It isn't a bad neighborhood she is living in.  Apparently, juveniles are stealing cars all over the city and surrounding area.  Even the very best neighborhoods are not immune.  

Then my cable provider has moved Turner Classic Movies to a higher tier.  I am so over cable TV and cellular providers.  They are the new pirates.  I think cable and internet should be considered utilities now.  We live in an area where digital antennas won't work.  You have to have at least a 30 foot antenna and guess what...its against the city ordinance.  We are screwed!

I can live stream TCM from laptop to the TV with a HDMI cord...it burps once and a while but, I can get my old movie fix.  

Why do things have to be so flippin complicated....don't get me started on health insurance!  

Deep cleansing breath

Latest progress on Autumn Sampler.  

I hope I don't forget the leaves in the bottom corner before I frame it.  

I have been know to miss borders.  LOL

I am really hoping for a calm weekend and get my house back in order.  It still looks like a hurricane when through it.  I was going to get things back in order but, had to car shop instead. 

Hope your week is going well.  

Keep on stitching!

Monica

Busy, busy, busy

It has been very busy around here.  

The end of the week it was getting Katy ready for her move and looking for apartments on line.

That is a really hard thing to do. 

She and Bob left Friday morning and looked at places that afternoon.  

She settled on a small studio apartment.

I think you have to walk outside to be able to change your mind.

I will know more after next weekend when I go and check things out and bring the next load.

I made soup last night from The Taste of Home Soup book I picked up last weekend.  

I made the Bean and Squash soup.  

It really tastes better than my picture looks.  

It has butternut squash, onion, red pepper, corn, beans and Italian Sausage.  

So while everyone was gone and the dogs were hanging I had to take pictures.  

Buster spent much of his time looking out the window waiting for someone to come home. 

Buster and what we call his Build a Bear nose.  

I have been working when I can on my Autumn Sampler.  

I have been really busy.  

I had to see a post op patient Saturday and Sunday.  

Someone had given me too HUGE zucchini's.   

I made bread.....six loaves of zucchini bread.  

I sent one to my aunt along with some soup and got back a bag of cherry tomatoes and a homemade apple pie......SCORE!!!!

Hope you have had a great weekend.  

Keep on Stitching

Monica

Business First

Trying to increase my chances of winning the new Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe Sleepy Hollow II collection.  Here is the link to try and win some too.  Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe giveaway

I saw Halloween at Hawk Run and had to have it...don't know when I'm going to get to it but, love it.  

I think my favorite square is the one left of the main panel.

Its a sinking ship, mermaid and says "We are afraid"

I have made progress on Autumn Sampler.  

I can't wait to start along the side.  

I first saw this on Edgar's blog, Blacksheeps bit of the Web a few years ago and absolutely fell in love with it.....I always fall in love with things!

These periodically surface on Ebay.

The last time I looked one went for $70, I got my for far less and am thrilled.  

It is an old pattern and I don't know why I like it so much but, I do.  

Now to the really big news!

My daughter finally got a job that she went to college for.  

She is going to be a Research Technologist  in a Medical School Lab.

It is happening very fast.  

She got the job offer yesterday and starts on Monday. 

She and Bob and headed there to look at a few apartments so please keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer that they find something quick.

My sister doesn't live too far but, Katy is ready to start adulting.  

Link to Katy's blog The Covert Knitter to keep up with her.  

So much happening, I'm dizzy!

Hope you are having a great week!!

Keep on Stitching.

Monica