What a Whirlwind It Has Been!

It has been a very busy few weeks.  

Katy was home, having quarantined two weeks before coming home.  She works remotely so she was able to do that.  She even worked a few days while she was home.  It was so good to have her home!

The week flew by way too fast.  

My Aunt Helen is a baking fiend and gifted us:  Cinnamon Rolls, Butterhorns and Cardamon Bread.  

The woman is a 92 year old dynamo!

I sent her a Cranberry Orange bread and made her a scissor fob for a new pair of embroidery scissors, picked up self adhesive silicone circles to put on her quilting rulers to cut fabric and a Swedish Dishcloth that work awesome on ceramic top ranges.  

This is from the winter issue of Prim Stitching and Punch Needle magazine.  Katy made the bit of bling attached on the bottome.  

The latest update on Red and Green Carnartion Sampler from Samplers Remember from Country Sampler Schoolgirl Stitching Group.  The picture really doesn't do it justice.  

Had a Christmas Day Start, Teresa Kogut Pet All the Dogs.  Using the called for thread and Winter's Brew 36 count linen.  I should be working on this more.  But, I have been so busy.  There is just alot I wanted to do.  Last weekend was baking, two batches of cookies I brought to my helpers who got my Dreambox in the house.  Then I made a double batch of Cranberry Orange bread.  

How can you not love this piece?  

Red house, great border and dogs.  (There is an option for cats)

Katy left yesterday thus, I was able to work on the cabinet  I have a lot of stuff to jam into this thing, not just stitchy stuff, fabric and paper craft stuff.  

After the first attempt of organizing, decided I would like it better changing things around.  I had quilt fabric on both sides of the center and thread was on the right hand side, which is just a little difficult to get to.  Subsequently, I decided to switch things around.  

I moved all the paper craft to the right side:  paper, cards, stamps, punches and adhesives.  

I moved all the overdyes to the center along with sewing machine thread I use all the time:  white, tan and beiges for crosstitch finishing.  Since I took this picture, I put in another shelf under the three drawers and can get two 12x12 bins.  

The left side has the  quilt fabric, more spools of threat, DMC on bobbins.  I'm keeping my DMC on bobbins, scissors and buttons.  I figured what I use  the most often and that would be floss.  I was able to move a few things around in the closet organizer too.  That, has a way to go but, will get better too.  I may see if I can get more shelves to insert if I need it.  

Katy and her boyfriend did a day trip to Spring Green and went to house on the rock and she just so happened to stop at the Country Sampler.  She got some of my Christmas present there.  Some  ribbon for finishing, not sure what it is called.  I think it may be a crushed rayon.  

 

She got me Stacy Nash House On Pumpkin Hill Pinkeep.  I have Jack's House Pinkeep which is nearly a companion piece.  She also got some fabric, which I really like Dixie Sampler Gertrude's Gray.  I think it will work really well!

It will be another busy three day work week.  New Year's weekend isn't going to be as busy around here.  New  Year's is usually more low key, which I'm all for.  

I hope you had a happy and safe Christmas.  

Mine was just amazing.  Ed came for dinner too.  He also works from home.  

That was it but, it was perfect!

Have a wonderful week!

Wear a mask, wash your hands and social distance.  

Better days are coming.  

Keep on Stitching!

Monica

It Came My Create Room Box, Came!

I was suppose to go on a stitching cruise this past summer with Jean Farish and a group of stitchers.  

Needless to say it was cancelled.  I got all but the deposit back.  I am not so sure I want to go through all the planning and anxiety.  Instead, I decided to use some of the money to get a Dreambox.  

I have a really hard time trying to keep the sewing room tidy.  This is a bit of an exageration, I was in the midst of wrapping Christmas presents however, it often looks close to this.  

I got the noticed last week that the box had shipped.  

It is a really big box and weighs 700 pounds.  

I wanted to get everything I could out of the sewing room.  

The sleeper sofa and an armchair is in there.  The chair moved in the sewing room when the recliner came up from the rec room when Bob had his rotator cuff tear.  I may keep it in there and get a slip cover.  

I moved most of the stuff my self and then Ed came over and helped me get the sliders under the sofa and a cabinet.  

The box came Friday afternoon.  Bob, Ed and the driver got it in the garage.  The heaviest single piece weighed 163#.  I paid extra to have the unit partially assembled.  The three large sections were assembled.  I would just need to connect them and place the innerds in it.  

Did I say it was a really BIG box.  

I'm short 5'3" and chunky.  The box makes me look good. 

Ed and my friend Arttie's husband came to get the parts in the house.  

Everything is on wheels.  Once in the house, we could roll it to the sewing rooms.  

Bob was able to get the parts put together.  

Forty bins came as standard but, I didn't think that was going to be enough.  

You know that as a stitcher, there are a lot of small parts.  

Stacks of bins in the kitchen.  

I have been diligently working on getting the parts inserted and arrange my stash.  

I plan on having more than stitchy stuff in the cabinet.

I have fabric for finishing but, it will be easier to find than on the shelf in the closet  

I plan on getting my scrapbooking paper and other paper projects in there too.  Stuff is all over the house right now and I have to look for it too much.  

Got a way to go but, made a lot of progress.  

I wont' have much time this week since it is going to be a busy, rough week at work. 

We are finally transitioning to the new EMR.  UGH!! 

There is a narrow strip for narrow bins that will be perfect for the Au Ver a Soie 100/3

Each bin should hold 32 spools.  

I also have to get my sewing thread arranged, the two lower 12x12 bins below the fabric.

Buster had to keep an eye on me all afternoon.  

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By last night, we were both pooped.  

 My Red and Green Carnation Sampler  

I have made some more progress since this picture was taken just didn't have time to take more pictures.  

Hope you had a wonderful weekend  

Got to go finish dinner.  

Keep stitching!

Monica

 

Just Could Not Find It

I started working on Samplers Remembered Red and Green Carnation Sampler.  

My border did not line up by one thread.  I looked and looked and couldn't find the error.  

I decided to  "Screw it!"  I will just do a one thread X and not worry about it.  I am not going to frog and do it again.  I have already done it and I just don't care.  No one will know except anyone who reads this blog.  

My progress thus far.  

My refrigerator is my easel and I post a lot of things on it because I don't get too many shaddors.  

You can't see the colors very well.  

                                                                     I went in for a close up.

 

Usually on Saturday morning I make muffins.  

I decided to make a coffee cake.  

I have my Mom's old, I mean really old, Betty Crocker Cook Book.  

My younger sister and I went with my Dad who drove, to the Boston Store in Milwaukee and got it for her for Christmas probably 1964-1965.  

This has been a well loved and well used.  

I could kick myself in the pants....I could have bought another one last night on Ebay for $16.

It is gone and the cheapest is $40.....Katy will just to wait until I'm dead or demented to get it.  

This was such a simple recipe.  Made the Steusel filled recipe and it was perfect!

I am going to try some of the other variations soon and maybe even experiment.  

The page fell out so, on the easel.  

We all thought it was such a joke growing up....The Betty Cooker Crock Book but, these a tried and true recipes.  

If you have one, hang on to it.  

Just checked Amazon and $98!

After we put a dent in it.

Ed came over and we decorated the tree yesterday.  

We always have a great time doing this.  

Dancing to Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas.  

The Boys were pooped trying to keep up.

Buster stood amid the totes looking confused. 

Sharing the couch.  

One more thing.

A little center piece with some smalls.  

Plum Street and Homespun Elegance.  

You can look back to see the pattern names....dinner is almost ready

Maybe a Chessie and Me and WTN&T

Hope you are healthy.  

Stay safe, social distance, wear a mask, and wash your hands.  

Dinner is ready.....gotta go!

Until next time....Keep on Stitching

Monica

Oh BTW, my mom made the table runner years ago...such a treasure.

What a Week!

Its been a very busy week.  With Bob in quarantine, and whining about how hard it is, I've been doing everything else and I mean everything else:  cooking, cleaning, dog duty, Christmas stuff, making all the decisions mostly because he just doesn't like tto do it.  Humphf!!!

Trying to figure out what fabric to use with Martha Dawson 1832.  The recommended is Pearl Barley.  I thought I had a little piece but, didn't.  Tried to find the DMC match on the Lakeside Linens website.  The website said 3872.  Guess what? There is no DMC 3872!  The first attempt to find it on 123 Stitch was fruitless but then I tried again today and found it!  The DMC match is 842.  I have all this lovely VMSS 40 count linen I want to use.  Before, I found the DMC match, another recommended fabric was Corn Tassel.  I just got a piece of that for another project so I compared it.  

The first one is the pretty close match to 842                This is the one that is close to Corn Tassel

or the Pearl Barley

 

I am leaning to the one closer to Pearl Barley.  The threads on on both pieces of .  

This SAL starts January 1 and I am nearly ready to go.  Just have to cut the fabric and fray check the edges   

Then I have the fabric, not the exact red for A Starry Christmas Eve or Night (not sure and too lazy to go and check).  The fibers are silk or DMC.  I pulled all the DMC and then converted it to over dyes and pretty happy with my choice.  Don't know if I'm really going to get this started.  Using the DMC for his face.  

Just a great picture of Henry Ford wore out from running around with Bob yesterday at camp.  Bob has four more days to quarantine and no symptoms!!!  Hooray!  Fingers crossed it stays that way.  If you don't believe in the power of masks, this will hopefully be proof.....I will let you know in four days.  

I do want to get my Red and Green Carnation Samper part of my Country Samplers School Girl Sampler club.  This looks super fun!

I finished part four Dairy Darlin' from LHN Farmhouse Christmas.  I don't know if I'm going to finish the whole piece now.  I really want to start the Carnations.  

Just Bob and I for Thanksgiving.  I did bring a plate of food (and a whopping plate it was) to Ed.  He was working that day.  Just a quicky selfie with our masks on.  He does come up to eat but, we are 8-10 feet apart.  

 Hope you had good Thanksgiving!  Wear your masks, social distance, wash your hands.  Keep a positive attitude!

Keep on Stitching

Monica

We Got the Dreaded Call

Bob's mom lives in an Assisted Living and is 91.  She has macular degeneration, blind in one eye, very hard of hearing, Afib, Diabetes and Dementia. They tested everyone at the assisted living.   She had a doctors appointment on Thursday, Bob met her at the doctor's office because someone had to be there.  Not sure what the purpose of the appt was other than to check her blood sugar.  She is checked daily by the nursing staff.  He was in the exam room with her for an 1-1.5 hours.  She pretty much slept th entire time and generally didn't look good.  The appointment probably should have been postponed.  She didn't really interact with him, the doctor and he wasn't exactly sure she knew who he was.  

While we were cleaning yesterday, he got the call from the nurse at the Assisted living, letting him know she tested positive.  That means, he had a pretty good exposure.  He is now on quarantine and in the basement rec room.  There is a full bath down there.  He has to call his doctor's office tomorrow to find out when to get tested.  This also means he can't go for therapy on his shoulder this week.  

He comes upstairs to get food until, God forbid, he starts with symptoms.  Keeping our fingers crossed and praying for the best.  UGH!!!

Can't really show too much of what I'm working on since much of what I am working on are Christmas presents  

I have been working on a pair of socks.  This is the pair that flared up my elbow last weekend.  The elbow is doing much better.  Just can't knit for too long.  

I don't know if it was the wind or a neighborhood buck that has been beating up on our light up Christmas buck.  We have found it tipped over twice.  Ed was overy on Saturday to get the recliner Bob has been sleeping in since he had his Rotator Cuff repair.  Before he left, we got the deer back up but,one of the legs was not right.  We decided to move it closer to the house, on a flatter surface and then got some supports to help hold it up.  It was still standing today. It is looking good.  

When my mom was still alive and thinking pretty well, she let us know what she wanted us to have.  She gave me and my sisters her jewelry and her favorite things.  She insisted I have her Christmas dishes.  I have Lennox China:  bone china with a gold rim and I have some serving pieces in the Lennox Christmas pattern.  I really didn't think I needed her Christmas Pfaltzgraff but, like I said, she was very insistent.  I have it in the bottom of my china cabinet.  No one wants china or china cabinets these days.  We have my mother in laws china in the basement along with her Waterford cyrstal because my bother in law and his wife don't want that either.   I hate to get rid of it.  I am hoping a grandchild wants it.  I digress.  

Last year, I decided I should get some coffee mugs since my mom didn't have the Winterberry cups.  She had collected a variety of Christmas mugs.  I was going to order some but, decided to wait.  I remembered I wanted to do that so I ordered eight mugs from Amazon.  They came this week.  I was so excited.  They don't scream Christmas and can be used or a while this winter.  Bob warned me when I got home, the box didn't sound good......

Half the cups were busted.  One was pretty much completely destroyed.  There was no bubble wrap, cushion or anything.  I called Amazon and have four more coming.  I hope they make it here in one piece.  

Getting ready for a New Year SAL.  The 100/3 silks are coming for Martha Dawson 1832.  I think this is going to be very fun.  I am really looking forward to it.  I love the verse:  

I crave not Riches Norvet Length of Days. Lord give me Wisdom to Direct my Way.

 

The good thing this week is that I took the whole week off.  I thought Katy and Steve were going to be there but, with the state of the Covid world, it wasn't in the books.  I decided to still take the week off.  Now it looks like that was probably a very good idea.  I am hoping to get a lot of Christmas stuff done.  Will wait to see what happens to decide whether to put of the tree this week or wait.  I am hoping to get some final finishing on some Christmas presents.  Not sure if we will exchange with the stitching group since we have been meeting virtually since September when the numbers started increasing.  

Well that about sums it up. 

Hope you had a good week without bad surprises.  

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  

Stay safe, wear your mask, wash your hands and socially distance  

Keep on Stithcing 

Monica

Hot Ulnar Nerve and Stitching

When you hit your funny bone, you are hitting your Ulnar nerve.  Its the nerve that provides the sensation to the ring and little finger.  The muscles that bend fingers and wrist attach in the area of the Ulnar nerve.  This nerve today has been very angry with me I think because I have been knitting and stitching too much.  Just trying to get things done.  I think what really did me in was knitting yesterday morning for a couple of hours and talking to my daughter.  This morning after stitching for a short time the ring and little finger on the left side (the hand that holds my linen) were just hot, buzzy and angry.  I have been very careful the rest of the day and doing some ulnar and median (carpal tunnel nerve) nerve gliding.  I'm just doing position 1 and 2

and I've been doing the top set of median nerve.  

There, you just got about $50 worth of therapy, FOR FREE!!

I am nearly done with Block 12 of Autumn in Hawk Run Hollow.  If that pesky nerve wasn't an issue, I was going to finish that today.  I have the wagon to finish and the grass.  I really could have gotten in done today.  😞😞

I got some happy mail this week.  From 123 Stitch I got The Scarlett House Elizabeth Hunter 1853 and some of the overdyes I knew I didn't have, La-D-Da A Merry Christmas Sampler and some floss for With Thy Needle and Thread Winter Rose Manor.  I couldn't get all I needed for that.  Fortunately, I was able to get what I needed from The Stitching Bee along with the Fall and Winter/Christmas Prim Stitching and Punchneedle.  I'm not sure I will get any more of those unless I start doing Punchneedle.   

The boys went to the groomers this week and got all handsomed up.  Henry even smelled good for a couple of days.  He really doesn't normally smell bad anyway.  He just smelled especially good and looked particularly floofy.  The groomer has the front area gated off with a typical latch but, Henry had to be on the stairs going to the second floor behind another gate because he was able to open the first gate.  I think only because he is tall.  Oh Henroo!

Buster, also looks spectacular and even more dapper in a new sweater.  He doesn't really like having his picture taken.  

 Michiganders are being asked by Governor Whitmer to try and restrict behaviors that accelerate the spread of Covid 19 for the next three weeks.  Being a healthcare provider, I think this is really relevent and important.  Our hospital is in peril at times:  full and staff is getting sick too, making staffing tenuous.  The progression of the disease needs to be slowed.  We are not the only ones in this situation,many.  I have clients that are getting sick and I know people who have died from Covid as I'm sure many of you have too.  

Hope you have had a good weekend.  On the upside, we got the outdoor Christmas decorating done and it looks wonderful.  

Stay safe everyone, social distance, wear a mask and wash your hands.  

Keep Stitching!

Monica