Normalcy

Finally, I feel back to normal.  My eyesight got back to normal on Wednesday night.  Up until then, I was having difficulty focusing to stitch.  I had to use my boosters that magnet onto my glasses.  Its like wearing a pair of cheaters over your glasses.  

I finished Mary Miller 1842 and am really pleased with it.  The finished size is 9.5x13 inches.  I got a premade frame at Hobby Lobby that is 11 x 14.  It won't be evenly spaced  but, its close and decided a rustic wood frame I paid about $19 was worth the quarter inch difference on the side.  I do love the colors!  I know a lot of folks like red on their samplers.  I like red houses too but, I think that is why I really love this one, the colors are not typical.  

A few close ups of some of the motifs in the bottom section.  The birds are just so quirky!

I have started looking for areas where I can put my initials in or sometimes, if the alphabets are single colors, I will do my initials in the alphabet in a different color which is what the girls often times did.  I did them over one. 

Feeling normal again, I took a trip to Green Bay.  I was going to go with my lovely husband but, that changed.  He was going to take Henry to his camp on Friday but, Ed was having car problems.  We went to help him jump his car on Thursday but, it wouldn't start, the gauge said the battery was fully charged so thought maybe the fuel line was frozen.  It was -14 at 7 am and his car is parked outside at his apartment.  We took him to get some Heet.  He only lives a couple of blocks from where he works and he walked to work then got a ride home on Thursday night.  We had to get to a Tax preparer appointment.  He was up early on Friday and tried to start it, still no success.  Bob went over there and they took the battery to an auto parts store, had it tested (it was dead) and bought a new battery.  Working just fine!  Because he was did all that, when I asked him if he still wanted to go to Green Bay he jumped at the chance not to go.  My friend Arttie was going to GB to get her step daughter to sign her tax returns and her husband didn't want to go either.  Long story short, we went together.  I dropped off some of my picks from Nashville Market, picked up a project (like a I really need one) and visited with Kendra.  We went to lunch, Hobby Lobby and Barnes and Noble.  Quick trip but, spent a lot of time in just a few places.  Usually, we get hustled through these places. 

I picked up With Thy Needle and Thread/Brenda Gervais Quarker Sewing Tray, the thread and I had some fabric at home.  Currently, I have a little basket on the table by my chair but, I have to usually dig around it too much.  I don't really want to order the tray from her website because you get three trays in different sizes and I don't know that I will use them all.  I'm not even sure I really like  the way those trays look. I know we were going to Hobby Lobby and could look for something there. 

I found a napkin holder that will work perfectly.  There was another little wooden box that matched it that will probably be good for something.  I picked that up too.  There were 50% off so only cost me $7 each.  It feels like chalk paint.  I will sand them down a little, paint them and then Briwax them.  I took the leather piece that said "Napkins" on it, super easy.  

I'll excited to start this but, going to wait until the end of the week.  I want to work on Sarah Braizear for a week or so.  

That's pretty much it for now.  Got some energy back.  It doesn't hurt that the weather the last two days has been wonderful: sunny and in the 40's.  

Hope you had a great weekend!

Keep on Stitching!

Monica

I Survived

I am finally up and being productive.  I went to work yesterday after being out of commission since February 5th.  I thought I was getting better and tried going to work last Tuesday but, no such luck.  Ended up at the doctor's office and prescribed an antiobiotic, steroids and an inhaler for bronchitis.  Didn't start really feeling better until this past Saturday.  Went to work until yesterday and made it the whole day!  Feeling even better today.   I think the cough may last for another couple of weeks.  

 By Thursday was feeling like doing a little stitching but, not much more than that.  I am nearly done with Mary Miller.  Since I took the picture, I have filled in quite a bit of the house, the top of the bottom row of windows and the door.  

In the meantime, got my ornament for the Stitching Bee Ornament challenge done.  Prairie Schooler Snowy Nights.  

Super sweet picture of Henry Ford.  Doesn't he look like an angel?

Posted this picture of Buster on Instagram.  I love his little crooked mouth. 

We got a couple inches of snow last night, now it is blowing around.  Its 25 but feels like 12 degrees.  Kind of slow at work so I'm able to go in late and leave early which is a blessing this week. 

Hope you are all healthy and having a good week!
Keep on Stitching.
Monica

Bleach Just Couldn't Kill it

I surcame to the crud.  There wasn't enough bleach/clorox wipes/hand sanitizer to kill it.  It doesn't help that when Bob coughs, he coughs in to his hand that it in the shape of a tube thus, projecting it even further in the room (insert exploding head).  I am on the mend.  Called in sick on Friday but, I think I should be good to go tomorrow.  Fever is gone, still a little congested and the cough is getting better.  I am hoping after this I'm immune to the coronovirus....bad joke but, that would be lovely.  Hope it doesn't get to that point. 

I've done a little stitching but, not until Friday evening.  I was out of commission Wednesday night and Thursday was the worst.  I got the horse done along with the motifs at the same level.  I will probably save the house for last.  It is going to use a lot of floss.  People were complaining they had run out of thread.  When I got the pattern, I figured I would need more Terrapin because that was the border color and Mustard Seed for the house....Just to be on the safe side.   Glad I did.
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 The boys have been wonderful nursemaids.  Henry generally falls asleep trying to keep on eye on me.  Buster generally sleeps on my lap, holding me down so I don't float away. 

It snowed all day but, not very hard.  We got about two inches.  It was pretty watching it.

Hope your weekend has been healthy and your week will be too!
Keep on Stitching
Monica

If I Don't Get Sick, It Will Be A Miracle!

Bob was at a convention last week, Tuesday to Friday.  With his mom's recent health issues, I asked Katy if she could come home for a few days...just in case.  Side note:  I always figure if I'm prepared for the worst, it won't happen.  She had an interview on Monday and drove up after that.  She had a cold but, not really feeling too bad until the day she left.  Bob came home sick.  Both have had a terrible cough.  Katy is good at coughing in her sleeve, sanitizing and washing her hands.  Bob on the other hand, not so good.  He is getting a little better especially since I explained to him I really don't want to get what he has.  I work in healthcare and if get this, I won't be able to work unless I wear a mask.  If you can't breath the last thing you need is to wear a mask.

I finished my first motif on Mary Miller and only have a little more lettering to finish.  I am excited to be getting close to the other motifs.

I found some samplers on the Kitten Stitcher that caught my eye

Sheepish Antiques:  Sarah Salter circa 1815.  A sampler to her grandmother

Scarlet Letter:  Sarah Brown.  To the memory of her brother who died. The colors will go wonderfully in my house. 

Scarlet Letter:  Perform'd by Ann Parnell 1799.  Lots of wonderful motifs!  This one should be loads of fun!  Love the "Perform'd"

We have had some pretty mild weather and no measurable snow.  I don't think there really isn't any snow in the near forecast.  I'm happy about that.  

The Silver Needle had a sale this weekend too.  Everything was 20% off so I got the fabric for Jenny Bean Parlor Series.  It is an odd cut.  I had some 40 count that would fit the bill but didn't want to mess up a nice big piece of fabric.  

Hope you had a wonderful weekend and have a peaceful week.  

Keep on Stitching

Monica