Kathy

Next one done.

2010-01-24T21:05:00.003-05:00

Here is the latest finish. I will start a little bear with and ice cream cone tomorrow.

Two more

2010-01-22T22:06:00.003-05:00

Here is the one I finished yesterday. He was a quick easy stitch.

This one I did today.

Oh no the peas are lost!!

I heard this strange noise this after noon and couldn't find anything. So I decided to get up from my nap and here was Lucy pulling this food jug over to the steps. I am not sure if you can see all the teeth marks or not.

Been a looong time.

2010-01-22T21:53:00.002-05:00

I didn't realize the last time I posted was September. Well alot has gone on in that short time. I went to get my pacemaker checked out in November and as of then I still had no episodes. That means nearly 18 months arrhythmia free. Well two weeks after that I had my first episode but so far nothing else that I am really aware of.

I was busy with Christmas craft shows and my last fall fair. We did ok at the craft shows this/last year. I didn't get much stitching done because of the shows. Oh yeah my mother redid the living room too. So everything was busy then Christmas came and went now we are here.

I did have three stitching finishes today. Wow nothing since September and then 3 in one day.

This is Ghouls Only that I have been working on since October 09. I finally pulled the rest of the waste canvac out tonight. Boy do my fingers hurt.

This is the diaper shirt I did for a friend of my brothers. Their little girl will be one soon so this is for Mackenzie to give them.

Of course what post would be complete with out pictures of my baby doll. Lucy is now 14 months old and as crazy as ever. I wouldn't want her any other way.

As you can see she likes boxes.

Another Finish

2010-01-22T21:50:00.001-05:00

Wow I have another diaper shirt finished today. This one is for a friends daughter who is due late February early March. She is having a boy (or shall we see).

Lucy is now officially 14 months old today. It is hard to believe that we got her nearly one years ago. She seems like she has been here forever. In a good way that is.

Fair pictures

2009-09-28T21:41:00.010-04:00

Wow, I didn't realize it was sooooo long ago since I posted last. Ok here is an updates as to what has been happening and then I will post half the fair entries here and do a seperate post for the rest since there is so many pictures and explainations to go with them all.

Well on the 23 of September it has been 6 years since I had my original pacemaker put in and 7 months since I had the replacement done. Wow time sure flies fast. It has been a year and 3 months since I have had any MAJOR arrhythmias. YES. Kinda makes you wonder how much of my problems was due to the old pacemaker.

Lucy is getting big now. She is 10 months old and just a bratty and hyper as usual.

The one who owns the steps.

Well this year I entered the fall fairs again and so did my niece Mackenzie. I don't have any pictures of her and her stuff yet but I will get some and post them too. The first fair Mac entered 4 items and got 3 ribbons. She was so excited. She got a first, a third and I forget. The second fair she entered 5 things and got 2 ribbons. I think she got two thirds and 3 hournable Mentions.

My first Fair I put in 8 enteries and got 6 ribbions. The second fair I put 14 things in and got 12 ribbions.

This is the Biscornu this I did for the Victoria Sampler Summer contest. As you can see I took a 1st and a 2nd. This was my first attempt at Ribbon Embroidery (don't like it mind you) and was able to get the top two places with it.

This was my Cougar I made for my nieces mom. I was a little upset it only got a 5th place at the second fair. Isn't it so life like?

Ok now this one is too funny. I was going to put in the sampler I did for Mac but it was too big so I decided to throw this one in instead. I really did it as a joke to fill a space. Well it has taken 2 1sts. The reason it is so funny is this is the second piece I ever did. I made it like 30 years ago. You can still see the permanent fold in the aida which will not come out.

Here is Mac's stocking I made for her. I have taken 2 firsts on it and this is the article that is going to the Convention in February. It also got Best of Show, and I got Most points in Class with that and the other things I entered in the class. Wonder what it will take at the last fair.

I was almost ashamed to put this towel in. It is one of those really lose woven aida towels, true terry cloth. So the pattern is not even and messy,doesn't show up well. I ended up getting a 2nd and a 3rd.

This was the Fall Biscornu that I made for the fall contest with Victoria Sampler. We still have that draw to make later with week so who knows. It could be another luck draw for me with this one.

Well the little shit wan't to go to bed now so I will end here. Tomorrow I will post the rest of the fair pictures.

New Finishes and stuff

2009-08-21T21:56:00.008-04:00

This is my latest project. It is another contest biscornu from The Victoria Sampler. As you can see this is a fall one this time. I wonder if we will have a winter one too. I really took my time on this one. Don't get me wrong it is not hard at all. I was just lazy mostly and spread it out of the whole week rather than probably about 1 1/2 days.

Here is a not so good picture of Bethany's Sampler finished. I will see if I can get a better picture of it. Now I have one more to do to sell.

I need to kick my butt in gear this weekend and get me entry forms one for the Fall Fairs so I can get my tags before hand.

Ok as you all know I have several gardens around the house plants and veggies. Well I have never seen anything like this before. I have a sunflower with another sunflower growing out of the center of it. I will post more pictures of it as it progresses. Only things like that happen in my garden. My niece calles it the mutant sunflower.

WIP progress

2009-08-12T21:00:00.005-04:00

As you can see this still has areas that need to be filled in. Or at least I hope you can see that. I have a shopping list that I need to get next week to finish it off. It should take me about another day as most of the missing areas are speciality stitches and beading. I will post completed pictures when it is all finished. But can't supply a picture with it framed as it is a gift for a friend (not on these groups). She is giving it to her grandchildren for Christmas.

This is the top half.I did it this way so hopefully you can actually read the saying. It is a very touching verse.

Here is a closer look at the bottom half.

New and progress report

2009-08-04T21:37:00.005-04:00

This is my current WIP. It is called Bethany's Sampler by Dragon Dreams. I did this one for my niece when she turned a year old. Her's is on yellow linen. I have a friend who wants this for her two grandchildren. This is 2 days progress.

Now the green one is not totally finished. I still have the petit blanket stitch and the nun stitch to finish. They both still need beads and the hardanger. The next picture of these they will be totally finished and hanging.

Here we are playing catch. Mom throws the paper up the stairs and I knock it down. I like looking at the world upside down. Things just look so much better.

Oh look mommy wants to make the bed. Let's make it impossible for her.

Here we are sleeping quietly on mommy's bed. Aren't I an Angel with devil horns.

Garden

2009-07-22T12:52:00.007-04:00

Ok here are some new pictures of my poor pathetic garden for this year.

As you can see I have several coneflowers (echinica). I forget what this is called but will look it up and post it later.

Ok I tried to turn this but I don't know what happened. But this is a yellow and black coneflower that grows upto 8' high.

This is called Tomatoe Soup and to look at it that is exactly what it looks like.

The rest of the pictures are of the garden in general. I have several coneflowers purple, white, green, tomatoe soup,yellow, tiki torch and one that starts out orange and then goes pink. Can we say coneflower obsesed?

Newest WIP

2009-07-20T21:15:00.002-04:00

Ok as promised here are finally some pictures of my new WIP that I am working on. It is another Welcome Hearts banner. This is what is done so far. Got smart this time and am doing all the stitching as I come to it so this one should take less time to finish than the last one did.

WIP progrress report

2009-07-08T21:22:00.005-04:00

Ok so here is the progress I made today. Doesn't look like much I know but if you look you can see the amount I have done.

Here is a closer look at on of the individual heart on the banner. You can see the little flowers in there that are purple. They are almost the same colour as the fabric. I still have to put some beads on here which I think are going to be a perl grey colour. Well that is the plan at the momment. I wrote down the list of materials I am using but that is upstairs.

About two weeks ago I got this early birthday present from my parents. It is a Daylight lamp not an Ott lamp. So far it has helped at night and on dull days. I think it will really help when I do my angel on black.

New WIP

2009-07-07T19:49:00.006-04:00

OK so this is not a picture of my current WIP but I could not resist this as she was sleeping quietly while I stitched.Isn't she cute in her new collar??

Here is my current WIP. It is the Welcome Hearts banner from Victoria Sampler. I will put a list of what materials I am using tomorrow if I remember. This picture is as of 11:30 this morning.

So I have worked quiet a bit on this today and this is what I have accomplished by 4:30 pm. I am hoping to get another good chunk done tomorrow as well.

I almost shot this little fart today as she kept stealing my cottons. She thought they were great play toys.

Done Done Done

2009-07-01T22:13:00.005-04:00

Well almost three months and it is finally done. Tonight I have dinished my angel on ruby wine. The material colour does not show very well but you get the idea. I am now griding my Sangria to do the Welcome banners on. This material was from Annette in an ESC hand dyed-fabric exchange. Can't wait to see how they will turn out. I have enough material to do two of them on one piece. Hope to have the out line of one done by the weekend.

I haven't put up a picture of Lucy in awhile so I took this one tonight. She is now 7 1/2 months old and a supper suck. Anytime I go out she sits at the back door and cries and bawls cause I am gone. Another family member has to get her and cuddle her still she settles down. What a baby.

Here she decided my foot tasted good.

One WIP done

2009-06-27T20:41:00.002-04:00

Yep Friday I finished my Cherry Blossom Biscornu with the help of my niece. She helped me stuff the biscornu and passed the beads while I did the sewing. I am glad I did the back and the front different as there were not the right amount of beads to do them both the same. I like them different anyway. Makes them more unique.

Ok so now I just have to finish the angel on the ruby wine material. I don't have a picture of that update but should have it all done by tomorrow. I don't have alot left to do.

What to work on next?

New WIP and a progress

2009-06-09T21:38:00.006-04:00

Ok so here is a picture of my newset wip. It is kinda hard to see since it is pale colours but it is Cherry Blossoms Biscornu by The Sweetheart Tree. Tge pictures of this will be kinda lousey even when done as it is on an irredecent material.

I understand afew of you are "dying" to see my angel on the Ruby Wine material. So ok here are some progress pictures. She should be finished this week.

Here it is finished incase you were wondering.

In my last post I put a picture of the biscornu I did for a contest. Well the picture was not all that great so I got a "professional" to take one for me. Well ok it was my dad (who did professional photography at one time). So here is the better one.

I will say who it is for after they have been judged.

2009-05-18T20:50:00.011-04:00

I have been busy stitching, gardening, playing with my niece and Lucy. Have had a busy month of doctor appointments. Tomorrow will be 3 months since I had my pacemaker replaced. I have been feeling pretty good. Working out at the gym twice a week and finished bowling last week. Guides will be winding down next week for the summer not soon enough. I had to go have my pacemaker read for the first time since it was changed. Well the good news is that I have had no episodes since June 20, 2008 ( that will be 11 months on Wednesday).

Here are some more of the little angels. I still have to put the bows, hangers and beads on them and then they are finished. The material was a gift from Beth.

This pattern was from a Just Cross Stitch Chirstmas Issue 2003 (I think). Not sure yet how to finish them off. Any suggestions??

This one is done in 3042 DMC 8 Perel cotton, Beads are Mill Hill Bugle 6mm #70123 and the seed beads are 02024.

This is the same pattern using Ecru DMC Perel cotton. These beads are Mill Hill bugle beads 72012 and seed beads are 02012.

And the last one is DMC Perel cotton 8 # 316. Mill hill beads are 02082 and 70123 .

Here are a few more diamonds that need hangers and tassels on them then they will be done.

Ok well Lucy has now decided what is hers is hers and what is Gaby's is Lucy's too. This originally was Gaby's bed and our old cat Amber would sleep in there if Gaby wasn't. But Gaby will curl up and go to sleep and Lucy decides that it is really big enough for the two of them. You be the judge.

Thought you might like to see what I have to contend with most of the time using the computes. This is part of the reason I have not been on quite as much. Kinda hard to see the screen through a cat.

Bad day at the Office

2009-05-04T17:46:00.003-04:00

Enough said.

WIP and more

2009-04-24T17:39:00.007-04:00

Ok as promised here is pictures of what I have been working on lately. The three down the one side will have beads on them. I just have a pile of cutting and wrapping to do now. Yeah so much fun. NOT

Here is the angel I did before only on the Ruby Wine material.

Every morning we have to read the newspaper with dad. Of course we have to be educated.

I think this is so precious. See we do get along sometimes. Gaby and Lucy.

Did you call me?

Well Finally a post

2009-04-21T16:16:00.004-04:00

OK well I was surprised to see how long it was between posts. I don't have any pictures of my work lately. I have been working somewhat on my hardanger. But really haven't had much interest in doing it.

We had our first craft show of the season last week-end. It was an ok show. It was a nice day so most people were out working in their gardens. My garden is coming along nicely with daffodils, crocuses, hyacinth's, lenten roses and much more. I will try and get some pictures of the garden on here soon. I have alot to do in there with moving plants and adding things and general clean up.

I have been doing ok since my surgery two months ago. I have had a few issues but nothing much. I go in two weeks for my post surgery check so we shall see what the verdict is then.

Lucy is now 5 months old and still the little bugger as usual. She has now learned if you sit on the floor and jump you can grab peoples butts and hang on. That wont be continuing for much longer.

Here is a picture of the little brat.

I have some others on my camera that I will add later.

New finish

2009-03-14T20:43:00.005-04:00

Of there has to be a picture of LUcy or it just wouldn't be a post. This one ws taken today in my bedroom.

Ok well here is the finished project. This is the little girl I was working on. I finished her tonight. Just like the red one it is a childs turtleneck.

Next I will be doing some more angels in the three different sizes. This time they will be on pink cloth. Hope to start them tomorrow. Will post pictures as I progress.

Snowman is done.

2009-03-08T21:19:00.006-04:00

OK well I finished my snowman turtleneck today. I think it is really quite cute. The pictures are not really the greatest but you get the idea. I just have to wash it now.

I also started a new project today. It is another turtleneck. This one will have a little girl with a cake upside down beside her. Here is todays progress.

These pictures were taken the other day on my laptop. Lucy was being a pain so I decided to let her see herself on the camera. Wrong thing to do cause she just kept walking on the keyboard. Kinda difficult doing things when the pages go flipping.But I love her anyway.

Another progress pic

2009-03-04T20:24:00.006-05:00

OK here is the latest progress picture of my snowman since I posted last week.
Also here is a picture of it on the turtle neck I am putting it on.

The other day Lucy was sitting on my bed quite innocently so I was able to snap these pretty good pictures of her.

Isn't she cute.

Stuff

2009-02-27T21:16:00.006-05:00

Here is a good picture of my little monster Lucy-furr aka Lucy. She was playing on my bed with my jeans and I was able to snap this picture. I think it really shows her colours.

This is my angel I posted the other day. It is not properly framed but I was interested in what it would look like so I placed the frame over it. I am quite impressed with it. I am not a big fan of tone on tone but with the black frame that helps alot.

I have talked about the other colours I am doing the angel on so here is a picture of the fabric. The one is Ruby Wine 32ct Belfast Linen and the other is Blue Spruce also 32ct Belfats Linen. The ruby is more of a deep red/burgandy not bright.

Someone asked me as to where they could find the pattern. I got is as a part of a Christmas present. The info is Hardanger Angel by Threads and Things. Designer Karen Buell from 1989. The only thing I would say is it is not really a beginner piece.

Here is my current project I am working on. It is Februray snowman from Vermillion Stitches. This is 2 days worth of stitching.

New finish

2009-02-25T21:21:00.001-05:00

Ok so here is my latest finish. It was done about 90 minutes ago. The pictures are not the greatest. I still have to press it and frame it. Hopefully then you will see the picture better. I now have 3 more of these to do. Another one on white, one on blue fir and the last is on ruby wine.

Lucy is growing like a weed. She gained 2 pounds in one month (little piggy). She likes to sit and help me type. We are thinking of changing her name to Lucy-furr (not sure how to spell it properly) cat from hell. She can really be a monster one minute and the the sweetest little thing the next. Right now she is after my ice cream.

My surgery went well last week. I am slowly recovering. I have not really been doing much of anything this last week. Trying to take it esay.

Well off to read emails and head to bed.

Wow two in one day

2009-02-15T22:04:00.011-05:00

Ok so since most don't know why I am having surgery I will fill you all in. When I went to the hospital in January for a check up. I was given the good news that I had been arrhythmia free for 7 months. Everyone was quite pleased so we decided to leave things alone for now. I then went over to the pacer clinic and they said my battery needed to be replaced. Finally I have only been bugging them for 4 years to do it. So on February 19 it will be replaced. I will be taking my laptop with me so anyone who wants to chat I will be around. Yahoo IM is especially_4_kathy.

(We think the washer is a big play toy now!! HEHEHE)

Well I have been busy stitching with the help of my new aide.
]'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' (Lucy's contrabution to my blog). Please understand if some things don't make sense as my aide is laying on my lap sleeping right now. You know those tiny little paws are fast.

I have been able to finish off my little angels (may have already sold two) from Hanky Panky. I have only done 7 on blue aida.

Then I finished off the cross pattern from A Stitch In Time (Cherie sent me that in a Christmas exchange) complete with tassel.

I also did two blue patterns from Wrens Song Designs.

Plus my Pink Biscornu from JSC 2008 Christams Ornaments.

Here is a more up to date picture of my Hardanger Angel buy Karen Buller. This is really working up fast. If I get a chance to work on it tomorrow it might actually be done. If not Tuesday for sure.

Cute Lucy storey. The other night we were sitting in the living room eating hamburgs and cesear salad. Well Lucy decided she was going to check things out. She was at my plate a few times and I kept telling her no and pushing her away. Well I picked up my hamburg to take a bit and the little devil grabbed a piece of lettuce and ran away with it. Here is the lettuce flapping in her mouth as she ran. I caught her and the dog decided to come check out the comotion. Well I went to grab the lettuce from Lucy and she growled. Yes that is rright growled. She can growel better than the dog at times. Not sure who she was mad at me or the dog.

Mommy says I am not allowed on the table. How is this mommy? I am in the box on the table.

Watch out Gaby I am gonna get you.

Alot has gone on

2009-02-14T09:47:00.006-05:00

As you can see from the title alot has happened since I last posted. My kitten is growing and being a real monster. She just turned 12 weeks old this week.

I am getting all the stuff together slowly for the hospital. Most wont be packed till Tuesday night.

I did buy a laptop so that I can stay in touch with all my stitching friends and pass the time away alot faster than normal. I go in on Wednesday February 18 have the surgery on the 19 and hopefully come home the same day. We shall see. That is IF they docs listen to me which probably wont happen.

I have been busy stitching and finishing off stuff. I did the other Pointsettia Biscornu from the JCS Christmas Ornaments 2008 issue. Which I have to take a picture of so I can post that. I also finished off 7 angels and 3 diamonds. I have been working on a hardanger Angel which has taken me about 2 weeksish. I am not quite finished yet but I have not been working steady on it. When I do work on it I accomplish quite a bit in one sitting. I am hoping to have that finished by tomorrow.

I think that is all for now. I think I will go stitch some more.

Alittle tied up

2009-01-23T21:59:00.002-05:00

Well I have been busy the last 24 hours keeping something out of trouble. Who ever thought getting a 2 month old kitten was a good idea needs to be shot. I was rudly waoken at 3 am and got an 1 1/2 hours sleep between then and 7 when Mac came to get the cat. This is Princess Lucy. We call her Lucy when my niece is not around. She was born November 17, 2008. We are not sure if she is a Brown Tabby (as the pet store called her) or a Grey Tabby. The vet said we will wait till she is older to see what colour she takes on as she is both right now.

It is a shame you can't see her now as she is curled up in my sweatshirt while I sit and type this.

Obviously I have not had alot of time to stitch the last couple of days. Hopefully I will get more time in the next few days. Lucy is just so loveable. She is a big attention seaker but is really not fond of Gaby yet. It will come in time tho.

Well I am off to bed as I will probably be up at 3 again.

Snow I hate it

2009-01-18T21:28:00.004-05:00

Have I said I hate snow. This is what snow we have gotten in the last month. We are supposed to be getting up to another 15 cm by Thursday. OH JOY OH JOY. Here we are looking at the backyard from the corner of the garage.

This pic is the snow piles down the side of our ever shrinking driveway. It was taken from the front of my car looking towards the street.

Here is a look at the garbage cans lined up against the garage.

I was able to finish 2 of the remaining 3 ornaments I had. This first one is of the Cross by A Stitch In Time. This pattern was my exchange present from Cherie.

Here is the first of the 4" angels. I have one more to do. Should be able to get it done tomorrow and start the last pannel for my biscornu.

The needles are a smok'en

2009-01-17T21:37:00.004-05:00

Well here are the 3" angels from Hankey Pankey that I have been working on. Now I have the Cross from A Stitch In Time and the 3 1/2" angels left to do. I am hoping to get them done tomorrow so that I can go back to the Pointsetta Biscornu I started before Christmas and finish that one.

Finally a post

2009-01-16T22:07:00.007-05:00

Here it is the middle of January and this is my first post. Things started out not bad for the year and then have gone down hill since then.

I had to have my baby put down one week ago today. He developed a very rapid progressing cancer in his face with possibly a tumor too. If I waited till this week to put him down his whole face would have been affected.

This is him in my garden 2 years ago. Rest in Peace Amber (my baby) 1995 - 2009

Needless to say life has been difficult for me since then. I have had time to work on my stitching. I have 4 new finishes and 6 WIPS at the momment.

Here is the whole piece of material that has the WIPS on it and my finished ones.

The first 2 here are by Wren Song Designs. The Pattern is called Bridal Roses. They will be cut out and hung with tassels on them. They are supposed to be diamonds not the squares they look like here.

Ok here are my other two finished. These are 4" angels. The Designer is Hankey Panky and the pattern is called Flying Angels (I think).

I used Hardanger material with DMC Pearl Cottons 8 and 12 sizes. The colours are white, ecru, and 778.

I have now been on my drug for my arrhythmias for 6 1/2 months (Jan 24 will be 7 months). The 20 of January will be 7 months that I have been arrhythmia free. I had to go to the pacemaker clinic today and they confirmed that I have not had an arrhythmia since June 20, 2008.

But the bad news is that my pacemaker battery needs replacing. From what I was told today it will be done in the next 6 to 8 weeks. I should know a date either the end of next week or the begining of the week after. I will definatly post a date when I get it. But I will post long before that.

My new WIPS and stuff

2008-12-28T08:51:00.004-05:00

Ok well here is the two 3" angels with step 2 on them. Now I just have to cut and do the hardanger part to them. I was waiting to post this in hopes I would have at least one of the 3 1/2" ones done today. I had to take it out a few times. Once I started in the wrong spot and now things are not matching up so I have to take the head out. So hopefully that will be done tomorrow unless my mother decides she has other things for me to do. Which probably will happen.

We have had lots of rain the last few days. So much so that 85% of the snow we had is now gone. I like that. I understand we are in for more snow in the next day but then we will be having rain again too so the snow won't stay around long.

I have been busy doing nothing. Haven't really felt like stitching much the last week or so which is fine cause I will pick up again more seriously in January. I have been playing nintendo ds with my niece. She thinks that is just the greatest cause we both have one and can play against each other. It is pretty bad when a 7 year old whips your butt.

I have Christmas pics but need to put them in some kind of order before posting them. Hopefully this week sometime.

New WIP

2008-12-24T22:14:00.004-05:00

Well I just couldn't resist any longer. I started one of the little angels Beth sent me in my package. I have the outline done (with a few mistakes)and am now ready to do the inside cutting. I am not sure what colour I will use as the contrast colour yet. That will have to wait till Friday now.

Mery Christmas everyone.

Snow and stuff

2008-12-21T22:07:00.012-05:00

OK well I promised last night that I would show a picture of our snow fall from Friday but with having a new printer.scanner etc it took me too long to figure out how to load my pictures in and I wanted to watch the hockey game. It was Toronto Maple Leafs vs Pittsburgh Penguins. Leafs won 7 to 3.

So here is the picture looking down our drive way (we can fit 4 cars in it) from the garage. Across the street is the community college. You can see the amount of snow we got. We had some more snow today but nothing much mostly just drifting. I will try and get a picture of my front lawn if it is not too cold tomorrow.

Here is a picture of our poor little Christmas tree that has been sitting out in the back yard for the last month. I had to bring it in yesterday so that it would be dry enough for us to decorate today.

As you can see from the tree and the height of the barbecue and table we had a fair amount of snow and some drifting.

This picture is looking outside from inside. You can sort of see the door to the garage and how deep the snow is and looking to the back fence you can see the drifts. That is the bird feeder we have out and a small number of birds around it. We can have anywhere up to 30 birds at a time out there. We get Cardinals (male and female), Blue Jays, Sparrows, Finches, Mourning Doves and Dark Eyed Juncos.
The picture was taken looking out my parents bedroom window.

So here is our poor drying out real tree. Looks not to bad I suppose. Well Mackenzie and I ( mostly me) decorated it today. Most of the wooden Santa's my father carved.

The mail man we have is very lazy. He never reads the addresses properly on the mail. We get things for people who don't even live in our city. So yesterday there was a knock at the door. It was the next door neighbour. My parcel from Beth was delivered there by mistake. Well this is what I got. Lots of hardanger patterns and Hardanger material. I have never used actual hardanger fabric so this should be interesting and fun. I will of course be very busy in the new year with hardanger projects. Which is great cause I joined the Christmas Ornament Challenge for next year. I can't wait to get started on them all. THANK you so much Beth they are wonderful. MIght not be able to wait till after Christmas and get the fourth biscornu square done. Might have to do them now especially if it continues to snow.

Here is a little better picture of my Pointsettia Biscornu that I did in the reds. It is out of the Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments 2008 issue. The designer is Kitty and Me. I used Mint Green 32 ct Belfast (I think but it could be Lugana) Linen. The floss was DMC Variations numbers 4200 (red) and 4045 (green), the beads are Mill Hill 02011 (antique gold).

I am sorry to thank Carol for the lovely Christmas card I received on Thursday. Thank you very much Carol and I hope your mother is feeling better. I know what it is like to have surgery the way she did.

Two more finishes

2008-12-19T22:57:00.008-05:00

Ok so it has been awhile since I have posted last. I seem to be starting alot of posts off this way lately. Anyway I digress. I have been busy kinda. Haven't been on the computer much lately cause I haven't felt like reading emails. First off here is a picture of our tree. For the first time ever we have a real tree.This was taken last week before the major snow storm today. We will attempt to bring it in the house tomrrow so we can decorate it.

That is providing I can find it under the snow drifts. As you can see it is not a very big tree. I think it is about 4 feet tall. I will try and take a picture of it before I dig it out. I will also try and get some picture of the amount of snow we have. We are expecting another storm on Saturday and one on Tuesday.

This is Mackenzies school picture for this year. I can't believe she is in Grade 1 now and will be 7 soon. It seems like just yesterday she was little. She is almost as tall as I am.

For one of my cross stitch groups we did a Christmas card exhange. The rules were you had to send a card to the person who was below you and $5 dollars worth of stitching stuff. Well Cherie got my name and this is what she sent to me. I got a magnetic paper pad (which my mother promplty stole), Lacy Cross Ornaments from A Stitch in Time. I have a few other of their charts. Plus a chart called Three's A Crowd by Diane Graebner, and two WDW Beachcomber and Ultarviolet (might just have to use that for another M Design). Thanks Cherie I just love the stuff.

I was kinda busy this week stitching. I did finish my one Poinsettia Biscornu from the JCS 2008 Ornie issue. The pictures are not the best. I will try and take some more. These were with my camera phone on my bed. I will try my camera on the black board I have they might turn out better then. I also finished the other biscornu that I was putting my hardanger diamond on as well. The first picture is the tops and then the bottoms are next.

Another Project done

2008-12-07T20:21:00.004-05:00

Ok well here is the top to the Red Biscornu. That I started the other day. The pattern is the Poinsettia Biscornu by Kitty and Me from the JCS Christmas Ornament 2008 issue. The picture doesn't really do the material justics but it is Mint Green 28 ct. The floss is DMC Variations 4200 (red) and 4045 (green). The beads are MIll Hill # 02011.

Well yesterday was our last craft show of the year. The show was very slow but that was ok cause we made our own fun. All the people there were really nice and helpfull so that was great.

The saga continues with my leg. It still hurts as does my ankel. I have been taking muscle relaxants and that seems to be helping some as the pain is only really there when I use the muscle. I have to see the Family Doctor on the 19 so if it is no better then I will mention it to her.

New Pics

2008-12-03T22:21:00.004-05:00

Ok I am so excited cause I finished my biscornu top tonight. This is the Pointsettia Biscornu from the JCS 2008 Christmas Ornament issue. The designer is Kitty and Me. Here is the pic of it. I used DMC Variations numbers 4045 (green) and 4180 (pink. THe material is Mint Green Linen and I forget the count. No suprise there. The beads are Mill Hill Seed Beads # 02011.

I was so thrilled to see the pink top finished I just had to start the red one. Here is my progress on that. This one I am using DMC Verigated numbers 4045 (green) and 4200 (red).

My leg is still bothering me at times. I have not had it checked out yet. I think part of it is from the way I sit while stitching. I know it is not a clot as the tender spot has now move down to my ankel. I am starting to come down with the cold that is in my house. I have been dosing up on Vitamine C. Lets hope I don't get a back case as it will land me in the hospital. Oh boy lots of stitching time and no interruptions.

PEACE is done

2008-12-01T16:48:00.002-05:00

Peace is now done. I finished it this morning. The pattern is an M Design pattern using DMC Verigated floss #4030.

This makes 57 finishes for me this year.

New pics of WIPS

2008-11-30T17:10:00.005-05:00

Ok here is a pic of my progress from yesterday on "PEACE" by M Design. I just have to finish the p and then I can add the star on the top and the beads.

I finally cut out my Welcome bellpull and put it all together. Here is a picture of that. It is not the best but I will get more of the other ones I do.

Yesterday since I had only alittle bit left on "PEACE" I decided I was going to start the Pointsettia Biscornu by Kitty and Me. Well here is the progress after two days of work.

Well off to dinner and to bed early as it was another long day at the craft show. Lets not ask how it was. Enough said right?

No pics today

2008-11-29T22:12:00.000-05:00

I worked on PEACE by M Design today and almost have it finished. I will finish it Monday as I am not taking my beads to the craft show tomorrow. Today I started The Pointsettia Biscornu by Kitty and Me from the JCS 2008 Ornamnet book. I have the center donw and started on the next pattern around. I am using DMC Verigated floss for that and hope to have possibly the top done tomorrow. I will take pics either tomorrow night or Monday of my work that I have done this weekend.

Today's finishes

2008-11-28T18:47:00.005-05:00

Today you are lucky you get two posts from me. One is a short one this morning and then this really long one tonight.
I spent most of today working on these cards. I had to make 3 of them on my own. You sure can tell they are homemade. The pattern that is in them is the Wren Song designs and it is called Bridal Roses.

As I said I have been working on M Desing "PEACE" last week and this week. Here is the progress as of Tuesday night.

Wednesday I wasn't feeling all that well so I just sat and stitched most of the day. Here is what I accomplished from Tuesday night. I am using DMC Verigated floss #4030. I am really happy with the way it is turning out. I will be making it into a card for a friend of mine. I am hoping it will be done this weekend while at the craft show.

I have been having problems with my left leg for the past week. The fleshie part at the top of my thigh hurts. It has been like this for nearly two weeks now. The pain will come and go so I don't think it is a blood clot. If it doesn't clear up this week then I will have to give in and go have it checked out. So if I disappear completely it could be because I am in the hospital. I will try and keep Beth updated with what is going on.

Well off to bed since tomorrow is an early and a very long day.

Been Busy

2008-11-28T08:34:00.001-05:00

Wow it has been awhile since I last posted. (think I said that sometime ago). But I have been busy with family obligations, craft shows, stitching like mad to accomplish stuff and life in general. I would update my stitching if I could but my printer died SSSSOOOO I will have to try and do it with my phone. Last week I started "PEACE" by M Design using 4030 DMC Variations. It is looking perfect. I am hoping to have it finished this weekend. I will be at another show this weekend (very long hours) so it might not be till Sunday when I get back here.

Gotta go finish some cards to take.

My latest finish

2008-11-13T16:38:00.000-05:00

Finally I have all three designs done twice. I put the last stitches in tonight. The piece is now drying and then I can back them and make them into cards and ornaments. I should have this done tomorrow so that I can take them to the craft show on Saturday.

Off to work on my baby blanket.

I've been tagged

2008-11-10T18:21:00.002-05:00

This should be interesting. I was tagged by Cherie http://countrygalcp.multiply.com
The rules are as follows

1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Write six random things about yourself
4. Tag six people at the end of your post
5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog6. Let the tagger know your entry is up.

I have to think of 6 things

1) I have a Social Service Worker background
2) I have been in the Girl Guide movemment for 31 years
3) I taught myself how to do Hardanger
4) I have a small craft business with my mom
5) I've lived in the same house all my life
6) I've had 8 heart surgeries

These are the people I'm going to tag

1) Deb S
2) Frishawn
3) Susan V
4) Julie
5) Cindy
6) Meari

Thread Exchange

2008-11-10T18:15:00.000-05:00

Today I got my Thread and Needle exchange from CJ. The rules for this exchange were you must send you partner 2 cards of floss and a package of needles. This is what I recieved.

I can't wait to use the floss. I have an idea of what I will use the one for but I am not sure.

Well this past weekend was our first set of Craft Showes. The Saturday only was wasn't all that great. The biggest problem was it was a nursing home with locked doors so you had to punch in a code everytime you wanted to open a door. That is fine until you have your hands full of stuff to take in and out. Won't be doing that again next year.

The craft show that was Saturday and Sunday was a better one. This one we have been doing for about 7 years now. That will be a repeat again next year.

The show we have coming up is Saturday and we have been there for a number of years too. Hopefully it will be a good one again.

New Stash

2008-11-07T21:30:00.004-05:00

Last night I did a silly thing. Well kinda. I showed my mom some hardanger Angel patterns and of course she loved them. So I said I think the Local Needlework Shop had them. I was wrong BUT she did pick out two more patterns for me to do.

This first one is a Cross N Patch pattern by Emie Bishop called the Christmas Star.

This one is the Heirloom Christmas Sampler buy The Victoria Sampler. This pattern has two different colour selections. The picture is in the pinks and roses the other one is reds. Both look very stunning.

There is still a third pattern that my mom wants to get for me to do. It is called The Unfinished Sampler by Cross N Patch. Another Emie Bishop pattern.
Tonight my mom and I took my niece over to the community college to their holiday craft show. They had lots to do. When we first went in there were dogs. A 9 month old Great Dane ( who was huge), 2 Shelties and a mix of Weiner dog and something else. Mac played some games and won ballots for the draw prizes. Then all of a sudden a bunny showed up so we had to go see that. Finally we got into the actual craft show. They had a passport that you visited different rooms in the college to see and get stamps and they had things to do and most places had something to drink or eat or both. I have a video of Mac holding either a lizard or a Gecko not sure which. The only problem is I can't get it to work or run so oh well. But we all had a good time. Mac wrote Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Day in Greek, planted a bulb in Holland, played Bocci in Italy.

Tomorrow is our first two craft shows for the year. I will be home late so I might now be able to post but will update all on Sunday after the shows.

What a Week!

2008-11-06T21:49:00.004-05:00

Ok so I went to my second to last stitching class last week. Well I found a pattern that had a few stitches in it that I didn't know how to do (that was not an easy task). So I took it to class and showed the teacher what I needed help with and she said don't do them but if I really wanted to here was the book to follow the instructions from there. SO needless to say Kathy was not very happy. So I just worked on what I wanted. I think I was way to advanced for the class so I was kinda ignored. I was also told that now I should be doing larger articles (which was fine) and designing my own patterns. There is still a heck of a lot I have know idea how to do. But anyway.

So Monday was bowling and some how I did something to my wrist. I think it was tendinitis probably from too much stitching lately. I have really been pushing it as our first two craft shows are this Saturday. So I wrapped my wrist. Tuesday it was a nice day so I went out to the garden and cut down a bunch of dead plants and planted 12 daffodils bulbs. I would have kept working but my wrist was really sore.

Wednesday morning I finished planting the last 12 daffodils. Between Mac and myself we have put 72 new bulbs into the garden. 24 were Daffodils and 48 were Tulips. I think that is enough for this year. I went to my local needlework store after that and stitched with the owner and another person for a few hours. Then I have been looking at two patterns for quite some time. I ended up getting The Garden by Emie Bishop (Cross ' N ' Patch).

The picture is not that great but you get the idea.

Last night when I checked my emails I found one from a Guider saying that certain paperwork was not in and I better get it there ASAP. I was furious as one sheet had a persons credit card information on it and all of the paper work was in on September 15, 2008. I sent a not so nice email back. I spoke with them today and she had made a double file for my unit and thought it was funny when she found her mistake. I was hoping mad.

Tonight mom and I set up our table for one of the shows this week end. Tomorrow we will check another one out and go get some Cherry/Pineapple/Peach jam. Oh it is soooo good. Then Saturday I have to set up and do the other show and we both do the show on Sunday. Busy weekend ahead.

Where has the time gone?

2008-11-06T21:40:00.001-05:00

Should have been posted November 2, 2008

I didn't realize how much time has passed since my last post. Well I did but I didn't feel like updating

Here are somethings I have been working on. I have not really had alot of finishes lately. Partly because I have not had a lot of stitching time. I hate when life gets in the way. Don't you? I have several things I need to put together for our 2 craft shows next weekend.

Saturday was my second to last class. My teacher told me that I am now to the point I need to buy 3 books and start designing my own patterns. That is great if you can follow instructions. I learn better by doing and beinging showed how to do. I still have alot of stitches I would like to learn first. I think it will probably be the new year before I try my hand at designing anything. I have to find a project for my last class in December.

I am now just over 4 months arrhythmia free. Though I have had a few small episodes ( I think lately). Well anyway it was a busy weekend so I am heading to bed

Bellpull Done!!!

2008-10-16T17:16:00.000-04:00

Yeah it is finally done. All I need to do now is cut it out and put the dowel on it for the hanger. I am very happy with the way it looks. The blue is very rich looking so I am thinking of using Black Walnut or something dark like that for the hanger. I will post a picture when it is all cut out and hung.

Rockton Fair Results

2008-10-16T08:56:00.000-04:00

Ok so here are the photos and results of how I did at this fair. I am really question some of the comments and places that I received. I think I did make enough o have next years paid for otherwise I would not be entering again. O here is one of the two firsts I got. This is a Victoria Sampler learn how to do Hard anger pattern.

This is my other first. This piece did not place in the previous show (the only piece) I entered it in.

The saying goes as follows (I know it is hard to see).

My Mothers garden - like her heart

brought joy to each of us children.

Blessed to grow up,

within the shelter of her heart.

This was my only second place.

Here are my 4 thirds that I got. I was a little upset that my Rhodes Butterfly Biscornu got a third after taking 2 firsts. The rest I was rather pleased with . My Celtic Knot was a last minute substitute since I could not for the life of me frame the one I wanted to put in. My card has now taken 2 thirds and a second so that is pretty good.

These fourths were very upsetting. Especially since the stocking has taken a first and a second. Oh well better luck next year I guess.

The t-shirt took a first and a second as well and now a fourth. The one that took 1st place did not deserve it as there was not nearly enough work and it was not neatly done. I actually know the person who did it. I would be ashamed to enter some of the things she did.

So that was all of my things that placed here. I got 9 out of 16 ribbons which I am not to happy with. The judging here is really not the best so I will be very selective as to what I enter next year. I for got to pick one of my things up so I will do it next week. I don't think it placed either.

This is the stuff that did not place.

This is what I forgot to pick up.

Bellpull Photos

2008-10-12T16:51:00.000-04:00

Ok well I figured since I had to move my piece up on my stretcher fram I would post a picture. I know some of you are dying to see a picture. Well here it is. I think after I do the "C" I will be half way done all I need to do after that is cut it all out and then attach my piece of dowling that I will use as a hanger. Should have more done tomorrow.

Bellpull update

2008-10-11T19:08:00.000-04:00

Sorry no pics as of yet. I did finish the petite blanket stitch on the bellpull tonight and started the cutting. I got the bottom heart cut ans wrapped with the doves eyes in it. I cut the next set this will be for the double hemstitch. Hopefully tomorrow I will have more of a chance to work on it and get further up. Today we took a "friend" up to some of the wholesale store near the airport. She makes gift baskets so we went looking for reasonable things to put in them. Mom and I will go back in about a month to get what we want to use for our baskets we want to make up. I will make up two and I think she is making up 7.

Well I think my run of no arrhythmias is quickly coming to an end. My heart rate at the presnet time is 108. Why I don't know but hopefully when I go to sleep it will go back to normal and I won't have a problem. If no that means a trip to the ER and have the defibrilator paddles (crash cart) used to slow it down. This is if the pacemaker doesn't kick in. Maybe it will. My heart rate only needs to get to 130 before the pacemaker is supposed to kick in. But its track record is 20% effectiveness. I hope my heart rate doesn't end up around 196 to 210. That was never fun.

Anyway off to bed as we are going to go pick 2 bushels of apples in the morning.

Wren Song Design Update

2008-10-10T16:23:00.001-04:00

Ok so here is the latest on the Wren Song Designs. 4 are done and 2 (one pattern) are left to do still. Maybe this week coming I will get them done. The pattern is called the Bridal Roses. They are not very big 3 inches finished actually. So I was talking with the owner of my LNS this week saying I wasn't sure how I was going to finish these off. They are supposed to be done as round ornaments. Apparently that is a very skilled task to be able to do. Sounds to fussy for me. So we decided I was going to get some cream to beige cardstocka nd make them into cards. I think that would be really neat. The actually pattern calls for the pink colours as seen in the top left hand corner but I decided to change them up a little. The last two I have to do will be the pinks (that are called for) for one of them and then the other will be various shades of purple. The first one took for ever to do but the other three worked up really quickly.

Today I spent time working on my Victoria Sampler Welcome Hearts Bellpull. I finished the petite blanket stitch a cross the top and put in the nun stitch. That took a bit of figuring out. I have started down the last side with the blanket stitching which I hope to finish tomorrow and start the cutting as well. I will attempt to do this on my own but if I run into troubles I have my class next weekend so I should be fine.

Yesterday I met a friend for coffee and while waiting for her I saw another lady who used to work at my LNS. We chatted for a bit and she said that she teaches classes and holds a stitching group at her place twice a month. She invited me to join them. She said the teacher that I am taking lessons from now comes and helps out. I am seriously thinking about joining. She told me to call anytime I had any questions, needed any help or just wanted to show her some of my work. I thought that was very nice of her. I might as the teacher next Saturday what the group is like then make my decision as to weather I will go or not. That would be twice a month and the other two weeks I would still go over to the LNS for "private" lessons.

Not a bad day.

2008-10-07T17:38:00.000-04:00

Well today was actually a productive one. I completed 4 of my Wren Song Designs (cutting beads and all) so now they just need to be mounted or something. I have two left to do still. Sorry no pics yet once they are all done I will post a pic. Simple Greek Crosses are really not that hard. I just like to whine alot. I hope to have at least one more or both done by the weekend. I have switched back to my bell pull to finish the blanket stitch and start the cutting as far as I can before class.

I have most of my stuff together for the fair this weekend. I had to strike two off my list cause I don't have anything to fill them with so that still leaves me with 16. Tomorrow I have to frame and finish two pictures, put hangers on three ornaments and finish my envelope (trim,sew together and put on button and ribbon) then that is all ready to go Thursday morning. So that is progressing nicely.

The other day I found a free pattern of the Chinese symbol for Friendship. I thought I would do it for a friend of mine who adopted a little Chinese girl awhile ago. I think she will be very suprised. I will do it for Chirstmas for her.

I had to go see the Cardiologist today. Wasn't really and appointment I was looking forward to. But suprisingly it was a good one for a change. I got a call at 9:30 this morning asking if I could be at the hospital for 10. I picked it up as I was leaving at 9:40 am and the cardiologists secretary said the Cardiologist asked if I could be there at 10 am and then she could spend more time with me but if not that was fine too. I said I could make it there by 5 or 10 after at the latest. That was fine. My original appointment wasn't till 11. Ok I figured get there early, get out faster have more time to get my stuff done for the fair. Well after busting my ass to get there early I sat and waited. I didn't end up getting out any sooner going early then when I would have if I showed up at 11. I was alittle ticked off at that but oh well. Plus she didn't spend any extra time with me than she normally would have.

Any way the appointment went well she put me on a new drug for my blood pressure as it is a little high and we don't want it to cause any damage to the already weak heart I have. I was fully expecting that she would add the drug. Maybe it will help with my headaches I have been having too. The Cardiologist would like to see me eventually go down to 100 mgs a day of my arrhythmia meds or maybe even less if I could. She also feels that I shouldn't have any more Ablations for awhile. Let all the irratation settle down and see just exactly what the real issue with them is other than the Fontan surgery I had, scare tissue and the hughe right atrium that is causing problems. So I see her in May and go for a bunch of tests in January and May. Some are routine for her and some need to be done more frequently because of the arrhythmia drugs.

So then I when to see her secretary cause we are good friends. I am waiting for the secretary to come out and I see the Cardiologist. She looks at me like I thought we were finished. I told her I was in trouble with the other half. She laughed and said I might as well spread it around and get it from everyone while I was there. I just laughed and said that was not hard to do in that clinic.

Guides was actually good tonight we accomplished a fair bit. So next week we will sit down and concentrate on what they need to do to get enrolled and when that will happen. We will also decide what badges we will work on as a group and individually. Hopefully we will get more girls soon. There are only 2 Guides and 2 Leaders.

Anyway off to bed. I have to finish stuff up tomorrow for the fair and go to another appointment. Then I am off to my LNS and stitching the afternoon away.

I am slipping again.

2008-10-06T18:52:00.000-04:00

Ok I was doing so well for a while about posting. Now I am slipping again. I have to make a better effort to post more often even if it is only to ramble like I am doing now.

Anyway I have been buy working on my Wren Song Designs. I have one where I just need to put the beads on. One where I need to wrap the bars and put the beads on. Two I need to cut, wrap and put beads on. Then the last two haven't even been started yet. Then I need to finish my bellpull for my class on the 18. I would also like to get an ornament done so that I can make a biscornu with it. I think I am really pushing my luck to get that all done in the next two weeks.

Tomorrow I have to go see the Cardiologist and then get the stuff ready for the fair this weekend. I have to take it out after I see my councellor on Thursday.

I am now almost 3 1/2 months arrhythmia free. I am so glad that I can do things with out worring about going out of rhythm all the time. Tomorrow I will find out what my bloodwork showed in September. Lets hope things are still where they are supposed to be. My only thing is I am still waiting for the other shoe to drop and I know when it does it will fall hard. Not looking forward to that.

Bowling has been interesting these last few weeks. Tonight again I had a really good night. I had a 169, 175 and a 210 for a 554 triple. This puts my average at 167. Way over my head to achieve every week. I like my last years average better of 149. At least I have brought it down some.

Anyway off to bed now.

Update on Bell Pull

2008-10-02T05:17:00.000-04:00

Ok so here is the long awaited update on my Victoria Sampler "Welcome Hearts Bellpull". I now just have the rest of the petit blanket stitch to finish and then do all the cut work. I should not take long once that is started. I think that is pretty good progress in just over a week. I had to do abit of an overlap cause the pattern wouldn't fit in my scaner.

Yesterday for a change I went back to my Bridal Roses by Wren Song Designs. I think instead of making them all into ornaments I will make some into Special Occassion cards. Now if only I can find my card blanks. HMMM I guess that is a good reason to clean my room up a bit.

Well not much new has been happening here with me. I now have been 3 months arrhythmia free (the other sho will drop soon. Murphy's Law). Hopefully I can make 6 months before anything starts up. I am not sure that I really want to cut two doses out but maybe I can convince them to just drop half each day and see what happens from there.

I go see the Cardiologist next week so I will find out what my bloodwork from September shows. We shall also see what is happening with my bloodpressure and if I end up on a drug for that. Hopefully it has stabelized somewhat but who knows till next week.

Ancaster Fair Results

2008-09-21T17:38:00.001-04:00

Ok so I goofed on what places I got at the fair. How I have no idea, but I did. So anyway I actually got 3 firsts, 3 seconds and a fourth. So in some respectes I did better than I thought. I still had one article that didn't place. Here it is. I did this for my Mother for Mother's Day one year. The verse says " My mother's garden, like her heart,brings joy to each of us childern, blah, blah, blah" when I go upstairs I will write the verse down and fix this.

So my three first this time were my stocking (which took second last weekend), my pincushion (two firsts for that) and the In Loving Memory (which has 2 firsts and a second ( that one I entered the year I made it and it took first then)).

Ok so what were the seconds. Well they were the christmas card (this took third last week), my t-shirt (which was a first last week, but different category this time), and my towel (which took a third last week).

So the picture that took fourth was my little baby on linen. That was the very first thing I did on linen and hated working with it. Now I love linen. It is a material that needs sometime and patience with but is really not that hard to do.

So far this year I have done pretty well. We shall see what comes of the last fair in afew weeks. I worked on my Victoria Sampler Welcome Heart Bellpull and I have the W in now and started on the E. I will try and post a picture for that either tomorrow or Tuesday.

My Current WIP

2008-09-20T18:50:00.001-04:00

Ok so this is not the greatest picture there ever would be. I tried using my cell phone for the picture but as you can see white on white is not the best to be photographing. This is what I have been working on this last week. It is working up pretty easy actually. I am finished the section where the first heart is and working on the second. I will try and post a better picture maybe tomorrow if I get the chance. Possibly after I come home from the fair.

Ancaster Fair

2008-09-19T18:42:00.001-04:00

OK so Wednesday night my niece Mackenzie and I took out my entries. So the first section we found was the Christmas Corner. So here we dropped off my stocking and christmas card. We had to go looking still for classes 55, 55A and 57. We find all the classes and drop off all the stuff. There was a pink pen still in the box so little miss smart ass says "Aunt what class does this go in" meaning the pen. I said it didn't go in any class. So the little darling asked where it went and I told her my back pocket. She decided to put it in my back pocket while we were walking.

Last week as school Mac found out they were going to the Ancaster Fair. She put up her hand and asked the teacher if the could go through the Arts and Crafts building because her aunt was entering things in the fair and she wanted to see how I did.

So today was fair day for her. She said it was Awesome. My mom told her to call and let me know how I did. Mac said well I can't cause I don't have a phone. My mom said when you get home from school call. So she was all excited when she called me. She said I got 3 firsts, 1 second and one third. Pretty good for a 6 1/2 year old to remember. Mac asked me if my stocking had a purple bow on it and I told her it did. She said I got first on that. I told her that the stocking was her cousins. She told me she knew that and that was what she told everybody. I just had to laugh. I will put her stocking in next year.

So my parents and I went to check things out after the report from the little one. I put 8 entries in and took 7 ribbons. I am rather happy with that. I got 3 first, 2 second, a third and a fourth. I just have one fair left and I think there will be 15 entries there.

Been a few days

2008-09-17T17:08:00.001-04:00

Ok well today I was busy getting my fair enteries ready for the Ancaster Fair. My Niece and I took them out tonight. I have 8 entereies in this fair so we shall see how well I do this time. I put in some of the same stuff as the Binbrook fair. The Stocking, In Loving Memory, t-shirt, pin cushion, christmas card and the towel. If you would like to see pictures of them check out Binbrook Fair Results below.

This is one of the other pictures I did. I was the first project I ever did on linen. I have one other entery that I don't have a picture for that I submitted.

I will post on Monday my results with pictures. I can not pick my stuff up till about 7 or 8 pm so I might give a quick update Sunday night

I have been having trouble with my ears the last few days. They feel like they are completely plugged. Like just getting off an airplane. I saw the doc today and he says they are fine but he thinks it is from my allergies. So I need to get a stronger antihistamine and see if that works. Lets hope so. Well I am off to bedsince my ears are bugging me. Tomorrow I hope to work on my Victoria Sample Heart Welcome Bellpull.

Binbrook Fair Results

2008-09-14T19:27:00.001-04:00

Ok I hate to do this but since I can't get a album or slide show to import I had to do each picture individually. I had 10 entries into this fair and placed with 7. Think that is pretty good.

Ok so here is my first entry it is a decorated sweatshirt/t-shirt judged only on decoration. This is a SanMan Original design called Think Spring (I think). There was only one other entry in this category with me and I was lucky enough to take First place.So this was 2 Christmas tree ornaments "Victorian theme" ready to hang. Well I finished at the last minute these two Hardanger ones. I was awarded First place in this category as well. Yeah me!

This one was pincushion - fabric - sewn. Well I think this is really cool so I just had to put in my Rhodes Butterfly Biscornu by The Sweetheart Tree. I was surprised to see another biscornu in the category as well.

The next entry was Christmas stocking - cross stitch - ready to hang. I did this one for my second cousin Tracey ( not only is she my second cousin but she it the second Tracey on that side of the family. Her aunt (my first cousin) is who the In Loving Memory was for)). This is the Just Nan pattern Plum something. I took second place with this one.

This is Counted cross stitch> 14" including frame - ready to hang. OOPS it is a little small one way but not the other. I did this for my aunt and uncle as a keepsake of my younger cousin Tracey (the older one of the two). I took a second place with this. It got a very interesting comment on it. One was Well Done! and the other one said not enough cross stitch to be judged in this class. Um well then why did I get second??? Also I didn't realize that counted cross stitch was just X's. You learn something new everyday. None of my family understand this either.

This class was Terry guest towel - decorated. I took a third place here. I am not upset cause this is not one of my better pieces.

2 Christmas tree ornaments - ready to hang - needlework. I was at a real loss as to what to enter here so I decided to make the two hardanger crosses into quick ornaments. I was not expecting to even place here at all but surprisingly I got a third place so I was quite happy there.

The next three didn't place at all. I can't have everything. Tho it would be nice. The only issue I have is with the red box. The comment was Hardanger? Well yes and no. There is probably more cross stitch on it but oh well who cares. I was desperate and just grabbed something to put the tag on.

The earring were way out of the class of work there. Most of the jewellery was that Schwartz crystals. I thought I would give it a shot.

The card I actually had in the fair last year and got a third with. I guess once is better than none.

Well if you have gotten this far thank you very much. I am now heading to bed as it is 11:30 pm here and I am tired. Hope fully I will do as well next week at Ancaster Fair. I only have 8 entries going in there.

Binbrook Fair and Hardanger Class

2008-09-13T19:00:00.001-04:00

Ok well I have not been to the Binbrook Fair yet this weekend. But my aunt went on her way home. She said that I got 3 First place ribbons. They are on my T-shirt that had a SanMan Original Design on. My Rhodes Butterfly Biscornu (pin cushion) and she couldn't remeber what else. I got 2 Second place finishes. One was the Just Nan Stocking I did for my second cousin and the other was on the In Loving Memorie piece I did for my aunt. Plus I got a Third place finish on a Terry Guest Towel. My red box with the Hardanger on it didn't place. So that was 7 out of the 10 articles. She missed some.

Later she called back and said after she got thinking about things maybe the stocking didn't get a ribbon on it maybe it was my Hardanger Ornamnets. But she couldn't remember. No big deal I will find out tomorrow. I actually didn't want to know anything until I got there myself. You know the element of suprise.

So this is what I did in class today. I had the basic outline done with the blanket stitch on. I didn't really accomplish much in class but I did learn some new tricks and got picked on alot by the teacher and the owner of the LNS. It was fun still.

Things I learned:

1: That when the pattern calls for Eyelet stitches you really need to put them in because they help stiffen the outter edge. I didn't put them in cause they are a PITA.

2. How to do eyelet stitch in stagered steps. They work up faster this way but they are still a PITA.

3. That when you do a Sampler pattern you always need to mark off your material and start in the upper left hand corner. I always started in the center and counted from there.

4. I learned how to weave bars in the cut out section. I kept complaining cause the back is not as neat as I was taught. But apparently it is ok.

So I came home and finished up the cross and put in the spider web myself. I know it is not right but I have to get credit for at least trying. Right?

This is the next project I have started which should be finished by tomorrow so that I can take it next month and learn how to properly do the Spider Web stitch.

The other day I bought myself a new Hardanger pattern. I showed my mom and now she wants 5 for Christmas presents. I am not sure how many I will get done but was told I had to have one ready for next months class.

So all and all it has turned out to be a pretty good weekend. Fairly successful at the fair and made nice progress at class. Well till tomorrow when I post with Fair Results.

Fair Entries

2008-09-11T17:25:00.001-04:00

Well I took my fair enteries in tonight. I get to go pick them up Sunday night. So I won't know until then how I did. I don't have pictures of all the enteries but I will post ones that I do have. One has a red ribbon on it already cause that went into the fair 9 years ago.

I put this into the pincushion section. They had to be made out of fabric so I thought it would be good. I stuck two pearl head pins into it.

This is not a great picture but it was put in to the Cross stitch article not deemed a framed project.

This stocking is for my Second cousin. I did 5 of them all different for my cousins and my niece one year.

I did this In Loving Memory for my Aunt and Uncle when my younger cousin passed away. The reason for the ribbion was I entered it into the fair the next fall. Everyone was so happy to see the ribbon for it.

Unfortunatly that is all I have pictures for. I will add some when I bring the stuff back and before I change the fair tags. I will be taking my stuff next Wednesday to another fair.

I bought a new Hardanger pattern yesterday. I have only showed one person and already have orders for 6. Not sure how fast they will stitch up. I have a few things to finish up before my classes on Saturday.

I went to see Deb who is a friend of mine today. I met her when I went to Cardiac Rehab the first time at one of the hospitals in the city. I haven't talked with her since last July. Her and I were close we used to go for lunch and coffee every coulpe of months. I would always update her via email as to how I am doing health wise. Then all of a sudden she stopped responding. I did see her last July when I was admitted to her hospital. Then in January of this year she stopped responding to me all together. I have for awhile wanted to go see her and today after talking with Martha I decided I would. She has become very distant with me and others that know both Deb and I have said to forget about her. That is kinda hard when she was my rock for so many years. There was never any closure or anything. Something inside of me keeps saying don't let this friendship go things will turn around. Martha told me today I had to do what I felt was right and forget about what everyone was saying. So I bought a nice card and wrote her a message. Then I went and dropped it off and actually got to talk with her. She was alittle better.

More good news

2008-09-10T18:39:00.001-04:00

Well I was talking to the cardiologists nurse today .

She said my TSH and my GGT levels that were out of whack in July have now resolved themselfes for August. We shall see what happens in September. I have to have them done next week I probably won't find out till the begining of October what they are unless there is a really big problem. Now that the arrhytmias are undercontrol and the blood work seems to be straightening out I am doing not to bad. If I could only now get my blood pressure to co-operate I would be 100% cured. Don't I wish that were true. I will see what happens in October if I end up on blood pressure meds again or not.

I am still rather irked with the nonsense that went on yesterday with the pacemaker but oh well it is done and over with. I guess there is not sense worring about it.

Tomorrow night I take my stuff into the fair so lets hope I fair not to badly.

Well I am doing good 4 days in a row now. Don't get to used to it. I doubt it will last much longer.

Ok here's the verdict

2008-09-09T19:42:00.001-04:00

First before I go into details I must say I was RAKed by a very nice person Beth. I was very surprised to see this pattern in the mail yesterday. I love getting surprises.

I also love to torment people can you tell.

Ok so I went to the hospital and hour away. They were 45 minutes late in seeing me which is not unusual. So I finally get in and they hook me all up to the machines and start to interrogate the pacemaker. Well this takes for ever even if there is NO new information. Ok so that finally downloads and the doc (who I am not overly fond of) came in to see what was happening. He sat on a chair on the other side of the room and never moved. Usually the docs check different things and see for them selves what is going on with the pacemaker.

So anyway he sits there and looks at the printouts they give him. Which I don't think were everything he needed but oh well. So he says the battery life has gone down since May of this year but that there is nothing to worry about. He knows that I don't trust this pacemaker at all and that I have (as have many others) felt this was defective since day one. He asked me if something at the bowling alley could have interfered with the pacer to make it beep. I told him know this happened Sunday night at home watching TV. SO then he says to me are you sure it was the device?

No I just felt like calling you up and complaining for no reason at all and saying that I needed to be seen cause I didn't want to wait till November 4. How stupid do they think I am? Don't answer that. So they finally decide that the pacer has showed nothing at all not even the alarms going off so I can come back in 6 months. Then he decides that since I have an appointment November 4 I should keep that and see them again then. In the mean time my Nov appointment was cancelled and given away. I am supposed to see the Electrophysiologist that day as well. THe pacer clinic said since they were booked that day the EP doc would have to change his date to see me. I THINK NOT SORRY.

So after talking with the EP doc briefly he decided to see me today instead of Nov 4 ( I was really hoping he would since I was there. But I didn't want to ask). So he was thrilled with the news that I have not had any arrhythmia's since Jun 20 and that I now have a life as well and I am doing so much better. He said that he was really worried about me cause he felt I was on the verge of a nervous break down. He said that he tried to make stupid jokes (his words not mine) to help relieve some of the tension but realized it only mad things worse and I was even more upset. Which apparently really upset him (I knew that just by the way he would spend extra time with me. He didn't have to admit it). You don't find many doctors like that anymore. He said that at some point we will reduce the amount of medication I am taking (I would only take it Monday to Friday) and see how well that works. I must have had a horrified look on my face because he laughed and said not now maybe when I see him in January but we will talk and negotiate things together. So all in all I guess it was good news all around. It still burns me that they don't believe me with the pacemaker. Oh well I won't worry the next time it beeps.

I must go to bed now I have been up since 5 this morning and only got an hours rest this afternoon. Tomorrow I will post pictures of my fair entries since they go Thursday night.

Hey not bad three days in a row.

Wow two days in a row!!!

2008-09-08T18:06:00.001-04:00

Ok so here is the latest on me. I have to go to a hospital an hour away to the pacemaker clinic cause the one 10 minutes from me won't do a damn thing. Their answer to my pacemaker issues was "Well it was only put in in 2003 so I should not be having problems yet. Also just keep calling the other hospital and bugging them till they decide what to do". Gee loads of help there.

I called the other hospital this morning and they said I was to go see my Cardiologist and have an ECG done and she MUST approve me to travel to this other hospital. So they did the ECG and the RN gave me the two copies they printed off (never kept one for their files) so I will take one tomorrow and keep one for me. To bad for them.

Hopefully things will be put into full swing tomorrow even though I am not seeing my regular docs. I will update more when I come home (hopefully tomorrow) after I go to my Girl Guide meeting.

On an up note tonight was the first night of bowling for this season. I did really well with out really trying hard. I bowled a 223, 190 and a 222 to give me a starting average of 212. I said I was only bowling 100's next week to bring my average WAY down.

Well gotta head to bed need to be up early in the morning.

Latest finish

2008-09-07T17:40:00.001-04:00

Well this is my most recent finish. It was done Friday I think. It is one of the Victoria Sampler Kits where you learn Hardanger in stages. I think this one is level 4-5 but I am not sure off the top of my head. It was an interesting one to learn (not really difficult). I highly recommend those kits to anyone who would like to learn Hardanger. Saturday I finished the outline of a Cross bookmark that I will be taking to my class on September 13 to learn how to put the stitches in properly. I will also have a second bookmark done and ready to go and that probably will be it unless I take the Victoria Sampler kit (one of level 5) that has Greek Crosses in it to do. Oh yeahby the way did I mention I HATE Greek Crosses.

Things are still pretty good with me health wise. It is coming up to 8 weeks arrhythmia free which is great but I knew things could only be so good for so long. The other shoe finally dropped today. Tonight as I was watching TV my pacemaker beeped twice. This means the battery is low and needs to be replaced soon. Tomorrow I will call the Cardiologist and the Electrophysiologist and see what needs to be done and how soon. I want to wait till after September 20 as that is after the two fall fairs and about 3 weeks before the last one. If I don't get to put stuff in the last one that is ok since I haven't paid my entry fee yet.

I am so glad that I see Martha this week cause I will need it after I finish with the docs tomorrow.

Tuesday I think I will bring the sewing machine up and put to gether the stuff I have made and then just put in my box to finish later. Maybe now I need to not only complete my stitching but also complete the entire project as well.

Long time no post

2008-08-30T18:17:00.001-04:00

Well it has been awhile since I posted last. I have been busy doing lots of stuff. Not really stitching much. I have my 6 Ornaments cut out now all I need to do is put the tassel and the hanger on them. I have 4 sets of earrings done as well. 2 pair have hooks on them and the other 2 pair well not yet.

I have been busy filling in my entry forms for the fall fairs. I will be entering my stuff into three fairs this year. So we shall see how things go.

I had my niece out the other day and man did we walk. I kept reminding here that we didn't want to walk too far cause we still had to turn around to go back to the car. She told me she knew that and would tell me when we went far enough. We probably walked in to different places for about 2 and a half hours. She was having a great time. I could have wrung her neck when she started telling me we needed to exercise daily, and that is was a good idea she took me for this walk, that I didn't need the gym anymore I just had to walk with her (hell I need the gym so that I CAN walk with her), etc, etc.. Gotta love kids.

Hopefully I will post some pics next week of my stuff cut out and finished before they go to the fair. I am going for another private lesson for Hardanger Wednesday next week. Not sure what I will be tourchered with this time. Last week (or the week before) it was Greek Crosses. I HATE GREEK CROSSES. I learned how to do them came home and haven't picked them up since. Oh yeah did I mention I hate Greek Crosses.

My Hardanger classes start in 2 weeks so I need to get a few projects ready for then.

It has been one month and 2 weeks since I have had any issues with my arrhythmias. I have had a few close episodes that I thought might land me in the hospital but nope. I am still waiting for the proverbial "other shoe to drop" but hoping it won't be for awhile.

Another busy day

2008-08-19T18:40:00.001-04:00

Well today myself, my mother and a friend of hers all went out to lunch. We go to the Vet Thi resturant where maybe two people speak english. We get WonTon soup. The bowl has to be about 32 oz and you get 6 Pork and Shrimp wontons with some other stuff. We also enjoy the fried wontons with cream cheese in them and the Shrimp fried spring rolls.

After we came home I had a nice nap. That energized me to do some more earrings. I now have two sets complete and one earring. I will post pictures when the stuff is all cut out. I also had to cut out a diamond so that I can have my next Hardanger lesson tomorrow after the gym. These are private lessons and then I signed up for 4 Saturday mornings for class lessons.

I just bought some more patterns (I need them like a hole in the head) to do more word trees and hardanger ornaments. I will have to post some pics when the order arrives hopefully soon.

Tonight mom and I made two batches of Peach-Pinapple Freezer jam and one batch of Peach freezer jam. Tomorrow I think we will make another Peach jam and maybe a pie.

It has been one month and one week (almost) since I have had any arrhythmias. I have to wait and find out what the blood work showed this month to see what will happen next.

Afew finishes

2008-08-18T17:22:00.001-04:00

Well here is a picture of all 5 ornaments with the cutting and all the speciality stitches in them. The pattern is by Wren Song Designs. I think they are pretty neat. I have an order from my mother already for about a dozen. At first she said that she wanted all Ercu ones but then she saw the green one I did and now I am not sure what she wants.Here is the first one in green. I will be doing a whole set of 5 in this colour as well. It is DMC 504. I think I like the green better. BUT we shall see as I am doing a set in DMC 3753 and I will do a pink set. The only difference with the pink will be I am putting blue flowers in them. I am hoping each different colour set will have a different speciality stitch in them. The Ecru has Dove's Eyes.

The other little green things you see with the pink bars will be earrings. I have alot of interest in them already. That was my first pair I made. The blue verrigated was the second one but when I did the cutting there was a mistake. So I did it again and this time the lines didn't match up. I am sitting now taking it out.

Today I signed up for my Hardanger classes. I am now getting exicted about doing it. At first I wanted no part of it. I was showing the lady who owns the store what I hope to be able to do and she thinks I will do wonderfull in the class. She then proceded to tell me I was coming back Wednesday morning after the gym to be taught Greek Crosses. Between what she showes me and my 4 classes I should be off to the races and do what ever I want to.

This is one project I would like to eventually like to be able to do. I will with time.

One Busy Week

2008-08-16T18:12:00.001-04:00

Well this has been a very busy week. Last Saturday my uncle came home from Thunder Bay for the week. He was participating in the Ontario Seniors Games in London. Since he hasn't been here since last summer we had a BBQ out at my aunts farm. Most of the family made it there.

Monday night I took my uncle to the cemetery where his parents are burried and where is Uncle Percy is burried. Then we went to visit friends of his.

Tuesday he left for London so I went to the gym and then in the afternoon I went to my Local Needlewrok Shop and got some help with my Hardanger. I was able to then come home and finish the 5 ornaments I started. Sorry no pictures at this point.

My uncle returned here on Thursday night and yesterday I spent a good part of the day taking him to used book stores so he could get some books on The Black Donnellys and the Kennedy Assisination.

Today we went out to my aunts again. Mom and I taught my 9 year old cousin how to play Rummy. She is getting the hang of it.

I did start another ornament today and will hopefully have it finished tomorrow and possible some earrings as well.

Will try and post pics when I can.

Post #2

2008-08-12T18:04:00.001-04:00

Well here it is post number 2 for the day. Don't get used to it tho. After droping off my uncle I went to the gym and did a very brief workout. I find it hard working out after 9 am and today it was 10 am. So you say well that is only an hour difference shouldn't be that much harder but it is. I was able to workout for about 40 minutes. I figure something is better than nothing. Tomorrow I will be back at 8:30 am for an hour and a half work out.

So then after the gym I had some errands to run and then called my LNS to see if I could get some help with my Hardanger. Since I taught myself I did it the easiest way I could so that I could see what I was doing and when I made a mistake. Afew people that do Hardanger couldn't tell I didn't do things properly. Well today I learned how to wrap the bars the correct way and to do Dove's eyes. Here are the ornaments I have been working on.The top two are finished and just need to be cut out. The one inbetween the two is about half finished and I have the last two to start. Then with the scraps I am going to make earrings. That should be an interesting feat. Well I will try and post another update tomorrow on my progress.

I was RAKed

2008-08-12T13:57:00.001-04:00

Yesterday when the mail came there was a nice manilla envelope for me. It was from Terry Forester. She sent a pile of buttons and charms. Thanks very much Terry. I will use them for sure. Well what I don't have to fight Mackenzie for. Here is what she sent.Later tonight I will post a more up to date picture of the ornaments I am doing. I have two completely finishe and a third almost done. Then I can move the hoop and finish the other two.

Yes are you lucky two posts in one night.

Current WIP and stuff

2008-08-10T18:16:00.001-04:00

Ok I know I should post more often than when I have finishes and WIPs but sometimes I just don't know what to right. Well here is my current project. These will be Hardanger ornaments when I get them finished which hopefully will be this week. My mom said she wants a bunch of them for her friends at work for Christmas. SO now I have to go buy more material because she only wants certian colours. Sorry the picture is kind of hard to see. It is Ecru on Antique White evenweave 28 ct. The pattern is one by Wren Song.Some of you know I put my work into the fall fairs for judging. Well last year my 5 1/2 year old niece decided she was going to do a piece as well. This is her stitching. Not bad for a 5 1/2 year old. The funny thing is she thinks she will enter it into the fair this year and take first prize. Off of me. I think I will have to make her a tag and just put a 1st place ribbon on it for her and hope she doesn't know the difference.Well we have had a record amount of rain this summer (and it is STILL not done). So last Thursday I decided that Mackenzie and Tracey could paint T-Shirts. So we brought Tracey to my house and away they went. This first one is Mackenzie's can you tell. I must admit it is pretty good for a 6.5 year old. The main thing is she had a ton of fun.This is Tracey's shirt. You can tell the difference in ages. Tracey will be 10 in November. She had a great time doing her shirt. Then the girls were able to play with each other for quite awhile after we ate lunch. Suprising I didn't go insane like I thought I would happen.

Well we are now going on to week #4 with out having any arrhythmias or needing the Bisoprolol. The Amiodarone seems to be doing the trick right now which is fantastic. The only problem with it is my TSH (thyroid) and my GGT (liver) are already being affected. Hopefully as I am on the Amio longer things will straighten out. I would hate to have to go on another drug because the Amio is affecting my system too much and lose the "good" health I am now finally starting to have. I guess the real tale will be in November when I have the Pacemaker checked out and see how many episodes I have had that I was not aware of.

Yesterday we had a semi family BBQ at my aunts house. My uncle is here from up north. We had 13 people there for dinner. Unfortunatly we were missing 6 people. But like I said to my mom no matter when we have it there is always some one who can't come for some reason.

This is a busy week coming too. I will try and post daily as to what is happening.

Semi-Finish and stuff LONG

2008-08-04T18:34:00.001-04:00

Well here are two semi-finishes for me. I completed the bookmark Friday and did the diamond on Saturday in about 3ish hours. Now I have to cut the centers out so that I can learn how to wrap the bars properly for Hardanger. I hope to do that later this week.

I have been feeling really well now for about the last 3 weeks. I have not had to add any extra meds (Bisoprolol to the Amiodarone) since July 14. Which is really good. I will know on Wednesday what my blood levels are and see if the Amio is going to affect my thyroid at this small dose. Hopefully I can stay here for awhile. I have not had actually (probably just jinxed myself here) since early July.

I have been going to the gym twice a week now. The first week was only once and last week was one good work out and a modified one cause some how I hurt my knee. This week I am hoping to get in two good work outs and a modified one plus maybe a walk or two. Just have to play it by ear. I guess I should load my MP3 player tonight for the gym tomorrow.

Tuesday last week Mackenzie and I did some errands after the gym. I had picked some vegetables out of the garden and decided to take them to a friend of mine which just happens to be a Nun. So we go take the veggies to her. Mackenzie ( who is 6 1/2 years old) was telling her we were going on a mission.

Mackenzie: Auntie and I are going on a mission today.

Friend: Oh really. That's nice.

Mackenzie: Yes we are going to find Grumpy's ( Grumpy is what she calls my father her grand father) parents at the cemetery.

Friend: (looks at me) Oh that sounds nice.

Me: Yeah they are missing. I know they are dead and have been for awhile but can't find the headstone.

Mackenzie: We are looking for a War Cross too cause it is missing also. So we will have to go on a mission to find it.

Friend: (says to Mackenzie) Well I am sure your great-grandparents are there. Do you think they would have moved the bodies?

Mackenzie: Probably.

So we leave and start heading to the cemetery and the conversation between Mackenzie and I goes something like this.

Me: That lady was a Nun.

Mackenzie: Oh.

Me: (Figuring she didn't know what a nun was) I said yes she wears a habit like the Sisters in your church.

Mackenzie: We don't have any in my church.

Me: Yes you do the church you go to with school has Nun's in it.

Mackenzie: I haven't been to church with school. (She goes to a Catholic school)

Me: Yes you have. Grandma and I took you there at Easter time.

Mackenzie: No we didn't go to church at Easter.

Me: Yes we did.

Mackenzie: Does your friend wear a habit to church on Sunday?

Me: I don't know.

Mackenzie: Well why don't you know Auntie?

Me: I have never been to her church.

Mackenzie: I wish you knew everything in the world.

Me: Why?

Mackenzie: Cause then you would be my smartest aunt ever.

Me: Well thank you. How can you argue with that.

Later in the week mom and I promised Mackenzie that she could do her china tea set. We kept telling her that was a project for a rainy day. Wednesday was finally the rainy day she wanted. So we went to the gym did a couple of errands and her an Grumpy painted the Tea Set. See pictures below. Apparently she told Grumpy he couldn't do certain pieces cause she couldn't trust him enough to do it neatly and the way she wanted it. My father used to do beautiful Toll Painting. But can't be trusted by a 6 1/2 year old. I am sure from the pictures you can figure out who did what.

It's done!!

2008-07-25T18:05:00.001-04:00

Well I finished Freezun Seazun today. I had to get the owner of my LNS to help me with the Holly leaves. Once I got that figured out it just fell all together nicely. Today I just had to finish one side of Holly leaves and add all the beads and charms.

On to some Hardanger Ornaments now.

More progress on Freezun Seazun

2008-07-23T19:07:00.001-04:00

Ok well here is todays progress on Freezun Seazun. It is really taking shape fast. I started on the Holly leaves tonight. Got two done and said done. I will work on them tomorrow when I have the sunshine and the patients. I can't wait to have this finished now. At first I was worried that the fabric was not blue enough. But now that I am adding the blue it is looking better.

I didn't do much exercise today as my arms hurt from working out at the gym yesterday. But not bad enough to stop me from going tomorrow. I will do what I did yesterday plus add in leg weights. Hopefully I will still be walking on Friday. Well so much for easing in to the gym slowly. It looks like the arrhythmias are fairly well controlled at this point which is fantastic. Now lets hope it stays that way for awhile.

Today I had my niece so we called our cousins to see if they wanted to get together and do something. The girls haven't seen each other at all since school finished. So we were going to go Glow in the Dark Mini Golfing. When we got there the place had 150 kids already there. Must have been a day camp outing or something. So we ended up going to the movies instead. We saw Wall-E. It is not quite what I was exptecing but it was good never the less. But the better entertainment was when the four of us were in the theater alone eating the popcorn. The girls (ages 6 and 9) each got a small popcorn and with it you get a flavoring for it free. So they both picked Salt and Vinagar because you know they have to be the same. Well Tracey (9 year old) put half the package on her popcorn and Mackenzie (my niece and the 6 year old) put the whole thing on hers. So we were eating it and dying with the amount of vineager on it. I started with taking the first few pieces and inhaling nearly choking one the strength. Mackenzies was so strong. I finally mixed it up enough it could be eaten. Well Vicki my older cousin grabbed a handfull and was eating the popcorn. Thought she had a kernel and it was actually a clump of Salt & Vinager mix. Well I thought she was going to pass out it was so strong. She was sitting their stamping her feet and rocking back and forth. I was laughing so hard I had tears streaming down my face and I couldn't breath. Tracey said to me my face was beat red from laughing.

Vicki and I are 5 years apart and are just like sisters. The crazy times we have had together.

WIP progress and stuff

2008-07-22T16:53:00.001-04:00

Ok I have the main picture now outlined and the word "Freezun" in. Not bad progress for 2 1/2 hours today. I have now started the blue boarder where the snowflakes go. Hopefully it won't take much longer to do.

My garden is really comming along nicely. It smells like a funeral home with all the lilies I have. At least that is what they remind me of. Here are some pictures of the garden I really like.

I love this picture. It is of my Shasta Daisies and my Cherokee Sunset Gloriosa Dasisies. They make a nice contrast together.

This is just one section of my lilies. I have 4 spots in my garden with various lilies. I have pictures in my webshots of all my flowers in the garden. Adding more almost daily. Feel free to check it out. They are all in Garden 2008.

http://community.webshots.com/user/AuntieKathy

Today was my first day back at the gym in almost 2 1/2 months. It was great. I have been told to start slowly but that kinda didn't happen. I did 30 minutes at 2.8 on the Treadmill. 15 minutes on the bike and 15 minutes of weight training. Then my friend called me and asked if I wanted to go for a walk. SO I walked for an hour. I really like this being able to exercise again. Tomorrow I am taking my niece and 2 cousins to play 18 holes of glow in the dark mini golf. That should be loads of fun. I should be so sore by Thursday that I can't move but it is back to the gym and mega gardening. Doesn't sound like too much stitching is going to get done. I am sure I will find some time for it.

Feeling better

2008-07-21T19:26:00.001-04:00

I have been feeling alot better since I changed meds for my arrhythmias. I am tired and headache alot right now but that has a lot to do with our weather. I suffer from headaches when the weather is changing either to rain or snow. I have a real problem with humidity and tiredness and it has been really bad here lately up into the 100's (which we don't see often).

I will be starting back to the gym tomorrow for the first time since May. I finally don't have the suffocating feeling that the other drug was giving me. Now hopefully I can work out like I want to so that I can start and lose some weight.

I was talking with a friend of mine the other day. We try and meet for coffee once every 2 months or so. I was telling her what had gone on at my last EP (Electrophysiologist) visit and how I was switched to the Amiodarone which didn't thrill me too much cause of all the side effects. I was saying how bad the Bisporolol was and the suffocating feeling and that I just stopped it cause I couldn't handle it anymore. The symptoms were just getting way worse rather than better. We were talking about the Torsades De Pointes episode(s) that I had in September 2003. I was telling her that the EP won't put me on Sotalol untill he has documentation to confirm the TDP episodes or not. Which sucks since that is the drug that I cope with the best. Ok it nearly killed me but that is just a minor point. My friend suggested I talk with the Cardiologists RN which can be a chore in its self. BUT the Cardiologists RN was really really helpfull.

I asked her if it was alright if I used the Bisoprolol in between Amiodarone doses if I am out of rhythm for long periods of time and she said that was fine. Then I asked her when I should go to the hospital when I am out of rhythm. She said that I only have to go when the things I normally do don't work any more or if I don't really feel well. She said I would know when the time was right. But that she feels that I have things under control for right now and that I am coping with things alot better than I have in the past. Alot of that is thanks to Martha.

SO then I talked with the RN about the TDP and what the story there was. She said that I have a history of TDP and that I was not in it at the present time (not sure you would be able to tell with me) but that it is something that is documented in my file and the family doc should have the information already. I said that the EP doesn't and I don't think the Family Doc did either. So she was going to send it out to both of them right away. She also suggested that I have it put on my MedicAlert bracelet (the wallet protion) so that if there was ever an issue they could find out before things were done. So that is what I will do.

We also talked about how expensive my one drug is and how I can't affored to pay for it and I can't expect my parents to either. She said that there are ways of getting it covered and we would work on that.

So all in all she was very helpfull last week when we talked.

Freezun Seazun current WIP

2008-07-21T18:25:00.001-04:00

This is Freezun Seazun by Calico Crossroads. It is on Forget Me Not Blue. After I frogged the white around the out side about 22 times I finally got it all to match up properly. There are so many 1/4 stitches and with white ont he Forget Me Not (almost white its self) it is hard to follow sometimes. Hopefully this will be done this week.

Cherie I did this one next just for you since you liked it so much.

Spring with buttons

2008-07-21T18:21:00.001-04:00

Here is Think Spring by Calico Crossroads with the buttons and all on it now. I did it on 28 ct Light Pink Jubliee fabric with Fireworks Treads by Olde Williow Stitchery. I think this will make a neat little pillow.

Birthday Stash

2008-07-15T22:26:00.003-04:00

This is what all I bought with my birthday money. I wasn't able to get a few things as my LNS has to put in an order. That's ok cause I have other stuff to do in the mean time. I have picked up "PEACE" by M Design again and hopefully that will only take me about a week to do.

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/564125755nrVaGN?vhost=good-times

This is the link to see the material and patterns for the other seasons from Calico crossroads.

Feeling pretty good.

2008-07-14T16:59:00.001-04:00

Even with all this heat I have been feeling pretty good. My medication change seems to be holding my arrhythmias so far. I have had to take a supplementry dose a few days but nothing too bad yet. I seem to be able to do alittle more which is what I wanted so that is good. At least the feeling of not getting enough air in my lungs and the suffocation sensation is now gone which is great. Those feelings were starting to scare me and I don't scare easily. I should find out at the begining of August if this new medication is affecting my Thyroid or not. Lets hope not.

I have another finish today. I am not sure how many that is for this year now I have lost count. I think I am ahead of you tho Beth. I did "Think Spring" by Calico Crossroads. See previous post. All I have let to do is put on the charms and make it into a pillow. That should be interesting since I do not sew. Ihae o get th charms toorrow when I do my large stash shopping. I got some gift certficates and money for my birthday last week so that is why the shopping. Plus The Golden Threads (the needle work shop) is holding their Christmas in July sale.

My garden is coming along nicely this year. I have put loads of pictures in my webshots album under Garden 2008. I have a few more to add right now and there will be more as the day go buy so check often. http://community.webshots.com/user/AuntieKathy

Think Sping is DONE!!

2008-07-14T16:45:00.001-04:00

Think Spring is now done. It was a fast stitch with lots of new speciality stitches in it. I think it too me about 3 days to complete since I had an issue with the little purple flower.I did it on Pink Lugana 28 count with Fireworks threads from Olde Willow Stitchery. I just have to get the charms and add them. That will be tomorrow since I am going stash shopping.The other picture of Think Spring is the picture on the leaflet. The designer is Calico Crossroads. I will now be doing up some Hardanger ornaments for my classes in September.

Frustrated

2008-07-11T17:32:00.001-04:00

I sat down this afternoon to work on PEACE by M Design and found it has a number of mistakes. SO I will be taking it out at a later date and fixing it but untill then I have started "Think Spring" by Calico Cats. I have already put i the satin stitched flower twice and taken it out twice. I will do everthing else first and then get some help putting the flower in after.

Current Project

2008-07-11T15:29:00.003-04:00

This is my current project that I am working on. It is "PEACE" by M Designs. I started it with different threads earlier in the week but found they were to thick and didn't lay properly.So I have now changed to DMC Variations #4030 (I think). I have the beads picked out to go on here already now I just have to find something for the top.

Redyed Fabric

2008-07-09T19:04:00.001-04:00

Well since today was such a nice day I decided to try and redye my fabric. This first one is the light pink or periwinkle. I added azelia and g

rape to it and I like it much better.

The second set is the olive. I took a toothbrush and put some lines on it with linen and yellow.

The last one was the Crimsion Red. I added azelia and linen to that but I don't think it changed too much maybe a little lighter.

I have to think of what to put on these now so that I can dye the rest of the fabric I bought before the weather gets bad and I can't put things outside. I have a few ideas for the fabric but I am not sure yet.

Biscornu

2008-07-06T17:16:00.001-04:00

Here are the picture of Rhosdes Butterfly Biscornu by The Sweetheart Tree. I finished it totally today. I think the plain back is much nicer than having two sides of the same design. The only thing I will try differently is attaching the beads around the outside with nylon thread after it is sewn together. I had a lot of difficulty with attching them as I went.

Rhodes Butter fly and stuff

2008-07-05T18:24:00.001-04:00

Ok this is not a great picture but this is the top of my biscornu. I now just have to sew it together> I have started but don't like how the beads are sitting so I might take it out and then put the beads on seperatly with nylon thread. I will be so happy when this is done.

More flowers are out in the garden. I have taken pictures but a few more are out today and I think more tomorrow. So in the next few days I will add those pictures to my garden album.

Today some how I have pulled all the muscles in my back on the left side. I was getting the stuff out to make Mackenzie and myself smoothies for breakfast and must have twisted the wrong way. I pulled everything so badly that I couldn't even breath. Things a worked out for the most part but still have a few spots that are in major pain. I haven't taken anything all day for it but I will take muscle relaxents tonight. I am afraid if I don't I won't be able to move tomorrow at all.

Off to watch NASSCAR and Dale Jr. win.

Hand dyed fabric and stuff

2008-07-02T21:26:00.002-04:00

Here is some fabric that I dyed today. I am not sure that I like the colours.

Please tell me what you think. The light pink is Periwinkle and Crimson Red. The green one is Olive with Yellow. The dark one is the light pink mix with a little more Crimson and Yellow mixed in. That one is not to bad. I would like to change them but not sure how or to what. The light pink one I am thinking of getting Royal Purple and using a toothbrush to spray it with. Then the next decision is what to put on them. The green one I think will be for an M Design. Please feel free to make any comments and or suggestions.

I finally finished mulching my large flower garden. The mulch is a red cedar mulch. I personally think it takes away from all the reds and pinks in the garden but oh well. Maybe next year I will put black mulch down. The only problem with the black is when it is dry it is grey and then when wet it goes black. Whereas the red stays red all the time. I have added some new garden pics more flowers are blooming and a few more will be out in a few days. I have also rearranged the pictures so that all the same flower is all together with the over all garden pictures at the beginning then the individual plant, my niece's gardens, the back garden or mom's garden and then the veggie garden.

I have a natural weed killer that I am going to try. Apparently it kills anything it touches. Once I have tried it I will let you know how it works.

I am almost finished my Rhodes Butterfly by The Sweetheart Tree. I have half the outlining left, the beads and the stitching for the basting it together. Hopefully soon it will be done. I have not been working hard on it otherwise it would be finished.

Today is the first day that I have not really had to have a nap in the afternoon. I am not overly tired right now either. I will be starting to decrease the Bisoprolol Thursday and see just how the Amiodarone is going to do. I am hoping this will be an acceptable drug and not give me too many hassles.

I forgot

2008-06-29T04:22:00.001-04:00

I forgot to post this finish last night. It is the back to my Rhodes Butterfly Biscornu by The Sweetheart Tree. I decided that I did't want the back and front exactely the same so here is what I did. I have started the front and am hoping it will be done today or tomorrow.

Well off to work in the garden.

Garden

2008-06-27T22:43:00.003-04:00

Well here are the long awaited garden pictures that I keep talking about. They are in an album in my webshots but I will post a slideshow here too. I have taken individual pictures of most of my plants just realized that I have missed afew. I will be updating the album as the plants start and flower as well since the bloom at different times of the year. Some you will have to wait till next year to see the flowers are they are spring flowering plants. Please check the webshots regularly to see the progress of the flowers. I have a few plants that are newly flowering so I will add pictures next week. I will also have the garden finished with the red cedar mulch so I will post pictures of the whole garden.

My webshots link is http://community.webshots.com/user/AuntieKathy

by AuntieKathy

My Doctors Appointment

2008-06-27T18:10:00.001-04:00

On Tuesday I had to go see the Electrophysiologist. This was my appointment that was reschedualed from May. We had a good visit. He is not overly impressed that I am having all these problems with the arrhythmias especially since he did the last Ablation in January. I told him that I am having problems breathing. Like I am not getting enough air into my lungs on the Bisoprolol and that I know I don't have asthma but I huff and puff and wheeze like I do. So we discussed alternative drugs which I was ok with. I also said that is seems like the drugs and the pacemaker are making my arrhythmias alot worse than not having either.

We finally decided that I was to go back on Amiodarone which I am not happy with cause of a few things. 1st of all the side effects on this drug are very bad. It affects your eyes, lungs, liver, thyroid, and kidneys PLUS it can also turn your skin blue. Yes you read that right BLUE, blueberry blue. Which if you come off the drug doesn't always reverse its self.

2nd I don't want to have to start another drug to combat the side effects of one drug. That was the reason I came off the Amiodarone the last time I was on it. So I started it Wednesday and the last two days I have been out of rhythm like clock works between 1:30 and 2 pm for about 2 plus hours. Hopefully this will not last long other wise I will be visiting the ER or the Cardiologists office.

We made a plan that we will keep in the background for now but that is to put me back on Sotalol and switch the pacemaker to a pacemaker/defibulator combo. The only issue there is the Torsades de Pointes. which is why I have the pacemaker in the first place. I know the EP and my Cardiologist talked so hopefully if I have problems someone will be there to help.

Another Finish

2008-06-25T16:21:00.001-04:00

This is "FAITH" by M Designs. It is done on 28 count Platinum Cashel Linen with Heaven and Eath floss by Olde Willow Stitchery. I obviously picked the wrong colours to do this in, because the words are hard to read. Oh well you have to learn somehow. I now know that I need darker verigated to do these patterns. I picked up another one the other day so now I have "FAITH", "DREAM", "REJOICE", and "PEACE".

My next project is Rhodes Butterfly Biscornu by The Sweetheart Tree.

WooHoo another Finish

2008-06-14T16:51:00.001-04:00

This is not a great picture but here is the whole blanket done.Here is the last square done in the 2nd baby blanket. I took long enought to do but I have been busy so I haven't worked on it like I would have liked to. Now I am working on Faith by M Design. With this finish that now makes 26 finishes this year so far.

What a day

2008-06-10T17:46:00.001-04:00

Well today started out pretty good. Took it kinda easy this morning. I had to run an errand for my mom so I did and then went to look at some plants for the garden, plus some bug spray and fertilizer cause I need to feed the gardens. Especially the veggie garden.

So I did that and decided I wanted to stop for a drink. Well I was over on the far side of the mountain (close to my cousins) thought I would stop in at a little strip mall at the convenience store. Well they have been working on this little mall for probably the last 18 to 24 months. In the mall is a convenience store, a pizza place, another store, the pharmacy, and a doctors office. For some reason I decided to go up to the grocery store and get some KD, a pop and some crab meat. As I was about 3ish blocks away from this mall I hear a bang which kinda startled me. I knew I didn't hit anything with the car, there was nothing on the road and my tires are full of the proper amount of air. So I pull in the parking lot check the entire car. Find nothing so I went in the store. I come out travel back down the same road towards the strip mall and see a pile of Emergency vehicles there. I was stopped behind another car that was turning the corner too. I could see the big windows in the convenience store and the glass was gone. Looked almost like an explosion. But I couldn't see with all the EMS equipment there. I go around the corner and see the windows had been blown out and the wall collapsed.

That was when I realized that bang I heard was the explosion and going to the grocery store saved my life. I might not have been killed but could have been seriously injured as I would have either been in the store or just leaving when the explosion occurred. I am not sure what actually happened but I thank my lucky stars I did not stop like I was going to.

Two more finishes

2008-06-05T17:28:00.001-04:00

Here is ducky that I finished a few days ago. He is the 4th square to be done.Here is the starfish. I did probably 87% of him today. He was a fairly quick stitch. Not alot of colours. He is square number 5 in the blanket. I have the octopus left to do. I hopefully will start him tomorrow.

Another finish for me.

2008-05-25T16:17:00.002-04:00

Here is the second fish that goes int he center of the baby blanket. I finished him Friday and started the ducky in the inner tube. Hopefully ducky will be done tomorrow.

This now gives me 22 finishes.

My doctors appointments

2008-05-24T19:02:00.001-04:00

Well I figured I had better update my blogs with my doctors appointments before some of you start knocking down my door.

I saw the Cardiologist on May 13. She was in a pretty good mood this time. Her nurse is a pain in the you know what tho. Anyhow a another storey for another day. Well the Cardiologist was not to happy that my stress test results were way down. But like I said I haven't been able to do any real exercise in a long time so that could be a good reason. I was down 3 minutes in length or 3 stages as they say. Which is not all that great. WE had quite the discussion about how much I should weigh and how much I want to lose. She almost had a hissy fit when I told her how much I wanted to lose. I now weigh 158 lbs and would like to get down to 120 lbs. The cardiologist flipped and said that was way to low. Her nurse said that would put me at a BMI of 20. The cardiologist said first of all she didn't think I needed to lose any weight ( yeah right I have a thick roll/s around the middle) then she said that I was to go to no less that 130 lbs. WE shall see who wins that discussion (probably me).

We discussed my meds and if I could change them. My only problem is one of the drugs I was on 5 almost 6 years ago nearly killed me. That is the drug I actually wanted to go back on. NO I don't have a death wish. But it just controls my arrhythmias alot better than any other drug has and I have way less side effects on it. Minus the nearly killing me. She said that a small dose might be ok but she was not going to do it since Toronto is looking after my arrhythmias and pacemaker. So it was left that I would talk with the Electrophysiologist this week when I saw him.

Well I went Thrusday May 22 for that appointment only it didn't happen. Unfortunately he was away cause his mother passed away that morning. Ok I understand but now he is gone for the next 2 weeks to India to do some procedures. His secretary will talk with him as soon as he gets back on June 9.

I got my pacemaker interrogated after some disscussion and presuading. So I knew I was having alot of arrhythmias since I saw them March 18 which was 9 weeks ago. I had done pretty good from my Ablation January 17 to March 18 only 20 episods. Not bad. That was way down compaired to what I had been having prior to the Ablation. I figured I had maybe another 20 to 25 since the last time I was there. Well we find out I had 71 episodes in the 9 weeks. Had my EP been there I am almost 100% sure he would have said that he was booking me for another Ablation. That will make Ablation #5. Like a friend of mine said to me the other day is it really worth having the ablations since the don't last? I wasn't able to talk to my EP about the drugs. I did speak with the doctor who deals with my pacemaker. She said that she could not in good concience put me back on the drug that nearly killed me. So that was out and a few others because any other drug in that class will do the same thing. Then since I am so drug sensitive that eliminates a few other drugs. So she made the changes to the pacemaker that she could but now there is nothing else that can be done that way. Part of it is because there are several programs they want to use but either they are not programmed into my pacer or they will drain the battery faster than they would like. Which we are watching cause that is coming close to start considering replacement. So there is no drugs, nothing that can be done with the pacemaker and they are at the end of their options. I was basically told that the arrhythmias are not serious or life threatening, they are annoying but there is nothing else they can do right now so I essentially have to suck it up and live with it.

That is easy for them to say they have not experienced what I have gone through. I just have to wait and plead my case to the EP when he comes back and see where that will get me. The only thing is his secretary told me she is booking in August now for his follow ups. I can't wait that long. Then the pacemaker clinic told me they are booked solid till the end of August and to see the doc I always do that would be mid September. Not good when you are told 3 months and no going over that because of the battery.

Life sucks.

My garden is planted

2008-05-24T17:33:00.001-04:00

Yeah tonight I finally finished planting my garden. I am so happy. Now I have to clean up a few areas and do some general matinence (dead heading, pulling out a few dead things, etc) then I can mulch the garden. Once that is done then I will start feeding it. Mackenzie and I planted her gardens the other day so they are done now too. They just need to be fed, mulched and thinned as the plants start growing. I just have the vegatable garden left to plant now. I still need to pick up tomatoes and zucchini for that. I am starting to feel better that the major garden projects are getting finished. Mom planted some in her garden tonight. Since I am finished mine I probably will plant hers so she doesn't totally wreck her back.

Today we went to St. Jacobs which is a little town where Mennonites live. We went to the "farmers" market but it is mostly hucksters not very many farmers anymore. We were able to get fresh asparagus tips (yum) which is great and we got some fresh pure Maple Syrup. The market was such a disapointment cuase it used to be really good. We stopped at a little Mennonite backery on the way up. They have execellent bread and pies and such.

Today was not a bad day.

2 Finishes and a WIP

2008-05-19T17:53:00.001-04:00

Here is my second Baby blanket. I am doing the 4 corners and the 2 center squares just for something different. This is square #2. The second fish.The green fish is the first center square. I did him 4 times. He is full of mistakes but I was not taking him out again. You would never know unless you had the pattern right there and did a line by line search.

Here is the first corner. This little fish was a fairly quick stitch only took me two days.