I survived!

Hi everyone, it's been a week since I went through the dreaded manipulation procedure.  Looking back at my last post made me realize how scared and anxious I was about the whole thing.  It wasn't as bad in reality.  I got right back into physical therapy the next morning, and have been there practically everyday since.  There is some improvement, and some discomfort, too.  My therapist says that it's a "night and day difference".  I can't thank you enough for all of the comments wishing me well.  I am also grateful for the emails.  It was so comforting to know that others have been through this, and are now feeling fine.  I had no idea that a frozen shoulder was so common. 

I did manage to get a piece finished.  This design from my pal, Paulette makes me laugh.  I love the girl standing on her head!  I used Days Gone By linen with the suggested thread.  I did make a minor change.  I changed the cat to a Boston Terrier.  Scarlett insisted!  We recently bought a bigger motor home, and I knew this would be perfect hanging in the kitchen area.  I have always wanted to stitch My Hometown from CHS, so I think that I'll start that next.  It will hang in the RV, too.  I'll have two new original designs coming out in August or Sept., then I'll tackle another reproduction. 

Are you all watching the Olympics?  I know some who have started new projects just for the occasion.  We stitchers are funny.  It doesn't take much to prompt a new start.  I love London, and have enjoyed seeing the sights.  I have to admit that the Opening Ceremony wasn't my favorite, but that's okay.  Our six year old granddaughter, Quinn has just been moved up to competition level in gymnastics.  She's the youngest one to be moved up at her club, and we are very proud of her.  She has practice for thirteen hours a week.  Talk about energy...that girl has it.  She never stands still.  She has her own balance beam in the unused living room, and it gets plenty of use.  Who knows?  Maybe 2024 will find me sitting at the Olympics watching her.

Woe is me...

This was the look on my face yesterday after I had an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon.  Here I am trudging along in physical therapy, thinking that I'm well on my rode to recovery.   It's getting easier to use my arm, and my shoulder feels more natural when it moves.  Well, it seems that the doctor was far less impressed with my progress, which lead me to looking like 

THIS!

I am having a very hard time lifting my arm straight up, and I should be doing that by now.  I have what they call a frozen shoulder.  I can raise my arm up just so far, and then it's like hitting a brick wall.  On Monday morning, I'm going back in for this lovely procedure:

" A manipulation is performed with the patient sedated under anesthesia, and the doctor moves the arm to break up adhesions caused by frozen shoulder. " 

All I can think of is scar tissue tearing.  There are YouTube videos which show how it's done.  Nope, I'm too chicken to watch them.  So, I've been doing whole lot of

THIS!

Wish me luck!

Say hello to Ann...

This post is going to be short on words, so I can finalize the chart for release.  After a little anxiety about whether I could hold my arm and shoulder at an angle long enough to put the billion pins in for mounting, I got her in the frame.  I was a little sore afterwards, but done is done.  She turned out pretty, I think.

I am hoping to have charts available next week sometime.  I hope you like her!

It's July already??

Hello everyone, thought it was time to show an update of Ann Priest 1841.  I've finished with all the over one, and just have a row of motifs across the top to go.  The frame is on order, so I'm anticipating the release for later in the month.  I am still smitten with the wee red alphabet, and even though it's tiny, it went very fast using a tent stitch.  I 've used Sampler Threads throughout on vintage Meadow Rue. 

I'm anxious to start the model for a new Christmas sampler design.  I've had the idea bouncing around inside of my head, and since it's too hot to venture very far, I was able to get it charted.  I think some thought I was crazy last year to design Jingle All The Way on Swamp, lol.  This time I'm using Camofudge.  Definitely not your traditional Christmas colors.

My friend, Bonnie just sent me a photo of her Coverlet Houses stitched on 48ct.  Yes, that's right...48ct!  She also stitched Coverlet Birds on 48.  She tells me that Houses is 5 3/8 w X 3h. 

She put in a request for more coverlet designs, and I'm quite sure there will be another one or several down the road.

It has been two months since my surgery, and while the healing progress is v-e-r-y slow, there is progress to report.  Each day enables me to raise my arm just a bit higher.  I have had a great deal of pain recently from all the physical therapy.  There's nothing to do, but continue to stretch and work hard.  I jokingly told my therapist that there's nothing he can do to hurt me that a glass of wine won't fix :) 

This little Uncle Sam is one of my favorite pieces of Eldreth Pottery. 

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!