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!

Never an idle minute...

Hello all, hope you are enjoying summer.  We are certainly warming up here in the desert.  To avoid the heat, I have to get up earlier every morning to take my walk with Henry Blue.   He is practically waiting at the door with his leash in his mouth, so off we'll go.  Then I have to throw the ball for Ruby and Scarlett for their exercise.  In between my three visits a week to physical therapy, I am stitching away.  Here's another look at Ann Priest 1841.  I'm shooting for a late July release.  Did you notice the hive and buzzing bees?  It will be a good size sampler with a 297w  X 327h stitch count. 

 

Here is the antique Ann.  I was told that the sampler came from Wales, but I have no other information unfortunately.  Ann stitched her sampler on very fine linen.  I have tried counting the threads, and I always get 48 to 50 count.  The teeny red alphabet above the verse is less than 3 inches across, and only 1/8 high.  I have to admit that the alphabet is my favorite thing on it.

I am thrilled to be participating in the upcoming Summer Sampler Soiree at the Attic in August.  Here is the project that I designed for it.  The pin keep pillow has  some over one stitching, and a rice stitch checkered lawn.  It will be a wonderful weekend filled with fun projects, and a Saturday slumber party!  Don't let the heat scare you away, it will be nice and cool inside.  I hope to see you there.

In addition to getting all the supplies needed, there will be an added

surprise included!

If you love A&E's...

You might like this upcoming reproduction of mine.  Mary Ann Ibbotson was 11 years old when she stitched her sampler in 1842.  I bought her last year, and she has been holding court in our bedroom since.  The tree is one of the prettiest I've ever seen on A&E's, and I love Adam holding the butterfly.

She's a large sampler, with many motifs, and that wonderful row of animals.  The colors are very muted, and I'm tempted to brighten it up.  I'd love to throw some red in there in place of the pale pink.  What do you think?  I struggle with each reproduction when it comes to either sticking with the original colors, or choosing my own.  As far as dilemmas go...it's not a bad one to have.

Tomorrow will be four weeks since my surgery.  Each day continues to be a bit better.  I was reminded today at physical therapy that the healing process takes about a year.  They are pushing me in therapy, so I'm hoping to be back to normal sooner.  At least I can stitch. 

A quick update...

Hello everyone, my shoulder surgery went well, and is two weeks behind me already.  Tomorrow I start torture, otherwise referred to as physical therapy.  I'm ready to get the show on the road, so I can get back to normal.  I haven't had much trouble with pain, but had some nausea initially due to the pain pills.  I stopped them after two days.  The biggest challenge has been finding button down shirts that I can get on, and learning how to do things with my left arm.  If you know me at all, you won't be surprised to know that I started stitching as soon as I could.  I wasn't very fast, but I managed to make the Mary Little pincushion from Goode Huswife.  I changed out a few of the colors, and it was the perfect little piece to work on.

While recuperating, I had these visitors to keep me company.  The pair in the back have been coming to our yard every spring for four or five years.  I named them Dave and Roseanne after some former neighbors who moved out of our community twice, only to return for good.  The young male up front has started showing up recently.  He's such a pretty boy, so I named him Ashton (as in Kutcher).  I'd like to think they come by to say hello, but I suspect it's the cracked corn that I feed them.

These sweet babies were born on the back patio in one of my Boston Ferns this week.  I never get tired of them making messes, because it's such a joy to witness nature.

I've also made some progress on my next reproduction, the Ann Priest 1841 sampler.  The photos were taken on different days, so the one below looks more accurate.  I'm using 40ct. Meadow Rue once again.  It seems to work for so many reproductions, and it's always been a favorite linen of mine.  The entire sampler is being stitched with Gentle Arts Sampler Threads.

Thank you so very, very much for the emails enquiring about my surgery.  I am very touched that you took time out of your day to wish me well.  I owe replies to two special friends, Sandra and Kelley.  You both know how slow I am to answer with two good arms, so please be patient with me.

Also, I'm still getting asked where my designs can be purchased.  Being that I am distributed through both Hoffman and Norden, any needlework shop can order them for you.  If you have any questions, please email me.