Had a really bad day

My DH has been having some heart troubles and had had several tests over the past 2 weeks.  On March 14th he goes in for another one.  It is to determine whether or not he needs heart surgery.  It seems his aortic valve is leaking and it's causing problems.  He also has a small anurism right below his heart that will need removed and a graft inserted.  He has had surgery before for 3 anurisms in his abdomen and that was 3 years ago.  The autoimmmune disease he has is eating it's way through his body.  The cause of all of this is his Croyn's disease which all of this stemms from.  During the CT scan, they also discovered a spot on his right lung.  The doc is pretty sure this is scar tissue but we have to find out for sure.   

Why am I posting all of this?  I'm asking for prayers and if you can spare one, I'd appreciate it greatly.

Blessings,

Barbara

Thank you all for all your best wishes and prayers.  I am feeling stronger after reading all your wonderful comments.  Blessings!

Something to pass along

I don't know if this is a new item by Aleen's or if I'm just discovering it now but I think it's the greatest product since sliced bread.  I've used this on my SAL book and it makes the job so much easier.  I have yet to use it on ornaments or such things, but for my SAL book, it's great.

JMO

Barbara

It's been awhile

I hope all of you are enjoying a nice quiet weekend and if it's not quiet, I hope you are handling it.  Mine has been pretty quiet so far.  Racing season has started again and so far, Jr. hasn't impressed me very much.  We'll see how he does tomorrow.

It's been so long since I have had a finish that I'm ashamed of myself.  Yes, I've been busy crocheting but let's face it.....cross stitch is my first love and I've been ignoring it lately.

I was up at my LNS this past week and she had the cutest little thread winder in the shape of a sheep.  Well of course it had to come home with me.  Then Debbie (the best enabler in the western world) showed me that Just Another Button Co. was coming out with a new sheep pattern and her name would be Eugenia and she would be a world traveler.  I was very confused.  This is how JABCo put it:

"Eugenia works at JABCo as an inventory specialist.  That's right---she is a counting sheep!  In January 2013, Eugenia Tuffet will embark on a world tour, gathering ideas for new sewing and stitching products and kits.  Along the way, she'll collect souvenir pins and send back postcards and photos."

I have a postcard from Eugenia while she was in Brazil and she wrote, "I spent yesterday exploring a rain forest.  The colors were incredible, but I don't recommend wearing wool in that heat and humidity.  I think I shrunk!!!!!

As you can see I've made my Eugenia and she is wearing the two pins I have so far.  A beautiful butterfly and the American flag.  I've even hung a little bell around her neck so she doesn't get lost.

If you are thinking of making one, please do because their directions are fabulous.  I admit I was a little timid about doing this but it is very easy.

I have finished my red shawl.  Peyton wasn't here this weekend so I didn't have my model.  This is the one I made out of Cascade Heritage Silk and it's yummy to the touch.  I ended the bottom of the shawl with about 4 inches of lace which makes it very feminine.

I was also able to finish my April page for the SAL.  I am really enjoying this and from what others have told me, they are too.  If you haven't already, please skip on over to the SAL pages and take a look at all the beautiful work.  There is so much talent on those pages!!!

Have you gotten your newest issue of Just Cross Stitch?  Well there's a pattern in it this month that I just have to stitch.  Alessandra Adelaide has graciously designed a beautiful butterfly that I just have to do.  I'm really going to try and step outside my comfort zone on this one and do something very unusual with it colorwise.

Well that's about all that's going on in my little corner of the world.  I'm going to watch the 500 tomorrow and do some stitching.  Life is grand!

Until we talk again, have a Blessed day,

Barbara

Thought for today

Hope you had a chuckle.

Blessings, Barbara

My newest shawls

Peyton was over this weekend and I finally remembered to have her model my 4 newest shawls.  I have no idea why I am in such a mood, but the cross stitch has taken a back seat till I get this out of my system.  

This first one is a beautiful soft mauve in a Debbit Bliss yarn called Baby Cashmerino.  It's a sock weight with Cashmere, Merino Wool and a Microfiber.  It is wonderfully soft and feels so good against the skin.

This beautiful multi colored brown one is done using Ella Rae Lace Merino yarns.  It's a 100% Superwash Merino which makes it an easy to care for shawl.

The above large shawl was made using Madelintosh Vintage yarns which is another 100% Superwash Merino Wools.  I love the denim colors in this yarn!

And this last one was made using Cascade Heritage Silk which is 85% Superwash Merino wool and 15% Mulberry Silk.  Talk about scrumptous!!!  This one feels as good as it name implies....silk!!

I'm now working on a red one made of this same yarn and the pattern is called "Ruby".  

So now you know what I've been doing with my time.  Two of these shawls will be in my store so if you are interested in purchasing one, that is where you will find them.

I hope that if you are living in the northeast you have plenty of heat and are able to stay warm.  I've talked with a friend of mine who lives in Bridgeport, CT and she told me last evening that they will not be able to leave their house until Wednesday.  That is the soonest their streets will be plowed.   Luckily they didn't lose their power.

This picture is of their street looking out from their porch and the next picture is of her house.  The snow is at least 3 feet deep and is almost impossible to shovel.  This is one of those times I appreciate living in Florida.

Have a Blessed day,

Barbara

What I've been up to

I made mention that I was working on some bags for my LNS and I thought I'd share some with you.  Debbie, the owner, has the store colors as black and red with some Grinch green thrown in.  I'm taking these up to her tomorrow and I'm hoping she likes them.

I really haven't had time to do much stitching.  Right now I'm puttering away on my April page for the SAL.  I know myself and if I don't keep ahead of the months, the other ladies will get ahead of me and make me look like a slug.  LOL  I am the world's best procrastinator!  Why do today what I could very well do next week.....sometime.

I saw that Carolyn has listed quite a few of Shepherd's Bush kits on Never Enough Stash.  She's trying to temp me but so far I'm holding strong.  If you are looking for some really nice SB kits, check out her new listing....very reasonable prices.

Well that's all for today.  The weather here has been quite nice - 70's and 80's but we really need some rain. They are calling for some this weekend so my fingers are crossed.

Until later, have a Blessed day,

Barbara

I Love This!!!!!

I just received an email from Connie and she has finished my little "Love" freebie.  As I had posted before, she's the first to send me a picture so she will receive a surprise in the mail from me.  Thank you Connie for sharing this with us and you really did my little design beautifully!

Have a Blessed day,

Barbara

Updates

I've added the February prize to the SAL package.  It's "Bear Tree Forest" by Little House Needleworks.  I saw this yesterday at my LNS and I thought it would be very appropriate design for the month of February....still some snow on the ground.  I am trying not to incorporate holidays into the prize package because they make it so limited about when you stitch them.  

I'm still working on the bags and trays for my LNS and haven't had much time to stitch.  I was hoping to start something new the other night but unfortunately I fell asleep.  LOL  Old age is a B____!

I'm going to try and start something today if time is on my side and hopefully will be able to get a few stitches in before the Sandman visits.

I cannot wait for Jenn and her family to come visit the first 2 weeks in April.  Her and I are going to clean out my sewing room to the point of it being painful.  I have so much stuff in there that I know I will never use in this lifetime.  I want to get rid of it and I'm thinking of making up surprise boxes and selling them on Never Enough Stash.  All I know is, is that something must be done because it's beginning to take over my sewing room and I can hardly see the floor anymore.

I hope all of you have a wonderful day and I also want to thank all of my followers.  You bring cheer to my little world with every comment you make and I love you all.

Have a Blessed day,

Barbara

Valentine pillow finish

Well it's finished and I love it!  For a free design, this turned out beautiful.  I made it into one of my pillows and added a machine embroidered "Love" heart to it.  

I've been working on some tote bags for my LNS and haven't touched a tapestry needle in about 3 days.  I'm having withdrawal pains so I think tonight I'll start something new.  I'm patiently waiting for my Brenda Gervais pattern but so far no show.  I was able to purchase the two candy boxes that I'll need thanks to Annette.  I was able to get both of them at CVS  Pharmacy in case you are looking for them.  I will treat myself to the chocolate tonite while stitching on a new design.  

That's all for now.....nothing much happening in this part of the world....thank goodness.

Have a Blessed day,

Barbara

A Valentine freebie

It dawned on me today that it's been quite awhile since I came up with a freebie design for you ladies.  Have fun and if you finish it first and send me a picture, I'm sure Cupid will show up with a surprise for you.  The PDF can be found here.

Have a Blessed day,

Barbara