Monday April 15, 2024

 Another crazy week!  My daughter got sick and was in the hospital briefly.  She was dizzy, weak muscles, couldn't stand by herself without help, nauseated and headaches.  After tests they decided it was the crystals in her ears that somehow got disturbed and out of place.  She's been home for a week.  They gave her anti-dizziness meds and nausea meds.  She couldn't look up or down and has had physical therapy for it every other day.  I've had vertigo before but nothing  like this....the  poor girl.  It was sort of funny in a way because she was not allowed to do laundry or cooking or anything where she had to look down or up and she had to do certain exercises.   Tracy and the boys had to pick up the slack although the boys are big helpers but they have homework and activities.  She couldn't be left alone either in case she fell.    Today they said she could go back to work but they are still wanting to see her every other day as one of her eyes is still not back to normal.  If it doesn't get better they are thinking she might have neuritis of the brain?  OMG!   If we knew all the  things that could go wrong in our bodies we'd refuse to come out of the womb! I'm just glad she is alright, feeling better, and on the mend, hopefully!

I also had a doctor appointment this past week, someone came to put some kind of attachment on my propane tank and I was finally able to take the plants outside after all winter, and I got my taxes done (I do them myself).

Don't ask me where the week went but over the weekend I did get some crafting done...........I final finished the little bunny but I  think I would like to get some jumbo rickrack to put around the outside edge...

I also appliqued and sewed the rabbit pillow.........

I cut out the material for the carrots and leaves so they are ready to sew  together.........

I worked on the Robin and it is a lot more stitching than I thought and I'm not done yet

I am so far behind on my Anniversaries of the Heart...actually, I made so many mistakes this week I had to frog many portions of each of my XS projects...not sure what was wrong...maybe I was thinking of Amy instead of focusing on my XS.

I worked on the puzzle and slowly but surely it is coming along....

I also found a quilt kit to start after the carrots are done....it's a small quilt Kit from Kim Diehl...

I'm also gathering materials to make composition book covers plus I broke down and ordered a new self-healing mat for rotary cutting fabrics.  Mine is really old and not working so good anymore.  I got a bigger one too.....36 X 48.  This week I am hoping to get a hold of someone to detail my car.  Luther's coming tonight to mow, and tomorrow it's supposed to storm. I continue cleaning and clearing but it 's slow going.  This week I hope to hang some more pictures and/or plates. 

I hope you are all well and staying busy and happy!

Happy Trails!!!

Eclipse Day here in Arkansas!!!

 Yes, the towns around here are buzzing with tourists and festivals and celebrations of all kinds.  Me...I'm just staying home.  I got groceries Friday and that was busy like crazy at the pickup.  Usually I pickup at 10:00 a.m. but I couldn't get a slot until noon!  The gal loading my car said that everyone a round is raising their prices because of all the tourists.  We are in the direct path and so we will have 100% of the eclipse.  I'm ready...I have my glasses............

I finally got my project bag made but what a time I had!  Long story but it all worked out finally and I'm sure the next one will be much easier......this is the front...it is a Christmas project bag to hold my Christmas XS

the back....

and the lining...

I have a little XS finish......a free pattern from a French designer..........so sweet..........

 this little bunny was sweet too...chomping on my yard full of clover........

now, back to my Robin.............

I had gotten quite a bit done on my Anniversaries of the Heart Bonus chart but I had to tear it all out because I was off 2 stitches which would have made a big problem later on....I started over and so far so good.........

 The puzzle is coming along slowly but surely.........

Last week I made banana bread which was great for breakfast........today I'm making Red Velvet Cupcakes..........probably not so great for breakfast but mighty good regardless of when you eat them!

That's all for now.  I hope you are all well and enjoying whatever season you are in!

Happy Trails!!!

Happy Easter!!!

Happy Trails!!!
 

Some crafty goodness!!!

 Only 2 finishes this week but lots of hand sewing that took lots of time but was very relaxing.  I craft on the weekends mostly especially if there is sewing.  I was going to make project bags but darn if I couldn't find my zippers!  I had to order more from Amazon.  This is what happens when I clean and organize....I can't find anything!

I did finish the heart applique which took most of the weekend and I did a terrible job.  I am not very good at hand sewing.  Plus, when I hemmed the backing fabric I forgot to change the thread and used white thread on a dark fabric!  Duh!  But it's done....not very well but it's a finish..........this was a pattern that came on a cd that I got with a Blackbird Design quilt kit.  I haven't made the quilt yet....

the 2nd finish is a small XS called Spring is Sprung by Asberry's Echoes Stitches on Etsy........I still need to coffee/tea stain and final finish into a pillow.........

Now, I've started on a Robin by the same designer.......this is my morning stitch....

I finally got my floss and started the Bonus block on my Anniversaries of the Heart by Blackbird Designs...........it's the block on the far right and you can tell I haven't gotten too far yet........

Here is a pattern for 2 Easter projects free on the Shabby Fabrics website and there is also a video you can watch.............Sew Tattered podcaster, made them and said they were fast and fun..........

So, I gathered up some materials for next weekend maybe...............greens and oranges...........

My puzzle is on the kitchen table so I work on it while waiting for water to boil or the oven to pre-heat etc.  I haven't even gotten the border done yet........

As for the past week of cleaning and clearing, it went really well.  I got 4 boxes of "stuff" into the back of the Tahoe and the far side of the living room is looking good!  I will be getting rid of some of this furniture when I am done with cleaning and clearing everything else...........like this stereo of my parents.....

This is my antique cupboard/bookcase....I'll be keeping it......... 

This is a black stenciled tea/bar cart underneath the tablecloth with wheels on one end....undecided about this one....again, it was my parents............

There is a wallpaper mural that goes around that corner of the room....they decorated in Italian Provincial.

So, it was a productive week and I am hoping the same for this week.  I need to get more mulch and stone and my lawn guy was here yesterday and mowed and he said to just call him and he would come and unload it for me.  He and his wife are the best!  I am so lucky to have found them.  It is supposed to rain all day today so I will bake some banana bread.  I love to bake on rainy days...so cozy.  I'll light some candles, do laundry, work more on the living room and start on my taxes. This coming week I also need to fill out my address book go through paperwork and organize and get rid of some greeting cards and stationary.  It's "looking good in the neighborhood"!

 Happy Trails!!!
 

Crazy Spring!!!

 We were in the 70's and then the bottom dropped out and we have been below freezing the last 2 nights! Tonight it's only going down to 44 and then we'll be back in the warm temps during the day.  Even today it will be in the high 60's which is perfect for working outside.

Last week I went to Tractor Supply and got 5 bags of mulch and 5 bags of rock.  I hadn't bought rock in years but needed to replenish my gravel sidewalk path so I got pea gravel.  Unfortunately, I am older and weaker now and couldn't lift the gravel bags.   I just said to the gal loading it into my SUV that I would have to call my lawn guy to come over and unload them for me.  She asked where I lived and I told her and she knew exactly where as her parents used to live around the corner from me.  She said she would come over and unload it for me.  I  told her  that wasn't necessary but she insisted and said she had to pick up her baby boy after work and it was right near my house.  She told me about 6:30 and sure enough she showed up and unloaded it all and right where I needed it so I would have to drag it anywhere.  Meanwhile I got to hold her 2 month old baby boy...what a treat!  I love babies! I gave her some money which she did not want but I insisted.   That was Friday, it rained on Saturday, and Sunday morning  there was a knock on my door and there she was with her 15  year old son.  She brought me bananas and muffins and said they would spread the gravel and mulch and just to tell them where.  She said she had 1 hour before she had to be to work.  They did it all!  I couldn't believe it!  I still need 5 more bags of each but I will have my yard guy do it.  This gal has 2 kids, and she and her husband work multiple jobs and are guardians to 4 other children they are in the process of adopting.  My word!  There are "angels among  us" just like the song says.    

Meanwhile, I've been busy cleaning and clearing still.  My cousin said it took her and her husband a year getting ready to downsize so I guess I shouldn't feel too bad.  It feels really good and I know when I'm done it will be easier to maintain without all that "junk'  of mine and my parents. 

Here's some crafting progress........this is a patchwork piece I made that will be the front of a project bag I have yet to make........ 

I finished the top of the heart applique and I did a terrible job!  I have to put on the backing and  the "tongues" still and hopefully that will make all my mistakes less noticeable........

I finished February Anniversaries of the heart and researched for all my relatives who had February birthdays but my Cousin Allen seemed to be the only one.  Some graves just have the year they were born and not a birthday especially the older graves.  What astonishes me is that some of my relatives that were around when I was a child were born in the 1800's.....I wish I would have realized it at the time and asked them more about their childhoods and growing up years.   

I was going to start AOTH #3 for March but when I checked the layout there is a bonus pattern that will go next to February and then after that I will stitch March.  Unfortunately, I had to order the floss for the bonus chart and so I am falling way behind!

So, while I wait for the floss to be delivered I started on some Springtime smalls..........

It will be nice to have a few finishes for Spring as AOTH patterns take awhile so these will be my morning stitches for now.

I also started Susan Branch's For the Love of Books 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle....this will be framed when done if I don't lose any pieces.  I just got all the pieces right side up and spread apart so now the fun begins!  I just pray that Miss Peeps steers clear of it!

The red buds are blooming although why they are called red buds I don't know as they are purple but maybe their buds are red?  My camera doesn't do them justice as they are a deep purple.

I have no idea what this tree is but it is red but not a red bud...........

This week there is yard work, I take my car in for its annual checkup.  There's more thrift store packing and loading into the car.  I've hung some pictures and I also just received some  plate hangers I ordered so I will be hanging those along with the plates.  I also organized my rolling cart with all my cross stitch tools and supplies.  I have a new plan for organizing my flosses which I will share next week.

That's all for now.  I hope you are having good weather wherever you are.

Happy Trails!!!

A quick post before the storm hits!

 I have been cleaning and going through everything except walls, ceilings, and carpeting.  I found my parents old 78 records of Broadway musicals, Boston Pops, Nat King Cole, and Perry Como...along with some classical music.  I hated to give them away but their stereo here doesn't work anymore.  So, I ordered one of those reproduction Victrola's except this one not only plays 78's and 45's and whatever else there is, it also has a tape player and a cd player and FM radio......the only problem is it only plays one record at a time and those 78's don't play for very long considering how big they are!  LOL!  But it's nice and I can't wait to dig out my old 45's!

Today was cleaning and polishing a bookcase, dusting and going through books, and giving my horse collection a bath.  I used to have lots more but I gave a lot of them away....the painted horses my daughter got me..........

It's time to get the weather radio out!  There's a tornado watch.....Springtime in the south!

Happy Trails!!!

Spring has Sprung!

 It has been beautiful here and everything is blooming and sprouting.  The queens of the neighborhood are  the Bradford Pear trees blooming..........here's mine.........

The outside chores and garage cleaning season is upon us!

Happy Trails!!!