Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Blasting the Music

With all my mom's doctor appointments, treatments and tests, and working full time, I'm finding that I'm really stressed these days.  Not wanting to have a repeat of last year's shingles, I decided I need to alleviate as much stress as possible. 

It's not very often that I'm home alone, but I've had a few hours here and there.  Rather than doing the things that "needed" to get done like cleaning, laundry, paying bills, I decided to take care of myself instead.  What better way to take care of myself than to indulge in my favorite hobby?  I spent some quality time with my stash, looked over my Ornament To-Do list, rested in my comfy chair and stitched away.

I also discovered that my daughters have some pretty good music downloaded on iTunes and blasting it really helped to take my mind off all that's causing me stress.

$3 STASH Find

I found a bag of fabrics and some threads at the thrift store for $3.  I snatched it up and realized when I was driving home with it that it all smelled of cigarette smoke.  After getting advice from my stitching friends on the ILCS group, I let it hang outside for a few days.  It's so much better now!

 


Petite Christmas Angel SAL

Like I need another project, I decided to participate in the Polstitches Petite Christmas Angel SAL on facebook.  It started last Tuesday and each week, Jo will announce the next area we are to work on.

 Petite Christmas Angel SAL Week One
Design By
Joan Elliott

Memories

It's still catches me off guard.  All it takes is one little thing that reminds me of my dad and the tears fall again.  This week will be two years ago that my dad had the stroke.  I can't believe it's been two years when it still feels so fresh.  I'm lucky that my dad was with us for 7 weeks and during that time, he was able to tell us how much he loved us and we were able to tell him how much we loved him.  I can still see him winking at me when I walked into his hospital room or his hand forming the sign for "I Love You", but I also see the way he looked in his final days.

I kept some of dad's shirts with the intention of making a quilt with them.  I decided to start deconstructing them.  I don't have a particular quilt pattern in mind so I will just cut different size squares for now.




This shirt was one of my dad's favorite -- well, I guess they all were.  Any ideas what I can do with the cuffs, snaps and pockets? 


New Refrigerator



Dottie is showing off the new appliance.  Hubby picked this one because our sink, stove, dishwasher and microwave are all stainless. 

Mom Update

We found out today that her hearing loss and dizziness may be permanent.  We thought it started from the sinus infection she had at the beginning of the year, but the doctor believes it's really from the type of lymphoma she has.  The ENT specialist wants to implant a Baha Device to help her hear, but it requires surgery and general anesthesia.  Mom decided to hold off on doing anything until she's done with cancer treatment.  Actually, she's hoping that she'll get up one morning and find that her hearing has returned as suddenly as it disappeared.



Walked around the corner the other evening and found little Snickers sleeping in the crevice between the two cushions on the sofa.  She was sleeping so soundly that she didn't even know I took her picture.

I hope you are able to find a comfortable spot and have a good, sound sleep!

Until next time...
Happy Stitchin'

 

7 comments:

  1. The fabric you are using for the Petite Angel SAL is absolutely gorgous. Love it!

    Nice stash find for $3! Glad the "airing out" advice worked, or at least helped. And you can always wash the fabric. I've soaked mine in vinegar and then water with some Dawn. Hang it out to dry and viola! no more stinky smell.

    LOL! That's one way to get a photo of Snickers. I really did LOL when I saw it. It looks like she's grinning and have a great doggie dream.

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  2. So glad you have been able to have some you time. That stash you very interesting. I have seen a tutorial somewhere on the web to use the cuffs of shirts to make pincushions and saw some small coin purses that used shirt pockets as lining. Sorry you miss your Dad so much I know how hard it is.

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  3. Wow lovely stash for only $3!
    Your stitching is lovely!

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  4. Glad you were able to take some time for yourself. Love the dogs pictures.

    Marl

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  5. You've had so much going on, hope things get easier. Lucky you with the stash find! It makes it all worthwhile when something like this comes along.

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  6. Great stash for $3! Glad to hear that the advice worked.

    I like your fabric for your Petite Christmas.

    I get caught off guard with memories, too. Love that you're making a quilt.

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  7. Awesome stash find, I'm glad the smoking smell is better.
    Your SAL looks really nce.

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