Calendar Poodle SAL

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

We're Back!

 Hi friends! We are back from our 🚂 trip to Cleveland, Ohio to spend some time with our son Jacob and our DIL Kristen. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade. It was built in 1890 and is so beautiful. 

If you care to see more antique pictures of this lovely landmark building, and learn a bit more, see HERE  

This is Jacob and I in The Crafty Ewe stitch shop in Broadview Heights, Ohio. 

He and Brian helped me pick out floss. 😊You can see the BBD pattern book I got and the flosses we chose. I was thrilled to find great linens, and everything was on the Black Friday Sale!

The picture of Jacob and I on the bench is of us at The Cleveland Museum of Art. A gorgeous museum which we did not finish. 

The last picture is all of us at their apartment on the last day. We had a wonderful visit with them. It was cold in Cleveland, but our hearts are still warm now.💗

I finished reading Watchdog by Laurien Berenson on the train ride there. I stitched L-O-V-E by Hands On Design on the train and in the hotel and it is done. I began the audiobook We Solve Murders by Richard Osman on the train and finished it on the train ride home. I recommend it!

I am now scrambling to finish stitched Christmas gifts. 

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.  John 6:35

Thanks for stopping by today my friends! Have a wonderful week ahead. Stay warm!

Finishing and praying,
Vickie


Little Henry turned 15 on the 2nd!



Tuesday, November 26, 2024

🚂 To Ohio And A ✈️ To Hawaii

 Hi friends! We have so many things going on in our family life here. I will share the exciting news with you in just a moment. First let me share the latest finish I have.

💖Nothing Is Impossible💖by My Big Toe Designs. This pattern is found in the 2015 JCS Christmas Ornaments issue. This is the yearly ornament I stitched for and will gift to Jacob and Kristen this year. 💞 I stitched this two over two with the called for DMC on 32ct cream linen. That beaded edge. 🙃😕Not my best by a long shot, but it is done. I have so many ornaments to make up in a pile in front of me, and, well, thanks be to God, Jacob and Kristen are not judgmental of my work, they just love it. I am happy with the beaded hanger. 😉 The backing fabric is dark red.

❤️🤎❤️🤎❤️🤎❤️🤎❤️🤎❤️

SO Brian and I  are taking the Amtrak train to visit Jacob and Kristin in Cleveland Ohio. We are going to my in-laws for Thanksgiving in town here on Thursday for an early lunch and then Madeleine is driving us straight over to the train station. We have a short layover in Chicago and then we will travel overnight. We are going to have Thanksgiving together on Friday. We will go to The Crafty Ewe cross stitch shop in Cleveland over the weekend. 😁 We are also going to the Cleveland Museum of Art. I am not sure what else our son has planned for us.

Our one and only daughter, Madeleine, who is now 26 years old, has been working for The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition as an archivist and she loves the work. What Madeleine has decided to do is get her Master of Library and Information Science. Are you ready for it? AT  University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa!! Yes, Hawaii! The reason she chose this program is that they have a few courses that focus on East Asia and this very much interests her. Also, IT IS HAWAII. She is very adventurous. She will work part time for the school while she is there. She is interviewing next week for a Korean professor. As long as Madeleine works 20 hours a week, her tuition is covered and a bit of the rent money. She has found a studio apartment that has 12 units. All women and a few families live there. It has a security gate and has a mini garden patch of her own in back. She will take the bus to school. 

Would you pray for this young lady of ours? What I have not shared with you is that Madeleine has been dealing with a swollen leg and foot for one year now. Last Christmas Eve she twisted her ankle. The next morning she woke to a swollen ankle. It kept swelling. And going up her leg. She went to the doctor. They did x-rays and ultrasounds and CT scans. A very educated doctor at the medical college in Milwaukee told her she has May-Thurner Syndrome. He told her she needed surgery to relieve the swelling. She had the surgery. They put a stent in her artery, up by her pelvis. This was months ago, before she went away for work to Denver and San Francisco. When she came back she went to see the doctor again for a check up. He was stunned to see that the swelling in her leg was not gone. He thought it would be better or gone. She broke down sobbing. He sent her to another vein specialist who admitted she had them stumped. Madeleine has been wearing compression stockings for months now. This new doctor said she had to wear thigh high stockings. She wore those, but then the fluid just pooled up in her thigh. She told him that and asked if she could wear compression stockings/pantyhose. Yes he said. 

I meanwhile have been going to a physical therapist for my shoulder. I mentioned all of this to her. She asked if the doctor did not mention that she not go to a lymphedema physical therapist? I said, No. I got right on that though. Madeleine asked her doctor for a referral and he gave it to her. She is going to one now and her leg is improving every week. She has to do so many exercises every single day. 😔 Actually the therapist told her today that she has to come to realize that this is a life condition and she has to do these exercises every day of her life for the rest of her life.

What THIS Mom did was look for answers. I thought of something. I asked Madeleine something last week. I said, "Madeleine, did you get your third COVID shot right before your ankle swelled?" She said, "I got the shot at the beginning of November." She twisted it December 24th. 

Now this may be my longest post ever, but if you care to, this is what I found, and I believe this explains what happened to Madeleine. Check this out: Lymphedema If you take anything away from this article it is: Physicians should consider secondary lymphedema among the complications of the COVID‐19 vaccine. Prolonged inflammation in lymphedema patients might compromise lymphatic function and increase edema.

One thing I have desired of the Lord,

That will I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord

All the days of my life,

To behold the [a]beauty of the Lord,

And to inquire in His temple. Psalm  27:4

Thank you for stopping by today my friends. I realize I gave you a lot of information today. I truly appreciate your friendship. I hope my American friends have a Blessed Thanksgiving.

Stitching and praying,

Vickie



Thursday, November 7, 2024

Turkey Talk

 Hi friends! Here we are in November and we are still having mild weather. It is unbelievable!

🦃November Cubby Shelf Display🦃Almost all of these are stitched over one.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

🦃Turkey Talk🦃Stocking Ornament Number 5 by Heartstring Samplery. 

I stitched this one over two on 36 count Light Sand linen with the called for DMC. I lined the stocking with the same fabric as the back, which is a light beige. I adore this stocking!

🦃🍂🦃🍂🦃🍂🦃🍂🦃🍂🦃

I am now working on my finishing pile. I have quite a few Christmas ornaments stitched up that need to be finished up!

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

If you have any book recommendations for me, please let me know!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate your friendship.

Stitching and praying,

Vickie



Monday, October 21, 2024

🖤💜💚💛❤️💗❤️💛💚💜🖤

 Hi friends! How are things in your world? The tendonitis of my rotator cuff is improving, but not gone. I continue on with physical therapy, but only once a week now. I do so many daily exercises and stretches now though. Ugh.

We are having such wonderful weather for late October! It is in the upper 70's here! Just beautiful.

My best friend since college, Heather, had a birthday this last weekend and I can show you what I made for her.


💖Old Friends💖 This is a scan of a little girl's drawing (in black & white) donated by Constance van der Griet on Antique Pattern Library. I added the verse. I wish we knew the date the little girl stitched this. That information was not included. I chose something VERY different for this pattern. Kinda funky. I am really pleased with the outcome. I am happy to say Heather is too.😁
🖤💜💚💛❤️💗❤️💛💚💜🖤

I am stitching away on Christmas gifts. Secret stitching this time of year means not much to show!

Emerson came with us to the Schiltz Audobon Nature Center It is very near our home. It is right on the front of Lake Michigan. We had the perfect day in the low 70's. 

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?  Romans 8:32

Thank you for remembering me. I hope you have a wonderful week ahead. For those of you who are suffering, I am praying for you. I know some of you by name. If you need prayers, let me know by email. I will pray for you my friend.

Until next time,

Stitching and praying,

Vickie




Friday, September 20, 2024

Little Henry

 Hi friends! I went to my first physical therapy appointment this week. I received a few stretches and a few exercises for my neck, arm and shoulders, all to help me with this tendonitis of my rotator cuff. I am maybe barely feeling a slight difference. It is too soon yet. I am still taking ibuprofen every day and a muscle relaxer every night to sleep. I am going to the orthopedic doctor this morning in hopes of getting a cortisone shot in my shoulder for the arthritis I have there. The x-ray revealed I have mild to moderate arthritis, so I pushed my doctor for the cortisone. I want this pain gone!

☕Hello Autumn🍁by Hands On Design. 

You can clearly see it does NOT say hello autumn! I changed it! I LOVE pumpkin chai lattes.☕ (The mug is part of the large pattern.) 

I used Cathy's finishing instructions and am so pleased with the outcome. 

This was stitched with all the called for, but I used 32ct Charcoal Grey instead of 32ct Slate, as it was in my stash.

☕🍁☕🍁☕🍁☕🍁☕🍁☕

🐩Henry! In cross stitch! 

This pattern came from drawins.and.pixelins The pattern is called 12 dogs cross stitch pattern set. And yes! You get 12 different dogs you can mix and match their little faces to make them custom. I just had to make Henry's tongue stick out.👅 And I added the yellow bow tie. 

This is Henry 9 years ago!! He was wearing the yellow bow tie I made him for Madeleine's high school graduation party. I know there are a handful of you sweet friends out there who have been with me since then and perhaps you remember this?

This is the back. I lined it with the same material. 💛

This is Madeleine's Christmas ornament. Glad I was able to stitch and finish it while she is still away from home. She is now in San Francisco still working for The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition. She will be home in a week❣️

I stitched it with my own choice of Anchor, DMC, and GA Lambswool on the called for 28ct. It sure makes a BIG ornament!

🐩💛🐩💛🐩💛🐩💛🐩💛🐩

I am now stitching on my Christmas gift to my exchange partner in our cross stitch group. 

The generous soul will be made rich,

And he who waters will also be watered himself.

Proverbs 11:25

Have a wonderful weekend my friends! Thank you for taking the time to say hi!

Stitching and praying,

Vickie




Monday, September 9, 2024

Ouch!

 Hi friends! Oh my goodness! It has been an entire month again since I last posted. 😬 I looked to see that my last post was about the punch needle robins I did. Yes. Well that did me in. Let me tell you! Remember the lovely punch needle pansies? The ones I won a blue ribbon for at State Fair? They are 3D micro punch needle. And as Madeleine said, "Mom, you must have done about 40,000 punches on those." Well my arm and shoulder hurt somewhat after that, back in April, but then I was done punching. Until I did those robins last month. ☹️ My shoulder has been KILLING me ever since then. A nerve running down my arm, down to my fingers was tingling. I finally went to my doctor. She said I have tendonitis of my rotator cuff. I may never do punch needle again she said. 😭Normal people would think, "Fine. So be it." I am not normal. I realize that. In MY head, I keep thinking, "I just need to get better and in the future I am sure I can do a small project again." Then I tell myself, "Are you CRAZY?! Do you LIKE this pain?" I have to get rid of this punch needle. Truly. There is no other way. I will be tempted to use it otherwise. Honestly. I know me. This pain is not worth it. I am taking ibuprofen daily, as the doctor told me to, and a muscle relaxer to sleep, as she told me to. I simply CANNOT sleep on my right side at all. I cannot imagine what it feels like to have a torn rotator cuff. My brother had one and had surgery. No thanks! I am waiting for physical therapy. Two of the therapists I knew have left. The one remaining therapist I know does not have an opening until the end of the month. 😕 I am praying for an opening to pop up.

🏫September Cubby Shelf Display 🏫 Almost every one of these are stitched over one.

🏫🍎🏫🍎🏫🍎🏫🍎🏫🍎🏫

🍂🍄September Corner Shelf🍄🍂

🎂Happy Birthday🎈by Hands On Design 



This pattern was passed along to me by my Instagram friend Kathy. I finished it differently than charted. I used everything from my stash. I did use all the called for DMC colors and 32ct chalkboard linen. The last picture is the most true in color for the finishing fabric.

I tried a new finishing technique to create this easel mounted flat fold. Since this is my first time, it is not perfect, but I like it! I will be doing this again. If you care to try this kind of flat fold go here to get the directions: HERE

🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉

Maggie Mae on Main Street! Dear, little Maggie Mae has been stitched for TWO MONTHS, but I left her languishing in the to be finished pile. I finally got her put together yesterday and took her down the block to the waterfall in our village. Yes. I live near all these beautiful flowers on display and the wonderful waterfall.


The first three pictures were taken later in front of my pink poodle McCoy planter. I forgot to add little Maggie Mae's ribbon! 

Maggie Mae is stuffed with wood shavings. She is stitched one over two on 46ct Oat Bristol Zweigart linen. I honestly cannot remember the color changes anymore. I do know I use CC, VMS and DMC.

🐰💗🐰💗🐰💗🐰💗🐰💗🐰

I am stitching Christmas ornaments for family and friends right now. Are you?

Madeleine is on her last week in Denver. She is enjoying her time there very much. She likes her fellow workers very much too. At first she was so homesick. Oh my goodness. She cried every, single time we talked to her for a week! God bless her. Now she talks to us for an hour at a time about what she is up to. 😁 She is able to take the rental car and check out the National Parks and antique stores and such. 

If you extend your soul to the hungry

And satisfy the afflicted soul,

Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,

And your darkness shall be as the noonday.

The Lord will guide you continually,

And satisfy your soul in drought,

And strengthen your bones;

You shall be like a watered garden,

And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:10-11

I would not mind if any of you would pray for healing of rotator cuff. It hurts quite a bit. Thank you.💕

I hope you have a wonderful week ahead my friends. Thank you for stopping by!

Stitching and praying, 
Vickie