Calendar Poodle SAL

Friday, April 1, 2016

Hands On Design

Hi friends! I once again checked out a Cross Stitch & Needlework magazine from our library. This time I have the May 2014 issue. I stitched up April and am now working on May.
This is stitched one over one on 25ct New Khaki linen using DMC and VMSS 1840 variegated purple and 1795 sky blue.
I finished reading Jane and the Waterloo Map by Stephanie Barron. What an excellent book! I found it in the new book section in our library. I have NEVER read a series of books out of order. Until now. I read this one and now have checked out the first in the series, Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrove Manor. Have you read these books?! Tell me! Here is a bit about the one I just read.

Jane Austen turns sleuth in this delightful Regency-era mystery

November, 1815. The Battle of Waterloo has come and gone, leaving the British economy in shreds; Henry Austen, high-flying banker, is about to declare bankruptcy—dragging several of his brothers down with him. The crisis destroys Henry’s health, and Jane flies to his London bedside, believing him to be dying. While she’s there, the chaplain to His Royal Highness the Prince Regent invites Jane to tour Carlton House, the Prince’s fabulous London home. The chaplain is a fan of Jane’s books, and during the tour he suggests she dedicate her next novel—Emma—to HRH, whom she despises.

However, before she can speak to HRH, Jane stumbles upon a body—sprawled on the carpet in the Regent’s library. The dying man, Colonel MacFarland, was a cavalry hero and a friend of Wellington’s. He utters a single failing phrase: “Waterloo map” . . . and Jane is on the hunt for a treasure of incalculable value and a killer of considerable cunning.
I have a recheck appointment with my pain management doctor on Wednesday, even though I think she can do nothing for me with these excrutiating headaches. She obviously hit spinal fluid when she gave me the steroid facet injections in my neck over three weeks ago. Yes, I thought they were going to get better a while ago. NOPE. BAD. REAL BAD. I am living on Excedrin Migraine and Tylenol. And prayers. Lots of prayers. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you." Isaiah 43:2

Stitching and praying,
Vickie

49 comments:

Justine said...

I love that little April square!

Angela Tucker said...

Good morning, Vickie. I am so sorry...daily pain is no fun. I am continuing my prayers that they will find some relief for you. I swear by the Excedrine and Diet Mountain Dew. Not very healthy, but it will usually head off my worst migraines.

Your stitching is so pretty and soft. Perfect.

I am hoping that you have a good day.

Mii Stitch said...

Super duper April finish!!

KimM said...

Oh, Vickie, another delightful finish. I'm so sorry to hear you've been in such agony. I do hope you get some relief soon.i think of you daily and often
xxx

Brigitte said...

Vickie, how funny, I have just started the same April design. But not over one as I will finish it as a pillow.
So lovely how it looks over one.

Margaret said...

Love the April stitch. I am so unhappy for you. :( Saying prayers.

Tricia T said...

Oh, Vickie! How you have been able to stitch and read with those headaches, I don't know. :( Bless your heart! I pray the doctor will have some idea of how to help!

Sweet Sue said...

sweetest little cloud ever! wishing you peace:) xo

gracie said...

Love these pretty smalls that you are stitching. I am so sorry for the headaches. As a migraine sufferer since I was a child, I know the pain well. (knocking on wood)... I have been so lucky these later years as I have not had a migraine for sometime. Dennis has one almost daily. Hope you feel better soon....

Jenny said...

Oh my friend I am so sorry that you are in such pain. You have been on my mind and in my prayers so often this week....I am continuing to pray that this pain will lessen and just go away! Your stitching is just lovely as usual and I am soooo impressed that you are able to stitch at all with this pain...especially over one! When I stitch over one I really have to concentrate until I get in the rhythm....lol. I love Stephanie Barron and have read most of her books in this series...now I need to find this one....grins....I love Jane Austen and another author I love is Syrie James....her books about Jane are really good as well....not mysteries but still well written :) I hope you have a good weekend with some stitching time and I am praying for a miracle!

Stasi said...

Vickie,
So sorry to read about your headaches--hope the problem is resolved soon.
Your April is adorable over one. I'm assuming this is a series in the magazine noted. Looking forward to MAy!
Stasi

Vicki said...

I like your April finish! Praying for relief from your headaches...

♥ Nia said...

Such a cute design for April showers!! :D Love it!!

Clare-Aimetu said...

What a lovely April stitch - I hope your headaches go soon, they are certainly not nice :-(

Manuela said...

Oh Vickie, what a lovely finish.
Have a nice weekend, Manuela

Unknown said...

Dearest Vickie ,
before I go into your lovely mail today I would like to answer you on your comment to me . I give you one hundred percent right. we need faith more like everything else ! It's nice to know people like you have God in your heart .
Now, to your beautiful embroidery , April is very nice . The colors fresh yet warm. That your pain mend not 'm very sorry . I pray for you!
Your Sandra with hug

Andrea said...

Wonderful stitching. Wishing you relief.

butterfly said...

Beautiful April stitching .
Praying for you sweet friend.

Barb said...

The April stitch is lovely. I am so sorry to hear about your health problems. My back continues to be a challenge to me too. These things are not fun! I try to just count my blessings each day but I am not in the kind of pain you are. Take care!

Annette-California said...

Beautiful April finish! Praying for you friend!
love Annette

Julie said...

Sweet April finish, fitting perfectly in the cubby box.
{{hugs} x

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I love your sweet finish for April :)
And my heart just aches for your headaches...and the reason...

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

Lovely pretty designs.Your April finish is delightful.
So sorry you are in so much pain:(

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

Lovely pretty designs.Your April finish is delightful.
So sorry you are in so much pain:(

Linda said...

Congrats on the adorable finishes Vickie. I hope your pain goes away soon.

Linda

moreofhim said...

Vickie, I'm so sorry that you're having so much headache pain! How awful! Lots of prayers!

Love your little April stitched project. So cute in the little cubbie.

Blessings - Julie

Anonymous said...

April is so cute
Sorry that you are having so much headache, ♥♥♥

Annie said...

April is adorable! Are they all that cute?

I get tons of headaches so I know where you are coming from and I'm so sorry to hear that your struggle continues. Sure hope it gets better soon.

Solstitches said...

What a pretty little finish - so dainty stitched over one.
So sorry to hear you are still in such pain. I hope you can get some relief soon.
Margaret x

Penny said...

I love your little April design! We are expecting some April showers in the coming week - hopefully no April snow. : ) I just downloaded the first book in the series and I can't wait to read it! Thanks for sharing about the series. I can't even express how upset I am over your pain situation, Vickie. Continued prayers and very gentle hugs.

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Oh sweet friend, I am so sorry your head aches are still with you. I will keep you in my prayers, sweet friend. ((hugs)) Love your April finish, too.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Vickie! Your April block is wonderful; I love it. So terribly sorry for your headaches. My sis gets them, too. What about the new Botox treatment?

Bea said...

Oh Vickie, I had hoped for so much better for you. Thank God we have a direct line to the Great Physician.

Love April, though I must admit when I first looked at it I thought the word was 'snow' and I was just a little confused. LOL

gominam said...

Perfect April finish. I hope your headaches get better, take care.

Chris said...

Thank you for your kind thoughts and message on my blog. Such a pretty little stitching I still need your prayers please.

De borduurvrouw said...

Hi Vicky, I just read a few of your latest post. Because of Easter and other things I am a bit behind. What a lovely little stitches you've made. Are always working 1:1? The flowerpattern of Anne is also on my to do list. Your reproduction is Wonderfull!
Love the picture of the tiny poodle. Greets, Nienke

Angela said...

Love your April finish!

Beth said...

Wonderful colors for your April stitch. It is raining here tonight, but by Wednesday it is supposed to be 82F!

Stitching Noni said...

Oh no... I am so sorry to read that you are still having headaches... that must be so exhausting and frustrating for you. I hope Wednesday appt sorts things out!
I love your April stitch :o)
The book sounds quite interesting... will have to look for it at the Library next time I am there :o)
Take care, hugs xx

Carolien said...

Hi Vickie,

Lovely stitches and oh that dog of yours is soo cute!
Have a great week, dear friend,

xxx Carolien

Sarah in Stitches said...

Beautiful April stitching! :D

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Oh Vickie so sorry your darn headaches are continuing. One of my daughters used to have migraines started at 15 (a typical high achiever who put immense pressure on herself), anyway, her doctor taught her to anticipate the headache and take a gravol( her headaches made her nauseous) and 2 tylenol before it got started. This seemed very helpful but I know in your case, you are living in constant pain. Be brave Vickie which I know you are trying to be. I hope you will have real relief soon.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

The April mini is so sweet! We certainly need that umbrella this month.

Sorry to hear the headaches are ongoing. Mabel looks as fed up as you must be feeling!

Carol said...

Your little April square looks so sweet tucked inside your cubby, Vickie. Just think, Madeleine will be able to bring you home anything you want from the library now :)

Really sad to hear about the horrid headaches--I do hope the doctor has something to help you tomorrow at your appointment.

Lumiruusu said...

You have a prettiest possible April finish i really admire all those neat tiny stitches ! This was a very nice post !

Christina said...

another sweet finish for your cubby. sorry you are still in pain and now with migraines. I suffer from migraines on occasion so I know how you feel. The only thing that makes me better is sleep. The pressure point in my hand helps a bit too. I will continue to keep you in my daily prayers.

Frances said...

Your April stitch is so cute! and cheery!
I'm so sorry you have migraines! They are no fun and very, very painful! I hope you can find relief very soon!!!!

Varla Lee said...

You will have lot of prayers dear Vicki, with l♥ve from our group here in Italy. Kisses & hugs.

Kaisievic said...

Vickie, I am so very sorry to read about your bad headaches, it must be so very debilitating for you. I am praying that they ease soon. Pretty April stitching and I have read a couple of those Jane Austen sleuth books - lots of fun, aren't they? hugs, Kaye