Let's Talk SUTO!!

Completed Peacock Sampler

Hello, Everyone!

I apologize for not writing for so long. Things have been on the crazy side for me. Also, typing for me, has become interesting. My left arm jerks a great deal now, because of whatever is going on with my neck and spine, so typing proves to be very interesting. The thing I find interesting is that it will jerk when I type, but not when I stitch. Why? I don't know. Don't get me wrong, I love the fact my arm behaves when I stitch. Just curious though. Jack and I may have solved this problem (the jerking arm) as far as me being able to do anything via the computer. LOL I mentioned to Jack my frustration at the jerking of the arm. He thought about it and came up with the idea of me using his remote keyboard and mouse. So, Jack hooked up the remote keyboard and mouse to my laptop. Typing this out that way works very well. I was thinking about it too. I jokingly said, “I wonder if I dictated it, if Rachel would key it out, since she can type a lot faster than Dear Ole Mamma! I wondered aloud if there was a free on line dicta-phone. Guess what there is! Even better, it is a natural part of the computer programs already on my computer!! I will have to do that next time though, because it requires some sort of microphone, which I don't have right now.

Me on  Boardwalk at steps to beach

I did get everything I needed for the SUTO retreat. Sarah and I went clothes shopping so I could have some much needed summer type clothes. I flew down a few days early. I stayed with my friend, Jennifer, for the couple of days before the retreat. The Florida trip was a lot of fun! I enjoyed myself a great deal!! Before the retreat, Jennifer took me to the beach area and she took some pictures of me on the boardwalk.

Thea was the teacher and she taught us some stitches I'd never heard of. The project is beautiful!! Part of it is hardanger, which is also new to me. The biggest section of the project that I have done thus far is in just regular over two cross stitch. The smaller parts I have done are some of the specialty stitches. This project also has me working with threads I never have before, Pearle Cotton both 5 and 8. Also silks and blended threads as well as regular DMC.

I took a picture with Thea, but its way to foggy/fuzzy for the blog. BRATS!! The most expensive thing I bought was a magnifying light/lamp, that I put over my project so I can see the holes easier and don't have to bend my neck at all!. It has proven to be very helpful. I had the magnifying, light up lamp sent directly to the house..

Progress on Peacock Sampler

I also had to have almost everything I received during the retreat sent to the house via UPS. I received everything from a scissor fob, to scissors, (BTW both of those were in the theme of the project...Peacocks) to needle minders, to kits, counting pins, markers, and so much more! I also bought a few things from Karen, the gal who brought part of her store, so if anyone needed anything it was there. I bought some beads , material, a needle minder, before I found out I was receiving two. That's okay, I now have three, so if I have three projects going, I have three needle minders! I also bought several packages of beads. Then there is what was being given away. I ended up bringing no less than five thread storage boxes and more patterns and the thread that came in the storage boxes. Some of us brought things to exchange with each other I made a bookmark, which I neglected to take a picture of. I also included a little case to keep small stitching supplies. In the exchange, I received a framed cross stitched angel. The angel, on her right finger(s), has a blue bird of some type. There are flowers on either side of her at the bottom. Underneath her SUTO 2015 is stitched. I have her atop my roll top desk, where I can see her all the time. Thea also gave us a DVD of how to do the project, step by step. Yippee!!!!!

I am getting so excited about Joann's coming to the mall! They open in mid-July! We have been without a cross stitching friendly store in town for a long time. I've had to go 70 miles [round trip] to get anything but thread. And honestly, the store that carries DMC cotton thread charges beyond the pale for it. I'll pay it, when absolutely necessary, but when they charge nearly double what everyone else does...

Life's Little Tangles

When I came home from the retreat, I was in a stitching mood. My Peacock sampler was still on its way here. I decided to try and get some of the 100 stitch blocks complete on “Life's Little Tangles”. I wanted to try and finish out certain 100 stitch blocks before I put it down to start again on the retreat project. There were a couple of squares, on “Life's Little Tangles” that has under 15 stitches. Others had quite a few. I am getting there; I can say I see my progress. I don't know how long it will take me to finish the Peacock Sampler from Thea, but I don't want to leave myself at a point where I'd be completely lost when I picked it up.

I am also very excited about the fact that I have made a new stitching friend. Hey, Hey, Connie! The other day I went over to her house and we chatted and stitched. I really enjoyed myself. When we talk we talk about family and stitching and everything in-between! We have become fast friends. I started a pattern that is quite easy, that I'll only stitch when we are together. It's small in comparison to some of my other stuff, but it should be a simple pattern to sit and stitch and chat! She started telling me about this pattern she was getting in parts, being that it was the chosen pattern for a Stitch A Long.

I want this pattern very badly, even if I have to buy it! I love the clothing and things of that era.

Rachel's Cake

Reminds me that there use to be much simpler times:

Someone shaking your hand sealed a deal; meant more than, “hello” or “good-bye”

Someone saying they will do an act did it

Children didn't even consider mouthing off to their parents

The Bible was followed, not ignored

Neighbors actually watched out for each other

I could go on, but I'm sure I have made my point. I've mentioned before how much I would have loved to live in the 1800's era. Someone pointed out to me that if an accident had happened that made me disabled back then, medical science wasn't as advanced as it was in 1963. this is true. However, the argument could be made, rightly so, that automobiles were not part of the picture until very close to or into the 1900's. Since I am disabled because of an automobile accident, would I have even become disabled? Another thing to ponder.

June is a big birthday month for our family. Both of my parents, my older sister and Rachel have birthdays in June. I am pretty sure at least one cousin does as well. Rachel's is a kinda special one. She was 16.

Sarah posted a picture of Dahlia Mae standing by herself for 10 seconds a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to show it to you, but it won't let me load the video. :(