Monday, February 13, 2012

This Will Thrill You!

Okay, I lied - nothing is going to thrill you on this post.  I've had a miserable cold the past couple weeks and am just now starting to feel a little bit better - at least right now.  Ask me again in an hour and I might be sleeping again!  I think that I'm right in there with about a million other people running around with something, but this cold/flu thing has really kicked my butt!

So stitching progress as been minimal and also haphazard.  There was a little bit of knitting thrown in and a little quilting, but mainly cutting out pieces with the quilting in my more lucid moments.   When I'd sit down to stitch or knit, I seemed to fall asleep at the drop of a hat.

Ann Rayner is coming along slowly:


This sampler is much more colorful than I thought it would be.  Happy colors and I do like that I used a lighter fabric for her.  I would have been much further along with her, but a rather large frog came to visit and I had to rip out about half of the first alphabet and the golden dividing border because - well, let's just say that I didn't pay attention to detail and dear Ann added an extra stitch between one of the flower buds going across the top.  But I wasn't going to tear out the bud border, so....and of course, no one will be wiser (except people who read my blog)......I'm just extending the top border over one stitch and problem solved. I posted the second picture because there wasn't a stitch marked right under the left corner, and the more I look at it, I'm put off by it, so I'm going to put in a stitch there when I pull the color again.  I must really have an anal side to me because I like everything to be even.

After realizing that I had to frog out so much on Miss Rayner, I put her down in disgust and picked up another Ann - Ann Hall, although I didn't get much done on her either:

I just managed to get some of the grass in, the star-like motifs next to Adam and Eve, the dogs (except the collars) and most of the deer.  For some reason I got bored with that, and picked up a new one - well not really new, I've had it in stash for a while, but it kind of broke my resolution of working on WIPs - Janet Gibson:

Thrilling, huh?  NOT!  The only reason I haven't gone further on this is that I can't decide whether I should use two strands (the block is in two strands) or one strand (the vine is in one strand).  I know that a lot of stitchers will cringe at the thought of using two strands on 35 count, but that is my standard operating procedure.  But I'm using NPIs on this one and even though you can't tell by the picture, the fabric is rather dark (Meadowrue) so I'd like the design to pop from the fabric.  So decisions, decisions.  One strand or two?

So there you have it - two weeks of work.  As I said, I've been spending a lot of time either sleeping or just lazing.  But hopefully things will improve from this point on.  The only other thing that's really happened is  that my poor tired eyes have finally reached the stage of needing enhancement for distance.  Yes, I need glasses!  I've worn them for stitching, but never for distance.  Me, being a brave sole, decided that I'm too vain to wear glasses and need contacts.

Now, promise you won't laugh.  I went through the exam with flying colors - only took me 5 minutes to figure out how to put the contacts in and take them out.  Went joyfully skipping out of the doctors office finding everything to be so sharp - I could see everything so well.  Wow, does that red sign really say STOP?  Okay, I wasn't that bad, but I could definitely see an improvement.

Fast forward 5 hours and it was time to take them out.  No problem!  Or so I think.  I couldn't get them out!!!  I'm panicking - am I going to have to make a trip to the emergency room (I should note here that my eye doctor is an hour away so I couldn't just jump in my car and go down the street)?  What the heck am I going to do?  Okay, I tell myself to calm down and walk away and come back.  You whipped those babies in and out at the Doctor's office, you can certainly do it now.  I sit down ready to do battle and I still can't get them out!  OY!  Now I should mention that this was the day that my cold was rearing it's ugly head - my eyes were tired, scratchy, watery and I - well, I was at a loss.

But the problem was solved in short order.  My daughter had a friend over who wore contacts.  She washed her hands and whipped them out of my eyes in a nano-second.  I was embarrassed, but she tried to reassure me that it happens to a lot of people (yeah right - I swear I heard her comment to my daughter that it never happened to her.  They probably both had a good laugh)!  Anyway, I haven't put them in since.  Yes, just call me chicken!!!  Maybe when the cold is completely gone........

And last but not least, I have a new member of the sewing machine family.  One day when I went out on a quick errand, I passed an estate sale.  Even though I wasn't feeling my best, I decided to just stop in - you just never know what you'll find.  Well, I guess the Gods were shining on me trying to make me feel better because I have another addition:

This little machine is a tiny one.  And sitting next to her was a small spinning wheel.  I couldn't resist either one, and the price was so reasonable for both of them, I just couldn't pass them up.  I need to spend a little time today cleaning them up.  These sewing machines and I are going to have to stop meeting like this because I'm running out of room!

Well, that's it for me!  I'm going to try to slowly catch up on blogs today - as long as my eyes stay open.  I think that I've missed a lot over the past couple week or so!!  Hope everyone has a stitchy week - and stays well!

36 comments:

Cole said...

Wow ~ Ann Rayner is gorgeous! Such pretty colors :) Too bad about those darn frogs, I hope they stay far, far away from now on!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Sorry you've been feeling so poorly lately and I hope you're fully recovered soon. All the WIPs are looking good, despite the frog issues.
Love the little toy sewing machine ans spinning wheel! You have such good luck in finding good things at estate sales.

Bertie said...

Speedy recovery Deb, same here, sorry to hear about your frogging, just relax!!
Love your new machine:)

marly said...

Great post as always! Hope you recover completely soon. The stitching looks wonderful. I always squirt saline solution in the bottom of my eye to help with contact removal when it's difficult. Soon you'll be able to do it without even looking in a mirror.

Katherine said...

Although it is silk instead of cotton, I think you should do the stitching with two strands. I think it looks so much better with two. I'm sorry to hear you've not been feeling well; I too have had the cruddiest colds since December. Cheer up - the ground hog says spring is only a month and a half away!

Michelle said...

Hope you're feeling better soon! The WIPs and the new start are all pretty. I find 1 strand on 35 to be a little bit sparse, so if you like the look, I'd go 2.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

All of your WIPs are beautiful! Can't help you with the two threads or one decision but I'm sure you'll figure it out. Love your estate sale finds - especially the spinning wheel. darling!
I didn't even realize you weren't feeling well yesterday. Obsevant, aren't I? Hope you're feeling better!

Kathy A. said...

Even though you are feeling miserable, you still have some beautiful stitches to share!

Anne said...

Ooh! I love the colours in Ann Hall too! Very happy colours!! I think I'll have to pick this one up! I'm like you after a frog, I have to put down the piece until I can have some time away from it--just to distance yourself from the chore of frogging!!

Mouse said...

ohhh dear sorry to hear you are still yucky and I've had to wip contacts out so don't panic there ,,,lol
love the wee machines too :) love mouse xxxx
ps sorry about the frogs visiting

Margaret said...

Hope you're feeling better soon. Yuck. Contacts aren't hard -- you'll get used to them. I miss wearing them, but my eyes are way too dry so I had to abandon wearing them years and years ago. I think nothing of reaching into my eyes and just grabbing those contacts out. lol!

Love your Ann Rayner -- you're making think about her again! Love your Ann Hall and Janet too. And the little sewing machine -- you're so lucky to have so many of these little gems!! I'm totally envious!

Siobhán said...

The WIPs look great! I love that Ann Rayner. I'm sorry to hear that you're sick--I can relate! We all have a head cold thing going on here. I can' sleep because I wake myself up with drooling. Lovely! LOL xo

Annie said...

Your stitching looks great. That's way more than I can do when I'm sick. And apparently you weren't too sick for a new little sewing machine! You're a real trooper in the shopping department!

I wore contacts, the hard kind, for 30 years til my eyes rebelled. But I remember have problems taking them out at first too. Enjoy your eyeglass-free existence!

Melissa said...

Oh good golly I can relate to the story of the contacts! It just takes a bit of getting used to and then you'll be fine.

Lucky you on the sewing machine!

The WIP's are thrilling - lol.

I hope you feel better soon!

Catherine said...

I do hope you are feeling better! I don't have contacts ~ don't know if I'd like that whole taking things in and out of my eyes thing!
Great stitchy projects!

samplerlover said...

Hi Deb, love your estate finds. They are both really lovely.
Ann Rayner is looking beautiful as is Ann and I am sure that you will figure out what to do with Jane.
Hope you feel better - Sandra.

Tommye said...

Every blog I've read today laments the lack of stitching progress due to illness! I sympathize...I'm about a week ahead of you. It's really annoying to feel so weak you can't even stitch!

Ann Raynor is beautiful! Take your time and enjoy.

Patty C. said...

I hope you feel better soon - I am thrilled with your WIP's - such vibrant color - Beautiful ;)

valerie said...

Hope you feel better soon Deb! Lots of sickness going around. I say 2 strands on the 35 count instead of one!

Ugh...contacts. It takes me a couple of tries to get them in and out! I can't ever be without my glasses! :)

Nicola said...

It is amazing how many "Ann" samplers there are. Ann must have been a very popular name.

I am sorry you are not feeling well, a winter cold/flu can be so debilitating.

I agree with the colours in AR, there are happy colours.

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

Glad you had an eye exam and can see now. I did the same thing with my distance glasses. I cant wear contacts and I have to wear two kinds of glasses depending on what I'm doing but at least I can see.

I love you spinning wheel. You always pick up the neatest items to look at for your sewing room.

Your stitching progress is great. Like me, I'm almost finished with one but I want to start another. Why does that happen to us???? :)

Jennifer

Carol said...

So sorry to hear you've been under the weather, Deb--that cold seems to be making the rounds of a lot of stitchers lately! You'll get the hang of contacts. I've worn them for over 40 years now--am blind as a bat without them or my glasses.

Lovely stitching and I think your newest "finds" are adorable--what nice additions to your collection :)

Happy Valentine's Day to you!

Katrina said...

Love the two Anns, they are just gorgeous :-).

Thank goodness for your DD's friend. I am so glad she could help you.

pj said...

Deb, sorry to hear you have not been feeling well. There is alot going around here too and people are not getting over it fast.

About the contact problem: Ask your eye dr. for a little plunger type gadget ... it is rubber with a little circle on the end that works great! I have worn contacts for 40 years and sometimes when tired I can't get them out and this little plunger works great.

Love your WIP's and the colors on Ann Rayner are super.

pam in iowa

Penny said...

Sounds like you have had a rough time with being sick,the frogs,the contacts. Hope you are feeling better soon! Ann is such a pretty sampler and hopefully the frogs are gone for good. :) Love the little spinning wheel.

Anonymous said...

Hello

Just found your blog.

Your Ann Rayner is beautiful - such lovely colours.

Your little spinning wheel is great.

Nicole said...

Beautiful wips Deb!! I'm so sorry about the contact fiasco - I would have been panicking too!!!

Sally said...

Both your WIPs are beautiful Deb!

Hope you feel much better soon.

Sherry :o) said...

Anne is beautiful! As is the rest of your stitching. Love your spinning wheel - how sweet. Sorry didn't see you last weekend...did I miss anything? I guess I should ask, did you go to KSSG? Hope you feel better and keep trying with the contacts...it takes practice.

Deb said...

This is a test

Joy said...

Okay, this is really odd...now I can leave a comment without word verification. Must be a blogger plot!

Quiltingranny said...

What great finds! I love estate sales!

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

Hi, returning the following!
Love your Ann Rayner, even though I want to call her Claire Rayner after the Agony Aunt!
The colours are beautiful so fresh and spring-like.

merumo said...

Love seeing your A&E sampler as well as the antique sewing machine and wheel. I wish we had some good antique dealers in town. Too many temptation from your posts!!

Karoline said...

Hope you're feeling better now. Your samplers are looking lovely, nice progress

Olivia said...

You're making some great progress. Keep it up!