Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Catching Up...

Hello lovelies...

Hope you all had a lovely weekend whether you're a mom or not. Mine was nice, yet eventful. Life is feeling like a blur these days and most days, I barely have time to cook or stitch and it's just making me feel more worn out and crankified.

On Friday, a friend came into town and I had a nice early dinner with her and her daughter and another mutual friend. The weather was so nice, I actually wore a skirt! Dinner was nice and fab and I made it home early to stitch. And you know what?? I managed to finish Fairy Moon's wing! I thought it would take me much longer to get to that point but I did it. :) I have now progressed to some shading on the dress bodice and skirt.

Saturday was very busy with morning appointments, picking up special Mother's Day cake, lunch with a new friend, visiting with family and eating of the cake. I barely had a moment to myself.

As I was about to leave my folks...about 730pm...someone called the house. It was a friend of my little old lady friend...the one who lost everything in the fire. I was told that while shopping, my little old lady friend fell in a store and broke her femur and they had to go via ambulance to the hospital. I spent the rest of my evening in the emergency room checking in on her and helping with translation. Oh how terrible! Like losing your home wasn't enough...how she was facing surgery and rehabilitation. She had lots of visitors telling her it would all turn out ok and the surgery will go fine and trying to ease all her worries. I was back there Sunday morning to make sure there was someone with her when the doctor came around to explain the surgery. Everyone at the hospital was very friendly but who can help being nice to a sweet little old lady that keeps saying "thank you, dahling" and "you're so sweet, dahling" and "you are very nice to me, dahling". She's a riot. She says she doesn't care if she sounds like a crazy parrot as long as people know she is nice and thankful especially since her English is limited. If you can spare more good thoughts, that would be great. She will have to stay by herself in a rehabilitation center until she can get some physical therapy in and walk on her own. A local blog wrote a very nice article on her which you can read if you're so inclined.

After my stop at the hospital, I went outlet shopping to look for some warm weather clothes. I didn't find everything I was looking for but I managed to find some good deals. That took all day and boy were my feet barking after that. At least I got my exercise in!

***
More stitching stuff...a few weeks back, I asked Faye if she could make me a couple of large project bags and they finally winged their way to the left coast and they are fantastic!
I am in love with my blue paisley one and I am a big paisley fan so I am fond of the red one too. I can't wait to break one in and I think I will be stuffing one soon with this project...
What do you think??

I am not a big fan of samplers. Sure...I like looking at them but I can't picture very many in my place but there's something about Jane Pattison that keeps pulling me in. I do think it will look perfect in my living room and look how well the colors blend with my rug! My plan is to stitch it on 40count with the cottons. Here, the threads are lying on Lakeside Linens Porcelain. I am trying to match my color combo to the photo more where the colors seem to pop off the linen a bit. My cut of Navy Bean seems darker than the norm and created a more muted color scheme. Not really what I wanted. This is the lightest linen I have in my stash besides Magnolia which is too yellow. 

I haven't decided when I'll start Jane but I think she's ready...

Well, I have a quiet evening planned today so I need to maximize by cooking and stitching time. Hope you all have a nice week....oh, and don't forget this coming weekend is IHSW. Go sign up!

Until next time...

27 comments:

Denise said...

So sorry to hear of your friends troubles, but it sounds like she has the perfect attitude to deal with what comes her way.

Ann at Beadlework. said...

I enjoyed reading about your elderly friend, she deserves some tlc, I hope good things come her way.

Lois said...

The Lakeside Porcelain looks like it will work perfectly. I hear you on starting a larger project. I keep thinking I want to have a break from a larger one after CG but there's one that's being very insistent in calling my name!!!!!
Hoping your little old lady comes through the surgery well.

Giovanna said...

I'm so sorry for your friend - talk about bad luck, poor thing... I hope she recovers speedily. Nice stitching on the Fairy, and Faye's wallets are just lovely. Enjoy stitching the sampler, it will look gorgeous on 40ct (I'm a great fan of 40ct...)

Chris said...

Great progress on Fairy Moon! I also love Jane Pattison. I have not given into her siren song yet. I will enjoy seeing your progress with the overdyes.
Continued best wishes for your friends recovery.

Margaret said...

Oh my, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend! I'll be sending good thoughts her way for sure. Your fairy looks great! That wing is so cool -- you got a lot done! Jane P is a fun stitch. You'll love her! My fabric wasn't that light in color and the colors still popped. I think I used the recommended fabric too. Enjoy it whenever you start it!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Jane Pattison is gorgeous and I think the linen you've selected it perfect for it. You've made some good progress on FM too.

Your friend had been hit with some very tough knocks but it sounds like her spirits are good. I'm not sure I would be in such a positive frame of mind.

Lanie said...

Yay! Valerie is joining the sampler craziness! :) "Jane" is a beautiful sampler and the colors of your fabric/thread selection are so pretty. Enjoy her! Congrats on getting Fairy Moon's wing completed...that's a big accomplishment! Will continue to pray for your friend's recovery.

Deb said...

I am so sorry about all that your friend is going through. I hope that everything goes well for her from here on out!

You've made great progress on Fairy Moon. Aren't those white wings something to stitch? I do love those designs though. I haven't stitching any of hers for a long time except for a couple of mermaids for my sister. I miss them.

Can't wait to see your start on Jane. It's a great sampler and I think that the fabric you picked will be perfect.

Natasha said...

Your progress is looking great. I look forward to your posts of her each week.

I am shocked you are doing a sampler, but the one you picked is so very pretty. And you never know you might become a sampler NUT like the rest of us LOL I am thinking of starting this one also, but first I must buy the pattern AND the floss SIGH* There is a Memorial Day sale starting at an ONS I think I will take advantage of that.


I was so sad to her of that fire on the news but that blog post was wonderful. She seems like a sweet, sweet woman. I sure hope her recovery is swift. I am glad she has so many caring people in her life, you included.

Have a great day!!

Melissa said...

I'm sorry to hear about what happened to your friend, and also all the others affected by the fire. It's amazing at these times that people can pull together to help out. I hope her surgery goes well.

You're doing great on your Fairy. I hear you about the new sampler. I saw your beautiful rug and was going to comment on that before you mentioned it. Love the colours.

The project bags from Faye - beautiful. When I get back to regular employment I am going to get some from her!

Catherine said...

So sorry to read about your friend. Sending thoughts and prayers.
You certainly have been busy! Love your stitches and Your bags from Faye!
Looking forward to seeing you bring Jane to life!

Danielle said...

I always look forward to your posts. Where did you get that bird needlework magnet?? LOVE IT!! I love needlework magnets and have quite the collection, but have never seen this one. Fairy Moon is looking fab!

Barbi said...

Your poor little lady friend. It sure makes you appreciate how lucky you are when you hear how tragic it is for some,thru no fault of their own :(
Your progress is great on the Mira! And that sampler is wonderful!

Veronica said...

Oh, how awful for your friend. I read that article you linked. She really sounds like a nice person. Will be keeping her in my thoughts.

Happy to see you're moving along on Fairy Moon.

Faye's sewing is always so lovely. Beautiful project bags, Valerie. They'd be perfect to store Jane Pattison in.

Hugs,
Veronica.

Caitlin @ Naughts Cross Stitches said...

gorgeous stitching :D

Katrina said...

So sorry about your family friend!!!! I can't imagine. Love the projects and I hope life settles down soon :-).

Julie said...

Fairy Moon is growing beautifully.
I'm so sorry to read about you 'little old lady' friend, poor thing, I hope she makes a full recovery and speedily too.

Carol said...

Oh, the poor elderly lady. I just can't believe how some people experience tragedy after tragedy. It was heartbreaking reading on that other blog about her losing her husband's phone message... You are a wonderful person to help her out and translate for her, Valerie.

Your stitching on Fairy Moon is looking lovely--yay for the wing finish!! And I love your new project--it will look great in those beautiful project bags from Faye...

Hope you enjoy a nice, relaxing IHSW!

Dani - tkdchick said...

That wing looks lovely!!!

You are such a good person to help out that lady!!!!

Anonymous said...

Saying a prayer for your friend. I hope her healing goes well and quickly.

The little bird in the first picture ... is that your needle minder? Very cute!

Melanie said...

Your poor friend. I can't believe she ended up in the hospital on top of everything else. :(
Good thoughts for a speedy recovery for her!!!

Yay for progress on Fairy Moon! :)

I think the pattern photos are impossible to match sometimes. The camera can add/subtract so much in tone and you'll never know what the 'real' sample looked like, you know?

Anne said...

Oh my. So sorry to hear that she broke her leg too. I'm glad that she is getting top notch treatment and I hope all goes well with her. Sending her hugs and well wishes!

Your Fairy Moon is looking so pretty Valerie!! I'm glad you are starting Jane Pattison. I've adored this design but need to hold off on any more BAP's if you know what I mean! Beautiful project bags from Faye!!!

Hugs

Anne

Christina said...

What terrible luck your friend is having, I hope things improve for her very soon.
Fairy moon is coming on a treat. I love the purples in the wings. The colour of fabric you have chosen to stitch her on is so right for this design. The colours complement one another so well.
Your projet bag from Faye is great and SO useful!

Rosemary said...

What a good friend you are, my mother is elderly and broke her femur 9 months ago and it is painful and frightening. So glad you were there for her. Your stitching is so nice, the wings are lovely and I will enjoy visiting again to see your progress. I love finding all of these wonderful stitching blogs from IHSW.

Meari said...

Fairy looks good. Cute project bags, too.

Sorry to hear about your little old lady friend. I hope she has a speedy recovery.

MoonBeam said...

Love your bags from Faye. She's great, isn't she?

I have started Jane Pattison...but just barely. I'm using the wools. Your cottons look very pretty. Have fun!

Bobbi