Tons of Pics ... and even more words!!

I tried to post last night...horrible thunder storms blew through here and hovered for awhile. I gave up the computer, lit some candles - just in case, listened to the hail hit the windows & deck - watched the lightening - felt the thunder shake the house...and stitched.

Well get your fanny in a comfortable chair and hang on - this is picture heavy. Gotta squeeze every last bit out of my final weeks of disability so I have been busy shopping, stitching hanging with friends and family. I will tell you more on my continued recovery at the end, just in case the stitching/quilting people want to bail before I blather on and on.

I had a finish-finish...I showed In The Sweet by La-D-Da in my last post finished but not quite done, as I wanted to add the ribbon that was attached to the kit...TA-DA...here it is hanging above the book shelf at the top of my stairs.

This is the back. Ribbon attached with cute, little buttons. Thanks to Peg for tying the ribbon so perfectly and suggesting the buttons.

Here is a close-up, hanging on the wall.

The bookshelf was part of my LONG Saturday a couple weekends ago. I moved the little bookshelf previously located there into my closet (when cleaning it out) and replaced it with the more spacious shelf in the first picture above. Then I had to organize my books and bears and pictures. This shelf was one of the things we acquired when my M-I-L passed away earlier this spring. And the closet - it had to be cleaned...I had clothing items there and downstairs in bins that I've had since before I was married (20 years this past April)...and I lost some weight while going through my illness, surgery and recovery - took several bags and boxes of clothing to Salvation Army this week. Went "back-to-work" shopping with my Mom last week and hung that stuff in my now empty closet. Anyway - I digress...onward with stitching!

I finally made it to a Kindred Spirits Sampler Guild meeting. I hadn't been since December or January and I really missed seeing everyone - this group of gals is SO creative and inspiring. It was our annual picnic held at a member's home. There is usually a small class - this year was no different. I actually finish-finished mine...yes, if you're counting, that's two! This is the Strawberry Pincushion Scissor Fob designed and taught by Deb Schoenek. I love it with my big eyed, black scissors! I have a small strawberry collection (small because there aren't 100 pieces, right?!). This is the perfect addition, I think.

Remember the challenge pieces for the KSSG - I had the BBD My Missouri Home (aka My Michigan Home) done in time. I couldn't decide between MMH and this one, but because of being sick, I didn't finish the second one (the challenge was for one, but I really loved both). So here is my progress - it's been snowing here at my house, despite the warm & humid weather.

Merry Christmas Ella Vaugh is going to be Winter Wonderland with my name(BBD too). I didn't want "Christmas" as I want to display it on the bench much longer than the Christmas season. It's almost done! Then I can put it in the pillow making pile with all the rest of the pillow fronts! Big sigh ... some day!

Remember months ago I started posting my band on the samplers that myself and about 12 other friends are doing? Well I missed getting a pic of some when I first started back to stitching, but here's what I have done lately...this is a close-up of my band on Paulette's.

A far away snap to get the whole thing - still Paulette's.

And this one is Tina's:

I haven't seen mine in quite a bit. They are all so different, even with the same bands. And all STUNNING!

Started this the other day. It's May Flowers Pinkeep by Island Cottage NeedleArts. I have done a stocking with the snowman (couple posts ago - still needs to be finish-finished). It, too, is part of their wool series. The petals on this pincushion are wool. I did it with the DMC conversion and some linen I had in my stash - not sure what color. It's gonna be close to the edge on the linen but I can make it work w.h.e.n. I finish it.

Now that I am feeling better and working on building up stamina and endurance for my return to work, what better way than to shop a bit (although my wallet is not agreeing with this portion of my recovery/disability). I picked up these fat quarters - aren't they so cute. The batik is just Halloween colors so I put it with the other Halloween fabrics for this shot. I think the pictures are clickable - the ghosts have "boo" written in different colors and so very, very cute!

And this - I saw this book on Nicole's blog...actually the "kitchen sink" quilt and it was awesome. Checked out the book and loved it! The batiks are for a bag - pattern acquired too - pictured in another shot. The dark is for the outside and light for lining.

Next - yep, that's the bag I will attempt to make. I also picked up this book - again, Nicole had done "rummy" and there you go, had to check it out and loved it too! The Pops-A-Lot pattern looked simple and fun for a future (hopefully easy) quilt.

And more...my friend Peg picked up some French General fabrics for me...I supplemented with a couple more - these are from several of their lines but don't you just LOVE them! I can't wait to figure out what I am going to do with it.

I do know I want to make a quilt out of these (someday in my future) and I loved the tan fabric in the back of this photo...so I picked up enough of that for the backing of a quilt. Let's face it, it could be months or year(s) before I make and finish it, so gotta get it now while I can. I searched for some of this fabric and know it's hard to come by...but as I said LOVE IT!

Amy Bruecken (of Amy Bruecken Designs) is such a sweetie! I am proud to call her a friend. She sent me a care package to help my recovery...aren't they cute. Thanks, Amy!!! And the linen she sent is delicious! I started one of the piggy but I don't have a pic of that one yet. It is a quick stitch and it makes me smile - with a capital S! The Christmas ones are next - maybe I will have them finish-finished to hang on the tree this year!

While putting away things from my M-I-L, I decided to show you a cool dishes that are currently sitting next to my sewing machine. The top one, with the violets (remember I have a lilac colored sewing room with varying shades of purple) is perfect for my room. It is hand painted by my Great Grandma. The other dish is from the items my husband picked out of my m-i-l's. I thought it was sweet and wanted it in my sewing room too. Won't it look nice with some buttons resting within it?!

This month, my baby turned 18. Sometimes I ask "how the hell did that happen" and other times I say "thank God!" but I am proud of the man he is becoming. My sisters and their families were here for cake and ice cream...this pic is from that evening:

Brennen, my nephew also has an August birthday (a few days before Jordan's) - so here they both have a cake with candles! As you can guess, Brennen is a few years younger than 18!

We had our own family celebration, complete with a DQ ice cream cake - one of the son's favorite cakes!

And a family dinner - just us three this year - kind of sad. Usually John's mom was visiting with us in August so she and my mom would go out for Jordan's birthday. This year was the first year without her; and my mom had other plans when it worked for the three of us; you know how hard it is to get a block of time scheduled with any teen who is having a great summer and fun with friends - who wants to hang with Mom & Dad! But we did it, so I had to catch it with the camera!

My latest read : Vicodin & Chocolate by Jeannette Fulda. It's about her suffering from a headache for seven months and her search for treatment and relief. Although sad at times due to her pain, she writes in a humorous manner. It's a quick read. Before that, I was reading The Shack which was a much more serious read, a discussion about God. I thought it was light summer reading when I packed it to take to Minnesota for my M-I-L's memorial. I recommend it and am planning on rereading it when I borrow it again from Mary, but definitely have to be in the mood. It's by William Paul Young. To see what else I read this summer, check back a few posts.

Okay - so that was long...but to add a little bit if you're interested on the recovery - I am feeling much, much better. I will be returning to work next month. This month I have only physical therapy, occupational was done as of July. I am working at my endurance and balance. I still am frustrated with how slow that part of recovery is, but then again I am so blessed to be walking and have use of my body the way it should be. I still have a bit of pain, mostly at night, in my hips. My legs will not be back to normal (if ever) for quite awhile (up to 1-1/2 to 2 years) with the nerve damage. The doctor said he won't say "this is as good as it will be" until that point. It is a weird feeling and irritating at times, but again - I am walking, now driving...it takes me longer to do lots of things, I get tired a bit quicker than I should, but... enough said! Thanks for the wonderful, well wishes you have all been sending me! I can tell you, thoughts and prayers help me!

Thanks for hanging with me for this post - I am going to wrap it up, send out a couple emails and then stitch for a bit and then to stand and stretch after I walk a bit, I have to draw some lines on quilt blocks and prepare them for the next step. Thanks for the comments...I appreciate each and every one! And thanks for following me. It's so cool to see the number of followers!!

Until next time - take time to put needle to thread, read a bit or do what makes you smile!

Hugs and :0)

Sherry