Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Alive and Stitching

First off I want to thank everyone who has sent me prayers & good wishes.  Surely I have never been so sick in my life.  I feared that pneumonia was settling in (I've had it twice in the past) so last Friday I got an appointment with the doctor.  No pneumonia, thank God, but no flu either!  Turns out a virus is going around with the flu & I caught the virus.  I was told nothing could be done but get lots of rest & wait it out.  Today I am feeling a bit stronger & for the past 2 nights I have been able to go to bed without plastering my chest with Vicks VapoRub. Although death is still gripping at my ankles, I have the feeling that by the weekend I should be right as rain.  I hope so!

Now that I'm not constantly thinking "take me now, Jesus," I am thinking of rather unpleasant things like taking down the Christmas decorations, opening the last of my gifts (yes, there are still gifts under the tree) ...


... wait a minute!  Gifts aren't unpleasant. Scratch that last part   : )   Starting again, these unpleasant tasks include taking down the Christmas decorations (that string of lights at the end of the stairs was not part of the decorations, by the way ... I just tossed it up there the day after Christmas & that's where it's been ever since), filling out insurance forms, filing complaints against my dentist regarding the bad bridge episode, attending or rescheduling various appointments, & of course dealing with the very, very, very bad thing.  Please continue to pray about the very, very, very bad thing. I'm afraid it's going to be in my life for quite some time   : ( 

Regarding the gifts still under the tree, most of the ones you see are from my friend Mary in North Dakota.  She & I exchange Christmas stockings every year & we both were late in mailing our packages this year.  Her package to me arrived the day before Christmas & I set it aside to open at a later time.  After John & I opened each others gifts, I put my packages from Mary under the tree & they looked so nice under there that I just left them.  Mary had informed me that she had ordered a couple things for me that were not in the package & she would be mailing them later so I thought I'd wait until those arrived & open everything at once.  Then I got sick & didn't feel like opening my eyes let alone opening packages.  The gifts Mary ordered arrived yesterday & I placed them under the tree.  I learned that yesterday was Russian Christmas (I was never quite sure when it was) so I thought opening them yesterday would've been a great idea! However, the virus thought otherwise & I slept most of the day.  There are also a few packages under the tree from a blogging friend who wants to remain anonymous.  

To tell you the truth, I really, really don't want to open the gifts because that means Christmas will be over.  Although it was not the best of Christmases what with the very, very, very bad thing coming into my life ... & my decorations were quite minimal ... it was still a lovely & blessed time.  I hate to let that go but I know I must & I will do that maybe later this week, ever keeping my eyes on & looking forward to next Christmas   : )

I did manage to do some stitching while at death's door.  I really don't have any stitching goals this year.  I know what I want to do but I'm not going to give myself any sort of list or schedule.  I'm just going to go with the flow   : )   I do want to fill the year with stitching a lot of Christmas things & I have one finish to share with you & a WIP which is causing me a bit of grief.  First I will share the finish ... a design by Tralala Collection called Duo Noel.  I chose to do the sheep design stitched on Wichelt 32 ct antique tan linen & DMC floss.
My WIP is HE's 2011 Sampler Ornament Jingle Jingle.  I am loving stitching this!  I actually have quite a few HE ornament charts in my stash which I'm looking forward to stitching this year.  I have decided that HE's ornament designs beat LHN's ornament designs by a mile   : )   Anyway, I am using the DMC equivalents & stitching the design on the recommended 30 ct mink linen.  However, I was quite disappointed with my linen because it has a few yellow spots on it ... as though someone was using a bottle of yellow food dye near it & a few drops of the food dye landed on the linen   : (   I was very careful to make sure that any yellow spots would be covered up by my stitches. Unfortunately I was not careful enough & as you will see in the second photo, one of the spots that I thought would be covered up by the stitching is actually going to be showing a bit to the left of that line of white stitches. I apologize for the blurry photos.  I took them 3 times & this is the best of the lot.  

I wet the linen & ironed it before stitching to remove any creases so I fear that yellow spot may be permanently there   : (   However, if you have any idea how I might remove it, please let me know.

I do have a bit of a bone to pick about the DMC equivalents in Jingle Jingle.  I know the designers always say that if you use the DMC equivalents the finished design will not look exactly like the design model, but honestly ... my salmon colored Santa & houses & bell are nowhere near the color of these things on the model!  Surely HE had better equivalent choices   : (   I will need to check colors more closely in future projects & possibly break down & use the designer floss.
I wish to welcome my new followers!  I'm so glad you came to visit my blog & decided to stick around   : )   A big hug to all my regular followers as well.  I hope everyone's new year is starting out better than mine has, but then again, it could've been worse. When you think about it, no matter what happens, there's always something worse that could've happened.  Something to always keep in mind   : )

24 comments:

cucki said...

Hello dear glad you are better now :) I was also sick ...lying on the bed all the time...
Love your stitching..so sweet like always.
Have a lovely week dear x

jennifer768 said...

Whew,I am so glad to hear from you!I have been worrying about you my friend but decided to leave you alone so that you could get some rest.Someday,is what I tell myself,someday I will stitch half as well as you!Love the projects you shared,simply gorgeous.I wish I had a way to help with the yellow spot,but I can not really think of anything. I did manage to do a project or two( check my blog) and again I say ...someday.Thanks for the encouragement and help.Praying that you are completely over the virus and for the bad,bad thing as well.Hugs,Jen

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Shirlee, you always have a way of making me smile. I'm glad you are still among the living. Hang in there, girlie!

Vickie said...

Oh Shirlee, I am so glad you are making it back to normal.
I have no ideas on the yellow spot. Sorry. Take care. You are still in my prayers.♥

Mii Stitch said...

Shirlee, I truly hope this virus leaves you alone now! I'm not a praying person but I'll be thinking of you & hope whatever is the matter gets away/sorted sooner rather than later. Sadly, I have no magic wand to remove this yellow spot but nevertheless your stitching is beautiful & your choice in design spot on! Mii, xx

Carol said...

I was just wondering about you this morning, Shirlee--you poor thing! You really had a bad case of the flu, didn't you. Shocking how quickly and terribly it is hitting so many people. I do hope you are on the mend and will feel 100% very soon. Hugs to you...

HE is my favorite designer after PS and I just love your Jingle Jangle. You do have to make some color changes on them I've noticed!!

Your Tralala sheep is adorable--so bright and cheery...

Still thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers!

Sandi @ The Primitive Skate said...

Hope you feel better soon Shirlee!
Take Care!

Dawn said...

Shirlee,

So glad to see a post from you. I love the Tra La La, I have it in my to do pile amongst many more. Not sure how to get rid of the yellow spot but how about a clever bow or button when it goes to finishing? Just a thought, I know it will drive you crazy!
Hugs
Dawn

TheCrankyCrow said...

Good grief woman...You have more "left" under your tree than we ever had in the first place - and that would be counting everyone else's gifts that were under there! Me thinks you're spoiled. ;o) Love your new stitches! Both are just as sweet as they can be.... Bummer about the yellow spots. The only thing I can suggest is Tide stain stick....That little stick takes out more stuff than you would believe....but you have to be careful on something like this ....I'd use a very, very light touch, because it does come out as a liquid, I'd be concerned that it might make the original stain spread or bleed a bit more....(but, then again, you probably have that risk with whatever you try on it....) It almost looks like highlighter?? (Yeah, I live with yellow highlighter stains all over my hands and clothes these days....) Speaking of which....I have some books calling my name.... :o Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

Jodi S said...

Glad to hear you are starting to turn the corner and feel a little better.. Enjoy the gifts you have left! Love Duo Noel and Jingle Jingle..

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Shirlee ~ hope you get rid of that nasty virus soon ~ and your good as rain!!!
Lovely stitchin'
Take Care!
Prim Blessings
Robin

marly said...

Glad to see you're back. I love that Mink color and almost ordered the Antique tan but it looks light. Nothing wrong with holding on to Christmas as long as possible and you've been ill, so you get another week!

prims by olde lady morgan said...

Shirlee,

So glad you are feeling better! I believe the flu just walked through our door... one of my boys home sick...sigh....
I hope all will work out with what you are dealing with..sending hugs. OLM

Nicola said...

We have had the bug going around too. It laid us out for good three weeks. I do hope ou are feeling better soon.

Trace4J said...

So happy you are doing better.
Ya know I am prayin for ya girlfriend.
Woolie hugs & love
Trace

Judy said...

Sorry you've been so sick. But you do have all those gifts to look forward to! HE is one f my favorites. I have nearly every one of her yearly ornaments. Not stitched yet-but someday! Ha! Strange yellow spots on your fabric. Best wishes to feel better.

Judy heartland stitcher

butterfly said...

Poor you Shirlee, hope you will soon be up and running,
Your stitching is looking so lovely you have made a good start.
Hoping the Christmas sprit stays with you all year, hugs.

Chris said...

So glad to hear that you are feeling a little better.
The stitching looks lovely. That is a big color difference.
Maybe today you will feel up to opening some presents :)

gracie said...

Sending good wishes your way to feeling better real soon.

Melody said...

Hope you are feeling better! It is truly no fun to be sick.

Your ornament is lovely, and I know what you mean about the DMC conversions, not always what you hope for...

Hope you get around to opening your presents soon...
Take care.

Peggy Lee said...

So glad to hear you are feeling a bit better. You even managed to stitch while you were sick. I'm such a big baby that I'm not sure I could do that. Love the little sheep design. I'm probably drawn to it because it of a sampler style. So cute!
You have amazing self control...It would be very difficult for me to not have opened those presents yet. The suspense is killing me!
Still praying...
~hugs

Catherine said...

I hope you are much better now! Sounds like you had it pretty bad. I am amazed that you did any stitches at all!

Maggee said...

Glad that you are getting back to functioning again Shirlee! LOVE the Tralala piece. Did you ge the pattern from a US distributor? I am apparently pretty laid back, because I don't see a problem with the yellow spot. It is so teensy...but that is Me! Have fun opening your pressies! Hugs!

Sally said...

I hope you are feeling much more like yourself now. I'm a little behind on my blog reading and commenting.

Love your sweet snowman finish. I keep mine on display all year. I wish I'd stitched the bird one as well now.

Lovely progress on your HE. I hear you on the DMC conversions. Some of them are way off!