Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Catch Up!

Hi there cloud friends.  We have had a busy time since Christmas.  First, I want to let you  know that according to the surgeon, my back has fused as he hoped it would.  Thank Goodness! That means that PT can get harder.  I am actually happy about that.  I saw a diagram of all the tiny muscles in the back.  Mine have done very little since that difficult day in Sept.!! That means that I still have quite a bit of discomfort in my back.  The only way to get better is exercise and strengthen those very lazy muscles.   I do my series of exercises everyday faithfully!!  Thanks to all of you who have wished me well.
I have been able to stitch all along(thank heavens or I would have gone crazy).  Books , cross stitch, and my wonderful DH have kept me from going crazy!! I'll show you the stitching I have been up to.

 This was my first finish of the year.  It is LHN "Christmas in the Country" from The Sampler Tree Ornament Series.   I am in the process of getting several of these finished.  This is the last one to be completed. Finally a house that isn't red! The color of all of my designs is very poor today due to the dark day we are having.

 I was waiting for some linen to be delivered so why not stitch a Halloween design!  I have this in my to do basket and it was all ready to go.  It is a PS design called,"Knock! Knock!" I will just keep this in the basket and when I finish a design if I have to wait for supplies to come in the mail, I will work on this one. I do plan to add color.

 Here is the design I am stitching on now.  I am not using the black linen.  I am using Lakeside Linen Sand Dune.  That is requiring me to change a few floss colors.  I didn't like the idea of stitching on black linen and I stitch for fun!  It's that simple.
Yea! The border meets.  When I am stitching a piece with a border, I always do the simplest part of the border.  That way if I have to frog, I won't have as much to deal with.  Now I can go back and add the details.

I will close with a photo of our amazing Olympic Mountains. We are all so happy to have all that snow this year.  If it is a sunny day, this is my view as I go shopping! I think I'm very lucky!! 
Thanks so much for joining me today! Have a wonderful week!

30 comments:

  1. I love this design from Scarlett House. Isn't it a relief when the border matches up?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm so happy you are getting better. Thank goodness you could stitch!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ann is beautiful, but I agree no black linen for these old eyes. Glad your back has fused properly, now onto more PT and more stitching. Take care...hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What lovely work you do. I too love Scarlett House designs. Yikes, hope your back continues to heal and you have to keep at the special exercises. It is worth it. Happy Stitching in 2016 from Ottawa, Canada.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am so glad to know that you are feeling better..
    Love your sweet projects xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful stitching.
    Greetings, Manuela

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wonderful news for you about your back:)
    Congratulations on finish number one in 2016.I am looking forward to updates on your Scarlett House piece.
    I have the same thought on the subject of black fabric!
    What a stunning view of the mountains.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Glad your back is healing well.
    What great projects you've started.
    That's a beautiful pic of the Olympics.
    Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
  9. So proud of you keeping with your PT & exercises. You will continue to heal & get better. Pretty Christmas in the country, Knock knock is wonderful, and LOVE Ann. Congrats on the border meeting up. That's a great feeling - lol!
    What a view! love Annette

    ReplyDelete
  10. I was already wondering how you have been but this is really great news, Barb. Great to read that your back is healing the way it should. And with all the PT and the exercises you do at home you should soon be back to normal. So good for you.

    Great projects that you have started. That Halloween witch running up the stairs to visit her fellow witch is too sweet. And your new sampler looks gorgeous. You can play with colours to your heart's content. Congratulations on your first finish this year.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wonderful news that your back is healing like it should! And it is a very good thing that you have had reading and stitching to keep you sane. Love the ornament and the newly started Halloween design! And, Ann Topley is going to be lovely on the fabric you chose--I am looking forward to seeing your progress on her!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great news health wise!
    Beautiful stitching and lovely new starts! Have fun with them all :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I do my daily pt exercises for my hip, back and neck also. I know how much it helps. Good for you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wonderful news about your back!

    You certainly have been busy stitching some wonderful projects.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Barb! LOVE all the stitchings!! And such good news about your back as well! Keep going, its getting better day by day! Can't wait to see the finishes. You have a very lovely view and LOTS of snow - that's a good thing!

    ReplyDelete
  16. It's such a relief when the boarders meet at the end, love your stitching. Real good news regarding your back, 2016 looking good for you.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your finish is beautiful and you have done lot of stitching:)
    Glad to know your back is healing. I am very bad at doing exercise for my back. The mountain view is so beautiful!


    ReplyDelete
  18. Good news about your back, I hope it continues to heal. Your stitching, both WIPs and finishes are lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  19. So glad to hear your back is healing and your PT will be going up a notch in difficulty! Stay with it, my friend! It's nice that you've been able to keep stitching through this time.

    Isn't it wonderful about the snowpack this winter?! It's definitely made travel a challenge tho. More storms heading your way, so stay warm and dry and keep stitching!

    ReplyDelete
  20. YAAAAY the back news is great!! I'm glad you are getting better!! Stitching is looking great - as usual!! I am always relieved when my border matches!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Glad the back is good, and you can continue to improve. Gorgeous choice of projects. It's always god when a border meets!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm so pleased that your back is healing.
    Love the stitching, the White House looks great and of course I love the Hallowe'en piece too.
    It's so good when the border meets up, such a relief.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh, I would be in heaven if I could see the view of those lovely mountains each day, Barb :) Really stunning!

    That is great that your back is healing and you're ready for some harder PT--I'm sure you'll be successful and be back to normal very soon.

    Love your first finish--those LHN ornaments are so sweet. And I know you'll enjoy your newest Halloween piece. I just don't have the patience to work a border first. So glad yours met up :)

    Take care now, Barb, and good luck with the back exercises!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great news about your back, Barb. Back issues can be so debilitating. Keep up the good work!
    Glad the borders matched, that's alwYs a big relief.
    Love the Scarlet House pattern and totally agree snout stitching on black. It's not fun for me, either. Can't wait to see more progress!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Barb - how wonderful that your back has healed as it should! Love your witch hazel header and the newest stitch. Isn't it wonderful to have snow in the mountains once again?

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great news about your back! You will be 'back' to your old self before you know it! (groan)Your first finish is really cute! And I am also so happy when my borders meet! I do the same... simple part, to meet up, then do the rest. In fact, I JUST finished one last night, and am going back to do the rest of the border today. I am not a fan of stitching on black fabric either, especially a large piece. Did one, that is enough! What a great view of the snow-capped mountains! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  27. That is very good news, Barb! I am so glad that you are healing as your doctor hoped. What a journey. It's good that you have been able to stitch throughout this time. I think I'd be frustrated if I couldn't stitch! I have done that PS Halloween pattern. It is adorable - I gave it to my DIL and she loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  28. So glad your back is getting better! Love that ornament and of course the Prairie Schooler :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Fantastic news re your back, you are good doing your exercises every day, I tend to be a bit slack with doing mine and then I pay the price! Lol!
    Gorgeous finish and two lovely new starts, Barb.

    ReplyDelete
  30. As you know I wasn't blogging for quite some time and I had no idea you've been dealing with back problems and had surgery! I'm so glad to read you were able to stitch and read! Congrats on your ornament finish and your other pieces are looking great!

    ReplyDelete