More Thoughts on Fiber Arts and Health Benefits

Hey dear friends!

I had a question about the book I reviewed on the previous post by Betsan Corkhill, Knit for Health and Wellness that prompted me to share a bit more information that can apply to cross stitching as well.  Excellent question!

 As a lover of cross stitch myself as well as knitting now for the past 5 years, there is a website that the author promotes called Stitchlinks and Stitchlinksplus. I'm still reading through these and they have good information as well as the book. There is great information about the topic and she mentions that this applies to other needlecrafts as well.

click on this:

http://www.stitchlinks.com/quotes_and_comments.html

and look at the bottom of the list where cross stitching is mentioned.

Personally, I do believe that the book is helpful for anyone in the fiberarts, However, if you do not knit at all or not interested you may want to explore Stitchlinks site and also go to Amazon and click on the book to read the first part of the book.
Similarities of both include:

the portability of the craft
picking out and choosing colors, textures
choosing to stitch/knit in groups or alone
the ability to make things for others to pay it forward
switching between projects
the process of creating
the movement of our hands/fingers
the effects of all fiber arts on our mental and physical health
and many more

Also click HERE   and in particular  HERE to find that cross stitching is including as well as crochet or other needlearts to the health benefits.

I love to watch both knitting and cross stitching podcasts on You Tube. I mentioned Kristy Glass as she interviews alot of people and she is just soooooo good at it. She also loves fiberarts and can personally testify that knitting in her life and crocheting has helped her with a particular medical event that happened a few years ago.

I think we are all so fortunate to find that crafters of fiber are generally very caring at heart. I have found this to be true with few exceptions.

Even though I knew that even in World War II, the military used knitting or stitching with soldiers who were recovering or coping with PTSD, I was intrigued by this book with anything medical because that is my career.

I personally know for a fact that cross stitching helped me cope with some pretty severe life incidents in the past and I still love it. 5 years ago when I learned through a Crafsty.com class how to knit and still learn many new things on You Tube, I have knitted through extremely stressful situations and found it to be calming.

If you click on the website for comments about cross stitching, I think we all can relate to how helpful sitting down to our particular craft can be.

Here is a quote amongst many on the site as an example:

Found an old cross stitch kit i'd started before daughter was born and found that by concentrating on this i could find some relief from pain. Started stitching to give as presents to friends and family and found it gave me back a feeling of self worth.


I  hope your week has been peaceful. My physical therapy on Wednesday showed much improvement my PT said since the prior Thursday. I go three days a week. Pretty sore on the day and night after but in the long run, I'm keeping a positive attitude that some things just take time to heal.
This morning I went in for my session of PT, still pretty doggone sore but the therapist measured my progress and said even in the last 2 days, I have progressed even better.  I think that starting yoga again has helped overall and exercising 3 times a day now as required for rehab has got me looking forward to incorporating exercise in my daily life again.

I had to stop and think. Hmmmmmm  I wonder if that 4 hours of knitting yesterday helped?????  :)

Tonight, I'm in pain but I know that it will get better and some pain is necessary to reach the long term goal.
So on PT nights, I rest and watch podcasts, pray and go to bed hoping each day gets better.
Monday I have another post surgical followup.

As far as what I'm working on in knitting right now and for the past 5 weeks, I'm 3/4's finished. It's a pretty special piece for me and will share it in the future.

As far as cross stitching, I'm getting Mr. Darcy this weekend to put my floor stand up again and go through some WIPs I've had for quite some time. I enjoy both knitting and cross stitching so I wish some days had 40 hours instead of 24!!  I do know that at some point I will be selling all 40ct linen due to my vision loss with glaucoma. I feel best to stitch with 28 or 32 linen.

Thank you to all for being so kind.

Till later,
Jennifer

Monday Morning Self Care Hacks and a Free Cross stitch Sampler!

So it's Monday........up at 6am,  Coffee is on.

For almost everyone, Monday means sometimes different things to people; however, there are alot of us who dread seeing Monday mornings. Whether you work outside the home or inside the home. Whether you have kids or the kids are grown or you don't have kids, Monday morning self-care can make a big difference to your week.

I've been through different seasons in my life but still Mondays seem to always mean starting over again or a fresh new start for a new week.

When I worked for the past 35 years, Monday morning meant making sure I had plenty of coffee. So,, I am re-posting one of my samplers for you this week if you like! See below at end of post.

I, like others, dreaded it in my profession because all kinds of things crop up over the weekend and then Mondays really were the busiest days, almost crazy busy because of being off 2 days. Sick people don't choose when they get sick.

However, it was not until my last place I practiced I really developed some things that helped me on Mondays. I used to think these suggestions were kinda hokey, but honestly they really do help prevent or enable Mondays (or any day of the week) to be better.

1) try to get up at least an hour before the family wakes to get a headstart on the day. Journalling positive thoughts and keeping a gratitude journal helps alot.

2) on Sunday nights prepare for Monday morning by laying out clothes, accessories, shoes and put work bag by the door with the keys. YES!  THE KEYS. I've been running around many times just to find the keys in the past.

3) Try to incorporate some form of exercise at least 4 days a week.

Walking in the evening after work is good. Yoga is great. Just something that is a routine and I promise you will sleep better and the brain loves exercise. There have been studies that compared a group who only exercised 30 minutes a day 5 days a week to a group with no exercise and taking Prozac. The studies showed the group who exercised regularly showed better improvement that the Prozac group.

4) Arrive at work at least 20 minutes early and if you have your own personal office, close the door and read a devotional or encouragement either from online or a book. If you are a Christian, pray for the day and for all the people you will encounter that day. 

This really helped me so much.

5) Try to maintain your normal sleep wake cycle over the weekend. Monday morning will not seem as harsh to wake up to. Promise. (I learned this one the hard way but it works)

6) help others but remember to take care of yourself as well. I know that sounds like common sense but I have been caught in the endless wheel of giving , giving  and more giving and put my own health last. Just creates resentment and burnout.

7) If your workplace atmosphere is chaotic and you begin to dread the people you work with, first take a step back and see where you can help the situation. If not, try to find another place of employment.

No job is worth tearing down your spirit everyday.

8)  Eat a healthy breakfast. Yes it really matters to have normal glucose levels in the body.

9) Be aware when you greet your boss and coworkers and customers, patients/ etc. that body language can really be either positive or negative. Even if you think your A OK on this, look at a few You Tube videos on body language and meaning. It will amaze you AND you will have a better sense of understanding others.

Vanessa Van Edwards has the BEST You Tube interviews and meaning of body language I've found.

10) On Fridays really do close and conclude as many things possible. It's tempting to just leave when you can early or save for later, but this one really helps if the previous weeks work is not carried over to Monday morning.

11)  Find a hobby or make time to get one. Think of things you used to love to do as a child. Then this will help you remember your creative side. If you have little time at all, try to sneak in at least once a week something you love doing just to create. This one is so important.

So, enjoy this sampler when you can!

I hope your first day of the week finds you peaceful, restful, and enjoying what you do.

Monday Mornings

copyright 2013

Feathers in the Nest-designer

thread colors and linen as desired

Here's to going for the second cuppa now!

Jennifer Fox

Losing My Daddy

Hey friends.

Since I posted last I've been through quite a few changes. One of which is the death of my father on April 20th. He had suffered 6 months as a quadraplegic from neck down and on life support.
I could write alot about my daddy but long story short, he was my rock. Of course no one is perfect but in the last 3 years my daddy decided to have a good relationship with me, writing me letters, calling every Sunday night at 9pm -10pm to give me encouragement, check on me, tell me he loves me when he knew other family was being distant.

I treasure the time I spent with him for months, sometimes in a coma not knowing if he heard me or not. But I do believe he did. I wiped away tears. Eventually, making sounds through his trach some I understood and the respiratory therapist, some just loud moans. We found a way to communicate without speaking a word. That's what love does.

Did I say what took a very healthy man who drove a tractor and had just fixed the roof of his house?
A mosquito bite infected with West Nile Virus.

Yep, my father was number 5 out of 6 cases of West Nile virus in GA for 2016.

Unfortunately, for him he did not have a mild case but got brain and spinal cord infection of which there is no cure.
My daddy and I had alot of conversations of wisdom in his last 3 years.  He was fixer of all things mechanical or household. He didn't go to college or take any special courses in life. He just would figure out how to fix anything.

Previous to this, I had major shoulder surgery on my dominant arm.  This was 6 days before my daddy passed, taken off life support. Since then I have been in much pain, especialy on rehab days. I now have 3 metal anchors attaching my ligament to the bone and having complications in the past few weeks where the doctor wants to do another surgery but I honestly am trying to work it out with physical therapy as much as possible. I really don't think I can go through another shoulder surgery as this one was the most painful thing I've had including birthing babies. At physical therapy 3 times a week I am making the best progress in the past week so I'm not losing hope.

About week 3, I started to try to knit again and would off and on knit a row here and there.
This past week, knitting about an hour a day. Unfortunately, I am having nerve pain from the shoulder down to my thumb and very bad at the elbow with swelling. We are hoping this again will resolve with therapy.

Thank you to all who sent me encouragement through this time on Facebook and who PM'd me and shared their own experiences with the loss of a parent.

I read somewhere that there are rites of passages for all women and the final one is when her father dies. I found that interesting but totally can understand that point in life.
My father is buried right beside my son that passed away in 1985 and my daddy buried my son in such a way to give the option that I can be buried beside him when the time comes. At that time my daddy paid for all my prenatal care because he knew my spouse at the time couldn''t as he had no job.
He also paid for the casket and memorial service for our son.
He always was the first one I saw waking up from surgery. Always.
And I missed that so much this time in surgery.

At the very last 25 minutes when my father was passing, my brother held one hand and I the other. All our family in the room and supportive. My daddy's eyes became more open and it appeared he was seeing something over him and he looked so peaceful. I do believe he saw angels greeting him or maybe some of our family and his closest friends who had passed over also.

Dealing with constant shoulder pain and rehab of my arm and crying at the drop  of a hat about daddy, it has been a very rough 7 weeks to say the least.
The only consolation I have is that he is much healthier and happy now in a beautiful place called Heaven where I will meet him again one day.

        

I miss him so much. He made sure I felt love by him and in fact he left me a letter that he loved me much and always and I am having an Etsy designer who takes original handwriting and impresses it on a bracelet plate of solid silver so I can be reminded of how his spirit is always with me in his original handwriting. When I receive my memory bracelet back I will be sure to post the Etsy shop name and the owner because she is the sweetest while we conversed back and forth.

Today's mission for my husband and I is to work on my camera to get the best pictures possible so I can return to blogging regularly.

I have missed it alot.

I feel particularly blessed to have a very supportive husband who brings me coffee in bed, rubs my shoulder and back to work out the muscle knots, takes time away from work to take me and cheer me on during rehab of my arm, and who has been a vital part of help from this surgery.

I hope this finds all of you in a happy, peaceful moment with needles in hand creating something beautiful!

I also have spent my downtime watching ALOT of knitting podcasts and will share later on this topic.

So spread love and always remember life is short. Enjoy all you can with your creative hearts!

Love Always,

Jennifer

A Time for All Seasons---Glaucoma and Corneal disease

I am writing a short  long post to catch up.

A new year

2016

 I really can't believe it!

Many of you that have followed my blog for a while and the closest of friends know for the past 5-6 years I have been on a journey with glaucoma. It's not something I would wish on anyone for sure.
I was diagnosed at a simple Walmart eye exam about 6 years ago and also had a hemorrage near the retina.

I thought things were getting blurry because I needed new glasses. On yeah, "I'm getting old!"

 My readering glasses from Walmart were doing fine actually. However, the digital picture they took identified "cupping" of my optic nerve in the left eye which was very slight and early. I was so glad they identified it early as I started on eye drops for glaucoma. I still did fairly well in my profession and with stitching and knitting and life goes on.

So for 5 years I went to the same general eye doctor every 6 months as I had to have a medical exam for the glaucoma. They explained it as a "CT of the back of the eye to get a picture of the optic nerve and for any damage".  Four years ago, the optic nerve started to become damaged. I still didn't notice anything in my eyes different with exception that the corneal scar on my eye (they found that at the first exam as well) was becoming more apparent with pain. At first this was like having an eyelash in my eye all the time. This progressed to severe pain this past year like having an ice pick stabbing my eye. The scar was getting worse. The scar was old and originally from a hit in the eye in my early 20's. The glaucoma meds and dryness has caused degeneration of the cornea over the years.

Zoom forward to this past March. I had an intense migraine right after a long trip. I went to cover my right eye and I looked forward and really got unnerved that many areas were totally blind. Just gone.
Like steamy fog on a mountain. You know the mountains are there but all the dense fog totally makes them go away.

I looked again. Blinked. This didn't change anything. Evidently my right eye had been taking over my vision and I can still function well but my optic nerve and visual field tests for the past 4 years were worsening. The general eye doctor referred me to a glaucoma specialist. It was at this point when I got my records I saw my failing tests every year but this generalist eye doc didn't take it too seriously.

This started the real brick that hit me that I was going blind in my left eye and it was a matter of time.
Since April of last year through October, I have had to see retina specialists and glaucoma specialist with pressure checks and many tests including a CT of the brain back in October to rule out a brain tumor. I was having headaches from the eye pain so bad.

I was then identified and told I had a Salzman's nodule on my cornea on that eye and I needed surgery. I had no idea what that was. I work in the medical field but eye issues were definitely not my specialty; however, when you are going blind, you learn alot about all kinds of things in the eyes.

CT showed no brain tumor. Headache behind the left eye would come 3 times a week like a brain freeze from eating ice cream and it would last 24 -48 hours. This increased. I was set up for surgery at the glaucoma specialist when they decided surgery needed an open OR room not out patient as my risks were too high in an out patient eye surgical center.  I continued to work in my profession through this entire time. I could see as my right eye now is dominant but the pain was identified then at Emory University as a corneal ulcer with corneal degeneration, advanced and advanced glaucoma in the left eye. They said at second look that it was not a Salzmans nodule but a corneal ulcer that was a much more severe problem.

The corneal specialist is very nice. The university is a big, busy place but all the drops, meds, everything was professional and options given. My husband has been through this with me and has been a good supporter. My parents also were concerned and aware of the pain I have been through.

On the day before Christmas Eve, I got an amniotic graft on my eye by a corneal specialist.
I literally was in bed with this prosthesis about the size of a quarter under my eye socket and praying that the graft woud take when they removed the prosthesis 3 weeks later.

I took 3 weeks off work for this procedure and had it removed last week. It healed the corneal ulcer but the glaucoma is fairly stable, but necessary now to look at other options for the glaucoma. So now I have a corneal specialist for the degeneration and they have set up in February seeing an attending glaucoma specialist at Emory for options. I returned back to work this week.

I still have some irritation under my lid where the device rubbed and still very sensitive to light but it was good to be back at work. I could not ask for any more sweet and understanding co workers and friends. The day before my procedure, they asked to say a prayer for me in a circle. I was so deeply touched in my heart and so thankful. The graft is from amniotic/placental donor tissue from a woman who had a C section. I had never heard of this and interesting to me because I'm a women's health practitioner.

The scar on my cornea will always remain and the specialist said I will have to wear a prosthetic clear scleral lens. I will be fitted for it in 2 weeks, it's sent to New York to be made and then I go back to get the device, learn how to put it in and take it out every morning and night.

The visual loss/blindness in my left eye is about 45% and is not reversible. I thank God every day for 2 eyes.

Until I got the graft procedure, I was knitting after work some at night and weekends but my pics are forthcoming. I do not write this for any pity AT ALL please but just to let those who follow my blog know why the gap in writing.

My corneal specialist is hoping and myself too that an ulcer does not occur again on the scar but she says that it probably is going to be recurrent. This is why the prosthetic device will hold my cornea and keep it from getting as dry too and maybe prevent this.

I have some limitations but mostly I'm doing well. The sun is probably the worst thing so I wear sunglasses alot. I love cloudy days now.

I'm very thankful I can continue in my profession and help others feel better. Being on the flip side is so very different!! I am also thankful for the corneal specialist. She listened and identified the problem right away. She was there when I cried about my fear of going blind. She is reassured with the graft the ulcer went away and is just a very understanding and knowledgable lady.

The next step on this glaucoma journey is next month. One day at a time.

I take one day at a time and I know that there is always a purpose for everything as God promises us but I also know we sometimes don't know why and may never know why these things happen. Coming to peace with that.

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound

that saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now I'm found

was blind but now I see.

Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear

And Grace my fears relieved.

Thank you if you made it this far to read. :)

I have not forgotten my blog and all you who still take the time to read.

I will be back soon with a much better blog post and get back in the groove.

On the knit front.............just off the needles a scarf for my hubbie in the color Lake Tahoe

please excuse my picture. It's from my phone.

Actually picture one is the right color.

and this is finished and in a whole different light. LOL

It has not been blocked here. Definitely a simple, quite bulky alternating of stockinette and garter, easy on the eyes.

I plan to cast on my Christmas at Downton Lorna's Laces yarn REAL soon!!!!!!!!

I will be making a shawl.

Also will share a pic of part of my Christmas present in my next post.

I also will be having a blog sale in the next few months so stay tuned.

I hope this finds YOU all happy and healthy with the start of 2016!!!!

Jennifer

P. S. Miss Abbie sends her sweet love!

My Trip to Washington DC in April~~~ visiting Looped Yarnworks!

It's been quite a while since I blogged but have missed it greatly. During this time I've had to cope with several things and one of them is my vision. As many of you know I was diagnosed with glaucoma about 5 years ago and at that time I really had no peripheral vision loss but was uncomfortable with the diagnosis. I had several factors going against me, including trauma to my left eye in my first marriage, a strong family history being two of them.

My journey in the past 5 years has been to say the least over the top stressful but I thank God for all I've learned and His strength to get me through it. I'm content to whatever life brings because I know He is always with me and will never leave me, forsake me and I live every day even more committed most likely for having gone through the very things that sharpened my strength.

About 2 months ago, I went on a business trip to DC and prior to that had a very bad migraine type headache of which I have had off and on since I was 13 years old. But this one was a bit stronger than I had every had. I still just treated it as usual, also coping with some heart issues at the time. Short story, I noticed my vision was getting very gray in some areas. I can still see because my right eye is basically taking over for my vision loss in the left. I covered my right eye with my hand and I realized my glaucoma was pretty bad at this point. I made an appointment and saw a general eye doc I usually see who led me to a specialist who is 3rd in the nation and I feel honored for answered prayer to see this group. I've been through alot of eye testing and the Glaucoma specialist said I was not really eligible for the laser or insertion of a tube with surgery because my medication was keeping my pressures in a normal range. The reason I am going blind in this left eye is something obviously in the past year that has caused ischemia, or poor blood flow to the retina per the specialist review of my tests and graphs. This can happen in glaucoma and any vision I've lost which like I said before thank God my right eye is healthy, but it's irreversible. So I am now being sent to a Retina Specialist in 2 weeks for a 3 hour study on the blood flow in my back of my eye and brain evals. The goal is to slow down the progression of vision loss. The worse part is this is hereditary. Sometimes we just don't know what accelerates the ischemia but I have been told to really get a hold on the stress level.

I am coping well and I have good days and bad days with sometimes having optic nerve pain in that eye. I still am able to drive and work and do as before but I have had to make adjustments and know some things that make the pain worse in the back of my eye which is from the ischemia actually.
Today for example is a good eye day! I avoid flourescent lights as much as possible and am in the process of getting it approved to tint my windows as sometimes even sunglasses can cause headache from the glare. My visual acuity is excellent in my right eye which is helping alot to compensate for the left one.  I am on a diet full of salt, adding salt, drinking more fluid right now to keep my blood pressure up for perfusion. They are thinking at night while I'm sleeping my blood pressure falls really low so I have to eat saltines before I go to bed.

So, just an update on what else besides lots of work has kept me distracted. HOWEVER!  I went on a business trip to DC in April and before the conference got to go back to Looped Yarnworks!!! I love the yarn there, the atmosphere, and act like a kid in a candy store.

I saw this Malibrigo in the colorway English Rose and immediately it sparked joy for me as it reminded me of all the colors in my grandmother's rose garden of the old big velvety petaled roses she had. I immediately started on a simple shawl. I am just gartering this and increasing on the second knit stitch by KFTB.

Take a look-see at the colors.

I actually had this much progress as I knit through the conference listening to the speakers. 

Basically you CO 30 st

then the following and all rows are K1, KFTB, K to end of row

then after 3 cakes of yarn (or 2 for a shawlette)

bind off and block.

I am planning on embellishing about 3 inches from botton in some small knitted ribbons or lace. I haven't completely decided but it will looks simple and sweet.

my little stash from Looped

the colorway, English Rose

A treat for my dry hands~~ a LO-LO Bar in Ginger Amber

YUMMINESS, I tell you!  All natural oils for ingredients and very fresh smell.

I kinda like  this little saying. :)

This bar is always in my project bag and speaking of project bag I couldn't pass up this handmade one which is lined in muslin and draw-string, Perfect medium size.

It couldn't have gone any better for this project remembering my days when I played jump rope and hop scotch at my grandmother's house.

I SO want to make these bags. I have alot of project bags already but I really do want to learn how and maybe start selling some on Etsy.

The pink rick-rack is so sweet as are the little girls on the print.

Now......................................................................................

my progress just 2 weeks ago is here:

I have more progress now and will catch you up on next post.

I am making some of these little project markers and here is one of them.

Soon to be in my Etsy shop. They are really good for seeing how much progress you are making and then just move them again and again. 

You can see the edging that the second stitch in KFTB makes. Neat and simple.

I love lace shawls too. I'm just enjoying when I get a chance to knit this. I am almost down now to the end of the second, caked ball. It's tempting to stop there as I'm using a 32 circular and it's getting full but I want this one large and cozy. Right now, I counted 170 stitches on this row I'm at as of yesterday.

My needles are Addi TURBO LACE in number 6.

My first taste of Addi TURBO LACE!!!!! SWEET!

I love the more pointed end, and stitches glide so fast.

 Sorry for such a long post. It will take me several to catch up!! 

Trips are few and far between for me but I always enjoy Women's Health Conferences in Washington, DC not only because it's just an awesome city, but honestly, the best women's health updates for practitioners, I have found. I really enjoyed the hotel, the conference speakers and updates I can now apply to practice. 

Stay cool!

Prescription: Knitting

Throughout my career as a women's health nurse practitioner, I have had the opportunity many times to enable women to cope with stress in a positive way. As holistic providers of health care, nurse practitioners utilize coping stategies with patients, and suggest yoga, running, brisk walking, journaling, etc. This is one of the differences between nurse practitioners and physicians that I love in my profession, taking a. holistic view, as we know that nothing pertaining to the body is an alone concept but our bodies all relate from one system to the other.

 

I have found stress to be the culprit, the sole culprit, of many diseases, even in women's heath, gynecology. While most focus on the gynecology aspect, I think more and more, physician's are looking holistically as nurse practitioners in that the root of the problem could have started in any other area of the woman's life and the body is certainly in connection with all systems.

 

As a woman myself, over the 20 years of being a women's health nurse practitioner, I have zoned in on ways to improve my practice of NP by staying abreast of evidence-based care, as well as keeping in touch with alternative methods of managing symptoms of disease and prevention of health issues.

I have found out by experiencing many of these issues my own self through the past years and finding what really works as evidence shows.

 

Knitting and/ needleart has been referenced in studies a few times and many conclude that it truly does change the neurotransmitters in our brains and increases the happy hormones, increases endorphins just like runners.

 

Here are a couple of links to some info: http://blog.gaiam.com/blog/can-knitting-give-you-a-runner%E2%80%99s-high/

 

http://www.heal-post-traumatic-stress.com/PTSD-help-with-emotions.html

 

and many other sites.

 

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13489358-just-keep-knitting

 

A book, Just Keep Knitting by Lonna Cunningham

 

 

My true love is cross stitching and designing but in November of 2012, I attempted again to try knitting and I am in love!  I'm a beginner, of course, but intrigued with hours of the repetative nature of the soothing activity.

 

Many readers of my blog probably wonder when I will show more cross stitching. SOON!

I haven't forgotten and do I miss. How I wish I could do both~~~simultaneously.

 

However, in the last couple of weeks, my novice, soul-soothing activities have included working through a Craftsy.com knit class by Stephanie Jafel, called Knit Lab. Thisclass was offered back in November with a deep discount, I assume for the holidays and I leaped into it, not knowing all the length and depth of information I would learn. I love the Craftsy workshops because once you pay for them (some are free), then you have endless access to them forever and can go back and replay the lessons, stop the video and and try that stitch again.

 

In Knit Lab, she shares about 5 other of her own patterns for knitters and after learning just how to READ a pattern with her teaching knowledge you follow along with the class materials which are simply printed off in a pdf format.

 

I'm starting to make the Lacey Keyhole Scarf.  Her pattern is only available if you purchase the class. The class takes hours for beginner information and I have listened to all those twice.

In this small project, garter stitch is used, how to increase, how to decrease, how to make a button hole, and beginning lace, knit and purling, and yarn overs.

 

You can see the skein I picked (only takes one skein) and have cast on plus 9 rows.

This scarf is small and narrow and can also be converted to a headband that is very cute!

 

Of course, I cannot put the pattern steps on here, however, this is the start for one of the 2 pieces. I will be gartering for a while then start the lacy pattern! I love the color in a vintage soft pink.

This very soft yarn is small, but not smallest, and I'm using a 7 Bates needle. Only one skein for this project.

I think I have the garter stitch and long-tail cast on, down pat.

 

This selection I picked because that yardage was exact as what was called for, and it is super soft

with 85% cotton and 15% silk. Cascade Yarns, Pima Silk.

 

 

 

 

The class teaches how to exactly read the label and every part of a label is important to the knitter.

 

 

Other projects not related to the class I have completed this week include starting a yellow kitchen dishcloth with Peaches and Cream cotton. I have found that for dishcloths, Peaches and Cream at only 1.70 or so a skein is a good, mildly abrasive, yet soft cotton for the kitchen or cleaning in general. I can stitch 2 dishcloths from a skein. However other brands I have sampled from Hobby Lobby I prefer more for washcloths for the bath as they are softer.

 

 

I picked this Springy yellow to brighten up for the warmer months ahead.

It's like a ball of sunshine when I pick it up to stitch.

 

 

 

 

 

These three are knitted for different purposes.  Different brands.

The colonial blue on the left is knitted with a cotton-blend, Italian cotton, very soft and will be useful in the bath as a washcloth.

The second one is in a Antique Gold and this one and the teal one is I Really Love This Cotton brand from Hobby Lobby. Those are 100% cotton but so much softer than Peaches and Cream that washclothes are in store for these as well.

 

 

So these are the softest washcloths ever! I hope to make a good basket full for the bath.

 

 

Going back to Peaches and Cream after stitching the softer cottons is a change. I have noticed that this cotton I work better with aluminum or glass needles vs. wood so the cotton will slide easier on the needle.

 

 

So I have found in life, many lessons, but in stitching and needlearts of all kinds, especially true.

 

Find things that you can create for function and durability, for color therapy, for stress management,

and for just learning something new to stimulate our brains, yet calm our souls.

 

 

 

Abbie is comfortable this morning with her skirt flying up, taking a nap in a quilt that someone long, long ago, spent their creative juices, making something fun, and functional, probably unknowingly helping to cope with the difficulties in life by soothing the soul.

 

So, your script for today is:

 

Soulfully Stitch

 

1 session BID (twice a day) prn (as needed)

refill: forever

Name brand necessary

 

 

Jennifer

 

Simple Treasures on Saturday

 

They say tea is a great antioxident, and I can certainly say that the medicinal effects run way deeper than physical. Today, I made me a cup of tea in my china instead of everyday pottery because I had a little celebration of 3 months of marriage to Mr. Darcy!  Of course he is a very special man that has made me feel real love that I had always wanted my whole life. In fact, he is the real thing and I am so blessed to have met him and become his wife.

 

 

 

 

I think true love is an antioxident too. It changes how we sleep, eat, love, and tons of other things in our lives. 

 

 My favorite tea is Earl Grey Twinings. Always has and always will.

It's a very light tea but the flavor is awesome.  It helps my aching joints along with Bayer aspirin and lots of love in our home.

They say many analogies with a cup of tea. I've read that you truly don't know a woman's strength until she is put in hot water!

I see it as we are the tea bag, and when hot water or times come to us, God infuses prescious water with our talents, our strength, our love, our special, unique qualities that enhance our life. We may not see it now but in the big picture, it's a chock full of beautiful.

 

 

 

I've learned to surround my warm tea with the best I can, in an environment conducive to calm.

 

 

Of course, tea is not my only way to cope with anxiety and unsettling times but also learning new things. I'm such a beginner novice at knitting, but this has been a goal to learn for years and years.

There's much to be said for color therapy, fabrics, textures~ touch. Knitting itself has medical benefits and also is a great addition to my coping strategies for stress. I also enjoy making new things for gifties.

 

 

 

 

I have completed several projects and after finishing one dishcloth, I decided to make a go at a larger one for a drying cloth. This is from a yarn shop and is a mottled blue color which will enhance my everyday pottery in the kitchen. This is not 100% cotton but majority is. It's an Italian cotton and my progress is here.

It's knitted with a size 7 Bates needle and the material has a little stretch in it which makes it easier to knit.

I'm almost done with it.

 

 My speed is slower with my right hand injury but the specialist I saw on Thursday said I could use it but if it hurts, stop and ice it. The partial tender rupture is healing well as they did another image while there.The risk for total rupture is within the first 2 weeks and I am past that.  The doctor is very nice and he knows his hand specialty which is good. I wrap my hands while working and doing any needle work and taking antiinflammatory meds. I still don't have all of my grip strength without pain though. Not complaining. I've had worse happen to me in my life and I will get through it. Hopefully when I go back in 6 weeks, he will not have to inject it.

 

 

 

After my visit, I went to Hobby Lobby which is a candy store I seldom go to and got these inexpensive pick-me-up Spring thingies, a needlebox and pretty lime scissors.

 

I'm SO ready for Springtime here in the mountains!

 

 

Abbie says she is too as she cuddles in my chair, in fact, she will cuddle anywhere near me.

 

 

 

Enjoy this weekend!

 

Take a few minutes to enjoy some of the things that make your skirt fly up.

 Life is way too short not to.

 

Remember to thank friends in your life, online or in person, that have been there for you when you needed it.

 

Take 15 minutes at least each day to read scripture to learn more if you are on track in your life, to sooth your soul.

 

Find something that makes your heart skip, and learn it with a passion.

 

Tell your special someone how special they are to you.

 

Ignore the folks that talk about you in a negative way, totally ignore your offer for friendship or completely don't understand because they really don't. If thy did, they wouldn't be acting so rudely. I honestly believe that.

 

Surround yourself with beautiful, caring people. It's not the number, it's the integrity of the ones you have in your life.

 

Stitch more, with yarn or floss or whatever the medium. You can make mistakes, correct them, learn from them, and re-create a better ending if need be. Life is like this but  bit harder.

 

Love you all,

Jennifer

 

 

Twisting the Hands to Crank out Progress

The colors are gorgeous!

This is Downton Abbey: the Family sampler I'm designing and stitching the model.

A little progress made yesterday.

The girls' names started.

The border is going to be very pretty in Deep Sea blue.

 

 

And in the knitting department:

 

 

Working on another dishcloth as I can. This is looser and is not 100% cotton but a blend. The yarn lady said it makes a nice dishcloth too. This was a bit more expensive and I really like the Peaches and cream for 1.99/ skein better.

But this is Italian blend and is really going to be a good cloth.

I'm thinking I will make this one larger.

 

 

It really stiches up easy and faster which is good because I found out my MRI showed a partial to full tear in a tendon in the top of my hand that controls the extensor of my fingers.

I have it wrapped tightly until I can see an Ortho doc.

I think keeping it still or splinting it for 6 weeks will be NOT a good thing for me as this is my right hand.

 

 

All of this from trying to open a really locked spaghetti sauce jar!

 

As long as I'm not lifting anything more than a salad plate I'm no in too much pain.

I have no grip to hold a dinner plate or pot.

 

Weirdly cross stitching doesn't hurt as bad as the knitting, so I limit my time.

 

We'll see what the Ortho says.

 

Till later no twisting the hands,

Jennifer