A Needlepoint Notions Case--A Wise Choice!

Awhile back, I looked through Etsy for the cutest notion cases to put in my project bags and while I have quite a few WIP's going at the same time and the ability to stock another one, or two, I found this very cute needepoint kit in one of my LYS. 

After gazing at all the colorways, textures, etc of the beautiful yarns, I just mentioned if she had any little cases. She had one displayed, already finished, and it was stinkin' cute!

I love owls, or so I have come to love them lately, and just wanted to show you a little project.

A good friend of mine this year said something to me about life in general as we talked and it has stuck with me alot. 

"Be gentle as a dove, and wise as an owl". 

True wisdom.

I haven't stitched needlepoint in years. I'm talking 40 probably.

She convinced me this would be easy.

I'm pretty much analytical so I have a little trouble deciding on the color thread to use when the corner has two colors or they overlap. However, I'm going to give it a go.

The back of the pouch is a muted light blue, very pretty.

It's a zippered pouch, just what I like to keep my notions in place.

Yup. Last time I completed a needlepoint project was with my best friend in middle school when bell bottom jeans and green shag carpet at home were popular.

Let's hope my eyes will get me through this project. I think it will be fun though.

Methinks it's time for a cup of hot mint tea and a good book before bedtime. I've been really resting up from a long week and getting ready for a new one soon. 

I hope your weekend is going well and it finds you happy and healthy!

Speaking of sweetness, I took this picture of Miss Abigail while I was talking sweet to her and she puts her ears down when I do that and wags her tail really fast.  She is so funny. And smart too.

She sends her love out to all over the world tonight!!!

Jennifer

Morning Tea Cup~~~the Sheep not Sleep

It's Monday! Wake up sleepy head!

'

Good morning!

Enjoying a bit of tea before heading out to work. Twinnings English Breakfast is for morning and more floral ones for the afternoon.

Found this little Cup and Spoon at my local yarn shop for Mother's Day.

Have enjoyed it immensely since then!

Have a great day!

No Baby Blues in Knitting

Knitting has so many health benefits! I spent some time researching articles on studies that have been done on knitting. I'm sure they would apply to any needlework, including cross stitching, where repetative motion actually puts the brain in a meditative state. They compared it to equal benefits of meditaton, prayer, and yoga.

The benefits include:

• reduced stress hormones
• reduced blood pressure
• increase in serotonin (the happy hormone)
• increase in dopamine ( the hormone low in addictions like smoking)
• a 30-50% increase in memory retention as we age
• relieves arthritis in the hands by limbering the joints
• increases socialization if you participate with other knitters in a group
• increases self-esteem by finishing and accomplishing a project
• reduces pain and useful in pain management/chronic pain
• decreases risks for depression
• decreases risks for anxiety disorders

So whatever your mood for needlework, whether, knitting, cross stitching, quilting, or any repetative needle art----pick up some needles and go!!! It's a holistic approach to many good things for your body and mind.

I've been working on designing 2 cross stitch designs this week and those are finished. Yay! I just need to model stitch them. I have pulled threads and also some fabbie for finishing.

I've almost completed a project set of baby washcloths for a friend that is having a boy. I am using I LOVE this Cotton yarn which is found only at Hobby Lobby. It's their brand and it's the softest 100% cotton I've stitched with.

Here are few pics of my set of three. One is a plain garter cloth, the next is basketweave stitch (my first try on this one) and a pattern in Ravelry (free) called Revenge. I do not like the name of the pattern at all but the picture is pretty for an eyelet washcloth.

These are small, of course, for a prescious little baby boy due in 3 weeks for a friend of mine.

I also picked up at a thrift store for almost nothing, a small baby boy picture frame in blues to cross stitch a 2 x 3 design of something I have yet to decide but will design.

The color almost looks green in these pics but the colorway is Aqua.

This last one is the first time I've tried this pattern and I'm hoping it will go well.

 

On the homefront, I have found, that a sink full of water with Pinesol will actually clean copper like you haven't ever seen before if you soak it overnight. You can see the difference. I love finding ways like this to save money.

 

 

 

The old tea kettle is singing quite a bit at the homestead as we both love hot tea. Earl Grey is our favorite. Especially I love Twinnings decaf. Mr. Darcy loves robust Earl Grey in regular caffeine.

 

My progress is just a little but a little counts, on the Blackbird Design pincushion (Reward of Merit) Bluebird, is here:

 

 

So, just a little bit more and I can start finishing it with a pretty Confederate fabbie I have in my stash cabinet of fat quarters and rummaging through my oldest of buttons to place under the first flower at the bottom of the design. I can't wait to finish this one as well!

 

Jennifer Holcombe gifted me with the thread, Crescent Colors Belle Soie, Blue Lagoon, the linen, a beautiful mother of pearl thread holder, the Love scissors and pattern a long time back.

I'm so happy working on this Bluebird!!!!

 

We have had alot of rain in the mountains here. The good things are that that the temps have been much lower for July but I was SOOOOO glad to see sunshine this week.

We've had 3 sunny days now!

Interesting because I had a routine eye appointment for glaucoma check and my eyes were dilated so much that I was seeing double for 9 hours. That's the longest I've ever had the dilation to last on my exams; however, I'm blessed to be able to see a good eye doctor and glad to say no progression of my glaucoma but cataracts have worsened so this changed my prescriptive glasses. I was so happy Mr. Darcy went with me to drive home this time as it was the first day of bright sunshine!! But, again, he is my sunshine!

 

I just pray and thank God I can see every day because I love to read, stitch, knit and I'm glad my eye drops are working well. It's funny how I took vision for granted until I found out my diagnosis. I'm blessed and thankful for the staff where I go as they are so kind to me, understanding, and explain things well.

 

On the reading front, I just started reading a VERY old book, published in 1954 and written by Irving Stone. The name?  Love is Eternal. A novel about Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln. For 25 cents for a hardback copy, I can't complain. I love my Kindle but when I find a good old book, there's something about reading the yellowed pages that make it better. I'm a sucker for non-fiction old books.

 

Purl of Wisdom:  Keep stitching. It's good for your health and whatever life is presenting to you as struggles will be eased soon with the rhythmic nature of needlework. We help ourselves in order to help others, which is as beautiful as the design our life is making.

 

Pink or Blue?

I can't wait until the Royal baby is born!  I so want a baby Princess!!!  But if it's a Prince, that is fine with me too as long as it's healthy and happy. ;)

Well, Feathers in the Nest has a design pending the gender of the special baby. I want to pull out alot of pink overdyed sampler threads but still have to wait to see. Nevertheless, I picked up an empty flower vase in pink and went into the yard for flowers. The combo looked good with my quilt remnant that will make a cute runner in the guest room.

I can tell you the design will include motifs of a prince or princess infant, gingham border, sampler dates and a verse of my own!

While I can't start model stitching on it yet until I know boy or girl, I can show you the pretty flowers and fabbie on the little table in one of the guest bedrooms.

I thought while cleaning this room today I would add some pop color of nature.

 

My cup is tipped over. :P

 

This is a teeny set to go with my china in the dining room. For little ones who visit, it's a favorite! This was my own table when I was preschool, age 3.

 

 

Pink or blue?

I think we will know in a few weeks.................until then, enjoy both colors waiting on the little one!

Have a cup of tea and let's chat.......do you think the Royal baby is a girl or boy???

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