Monday, October 28, 2013

October Musings

Well, it's been nearly 3 weeks since my last post! Thank you everyone for your kind comments on my wonky finishes.  I'll be using some of the advice given to attempt to sew straight on my next few finishes.  Hopefully it'll work out for me.  Also, I want to say welcome to my new followers! Usually I try to post once a week but since this month has been overly hectic, I've had less time to stitch and blog.  There has been some stitching though.  I haven't finished Hannah but I have stitched two Christmas designs.  There first one is from the new JCS ornament issue.  CCN's Snow Birds stitched on 32 ct. Dove Gray linen with DMC threads.  I started and finished it on IHSW weekend.  It was the only stitching I managed to do!
Such a sweet little design and it was a fast one to stitch up.  I think I'll be finishing it as a flat ornament.  No sewing with this one!

Then I pulled out a design I won from Pat, Southpaw Stitcher, a while ago.  It's PSS's Hare's Christmas and I started it on Friday after I finished working on some kid's IEP's,  I had to reward myself with something after hours of agonizing over their education plans.  I switched out one of the threads, Roasted Marshmallow, for Oatmeal because the cream did not show at all on the linen.  I've made a lot of progress and am nearly finished it!


The colours aren't showing up very well here.  It's a bit more vibrant in real life.  Such a fun stitch! I'll be on the look out for some pompoms to finish this with.  That and jingle bells! I think it'll be great on our door for Christmas.  

I've made a bit more progress on my large granny square afghan.  Three more rounds added.  Each round is taking longer and longer to crochet.  Not sure when I'll ever get this done but I'll persevere!! Titus as usual got curious and started playing with the blanket.  Naughty boy!!


Better representation of the actual colour

These photos have been taken with my fancy new Samsung 3 camera phone.  I still use my camera but it's much easier to use my phone for taking pictures nowadays.  

As for stash, I was bad about a month ago.  I bought a few patterns from Traditional Stitches for their anniversary sale.  Like I need more charts right?!! I figured I can just start collecting charts and stitch them when my heart desires it!!


BBD, Carriage House Samplings, and Ink Circles
I had to get the beautiful Sarah Chapple from Shakespeare's Peddlar.  She's just a gorgeous sampler!!



I won't be starting her for awhile as I have JCS 1707 on the backburner asking to be stitched!! Seeing as I take almost a year to stitch a sampler, this one won't be touched for awhile..

I've also received a wonderful little giveaway from Gracie, Needles Pin and Dragonflies.  She made an adorable little pin cushion and added some Southwestern fabric to the package.  There's also a lovely little kit to stitch up for Christmas.  Thank you Gracie! I adore what you sent to me!!



Our October so far has been actually wonderful weatherwise.  It's been so foggy lately and now we have beautiful sunshine.  The perfect autumn weather in my opinion.  I tried taking a picture of the fog over the water while I was crossing the Lion's Gate bridge from work one evening, but it didn't quite work.  


It felt as though we were hovering over the clouds.  So surreal!!

Enjoy some of my favourite fall photos I've taken this month.  




Secret little place in New West.  Playing around with Instagram settings!!




Pigeons on a wire
Violet suspended in light
Historic building in New Westminster burnt down after 125years
I hope to reconnect with everyone soon.  Know that I'm thinking of you all and if I could ask you to send some prayers, good vibes, etc to my husband.  He isn't doing very well and I am worried about him.  He was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune thyroid disease, and he is experiencing inflammation and serious pain every waking moment.  Not even the specialists can figure out why this is happening.  So please keep him in your prayers.



PS....my giveaway draw will be this Sunday...or did I say Saturday?? Sunday it is!! Don't forget to enter!!

Hugs

47 comments:

Lianne said...

Hello Anne,

I am sure you are giving him all the love and support he needs and could ever want, but I am sending good thoughts and best wishes to your hubby.

Your photos are lovely! Sarah Chapple is on my wish list too 0 it is just so beautiful!

Take care,
Lianne

Dani - tkdchick said...

Congrats on the ornament finish.

You've taken some nice little photos there with your phone!

Rowyn said...

Sending best wishes to your husband. It must be very hard for you too, seeing him in pain every day :(

Love your finishes and new stash.

Annie said...

You picked my favorite ornament from the new JCS issue. Very pretty.

Love those Plum Street Hares!

Sorry to hear your DH is having these troubles. Auto-immune diseases are still such a mystery to the docs. Hope they get things under control soon.

Vickie said...

Anne, I am praying for Lee. I am sorry to hear of this. I know how nasty it is to be in constant pain. :(
Beautiful stitching for Christmas.

Emma/Itzy said...

Snow birds is just beautiful! Titus is looking as handsome as ever too!

I will be sending positive thoughts your way for your hubby xx

Ineke said...

Lovely photo's of your stitching, stash and autumn colors. The seagulls are cute.
Hoping the specialists soon can find something to make your husband have less pain and feel better. It'll be very hard for you too. Take care!

cucki said...

Hello my dear friend ..your hubby is in my prayers and I am thinking if you all so much..
Very sweet stitching for Christmas ..
Big hugs x

Ele said...

All the best to your husband. Thank you for sharing those beautiful pictures, and wow, what a wonderful stitching and stash you have been collecting! :)

Melissa said...

Anne,

I'm so sorry your dh is suffering so much! I will keep him in my prayers for a speedy resolution!

I love your photos. Is that the combination of the new phone camera and Instagram?

I love the CCN ornament! So cute. I haven't gotten my ornament issue yet. I love Sarah Chapple too but I'm not going to stitch her till next year.

Take care!

Ellen said...

Beautiful finish, love these snowbirds!

Sending hugs and positive thoughts to you and your husband.

Hugs,

Margaret said...

What's your instagram id??? I need to know! Love Instagram. :D Beautiful stitching! Lovely afghan too! lol about Titus! He is doing exactly what Mia does with my stole. lolol! Love the new stash! I want to stitch Sarah Chappelle too! We definitely have similar tastes. :D Lovely pics too. Oh, and I'm the same way -- I tend to just take pics with my cell camera these days. Too lazy to do otherwise. lol!

Natasha said...

Welcome back :) Great blog post. Your finish is very sweet. I tend to take a few weeks off from blogging and sometimes stitching as well. IT is my way of re-grouping. Usually when I do I feel so refreshed....

Have a wonderful evening!

Barb said...

All your stitching is lovely! the fall pictures are so pretty and I will keep you DH in my prayers. Some of those fairly rare conditions can be hard to live with.

gracie said...

Keeping both of you in my thoughts. I am happy you like the package, it was my pleasure to send it to you.

Shannon said...

Cute finish! I enjoyed your other pics too. I will keep your DH in my prayers!

marly said...

I love the birds and Hare design. I could never stitch that massive gorgeous sampler so I'll just watch you do it! I'm sorry your husband is having health issues and hope they can help him soon.

butterfly said...

So sorry that your DH is not well at the moment sending
hugs and will have you both in my prayers.

I must say your photos are just wonderful.

Your stitching is fab and so is your stash and gift.

♥ Nia said...

Oh! A lovely design :) Congrats on your finish sweetie!!
Enjoy your new stash :D I need to stop buying things for a while.. I have to many things to stitch right now! hhahahah Need to get some free space at home before buying more :p
So sorry to hear about your hubby sweetie =/ I don't know much about it, I hope it will be easy to control de problem now that he knows, hope it won't bother him for too long =( Best wishes to him!!
xoxo

Chris said...

Send you husband prayers and well wishes.
So nice to see an update! lovely stitching, great new stash and what a sweet giveaway win.
I love the fall pics too.
Titus looks guilty.
Hugs for you too.

Carol said...

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband, Anne--I've heard of Hashimoto's, but don't know much about it. You must be worried sick--will definitely keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

I love your ornament finish--I hadn't paid much attention to that one, but seeing yours finished up makes me want to stitch it! And your afghan and Hares piece are looking wonderful. Your new phone does take great photos :)

Please keep me posted on your husband, Anne--hoping the pain will ease for him very soon.

Melissa said...

Such sweet stitching Anne :) I'm not a particularly fast stitcher so I'd say it I probably wouldn't have even got that one orni done over IHSW lol.

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband!!! Send lots of good thoughts and vibes for a speedy recovery!!!!!!

Melissa

Shirlee said...

Oh my friend ... what a delightful post! I love that Snow Birds design & have it kitted. It may very well have to be my next stitching choice : ) I love that Hare's Christmas too & have it in my stash. The granny square afghan is coming along great! Titus probably thinks it's a little blankie for him, dear boy : ) Such a delightful gift from Gracie. Beautiful photos all around! I am more than happy to add your DH to my prayer list. I also have Hashimoto's but have not had the symptoms your husband is having. Again, he ... & you ... are in my prayers. {{{HUGS}}}

Mii Stitch said...

Anne I love that little snow birds design. Great new stash & your granny square is looking really nice (wish I knew how to do this!!) :) Have a lovely day x

Sarah in Stitches said...

Beautiful stitching, Anne! Your progress on the granny square blanket is looking good :D Hope your husband feels better soon!

Annette said...

Beautifull Fall pictures.. really lovely!
To bad of that building..
your stast and gifts are wonderfull.
beautifull piecesm your stitching.
I liek your crochet blanket. wonderfull colors..
i;m making one with little sqaures.. wit, pink and red...
soon i will show a pic

Giovanna said...

I hope things improve soon for your husband - you must be worried to bits. Your stitching and new stash are lovely, and thanks for sharing your glorious fall pictures.

Barb said...

Love the JCS ornie you chose - I think that one is a favourite. Hope your hubby will improve soon.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Sorry to hear about your hubby, hope they find something which helps him soon.

The stitching is lovely, as is the new stash!!
The white birds just remind me of seagulls as they are the only white birds we have round here!

Kay said...

Lovely sewing, i especially love the little birds.

Angela said...

I hope your hubby is feeling better soon. I had a virus that attacked my thyroid, the Dr.'s thought it was the same thing but it went away after a few months.

Great ornament finish, loved this design too.

Love all of your Autumn pics, love the new header too :)

Take care :) Thinking of you!

Karoline said...

Sorry to hear your husband isn't feeling well, I shall keep you both in my thoughts & prayers
The Snow birds are lovely & great progress on your Hare.

Melanie said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband - lots an lots of good thoughts for him!

Very sweet little ornament. That was definitely one of the designs I liked in that issue.

Love the fall photos, too - I never get tired of seeing leaves in all their glory. :)

Cristina said...

I'm so sorry for your hubby, I send you a lot of hugs and courage!
I like very much your finishes for the autumn's stitches... original and funny... lovely!
Hugs, hugs, hugs!

woolwoman said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your husbands condition, so many sick people these days it's staggering. I thank god every day for our continued health. Loved your post and I love that JCS ornament you finished, so sweet. Hope you can get Hannah knocked out soon so you can start your JCS, you have been so patient and dedicated to Hannah. Love the fall photos - so beautiful take care Mel

Lillie said...

Beautiful stitching of Snow Bird. Hope your DH will have a speedy recovery.

Thanks for sharing the fall photos, loved the colors of all
Enjoy your stash!

Sally said...

I hope the doctors can find something to help your DH and that is he pain free soon.

Beautiful finish. I want to stitch this one too. It's so sweet.

Lovely Autumn photos.

Laurita Hall said...

Hello Anne,
I just love your CCN little birds.
I hope your DH gets well...

Hugs,
laurita




Heidi Kuijer said...

Hi Anne. Thanks for visiting me. I have not had time to blog lately so it took me a long time to come visit you. I remember you from when you first started blogging but we lost touch. I had another blog then. I have filled two blogs so far and moved on to a new one each time. :-)

Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi

Stitching Noni said...

Lovely stitching :)
Sorry to hear about your hubby... I do hope that he is ok. Autoimmune diseases are not much fun at all - I feel for him. Fingers crossed that things settle down soon :)
Take care
Hugs x

valerie said...

Love your Fall photos and your pretty ornie finish! Great new stash and gifts from Gracie! :)

Catherine said...

Great post ~ loved it all. Sending thoughts and prayers for your husband...

Astrids dragon said...

Cute finish and a great start! Can one ever have enough stash?

diamondc said...

My prayers are sent to your Husband, I hope he recovers soon.
Love all youe stitching and wonderful outdoor pictures.
catherine

stitchersanon said...

Thank you for popping by! Wow what an amazing post. re the wonky stitches, my friend tells me that fabric is organic and moves: if it makes you feel any better my fabric is often possitively free range! I under stuff now rather than over stuff since my corners are a pain too xxx

Mouse said...

((huge....hugs))) to you both ... hope that they can get your DH sorted and settled down soon ... lovely stitching and gorgeous photos tooo :) love mouse xxxxx

Valma said...

Ho sweetie, I'm also suffering of thyroid problems and I really know how it can be for your husband & for you too :(
it's so painful !
Stay confident, patient & strong. I'm sure his very bad moment will be 'soon' a bad memory
He will surely have synthetic hormones
let us know how he goes through this
I think a lot of you both
wonderful pictures here again :)
big big hugs
xxxx