Closer…

I’m closer…to a lot of things, but particularly on my Vintage Cat. 

She’s all outlined and now the fill in begins. 

Honestly I like filling in, I used not to like it but now, I use it as a time of reflection and prayer. 

Not to mention, IF I get a chance to stitch when Cora is here during her nap time, I can easily pick it up and go without worrying about counting and looking at patterns. 

“Vintage Cats” 

By Teresa Kogut

Stitched on 20 ct Tiger Eye Weeks Dye Works Linen 

1 strand perle 5 cottons over  2 threads linen

I’m also inching closer to my surgery date.

Yesterday I scheduled my anointing with my priest. It used to be called Extreme Unction or Final Rites, but now it’s called “Anointing of the Sick” and is called for in the life of a Catholic during serious illness, frailty and before surgery and procedures. It is given to impart the Holy Spirit to bring strength, hope, peace and healing to the person. I’m going to be honest…I’ve had a rough year physically, I need hope and peace, healing and strength. I know these gifts are available to me everyday, but as a Catholic, tradition and ritual is normal and it is soothing and brings comfort. I’m glad I have it available and scheduled. Last Rights is now more distinct from the Anointing of the Sick and includes confession and Viaticum (final reception of the Eucharist) for those who are imminently dying. I will go myself to confession one last time before surgery and receive the Eucharist at mass next Sunday. 

 

 

Quick update on “Merry Christmas” punch

Swinging in to share a quick update on my Sew Cherished “Merry Christmas” punch needle project. 

Here is the punching side. I’m using Valdani 12 perle (2 strands) to punch. 

 

Here is the pretty side:

 

I really do love how it looks. I’m thinking (if I can find one) 

Finishing it on an old book of  “the night before Christmas” wouldn’t that be cool? 

And here is a quick snap of my baby girl:

I babysit her every day 6 am - 4:30 pm 

She’s a sunny spot in my day although she is exhausting 😂

And now that I really can’t walk well we are pretty much inside all day. Hopefully that will all change by the first of the year. 

Sunday Punching

Saturday, after a failed attempt Friday evening, I signed up for the Jingle Bell Ball . I really like the shopping, I don’t do the people mingling, but shopping is a big thumbs up.

 I wanted to take a couple of classes. I decided to take Teresa Kogut’s Punch Needle class. Which when buying the ticket gets you the ability to watch her punch needle tutorial. I’m always up for brushing up on a skill, learning other people’s techniques. 

So because I’ve been thinking a lot about punch needle, I decided I needed to drag out my stash for this needle craft. I’ve loved this design by Sew Cherished for a year or so, bought it for my stash, so pulled it out this morning after Mass and got started. 

Here’s the backside (or the side you actually punch on): 

Here is the front: 

(Remember when punching…it’s sort of like painting, it gets better as you go….it always looks rough in the beginning .) 

Here’s the pattern and how it will look at the end:

I like punch needle and whenever I haven’t done it for awhile it takes me a minute to get back into rhythm. 

I punch “tight” I like a dense pattern look. 

This weekend was Katie and Austin’s (my daughter and son in law) anniversary of their first date 8 years ago. Last year I babysat an infant Cora. This year toddler Cora got to go hiking with them in Brown County Indiana  it’s about 20 minutes from our house. 

Since I’m retiring from finishing, I cleaned up my craft room. 

Cleansing. 

I’m making a lot of positive changes in my life. Making my footprint smaller, tightening my inner circle, giving myself time for me. Cutting out negativity, and there is a whole lot of that anymore. God never gives you a cross to carry without you gaining some insights. This whole downward slide with my hip has taught me lots. One of the most important things: time is fleeting, use it wisely. Cherish my health. And those who are negative and offensive cut out of my life. I’ve tried for years to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Making myself feel bad at mud thrown at me by negative, grasping, jealous people. No more. 

It’s freeing. 

That was my weekend - it was great! 

2 1/2 weeks before my surgery. 

One funny side note, I have to walk with a cane. And I still sometimes stumble - that’s how bad I am. 

Anyway at Mass this morning a lovely man - 91 years old, John, who is friends with my family….

Looked at me and said: I’m in better shape than you are. 😂

Sadly, he was right. 

A Little Update

Here is a small update on my “Vintage Cats” by Teresa Kogut

As you can see I finished the face and am moving along on the neck ruffle. 

I didn’t mention last time, but on Joanie’s cat she opened the eye, instead of having it winking. I did the same on mine. I like it better open than winking. All I did was stitch the eye on the right side backwards, if that makes sense. 

Again mine is stitched on Weeks Dye Works 20 count linen in Tiger’s Eye using one strand of perle 5 cottons over 2 threads of linen. 

I will be making mine into a weighted stand-up like Joanie’s in THIS POST. 

This week has been filled with doctor’s appointments - lots of them. Today I have my “joint class” which I assume they will be telling us what to do and what goes on, before, during and after surgery. 

I just hope they don’t show us an actual surgery, I don’t really want to know what goes on, just get my new hip in there so I can start feeling better. 🤞🏻 

Let me tell you, whomever may be reading: NEVER take your mobility for granted. I have been struggling (really struggling) going on 2-3 years. I see that now. I’ve lost weight (55 lbs, I have more to lose). I’ve done it on my own. I’ve gone 6 points down on the BMI scale. To me that’s huge, but none of the providers I’ve seen act like it is a big deal. I’ve done it on my own, no help, no drugs just me counting food groups and calories. I was able to exercise up until this time last year. From then on out it has been sporadic and then none at all since June. 

This is sad: I don’t even know what it feels like anymore to not be in pain. I am not on pain medication at all. I take Tylenol and Celebrex which that one is for inflammation, not pain.

I hope I find out by the beginning of next year, what freedom from pain feels like- after my surgery and after my recovery. 

Long Weekend Stitching Update

 

I got quite a bit of stitching done over this long weekend on:

“Vintage Cats”

By Teresa Kogut 

I’m stitching mine on 20 ct Weeks Dye Works Tiger Eye linen

1 strand of perle 5 cottons over 2 threads linen 

They will be stand ups.

Here is the cover photo of Teresa's models: 

 I’m having a complete hip replacement Nov. 5.

I’ve been in quite a bit of pain for a long time. 

I’m ready to feel better, as I can hardly walk and when I do….

Severe pain.

Tomorrow, I start all my pre-op appointments…let’s all hope I pass them all so I can have my surgery. 

And my husband has to escort me to the first two tomorrow and he asked me go out to lunch after! 

Hurray! 

I’ll let you know where we went next time 😊

Vintage Cats Start

New Start today in celebration of a long weekend and because I wanted to: 

Teresa Kogut “Vintage Cats” 

Here is their cover photo 

And here is my start on the female kitty: 

I’m copying my friend, Joanie (previous post) using 20 count linen by Weeks Dye Works in Tiger Eye.

I’m using perle 5 cottons and stitching with one strand over 2 threads of linen.

I feel I had a really solid day of good stitching! 

I’m retiring from my finishing business and really happy I have only 1 package left! 

🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 

Soon I’ll only have to worry about keeping house, caring for my grandbaby and living life. 

I feel lighter knowing I won’t have deadlines and endless work hanging over my head. 

🧡 Cora went to the pumpkin patch today 🧡 

Weighted Stand-ups

 I had the delight of finishing my friend, Joanie’s “Vintage Cat” into a weighted stand-up

Isn’t he just the thing?! 

Here he is all styled on her mantle in a Halloween vignette

Oh my gosh, I am so in love with him! He has a partner in the book too. 

Here they are as they appear for their cover photo model. 

These are found in Teresa Kogut’s “Hello Halloween” book.

It is filled with sweet designs and of course Joanie has plans of stitching the top hat kitty and I am (of course) going to copy her idea for both….and today my supplies are to be delivered to my door 🤣

Joanie’s gorgeous kitty is stitched on 20 count Week’s Dye Works Tiger Eye linen over 2 threads using pearl 5 cottons. 

🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤

Here is an update on where I am on “Holiday Stroll” by Teresa Kogut as well.

I will be making him into a weighted stand-up.

Also stitched on 20 count natural raw linen, over 2 using 1 strand of perle 5 cottons. 

I love how he’s looking already ❤️

Today is a beautiful sunny, cool, early fall day. 

Perfect!

And a little snap of my little daily companion 

“Holiday Stroll” by Teresa Kogut

An exclusive from the 2024 Jingle Bell Ball - here is the cover model photo

I’m stitching on 20 ct. natural linen 1 strand perle 5 cotton over 2 threads linen.

Here’s how it’s looking as of today 😊

My plans are to make weighted stand-up for my Santa Collection on my mantle.