Book Give Away!

Be sure to add your name to Edgar's drawing on his blog for a copy of a Christmas cross stitch book. Just add a comment to his April 27th post!

It's Great News!!!

All the tests are back and we just saw the Dr. She said he is considered in remission as nothing showed on the scans, and all tests look good! He'll still have 3 more cycles of chemo. One is scheduled for today, and if he feels up to it we'll drive home tomorrow or Saturday.

Thanks so much for all of your kind words, thoughts and prayers.

I'm Still Here...

I'm still here. It's funny how things can change so quickly overnight and how that makes your priorities change as well.

In early February my DH was diagnosed with lymphoma. We wanted a second opinion so we quickly made arrangements for him to be seen at M D Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston. We spent a week there. He had so many tests done and the original diagnosis was correct. He had his first chemo treatment there that week. He went back by himself 3 weeks later for treatment #2, and had #3 here. We leave in the morning to head back to Houston for re-testing to see what progress has been made and for treatment #4.

I'm still stitching when I can. So much of my time has been taken up with coordinating appointments between Houston and here, keeping the medications straight, making nutritious meals, working full time, and just doing everything around the house that I can so he won't have to. He is tired, as expected. We did go to 3 fun concerts recently, though. We saw Elton John/Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen and Third Day.

So, if you read this, keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we journey to Houston this week. We are hoping to hear some good news! My heart is full of hope that we will!

First Step is Finished

First Step
Genny Morrow
18 ct. canvas, DMC floss
5/2007 - 1/31/2009

I worked very hard last week in order to get this one completed. This was really fun to work! This week I'm back to linen with Live Each Season.

First Finish of 2009

Autumn Haze
Laura J. Perin
c. 2006
11/21/08 - 1/24/09
Caron Watercolors, DMC Pearl Cotton & Floss, Kreinik Braid & Ribbon, Mill Hill Magnifica Beads

This is a freebie from Laura Perin's website. I painted the canvas a light teal. It's really too bad that the photo doesn't pick up the sparkle from the beads and the metallic threads. The colors are even prettier IRL.

For my rotation starting today, I get to choose any canvas WIP, so I will be stitching First Step by Genny Morrow.

Our forecast calls for rain, freezing rain, and sleet for late tomorrow into Wednesday. That, I'm not looking forward to. But, it makes for good stitching!

Sampler Progress and A Present!

Here is Bands of Many Colors as of today! Even though I have been faithfully stitching only on this for the last 2 weeks, you would think it should be farther along, but it is so enjoyable, it shouldn't be rushed! I am putting it away for a while, as part 1 and a wee bit of part 2 have been done. I think I will follow Coni's method of rotation for a while, and "draw" a WIP to stitch for a week. The one that was drawn from my list is a canvas piece which doesn't have much more to do. If it isn't finished this week, then I will be surprised.

Edited to add: The stitches used in Part 1: Cross, Queen, Backstitch, Algerian Eye, Diamond Eye, Satin, Irish, and Tent.

I had a belated Christmas present arrive yesterday from DD and DSIL. She had been quite distraught that it did not arrive in time for Christmas, but that was OK because when I opened it, I could not believe she had sent all of these charts from my wish list!! There is a little kit coming that is on backorder as well! I can't wait to start stitching them. Thanks, thanks, thanks!

Still Waters--Plum Street Samplers

Gather Thy Roses--Chessie & Me

Irish Sampler Pincushion--Nostalgic Needle

Bands of Many Colors progress

Progress was pretty good this week even though I'm working on 36 ct. There are 2 motifs to complete and then I will be able to start stitching the bands.