Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Such A Cute Ornie

I received such a cute snowman ornie from Marie P. in the HOE Perpetual Christmas Ornament Exchange : Snowman Round. It is so beautifully stitched with sparkly white thread on a blue linen.

The embellishments of bell, snowflake, glass heart and upturned carrot nose add to the charm. I want to have an ornament dowel tree by Christmas this year.
 I mailed my ornie over a week ago but it had far to go.

Stitched All Weekend

I spent the weekend watching MGM and TCM war movies while stitching on my Fair & Square squares as well as my HOE Prairie Schooler Exchange. Both of them had to be done and ready to mail today, and they are. I have to mail them today because June 1st is the HOE deadline, and I won't be able to get to the post office later to mail the F&S in time. So, both are packed and I will mail them before I go to radiation treatment #10.

I am not a gum chewer. I hate it. However, I don't have enough saliva in my mouth ( one salivary gland was removed and the radiation causes dryness as well). Now I am chewing special "Biotene" gum non-stop. Ugh!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Radiation Begins

Today is the first day of my radiation treatment. Yesterday they adjusted the mask and inked more marks upon me. It's scheduled for midday.

I am 1/3 finished with my PS Seasons Exchange. As soon as I do a little house clean-up, I will be working on it until it is time to leave for the hospital. Estimated time in & out of the hospital: 20 minutes (actual radiation is 2 minutes).

Another cool, rainy, dreary day here. I read that the ash from the Icelandic volcano eruption of last year has caused changes in the weather. People here are having difficulty in getting their gardens/crops planted.

Have a good day and thank you for stopping by my blog.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Snowman Ornie Mailed

I mailed my HOE Snowman Ornament today, after a visit to my oncology doctor.

I had a special lattice-weave mask molded to my face and underwent another CAT scan. It was not uncomfortable and took only about 8 minutes to dry into its proper shape.

Radiation therapy begins next week-5 days per week for 5 weeks. NO chemo and doctor says I will not lose my hair. I have to wear the mask during the brief treatments in order for the radiation to be localized to the proper area and to keep my head in position.

My cancer is very aggressive and has a 25-30% chance of recurring--with radiation therapy, that possibility decreases to 10%.

Now I have to work on my HOE Prairie Schooler Exchange. I'm about one-quarter of the way along. Oh, and I have a great hands-free magnifying lens to wear, manufactured by Bausch and Lomb. I think I'll be able to stitch much faster.

It's a beautiful sunny day here. I voted in our special governor's primary election. The courthouse grounds looked beautiful. Everything was mowed, mulched, and planted, although the bulbs are past their bloom time.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Strawberry Moon Sampler

I was able to purchase the chart "Strawberry Moon Sampler,"  on eBay.  I enjoy reading books on American history, especially those about the French & Indian War and our Ohio valley--"Westsylvania" region. The sampler includes a pictorial representation of Ft. Ligonier, which is a couple of hours over the PA border from me.

I expect to finish my HOE Snowman Ornament today, before we go to Olive Garden for supper. We are celebrating Mother's Day today because daughter was working on the weekend.

Even though my cancer had not spread, I think it must have been draining energy from my body. Yesterday I finally got my bedroom squared away. It had boxes of stuff not unpacked from when I moved in on Feb. 1st.  I have my craft books and my sewing table in there, my cedar chest full of fabrics, and my art supplies.  Today I will clear off the table.

Happy stitching, everyone!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Working on Exchanges

I have to undergo radiation treatment :(

I will meet with the head of oncology on Wednesday. Meanwhile, I'm stitching every spare moment so that I can get my three exchange pieces finished. I'm nearly done with the HOE Snowman Ornament.

Friday, May 6, 2011

It's Friday

Yesterday I received some fabric, floss and a pattern for the HOE Snowman Ornie Exchange. I got started immediately and am 1/3 through on this ornament. I think it is a cute design--I hope my partner will feel the same.

I got half through a piece for the Fair & Square designer Round (BBD) but have decided it is too large and takes up too much room in the square. I will scale it back and start over on a new square of lighter linen. This one I will finish and keep.

I'm off to the doctor today on yet another gloomy gray day--at least we are not having floods like states further south.

No pictures of stitching because everything I worked on yesterday was for exchanges.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Need 2 More PIF People

I signed up for a PIF on someone else's blog months ago (don't remember whose). I fulfilled my commitment to post and hold my own PIF, but only one person signed up. I sent that out a few weeks ago.

I need to gift TWO more people with a piece of stitching. You must agree to hold your own PIF and give away stitched items to three people in the coming year.

Please tell me if you'd like to be one of my two recipients.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

CJ's Charts Giveaway

Visit Tea and Stitches to sign up for CJ's giveaway.

Faye's May Giveaway

The Carolina Stitcher is giving away a cute spring-themed pin pillow. last day to sign up is May 9th.

Have a good day!

Cranberry Samplings Giveaway

Deborah at Cranberry Samplings is having a great giveaway. It's closing soon!

Edgar's Blogoversary Giveaway

Hop over to Edgar's blog and sign up for his blogoversary giveaway. It closes May 7th.

Mid-Week Update

I am feeling very good--no pain and not much discomfort when I eat. I see the specialist on Friday and hope to hear a good report on the pathology done since the operation(hoping for clean margins).

I sent for sample issues of several magazines because I wanted to try them before getting a subscription to one or two. Today this goodie arrived:

I can't wait to read it. I like to crochet and knit, but haven't made anything in a long time, except for some knitted face cloths.

Next, here is a pic of three WIPs that I've been working on:

 Left to right clockwise:

  Snowman Biscornu (The Floss Box), Beautiful Bird (Dimensions Gold Petites), and Boo Jack (freebie) from Primitive Betty.  I need more pumpkin-colored thread in order to finish Jack. he's on 28ct. linen and so he is huge. I think he will have to be a framed pic or a big box top.