Birthday Gift and Love and Joy

I received a lovely birthday gift from dear Marie earlier this week.  I cannot really find words for this and it has taken me a few days to figure out what to say....  my birthday just doesn't really happen.  Mike gives me little gifts and lets me do whatever I want on my birthday and the days around it - already he has gifted me with a Pandora gift card and a Kindle gift card...  a box awaits me on the kitchen counter for tomorrow.  My family does nothing really for my birthday.  So, this stunning little treat made me tearful.  I was remembered by someone other than my husband.  I know, that is kind of pathetic.  I used to stitch for everyone whose blogs I read. Then I fell so ill and fell by the wayside... but Marie remembered me... she is such a doll and a dear friend... and how pretty is this??

I meant to put the front of the needlebook up first, but Blogger's revisions still confuse me since I do not blog often any longer... she says this is a Merrily Beams design called Trifles... thank you again Marie, you are very special to me and I already treasure this...

 I also took some time this afternoon, as I am off for the week, to finish off an ornament that I actually stitched a good 3-5 months ago... wow, it has been forever since I did a pillow finish like this :-) Of course, I had to run outside and hang it one of my Christmas catci that are "summering" on the back porch... just seemed like the thing to do...

Love and Joy Ornament JBW Designs JCS 2011 Christmas Ornament Issue 32 ct Antique White Belfast Linen, WDW Floss Stitched one over one Enjoy your week, everyone!!

HoE Ornament Exchanges

I sent off two HoE ornament exchanges on Monday, and both arrived at their destinations today....

First is one I stitched for Lisa - her partner bailed on the group and left Lisa hanging with nothing.  Same person also failed to thank her sender for stitching for her.... this is no young woman we are talking about here, it is utterly shameful.  However, while I have no idea how to resolve the issue for the lady who stitched for the person who up and disappeared, I loved stitching a replacement for Lisa... the theme was Christmas Birds.  I had this chart and supplies tucked aside to stitch for myself, so I just grabbed it up and made it for her...

NoelBalades et Broderies par Carmela32 ct Smokey Pearl Belfast Linen, CC Floss I also heard from Becky today that she received the ornament I stitched for her for the Blackbird Designs Ornament exchange.  This is the same design I did stitch for myself a couple of weeks back.... but for Becky I made the ornament a little smaller and tied it with a cranberry bow instead... same blackbird fabric in the back... hope she likes it!

Peace OrnamentBlackbird DesignsJCS 2009 Christmas Ornament Issue32 ct Antique Almond Belfast Linen, WDW, GAST and CC Floss It's almost the weekend - enjoy everyone!!

Must "Bee" Christmas Ornament

Just finished doing the finishing on this wee little ornament I stitched a few months back - it is designed by one of our fellow bloggers and she offers up her chart for free :-) I think it is sooo cute!

Must "Bee" Christmas Ornament Diana Owensby - chart is here 32 ct Autumn Fields Belfast Linen, CC Belle Soie Silk, TG SNC Silk Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! This little finish was a fun break from mowing the lawn, balancing the checkbook.... now time to read and watch some baseball soon... And thank you all for the kind words regarding the loss of Gig. I spoke to our vet yesterday because Ava needed a med refill. She asked how we were doing. I told her we felt quite guilty, as we did not pick up on his increased vocalizations and a few other symptoms. She told us that since he never showed a heart murmur this was impossible to detect, and his disease was so far advanced when we found it that we should not let ourselves feel guilty, she feels we take very good care of our cats. I appreciated hearing that, but still.... feeling so guilty...

Peace Ornament

Tonight I was able to do the finishing on a little Christmas ornament that I have had in the works for the past week or so. There has been so little time for stitching lately, but I did get this wee one done...

Peace OrnamentBlackbird DesignsJCS 2009 Christmas Ornament Issue32 ct Antique Almond Belfast Linen, WDW, GAST and CC Floss

I couldn't resist using this fabric for the back.... I have had this fabric in my stash for several years now, and knew I wanted to use it for finishing Blackbird Designs projects....  I personally think it is so cute!!

Beautiful Exchange and very sad news to share

Today I received this really lovely ornament from Joke for the HoE XMas Birds Christmas Ornament Exchange.  I really love it.  This is Winter Song by Primrose Needleworks from the JCS 2011 Christmas Ornament Issue.  I had it on my "to do" list, but am thrilled to remove it now that I have this perfect one from Joke.  I am going to love displaying this every year - thank you again Joke :-)

And the sad news....  here is my Gig.  Gig was born on February 28, 2001 and is a Cream Exotic Persian.  I took this photo of him last Tuesday while we were waiting for his vet to come in and talk to me.  I was bored and did not realize at the time how important this photo would be to me.  He and I were waiting because he had spent the previous night at the emergency vet, having seen his regular vet the evening before.  Gig had developed  a limp and I took him in for a wellness check.  What we learned was that he had an enlarged heart and pulmonary edema.  He was sent to the emergency vet for overnight stabilization - lasix (a diuretic to draw the fluid away from his heart) and oxygen to stabilize his breathing.  I picked him up in the AM and was sent back to our regular vet, which was when I took this photo. She shared with me that his bloodwork was excellent, and he needed an ultrasound the next day.  That did not go well.  Gig never showed as having a heart murmur, so none of the vets in the practice ever picked up that he had heart disease.  But he did - and it was fairly advanced.  The worst of it was that he showed evidence in his left atrium of blood thickening and was at risk of throwing a clot.  He came home from his ultrasound on Wednesday and deteriorated rapidly.  He suddenly just could not walk.  His right hind leg would buckle under him.  You see, I had taken him to an emergency vet 3-4 weeks ago after we saw him open mouth breathing very heavily at bedtime one night.  I immediately got dressed and had Mike put him in his carrier.  We discovered that while panting, he had wet our bed.  That vet had no clue what was wrong as he had stabilized by the time I got there and his heart sounded normal.  Well, that was a fateful night for Gig.  He had thrown a clot right then and there - so much for risk, the damage was already done.

Yesterday I drove him to his vet and he was euthanized.  It had to be done.  He was miserable and not ambulatory.  I spent four days syringe feeding him food and water.  The meds he had to take were tough on him.  He gave up.  He had no chance.  We spent Sunday saying goodbye to him.  I stayed with him while he passed.  He passed with grace and was so beautiful in his death.  He simply lay peacefully, his eyes dilated and my vet whispered "I love you Gig" and then "He's gone now."  Many kisses later, I left.  Tears came later, I know he is at peace now.  He will come home by way of ashes in a week or two.  We are very sad here.  This was very sudden.  I really miss my little boy who always slept tucked up against my hip in our bed.  I miss his deep throaty voice. I just plain old miss him.

Flora McSample Love Ornament

Flora McSample Love Ornament

Lizzie Kate

40 ct Dirty Newcastle Linen, WDW Floss

Stitchedd for Karen for HoE Christmas Birds Ornament Exchange

Peace On Earth Ornament

Finally, a day when I am home, it is not raining and it is daylight out... I finished this ornament off last weekend and now I can share it. It took me a few months of off and on stitching to get this one done... but am thrilled with the results. Peace on Earth Barbara Ana Designs 32 ct Silkweaver Solo Belfast Linen, DMC Floss, Kreinik #4 Braid Happy weekend to all!!

Joy Ornament

It's a cloudy morning following a very rainy day. Not sure when the sun will re-emerge, so going to have to go with this photo for now... Finished up an ornament I started about a year ago when Margaret gifted me with her used chart when she visited for Celebration of Needlework in 2011... I finally dug out the right beads for it earlier this week, and was able to get this finish done last night... I just love this one.

Joy Ornament Little House Needleworks 36 ct Flax Linen, DMC Floss, Mill Hill Petite Seed Beads

Prairie Schooler Freebie Snowman Ornament

Enjoying my week off from work with another finish.... have a small pile of stitched ornaments, just now working my way through finishing them... this is last night's effort...

Prairie Schooler Freebie Snowman Ornament Prairie Schooler 32 ct Sage Lugana, DMC Floss About to rain here (we need it), so my iPhone did not take the best of photos... ah well :-) Hope you are all well!

Flora McSample Peace Ornament

I spent part of last night finishing off some ornaments that have been waiting around.... one is for an exchange, and I also finished this one (several more still to come as I have this week off from work)...

Flora McSample Peace Ornament Lizzie Kate 40 ct Dirty Newcastle Linen, WDW Floss Hope everyone has been well! For those who are still around and visit my blog once in a while, my tinnitus seems to be under some control. Migraines are gone, back and neck are improving with TMJ treatment. Off of dairy and using twice daily sinus rinses to thin mucous.... tinnitus still kind of loud in the morning because lying down revs it up a bit, but then it clears (most days) to a quiet humm that I often do not even notice.... hope my long journey is coming to an end... Off to do huge landscaping and gardening stuff for the week... and some ornament finishing... Loving memorial thoughts to my USAF father in law who passed away in 2009... enjoy your Memorial Day everyone!

Prairie Schooler from Janet

I just received this super pretty bellpull from Janet today for the HoE Prairie School Christmas Ornament Exchange.  I don't really think this is an ornament and truly doubt I can put it on my tree....  but is sure it lovely!  Thank you Janet!!

Christmas Alphabet "Mike" Ornament

I have the day off today, so I took out my finishing supplies while my husband was getting his business orders ready to go to the post office.... and I finished off an ornament I made for him for this year...

Christmas Alphabet "Mike" Ornament
Prairie Schooler
32 ct Sage Lugana, DMC Floss

... Counting the days down now to Celebration of Needlework!!!

Prairie Schooler Ornament for Kathy

Got the good news today that Kathy has received the Prairie Schooler Christmas Ornament I stitched for her for HoE...  I had fun stitching up her name, and am now working on one for my husband, Mike!  Very glad you like it, Kathy... enjoy!

Christmas Alphabet "Kathy" Ornament
Prairie Schooler
R&R Reproductions 28 ct Flax Fields Linen, DMC Floss
Stitched one-over-one

Little Christmas Ornament

I had a great weekend stitching and finishing up a couple of Christmas ornaments.... one is for the HoE Prairie Schooler Ornament Exchange, so I just cannot show it yet.... but the other is yet another that I dug out of the pile of old, old charts that I have been wanting to stitch... I bought this one back in 1997 when it was a new release... figured it was about time to stitch it up!

Little Christmas Ornament
Bent Creek
R&R Reproductions 40 ct Mockingbird Linen, DMC Floss

Possible record temps in the 60's tomorrow! Too bad I came down with a head cold last night... have an early AM neuromuscular dentist appt.... suppose if I chug a bit of DayQuil before I go, he won't notice my cold? I would hate to have to cancel this adjustment appointment... gulp!!

Valentine Exchange for Roberta

I have heard that my HoE Valentine's Day Exchange was finally received a few days ago by Roberta.  It took an absolute long time to go from NH to GA, but alas, she tells me it has arrived and she is pleased. What a relief!!  I had the most fun stitching this design...

Be Mine Pinkeep
The Primitive Hare - free chart available HERE
28 ct Potato Annabelle, HDF Silk in 1231/33/35
Stitched one-over-one

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. My tinnitus and other symptoms are abating a bit after a whopper of an adjustment to my orthotic by the neuromuscular dentist on Thursday morning... hoping this progress will continue.... also, just loving the "winter that wasn't, or at least is yet to be" here in New Hampshire :-)

Noel 2008 Ornament

I do, indeed, find myself back to stitching quite a bit again. My orthotic has not yet silenced (or quieted, at least) my ringing ear. However, the neuromuscular dentist told me this will take time and adjustments... so I forge onward... and now I have an ornament to show that I have worked on at various times this week, did the finishing last night. I used silk floss that was given to me as a gift...

Noel 2008 Ornament
123Citrouille - free chart found here
28 ct Potato Annabelle, HDF Silk in Gigi's Christmas
Stitched one-over-one

Happy Weekend All!

Valentine Exchange from Edgar

I received this super pretty pinkeep from Edgar a couple of days ago. It was for the HoE Valentine Exchange. I finally had a chance to get a photo of it today, and I just love it. It now sits in my hutch and is so pretty amid my china.... thank you so much Edgar! What a treat to receive from you - thank you also for the lovely goodies, you do know my taste!

Santa Rides for Suzanne... and Merry and Bright for me...

I heard from Suzanne today that she has received the HoE Santa Ornament Round ornament that I stitched for her.  I am impressed that the postal service got to her in Australia in only one week's time!

Santa Rides Ornament
Prairie Schooler
36 ct Natural Linen, DMC Floss

This weekend I also stitched up a little ornament for my own tree as well. I have decided to pull out my large stack of ornament charts that I have wanted to stitch "forever" and start getting a few done. This is one of those. I was able to get the used chart from the kit off of ebay some time ago, stitched it up tiny and it makes a great ornament...

Merry and Bright Ornament
Shepherd's Bush
Lakeside Linens 40 ct Basketweave Linen, DMC Floss, Unknown Star Button

Wow... winter is more than half over... still barely any snow in the NE!!

Happy (Early) Valentine's Day to all!!

Santa Ornament from Becky

I received this adorable ornament yesterday from Becky for the HoE Santa Ornament Round... isn't he the cutest???? Becky says he is from an older Heartstrings leaflet. I just cannot wait to hang him on my tree this Christmas, and he is a happy addition to my lovely hand stitched ornament collection. Thank you so much Becky!

Cardinals for a Cure Ornament

I stitched up another ornament a week or so ago, and finally got a chance to take a photo of it this morning. I really love how this one came out...


Cardinals for a Cure Ornament
Blue Ribbon Designs
Chart available HERE
40 ct Unknown Silkweaver Fabric, WDW and CC Floss

Christmas Pinkeep Ornament

I think I have my stitching mojo back again. My neuromuscular dental appt is not until Wednesday, but I have had some BowenWork done and my muscles are relaxing a bit now from having the fascia lifted from damaged areas. At the very least, I guess I am just coping better... So, I have been busy stitching ornaments. Why ornaments? They are something I can actually use and are still small... this year, I think I will be back to samplers too! Anyhow, here is one I finished off yesterday - I generally take photos outdoors for better color, but there is a little snow on my porch and, therefore, no place to put this to take the picture... I managed to get at least this shot...

Christmas Pinkeep Ornament
Praiseworthy Stitches
2005 JCS Christmas Ornament Issue
R&R Reproductions 30 ct Americana Blend Linen, GAST Floss

I am saddened to say that I am so disappointed in some former blogger friends. Safe enough to write here, they do not read my blog any longer. Some folks just don't have what it takes to be open and honest with other people.... and do not mind hurting feelings in the process. Very glad I am a better person than that.

Happy New Year.... and a little reflection...

I am a little late in posting this as it has been "holiday hectic" here, but I received this gorgeous ornament from dear Katrina just after Christmas - it managed to be able to hang on my tree for a day or two before I took it down, and it looked great!

Thank you so much Katrina - I love this ornament, and it will be yet another treasure from you to hang every year! I have quite a few from you now. You're the best! I will email you, as I have one from you about my health which does deserve a reply. Will try to do that today ;-)

I also managed to stitched up a couple of ornaments during the last part of December... did not get a chance to take photos until today (it is very warm and sunny hear, very strange for January 2... you can see how sunny it is just by looking at the photos!)


Merry Xmas Ornament
The Little Stitcher - chart found here
30 ct Medium Exampler Speckled 739 Jache Linen
Crescent Colours Floss in Apple Fritter and Bamboo

Noel Stamp Ornament 2011
Jeannette Douglas Designs
Just Cross Stitch 2011 Christmas Ornament Issue
R&R Reproductions 28 ct Flax Fields Linen, DMC Floss, GAST Floss, Petite Mill Hill Beads

And... I also stitched one yesterday while watching the Patriots game...

Jolly Ornament
Miss Crescent's Crowne
Just Cross Stitch 2011 Christmas Ornament Issue
32 ct Dirty Belfast Linen, Crescent Colours Floss


Soooooo.... usually at this time of the year, I do a little photo show of all that I stitched this year. Well, I sure did not have enough to bother to do that this year. It is easy enough to scroll only a little to see what little I managed to stitch due to my migraines, tinnitus, vertigo and neck pain.... So anyhow, I have reflected on some other things I did accomplish this year...
1) I learned about all one can learn about tinnitus, and although it took me 9 months and many thousands of dollars to get to this conclusion, I have learned that a neuromuscular dentist is in order.... my appt is for January 18.... I pray for no snow and tons of relief... and I will be writing a CE course on Tinnitus for the American College of Wellness this year, hope to have that published and ready to go before long...
2) I read 271 books.... paperbacks and ebooks, maybe one or two were hardcover.... all were romance novels... hey, I know what I like, and somehow reading has been easier than stitching... less having to look at tiny holes and threads, and books/iPad/Kindle Fire all easier to hold on some days than stitching has been...
3) Professionally, I made huge strides, despite the pain... or perhaps because of my refusal to give in to the pain... I have been licensed as a mental health counselor in Massachusetts for eons, and this year, I managed to obtain a very hard to get New Hampshire license, as well as become nationally certified. I sublet office space in Londonderry, NH and 2-3 days a week, I now work considerably closer to home... and sincerely hope that in 2012 I will be working in my NH space a whole lot more as I was signed onto several NH insurance panels already. I also took coursework and became a Certified Obesity Management Specialist. I also took a huge amount of continuing education in 2011 in - Anxiety Disorders/Boundaries in Mental Health Treatment/Treating Co-Occurring Disorders/Multiple Sclerosis: Hope Through Research/Children's Behavioral Health Initiative Distance Learning Outpatient Activity/Grief Counseling: The Best Clinical, Practical and Integrative Skills & Interventions/Stop Anxiety and Panic in 5 Session Without Medication/Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act/Mental Health Treatment for Persons with HIV/NBCC Code of Ethics/Orthorexia Nervosa: When Healthy Living Goes Awry/Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for RDs/APSARD ADHD and Comorbidity Newsletter/Substance Abuse: Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment/What is HIV?/Bullying: Techniques for Dealing with Taunting, Teasing, & Tormenting/An Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation/Intro to Goals, Clinical Concerns, and Opportunities in Behavioral Health Managed Care/Blending DBT and the 12 Steps to Treat Eating Disorders and Addiction/Medical Issues with Eating Disorders....

So, while I have been away from this wonderful world of stitching and blogging, I did want to take stock and review that it was not at all a lost year for me... a loud and dizzy year, but not a lost year...

Happy New Year to you all!!! Miss you so very much.

Lovely Christmas Ornaments From Dear Friends

Over the past two days, I have received some real blessings from two very dear friends... Yesterday I received this lovely surprise from Marie, and I just adore it - the sparkly trim is stunning and really stands out on my tree... Marie has become such a sweet and caring friend during this very difficult year for me (news on that will be at the bottom of this post)- I really want to thank Marie for her kindness, love and support... and for this gorgeous ornament!



Caroline
Miss Crescent's Crowne
2009 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue

Today I received a box that was an utter embarassment of riches from my dear, dear friend Margaret. She sent me so many treats - and even a treat for Mike (I put it in his stocking but he knows it is from you!)... I was so overwhelmed I only took a photo of this gorgeous ornament that now adorns my tree...

I believe Margaret wrote that this one is called Poinsettia Wishes by Stitches by Cheri. So beautifully stitched and finished.... the chenille trim is a great idea (she even sent me some for a future ornament or two).... and so much more.... yet another friend who stood by me during this year of weird health problems and utter exhaustion - I love you both so much!

And finally, I realized I never posted this little ornament I stitched for our tree a week or two ago..

White Christmas Ornament
The Stitcherhood
The Gift of Stitching Magazine, November 2011
32 ct White Belfast Linen, Atalie Fil a Broder in Passion
Stitched one-over-one

OK - my health update. Many of my former friends/readers are gone since I have been in too much pain to blog or stitch consistently. I miss them terribly, but am grateful to those of you who visit at times and bring me cheer - thank you! Here is the scoop - I have tinnitus. Really awful, severe, debilitating tinnitus in my left ear. I have been to every kind of doctor I could think of or was referred to since this started in March... No relief. Over time, other symptoms became equally awful, painful and debilitating. Severe migraine headaches with aura, poor vision, unbelievable neck and shoulder pain with very limited range of motion when turning my head... tingling in my fingers and toes.... and often, my femoral nerve on my left side shoots awful, sharp pains into my groin. Oh, and vertigo! Awful vertigo.

OK, my focus has been to 1) stay focused and keep working - our livelihoods depended on me to do this despite often feeling I could not do it - resulting in extreme fatigue (but not missing any work, and I am really proud of myself for getting through that), and 2) to find out just what is going on with me and get it fixed. I cannot tell you how many times I thought I had an aneurysm building - though my CT scan was clear - my dad died of a cardiac aneurysm, so of course, that is the first thing to jump into my mimd!

I figured out relatively recently that this is somehow related to my mouth/jaw... TMJ type stuff. I put myself on a "pablum diet" (soft foods, as little chewing as possible), wear my nightguard as much as I can (like, right after dinner until I get up in the AM), and sleep flat on my back, no turning of my head in either direction. These things help a lot - but... some nights I guess I am restless and wake up with a screaming ear. If it is screaming when I wake up, there is no relief AT ALL until the next morning - quieter days now follow the really loud days, but there are no guarantees.

I do believe I am now on the right path. Last Wednesday, I had a consult with a neuromuscular dentist. How may of you knew there was such a thing?? I had to google for a long time and make sure to combine all of my symptoms to finally get to this specialist. It turns out, I have a misaligned bite. I failed the muscle reaction tests he gave me. He told me my situation is chronic, but he can help. On January 18, 2012 I hope to begin my path towards health. He will relax my facial and neck muscles (somehow this involves a tens unit), find my correct bite for me and build me orthotics to wear until my bite is corrected. At that point, I can expect alleviation or cessation of my tinnitus and neck pain. Every time I chew, talk, breathe, my misaligned bite is throwing my atlas and axis (C-1 and C-2) vertebrae out of whack. I have been seeing a chiropractor who does his best to realign them, but those adjustments do not stay put.... I chew, talk or breathe again and pop - out they go. Can you even imagine this?? I have a leaning forward posture as a result. My neuromuscular system is all beat up. But... I am going to get this fixed. I truly am..... I cannot begin to tell you what the financial cost of this 9 month journey has been for me.... I just hope that at the one year anniversary in March, I will be close to whole, healthy and relatively sane again.

If that does happen, I hope to be back here with a vengeance - LOL

Merry Christmas dear friends.... and Prosperous New Year!!

Santa's Helper Ornament

Stitched a little something for my own tree in the past couple of days...

Santa's Helper Ornament
Dragon Dreams
Chart available for purchase at Patterns Online
32 ct Amsterdam Blue Belfast Linen, DMC Floss, RG Fuzzy Stuff, Assorted beads and Star Charm

Stitcher's Choice Ornament for Nancy

I have learned that Nancy has received the ornament I sent to her for the Hoe Stitcher's Choice Christmas Ornament round... I had great fun with this one, and my DH really wanted to keep it... maybe I will have to stitch another?
Christmas Rose Ornament
Nancy Pederson
The Gift of Stitching Magazine, November 2011
32 ct Opalescent White Belfast Linen, Victorian Motto Sampler Thread, RG Petite Treasure Braid

Hope you enjoy it, Nancy.

Quaker Snowman Ornament

Stitched up another ornament this weekend... too cold outside to enjoy doing much else..

Quaker Snowman Ornament
Designer Unknown
32 ct Amsterdam Blue Belfast Linen, DMC Color Vartiations 4150

Stitcher's Choice Ornament from Roberta

I just received this really cute ornament from Roberta for the HoE Stitcher's Choice Christmas Ornament Exchange - it is such a cutie. I have always liked this design - now I can scratch it off of my "to stitch" list - such a treasure, thank you Roberta! And a pic of at least one side of our massive tree this year... don't see your ornament on it? If you stitched one for me at any time, it sure is there! I always love putting up my tree and ogling all the beautiful work my friends have done for me!!!

Noel Squared Ornament

Finished up an ornament early, early this morning.... couldn't sleep, loud ear... so here it is - oh, and why is it so darn hard for me to take photo of an ornament when it is on my tree?? Geesh.... probably time to upgrade my digital camera.

Noel Squared Ornament
Lizzie Kate
28 ct Gingham Linen, WDW Floss

Christmas Greetings

Yesterday, I managed to do the finishing on this gift for a friend... I really love the Victorian color scheme I selected for this one...

Christmas Greetings Ornament
iStitch Designs
R&R Reproductions 28 ct French Vanilla Linen
Crescent Colours Floss - Erin Go Emerald, Wild Berries
Stitched one-over-one

Kinda don't want to send this one off - looked cute on my tree this morning, but here goes, packing it up - LOL!

A couple of very small ornaments...

In the past couple of weeks, I have managed to stitch some tiny ornaments... the first two that are totally finished are ready to share are... (I love to make really tiny ornaments sometimes, as I have so many and still want to keep adding to my tree... so I make little guys that can get tucked in anywhere, like these two can)...


Joy Ambigram Ornament
The Flower Thread Company
The Gift of Stitching Magazine, November 2011
32 ct Opalescent White Belfast Linen, Victorian Motto Sampler Thread, DMC Floss
I also stitched this one up a bit ago.... I put the very last stitch in the finishing just as our power went out during the late October freak snowstorm that hit the East Coast of the US.... it was over four days before we got power back, and longer than that before I remembered to go peek and see how it came it! Here it is...

Joy to the World Ornament
Helga Mandl in Carolling Cards
32 ct R&R Reproductions Creek Bed Brown linen, Crescent Colours Floss
Stitched one over one

Have missed so many of my blogging/stitching friends. Last night I shocked my tinnitus (it is only in my left ear) using ear buds and some sound program apps on my iPad... having a very quiet day today, so I am hoping I am on to something... will do more of that shock therapy tonight - no worries, I don't blast it, I am just trying to habituate my brain to the chronic hissing that is now part of my life...)

Oh, we just got our tree and Mike is stringing the lights. Maybe I will decorate it tomorrow and will have a photo to share soon.... anyone else getting ready to decorate a post a photo of their tree???

Currently Stitching: Christmas Ornaments - ornament for HoE Exchange

Words of Christmas Ornament from Carla

Yesterday I received this really stunning ornament from Carla for the HOE Words of Christmas Christmas Ornament Exchange. She stitched Peace Ornament by Keepsake Stitches in the 2011 JCS Christmas Ornament Issue - it is so stunning. I love the hand dyed fabric she chose and her finishing is just so lovely. What a treat, and I will treasure it always. Carla is such a dear friend, and I look forward to hanging this little dove on my tree in just a few weeks now :-)

Started my Christmas Ornament stitching...

OK, it is autumn in the western hemisphere, so I have started my non-exchange Christmas Ornament stitching... starting with two from the JCS Christmas Ornament Preview Issue, of course..


The First Day Ornament
Plum Street Samplers
JCS Christmas Ornament Preview Issue, July/August 2011
Lakeside Linens 40 ct Basketweave Linen
CC Belle Soie Cranberry Silk and Valdani Floss in Muddy Monet

Baa Baa Birdie
Miss Crescent's Crowne Designs
JCS Christmas Ornament Preview Issue, July/August 2011
Sugar Maple Fabrics 28 ct Howling at the Moon lugana (stitched one over one)
Crescent Colours Floss

Sooo... OK.... whoever put the pin in the left side of the head of some voodoo doll of me, please, I beg you.... please remove it! It had to have been inserted around March 15, 2011. Since then, the left side of my head has been screaming and hissing. Yep, there are days with hints of relief... the chiropractor provides most of that. But honestly, I think he is just trying to work around that pin that the voodoo witch put in the doll :-( If I must make amends with someone to have it removed, please let me know - before I start to lose hearing in my left ear, pleaaaase....

Currently Stitching: Really don't know - other than Christmas Ornaments...

HoE Words of Christmas Ornament Exchange for Erin

I heard today from Erin that she has received the HoE Words of Christmas Ornament that I stitched for her. I have always wanted to stitch this particular design, and was thrilled to get a chance to use it for this exchange.
Joy*Love*Peace Ornament
From Merry's Heart (Merry Cox)
Just Cross Stitch 10th Anniversary Christmas Ornament Collection
30 ct Medium Exampler Speckled 739 Jache Linen
TG SNC Silk, Carol Waterlilies and Weeks Dye Works Floss

... and the psychotherapist in me just LOVES this Angry Birds cartoon... :-)

Quiet ear! Yes, almost completely quiet! Last night my chiropractor adjusted by Axis (C2) vertebrae instead of my Atlas (C1 vertebrae) after I told him my ear screams the day after C1 ajdustment.... every.single.time. We opted to go one vertebrae lower this time, and we either got lucky for now, or we found the track we need to be on! Unfortunately, caught a nasty head cold from my clients this week, though.

And... tomorrow is my first day with my first client in my new New Hampshire sublet office - wonder if the couple will show??

Currently Stitching: Christmas ornaments

A non-stitching update...

...Well, there will be a stitching update soon enough as I am soon to finish my ornament for the HoE Words of Christmas Exchange, but.... there is other news to share :-)

First of all, thank you to those who offered kind words of support during this year of poor health for me. It took six months to finally get a diagnosis. I have a misalgined atlas, also known as the C1 verterbrae. This is a tiny two ounce bone that sits atop my spine and connects to my brain stem. How did it get misaligned? I have not been in any accident. My chiropractor is as stumped as I am. I may have been born this way and now, at age 48, pathology is showing. However, my chiropractor is wonderful. I have been having two adjustments a week since 9/2/11. My tinnitus is quieter, although not gone. There is still hope in me that it will pass. My migraines are virtually gone, and I cannot recall my last episode of vertigo. I do still get radiating pain in my jaw and into my sinuses. This will all take time...

Second bit of news - as some of you know, I am a psychotherapist in private practice. I received my master's degree in 1989, 22 years ago. I have only been licensed in Massachusetts, although have lived in New Hampshire for 20 years now. I live near the state border, about a 45 minute commute to work. Anyhow, I finally set a New Year's Resolution to get my NH counseling license this year. It took forever (8 months) to gather documents I needed - my old exam score from the National Board of Certified Counselors for oh way back when.... documentation of my many supervised clinical hours for oh way back when... college transcripts... graduate school transcripts.... documentation of my MA license in good standing from the MA Board of Allied Mental Health... three references from colleagues.... oh, and I had to answer a voluminous pile of essay questions, document my previous continuing education courses.... sigh.... it was worth it! I was approved for my license this week! What am I going to do with it? No truly formed idea quite yet. I love my practice in MA, but am going to talk to a local therapist here this week to see if I can sublet space in her office one day a week once I get some insurance contracts (ie., Blue Cross, Medicaid, etc)....

And... I was bored with my life in general recently - being ill can make being bored VERY easy - so I signed up to become a Certified Obesity Management Specialist. I am almost done with my exam. Maybe I will finish it this weekend. Yay!!

Hope you are all well... I know I have dropped off of the blog rolls of almost all of my old stitching buddies. I think mostly only newbies will read this. It is sad that falling ill can make one become so detached, but I do welcome those of you who do visit often and offer kind words - thank you!!!

Hugs to all, Carol

PS- hope to be "back" soon!

Lizzie Kate Ornament Received

I got the good word this morning from Anne that the HoE Lizzie Kate ornament I stitched for the exchange has arrived safe and sound in Australia. What a relief. The postal service in the US is going through major changes and trying to survive. Seems their international post has slowed down terribly... but alas, they got the moose there safe and sound!

Merry Moosemas
Lizzie Kate - in Tiny Tidings
32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, DMC Floss, Kreinik #4 braid and blending filament, little brass stars (likely ByJupiter! or Homespun Elegance - had them lying about in my stash)...

Hope you enjoy Anne, it was great fun to stitch for you this time around!

Currently Stitching: Despite physical problems, working on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow, Family Ruenion and Christmas Ornaments as my health allows...

Tinnitus/Blinding Headaches/Jaw Pain/Decreased Neck Mobility

Subluxated C5 and C1 vertebrae... Twice a week chiro adjustments ordered and have begun. Never buy a too hard mattress!

HoE Lizzie Kate Christmas Ornament Received

I just received my Lizzie Kate Christmas Ornament for the HoE Exchange. Jen (sorry, cannot find her blog link!) stitched this cute design for me - thanks Jen!!

Mine is on its way but has quite a long travel ahead of it... hope to be able to post it here soon :-)

Currently Stitching: Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

Hello stitching friends.....

Long time, no hello! Today is one of the first days in many months where my constant tinnitus in my left ear is held relatively at bay.... No migraine and my thoughts are my own. I know why I have been ill, but recovering has been a long road. Tomorrow may be awful again, but for today....HI! I miss you all!

Hugs, Carol