I have to confess I'm glad January is almost over. It wasn't the best of months for me :-(
Mum was in hospital for 4 weeks in total.....the surgeons didn't operate on her fractured femur for 2 and a half weeks (lots of emergencies plus swine flu cases in the theatres).
By then the whole hip replacement had to be re-done as well.....big surgery for an 81 year old. Since she's been home my sister and I have done our best to look after her and, thankfully, she's doing really well now.
Just to make matters worse I had an operation almost 3 weeks ago (a not-very-pleasant one!!) and I'm just begining to recover now. The surgeon didn't give me too much post-op detail....probably just as well or I wouldn't have bothered ! :-)
To make me feel better I decided to do Jude Hill's Spirit Cloth Workshop.....it was so soothing just to sit and stitch. My first piece is at the top - I decided to use muted shades for a change. I'm going to make it into a cushion. Not sure why I got so engrossed in stitching leaves....
....my embroidery skills leave a lot to be desired but this was just a practice piece ;-)
The next one is going to be brighter..........lots more to do yet!
My Graze box arrived today.....have any of you tried them? Its a great idea.....you get a box that just fits through your letterbox every week with 4 little trays of healthy snacks. You state your prefences on the website but the contents are always a surprise. Last week I had olives in basil and garlic, savoury toasted seeds, almonds/cranberries/cherry infused raisins and mini garlic/rosemary/pesto focaccia breads. If you click on the photo you'll see what I got today...
Finally I wanted to show you the beautiful felted heart Maggi made me for Christmas...I love it.
Here he is searching for it in my room......
41 comments:
Sounds like you've had a tough month, Linda, but glad to hear that you and your mom are on the mend! Love that first pink piece; is it machine embroidered? I laughed at Peachy's antics; one of our cats keeps stealing balls of my yarn. She prefers real wool! I wonder what it is they find attracive about it? Mocha seems to think she's found a real prize....
Oh dear Linda - I feel for you. I'm glad your Mum is on the mend and I'm sorry you too had to have an operation. I had to have a minor procedure on my toe just before Christmas and if you have read my blog lately, you will see that I had a big drama with Mr V-B two weeks ago. As if that wasn't bad enough, last week my Mum was admitted to hospital from her GP's surgery and was in for best part of the week. I think it's going to be a bad year for me already (plus the hoover packed up and the iron keeps fusing the lights!).
I love your stitcheries - they are so pretty and delicate. Was this a workshop you did or an online class? It is an ideal project whilst you are recuperating. Hope you are better soon.
Barbara x
Love your leaves..beautiful workxlynda
sorry your mam and yourself have had a rotten january..hoping you are both on the mend now..sending lots of positive healing hugs to the pair of you. that workshop looks ace I like your stitching. I have been bitten by the art journalling bug so havent done much fabric stuff
{{{{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}} for you and your Mum.
I keep meaning to send off my graze voucher, I have friends who love those boxes too.
Your patchworks are very pretty too. Leaves are a gorgeous embellishment.
Lots of hidden meanings in leaf symbols......not that I know what they are but still...Adam liked his didn't he?
Gini
xx
So sorry to hear about Mum Linda, it must have been awful for her to have to wait for surgery. Glad she is well on the mend. We missed you but I can see from your gorgeous work that you have been enjoying yourself. Hope you are recovering nicely too! Wow, I bet you are glad January is about gone. Naught Peachie!!! But he does look awfully cute stealing your heart. xox Corrine
You've really been up against it Linda and I hope you and your Mum can put surgery behind you now and that you are well. The stitching is lovely and will mean a lot to you in the future .
WAOOO :-)
Also I have used this technique, I CreArt different things :-)
Hello Mary
http://maryruiu-decoupage.blogspot.com/2010/07/uhuuuuuuuuuuuuu-quanti-colori-e.html
So very sorry that you've had such a 'challenging' few weeks. I do hope both you and your Mum and now feeling a lot stronger and on the mend. How therapeutic to be working with the amazing Jude Hill - your stitchery is truly beautiful! As Jackie as just said, I feel certain that it will be most precious to you when you look back on it in the months to come with all that it signifies.
Sending you many healing wishes, my dear friend.
Hugs Jo
P.S. Just to let you know that my blog has moved to a new 'home': www.tanglefrost.wordpress.com Do stop by when you can. xxx
wow what a rough time, sending you hugs dear Linda.
your stitches are great, love the leaf motif and that cheeky kitty, does the heart have catnip in it!! lol!
I'm sorry to hear of your recent distress in health matters for you and your family. I trust things will continue to be mending and soon all will be well again. Glad you are able to get back to some art making and some lovely things you are making indeed. Love the woven pieces.
I love your felted heart too! What a beautiful gift! And obviously Peaches knows what he is about, what cute shots you show, especially the sneaky one. I also enjoyed the peek into your studio space but am wondering what is in the special fabrics drawers??????? Why, special fabrics, of course! Enjoy your grazing.
Sweetie, I am so sorry for all your challenges this past month...I totally understand why you are glad January is almost over! I am glad you mum is healing well. I am really sorry to hear you had surgery too : (
I do hope it wasn't serious, and I am keeping you in thoughts of love and healing that you too have a strong comeback and feel much better soon.
I adore the stitched pieces you have done, and the one you are working on. I am sure you dyed those fabrics too? I love all your different stitches and the way you are incorporating each strip of cloth. So COOL!
Hugs to you,
Terri
Oh, and I wanted to say that Peaches is one smart cookie! I love seeing him perched there looking around for the heart.
Lol.
Terri
I hope your February and beyond is full of healing.
One of my long gone cats used to steal things and then I would find a rather soggy, sucked to death thing left for me. Usually somewhere surprising like inside a slipper.
Great to have you and your lovely work back! sorry to hear about your mum and your op - hope you both have a full recovery and get back to "normal" xx
So sorry you and your Mum have had such difficult times - good to know you are both on the mend. Love both your spirit cloths - they are beautiful and very soothing to look at. The heart is lovely, but are you sure Maggi didn't put catnip in with the padding?!!
Are you sure Maggi didn't snick a bit of catnip in that heart? Glad to hear you and your mum are recovering after surgery. I'm sure you're very soothing spirit cloth reflects your need. Looking forward to seeing the next one finished.
Peachy just makes me smile, so like my Bill :) You sound as if you've had a lot on your plate so far this year, hopefully things will settle down now. Love the embroidered leaves, there really is something very theraputic about stitching, I don't do it often but when I do I wonder why not :)
So glad you had time to catch up at mine - huge waves of positive thought for you all. I love the NHS (!) but they do sometimes keep us waiting! Glad also you've done some theraputic stiching,a really beautiful, soft piece, but looking forward to seeing the progression of the next one.
Your mum is lucky to have you & your sis.
Linda, so sorry to hear of yours and your Mums' health problems.
But, I do like your spirit cloth pieces!
Maybe you are drawn to leaves as I believe they symbolise new begnings/fresh starts?
I was thinking about you only this morning, wondering if I might bump into you at the Beetroot Tree one day.
I was a bit miffed that, due to a long day shift, I missed the taster evening at the B'Tree last week! Might they be having another one soonish?
Take care,
hugs,
Sandie xx
Ooo lovely revamp on the blog Linda! Yes it does sound like January has been a month you may well want to forget - look on the bright side, 2011 can only get better, especially as you experience the benefits of your op? I always love your textile work and feel inspired to have a go myself, and have to forcefully remind myself that I have MORE THAN ENOUGH hobbies already .....!
Linda I am so glad that your mum and you are recovering after your operation. I love your stitching. Both pieces are beautiful. Did you use silk in the colourful one.
Peaches perhaps thinks that the heart is mouse for him to play with.
Hugs to you and your Mum Linda..... feel better soon.
love the muted soft colours... and it's wonderful hand stitching...
I think the fact that the heart is felt is the reason Peachy keeps stealing it. Maybe it still smells or feels like something alive to animals.. all I know is... dont leave any little felted critters around with dogs or cats around....some of them absolutely love them. Keep stealing them no matter where you try to hide them... hang 'em high!
hi linda...yes l was the Lynda that left a message on here. my two blogs are my Art blog
http://tryingtocreatearteveryday.blogspot.com
and
photo diary almost daily blog
http://chocolatelifeandjazz.blogspot.com
Thanks for going to all the trouble to google me..glad we found each other!x lynda
peachy caught on film!
love
Lyn
xxx
I do hope your mom is on the mend- that can be a challenging operation for sure! Your needle work is simply sublime Linda- what unique design and such delicate color and patterns. So fitting for Spring- lively and fresh and so healing!
Love the stitching Linda, it has really come together since I last saw it. And to all those who have asked, no there was no catnip inside the heart, even I would not be that stupid, I have, after all, met Peaches and still love him to bits!!
I find January a tough month to settle down and concentrate, even without all the health-related issues you had. Hope you and mum are feeling better and the good Lord knows February has to be better!!
Hope February treats you much better! Love the fabric collages and those little snacks coming through the post :)
I love your weaving - see how stitching heals? x
Good luck with your mother Linda! I hope she will recover well. What a great work you made really beautiful! x
Oh My on you having surgery too dear one!!!! I am glad for you and yours that January is behind you as well!
Take good care...you sound like you manage to make the best of every situation dear Linda!
Very best wishes to your sweet Mother too!
I am leaving you today...inspired...hungry and smiling at your Mr Peachy AND sending heaps of good wishes your way!
oxo
spotted a coupon for a free graze box in my "I" paper so I will be getting mine on a Friday to enjoy with a glass of wine..we have to treat ourselves dont we...but I am thinking mmm how can I alter that box when it comes..ha ha! Hope your mam is doing alright
my sympathies, linda - its not easy to be there for family and have to endure an op yourself - ive been there too. glad things are better now.
i slipped on the ice and broke my right wrist a week before xmas and its been awful so i do relate to everyone else in the same situation
your 'bad boy' pics made me smile - sounds exactly like my little sapphire who is 6 months oldd and into EVERYTHING!
i am v interested in the spirit cloth workshop and may have a go when i can get back to crafty things - would you recommend the class?
take care,
best wishes
diana
Oi that Peachy is a little rascal. Do you think that heart may have some catnip in it? Imagine how crazy he would go if it did.
Beautiful cloths that you have done with Jude. I love all of your leaf embroidery and stitching, works so well with those muted colours.
Love the brighter version too. I have only just returned home after nearly three weeks away (and offline) so am busily trying to catch up on classes and get some weaving done too.
Glad to hear your mum is improving...and you too of course.
Sending much love,
Jacky xox
lovely spirit cloth x hope feb is a better month for you. i have graze snacks too my fave is the flapjacks and dried strawberries. i also decorated a box to put embellies in :)
Oh, what a terrible time you've been having Lynda. I do hope your Mum continues to make good progress, she's certainly been through the mill and must be a very brave and strong lady.
I love your Slow Cloth. both the subtle and the more lively. I find hand stitching very soothing too and there's nothing wrong with any of your stitching. I hope you are feeling much better too after your own ordeal. Look after yourself. xx
Beautiful stitched cloth I must start one of these. Im sorry to hear of your mothers delayed surgery its so worrying when a loved one is kept waiting like this. I hope she heals quickly. love your blog!
Look at Peaches "scaling" the boxes in the artroom....toooo cute!!
Hello lovely Linda
It is good to see you blogging again. You have had a tough month with your mum and with your own health issues. I hope that both of you are feeling much better now. I have been keeping you in my thoughts. Peachy is adorable isn't he? (naughty but adorable). Am so pleased you have a pussy cat now and he is providing so much fun. I laugh every time I hear of his antics!
Dot xx
P.S Your clothes for Jude's class are divine. I enjoyed enlarging the pictures to look at all the details. And I agree with Jackie that they will mean a lot to you in the future. Stitching has helped me through many a hard time.
You have got to try graze boxes everyone as they are a fab treat..I only wish I had contacted Linda first before trying one as you could have saved a £1 off your next box! I have kept the box but havent recycled it just yet!
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