Sorry for the long delay between posts. Seems that life (and health) always gets in the way of good intentions.
I would like to thank everyone for their kind words of encouragement, thoughts and prayers over the past couple of months. I am truly blessed to have so many supportive firends and family.
The results of the the bronchoscopy that I had in August were inconclusive. So I meet with a cardio and thoracic surgeon who removed some lyumph nodes from my chest region. Those results came back as negative for cancer. So with those results back we could get started with the chemotherapy for stage 3 colon cancer. I had my first chemotherapy treatment on 2 October and so far so good. I have only experienced a little bit of nausea and some lightheadiness. But that was only the first treatment - so 1 down and 11 to go. I have a treatment every two weeks so I should be completed with treatments in about 6 months.
Over the past couple of months I have not really done much stitching - just in a little bit of a slump. Cannot stay focused on anything for more than a couple of days.
But with that said, I do have some progress pictures.
My Summer Olympic 2012 stitching project was Christina Cathcart. I must say I did not get as far in those 17 days as I thought I would. It seems that I watched more of the olympics instead of just using them as background noise. But I have been able to work on it off and on for the past month.
The forest scene at the bottom of the sampler was a lot of fun to stitch and I am looking forward to getting the bottom completed so that I can spend more time on the alphabet section. I have slowly worked my way up to that section but I still have a lot of algerian eyelets.
The Goode Huswife 1798 Quaker sampler has been in my stash for a long time. I finally decided that this would look really good on a piece of mystery 40-ct fabric that I had using the called for NPI.
I really like the combination of the greens and browns - but the called for colors look nothing like the picture on the front of the chart. Not much further to go on this one.
In August, I had the opportunity to travel to Mesa, Arizona to participate in a sampler soiree hosted by Attic Needleworks. I stayed with my friend Gloria and her husband (great hosts) which made the trip even more fun.
Jean and her staff are a wonderful group of ladies and they put on a great event. Here is a picture of some of the wonderful projects that the local designers taught. Now I need to find the time to get the stitching part completed.
I am also including some pictures of my fellow table mates. We had a great time working together (or being rebels) and I look forward to attending another workshop next year. Everyone made the only man in the group feel very welcomed and I made a lot of new friends. Wonderful people and wornderful stitching.
You can see more pictures from the event in the Attic's Newsletter. Thanks Jean for a great time...
Other pictures can be seen at The Scarlet House. It was a real pleasure to meet Tanya and I look forward to our new friendship (now to start a couple of her reproductions that I purchased).
And what is a trip to Arizona without stopping at Attic Needleworks to do a little bit of stash enhancement. I ended up purchasing a about 10 charts and various threads and fabrics. One of my purchases was Lois Minshall from Threads of Gold. This was a "new to me" chart that I had not seen before. The stitched model at the Attic was way beyond gorgeous. Jean also had a great selection of some 45-ct fabric. I have never stitched on 45-ct fabric so I thought this would be a great pattern to try it with.
Until next time - happy stitching.
I would like to thank everyone for their kind words of encouragement, thoughts and prayers over the past couple of months. I am truly blessed to have so many supportive firends and family.
The results of the the bronchoscopy that I had in August were inconclusive. So I meet with a cardio and thoracic surgeon who removed some lyumph nodes from my chest region. Those results came back as negative for cancer. So with those results back we could get started with the chemotherapy for stage 3 colon cancer. I had my first chemotherapy treatment on 2 October and so far so good. I have only experienced a little bit of nausea and some lightheadiness. But that was only the first treatment - so 1 down and 11 to go. I have a treatment every two weeks so I should be completed with treatments in about 6 months.
Over the past couple of months I have not really done much stitching - just in a little bit of a slump. Cannot stay focused on anything for more than a couple of days.
But with that said, I do have some progress pictures.
My Summer Olympic 2012 stitching project was Christina Cathcart. I must say I did not get as far in those 17 days as I thought I would. It seems that I watched more of the olympics instead of just using them as background noise. But I have been able to work on it off and on for the past month.
Christinia Cathcart c. 1831by Samplar Workes
Stitched on 40-ct Lakeside Magnolia using HDF silks
The Goode Huswife 1798 Quaker sampler has been in my stash for a long time. I finally decided that this would look really good on a piece of mystery 40-ct fabric that I had using the called for NPI.
1798 Quaker Sampler by The Goode Huswife
Stitched on 40-ct Mystery Linen using NPI silks
I really like the combination of the greens and browns - but the called for colors look nothing like the picture on the front of the chart. Not much further to go on this one.
In August, I had the opportunity to travel to Mesa, Arizona to participate in a sampler soiree hosted by Attic Needleworks. I stayed with my friend Gloria and her husband (great hosts) which made the trip even more fun.
Jean and her staff are a wonderful group of ladies and they put on a great event. Here is a picture of some of the wonderful projects that the local designers taught. Now I need to find the time to get the stitching part completed.
I am also including some pictures of my fellow table mates. We had a great time working together (or being rebels) and I look forward to attending another workshop next year. Everyone made the only man in the group feel very welcomed and I made a lot of new friends. Wonderful people and wornderful stitching.
Jean, Judianne, Me, Gloria and Barbara
Barbara, Sandie and Jean
You can see more pictures from the event in the Attic's Newsletter. Thanks Jean for a great time...
Other pictures can be seen at The Scarlet House. It was a real pleasure to meet Tanya and I look forward to our new friendship (now to start a couple of her reproductions that I purchased).
Tanya and Me (not the best picture of me...)
And what is a trip to Arizona without stopping at Attic Needleworks to do a little bit of stash enhancement. I ended up purchasing a about 10 charts and various threads and fabrics. One of my purchases was Lois Minshall from Threads of Gold. This was a "new to me" chart that I had not seen before. The stitched model at the Attic was way beyond gorgeous. Jean also had a great selection of some 45-ct fabric. I have never stitched on 45-ct fabric so I thought this would be a great pattern to try it with.
Lois Minshall by Threads of Gold
Stitched on 45-ct Lakeside Vintage Pecan Butter using NPI silks
This is a really fun sampler and I am enjoying stitching on the 45-ct linen. Looking forward to making a little bit more progress on this one.Until next time - happy stitching.
Comments
Ohhhh Christinia Cathcart is really lovely. It isn't until you actually see somebody stitching it that you realise how lovely it is.
Isn't Lois Minshall a beautiful sampler. I have done her and she hangs in my bedroom. I changed her name though and she has my Mother's name and dob on it.
I would have loved to have been able to go to the Sampler Soiree, but coming from Australia it is a bit far to go for a weekend. - Sandra.
You remain in my prayers for a smooth 6 months + and glad you have your stitching to distract you some :)
So glad that chemo is going well so far. Hope it goes smoothly through the next 6 months.
All your sampler projects look beautiful!! Even when you feel you are going through a bit of a slump in your stitching you still get far more stitching done than most stitchers I know. The bionic stitcher in you slows from 100 sph to only 90 sph. :)
Wow Lois Minshalls has come a long way since your visit here just a few short weeks ago. She is looking stunning!! Glad you are enjoying 45 count. I am sure there will be a lot more samplers done on this count fabric in the future.
I will keep you in my prayers friend.
God Bless,
Gloria
I am glad to hear that the biopsy was clear. Wishing you continued good news and smooth chemo treatments.
Your stitching progress is very lovely. The CHS Quaker is fabulous.
How lucky to go to the Attic. It looks like a wonderful event!
Wishing you a speedy recovery:))
Thanks for sharing.
I was lucky enough to get to visit The Attic once. What a wonderful shop!
Praying for you!
So sorry to hear about your health issues, and I hope that things go well with your chemo.
What a great time you guys had at the AN retreat...I have added their retreat to my wish list :o)
I will keep you in prayers for a successful six months.
Your stitching is beautiful, especially Louis Minshall with those beautiful colors. I can't imagine stitching on 45 count fabric though!! Your other pieces are beautiful as well.
It sounds like you had a wonderful time at the retreat!
Sending thoughts send prayers your way!
Your wips are looking lovely
I love your choice of samplers especially the Lois Minshall
my best wishes
Thank you for sharing.
I wish you all the best.
Evelyne
Kudos on all of the progress you made! Your stitching is beautiful as always.
I will keep you and your family in my prayers!
I just found your wonderful blog through another sampler stitcher. I just wanted to tell you that your work is beautiful, and to wish you my best as you undergo chemo. I nursed my husband through chemo, so I know how nasty it can be. I hope you can enjoy the Christmas season.
All my best,
Melinda
Your samplers are just lovely!