Home Again

Thank you for all your lovely well wishes and prayers. My dh decided that he couldn't wait for the cardiologist appointment and dragged me off to the ER on Tuesday afternoon. It's amazing how quickly they'll see you when you tell them you're having chest pains. I was admitted and put through a number of tests. One of which was a chemically induced stress test, which I might add is true to it's name. So after a load of tests it appears I have a lovely healthy heart, and it's been decided I have either an ulcer or suffer from stress. I thought that last one was rather funny, but not in a comical way, I could have told them I was stressed and saved ourselves thousands of dollars. So now to try and work out a way to relax my way of thinking and my lifestyle, or I could just simply print a few of these out and have them placed throughout the house.

Thank you again.

Linda

Quiet Times

Things are extremely quiet in our house, although that wasn't the case over the weekend. Friday Saturday and Sunday saw me either flat on my back or propped up with severe chest pains. So while I wait for a cardiologist appointment I have this to keep my mind and my hands busy.

And this gorgeous girl to keep my heart full.
Happy Stitching.
Linda

Happy, Happy.

It's such a beautiful day today, both in weather and heart. I went out this morning for an interview with the disability rehabilitation department with the hope that they would be able to help me find work. A huge yahooooooo can be heard from my house. It seems I qualify for their assistance. While I was chatting with the counselor she happened to tell me about a quilting store in the same mall as her office. I can't begin to tell you how happy I was to find a quality quilt shop just minutes from home. I don't know that Mr ASU will be as happy as me. So of course I couldn't leave empty handed. Two lovely Aussie magazines to thumb through.
A little stitchery to work on in the evenings.
And a peek at .............. on that gorgeous Essex fabric.
Happy Stitching.
Linda

Christmas Strings

Do you remember this lovely bundle of Christmas goodness that I won from Jackie last year? I've been admiring it for far too long, trying to decide what to do with it.
Last year Jenna requested some Christmas cushion covers. I was very slack, and didn't get them done in time for last Christmas. I did manage to get the wall hanging done, but not sent.

I've been working on the covers feverishly these past couple of weeks. She didn't want anything with a winter or snow theme.
So I decided on the usual Christmas reindeer.
As she's a true blue Aussie, what home wouldn't be complete without six white boomers, (kangaroo's). I must admit I was disappointing that Santa's features didn't show up too well on the white background.



Of course you have to have a Santa thrown in for good measure.
In keeping with the Aussie Christmas theme, a couple of Kookaburra's sitting on fence posts.
Of course that only used a very small amount of the jelly roll. I showed you this little peek last week.
Now completed. A not too winter looking Christmas tree wall hanging.
I still have plenty left over to continue with a few more things to go with these ones. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I'll be able to show everything finished.

Happy Stitching.
Linda

Impressed

There's been many discussions about customer service in the past from fellow bloggers. What do we expect when we place an order or an inquiry with a business?
I know personally that I expect my order to arrive in a timely manner and for the business or person running the business to be helpful and polite. So I suppose this all comes under the one word of quality.
I experienced this quality last week when I contacted Jackie from Canton Village Quilt Works about the Essex fabric that she stocks and color choices in the Kona cotton. Jackie spent well over half and hour on the phone going over colors with me so I could work out a color combination that would work well together. I placed my order for the Essex and within three days it was in my mail box, along with a sample of one of the colors we had discussed.
So many times we forget to sing the praises of those that do give good service, but focus only on the bad experiences we encounter. Thank you Jackie for a terrific shopping experience. If you are looking for quality customer service and beautiful fabrics to choose from, then I'd suggest you head on over to Jackie's store.
Now it would be a boring post without a photo, so here's the beautiful Essex cotton/linen fabric, now all washed and pressed and in the hoop, but you'll need to wait until Stephanie's giveaway for the String Challenge to see the finished item.

If your looking for a quality fabric to stitch or applique on then Essex is definitely it.
Now to end the post with some more good stuff, I passed my driving test yesterday, so I'm now a licensed driver, which I think scares hubby a little.
I'll be back tomorrow with some string finishes.

Happy Stitching.
Linda.

Postponed - Translation Needed

Several have asked if I'm enjoying having Hollie and Tayla back home. Hollie decided to postpone her move back home. As much as I love having them both here, I think this is a good decision, especially for Hollie.
EDIT: I've just had another phone call from Hollie, she's moving back today. My plans of sitting quietly and stitching have just flown out the window.
The other thing that's been postponed is the mailing of my RAK gifts. Dh is working all weekend and I'm left with no transport to the post office, so it will need to be next weekend, weather and work allowing.

So while I still had a sewing room, this kept me busy yesterday. Just a little tease of the stripping kind. Hopefully it will be finished next week.
When I'm stripping this is the kind of mess I make.
Even bigger mess on the floor, especially when it's done using paper piecing.
These pretties arrived yesterday. I know they aren't from a new range but they will be perfect
to go with this and it's partners for
this precious bundle. (Life's tough when you have to pose for the camera).


Happy Stitching.
Linda

On a side note is there anyone who can translate a page for me from French to English?

The Stockings Were Hung

Yesterday's finish.

I saw this picture on Sharon's blog, and thought it would make a great combined applique and embroidery.

Happy Stitching.
Linda

The Last Hug

This was the glimpse I gave you last week.
It's transformed.
I love how the two flowers stand out from the others.
A pot full of blooms.
It looks lop sided, I need to learn to straighten up the camera before I take a photo.
Just hand stitching down the hanging sleeve, then it's ready to be sent to Nan's friend, and that finishes off the Hug parcels.
I've thoroughly enjoyed making these, and will think about doing it again later in the year.

Happy Stitching.
Linda

Spring Blooms In The Snow (Hug #3)

Do you remember this terrible peek I gave you last week? Not much of a peek was it? I wonder if you guessed what it was going to be.
Perhaps the backing fabric will give you a clue. Beautiful poppies.
On the front deep red poppies, sitting in a milk pail.
Although you see me using a huge amount of pink, I must admit that red is my all time favorite color.
I think I'm going to have a hard time parting with this one, but that's ok. I have plans to make another one.
This one's going to Valerie's friend in Nashville.
As we are still snowed in, all the parcels will need to wait until the weekend to be mailed.
One hug left to reveal and then it's back to the PIF's and my regular stitching.

If you noticed Saturday's post I was asking for help finding linen/cotton mix fabric. Thanks to Stephanie who pointed me to Jackie, who just happens to be about the only stockist of Essex fabric in the US.
Finally I want to wish my gorgeous girl a happy 20th birthday. I'm so proud of you Hollie, you've overcome some huge obstacles, which have made you the beautiful young woman you are today.

Happy birthday sweetie, I love you. Mum xxx

Happy Stitching.
Linda