Come visit with me as I stitch and craft my way from one Christmas to the next - I like to have Christmas projects close by me all year. I have a particular fondness for Santas and Angels. If you have the time, leave a comment so I know you've visited.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Two more little finishes


They are stitched over 1 on 22 count hardanger.  The trees are adapted from Dale Burdett's Country Tree design (from her booklet DB 132, A Mini Christmas, 1990).  I have to admit to stitching this design frequently - it's one of my favourites.  I do usually change the tree decorations.

On a sadder note, my Madalyn (14 yr old Maltese Terrier) has been very ill in the past week.  Last Tuesday she was very distressed, with laboured rapid breathing, racing heartbeat, and distended abdomen.   As I was getting  ready to take her to the vet she fitted.  It's not the first time she has had a fit, but I have never seen her as physically distressed as she was that morning.  I rushed her to the vet's surgery, and she was admitted for treatment of heart failure and pulmonary oedema.  They gave her a medications and oxygen, and took an X-Ray which showed her heart was enlarged, there was a lot of fluid in and around her lungs, and also her liver, spleen, kidney, and lymph nodes were all enlarged.  The vet was doubtful she would survive the day. She spent the morning in a humidicrib having oxygen, and surprisingly, she responded to the combination of treatment.  The vet was negative about her chances of pulling through, but we decided to bring her home on oral heart and fluid tablets, and an analgesic. She was like a little rag doll, but gradually improved, and today she is almost back to normal behaviourally, though her breathing is still fast at times.  She goes back to see the vet on Monday, so I'm keen to get his opinion of her progress.  I am very pleased with how she is coming along. I hope that now she is on medication for her heart we can keep her heart failure under control. This is the first time she's had a problem with her heart.

This is one of my favourite recent photos of Maddie - it's not the most flattering, but it does capture her charm - or am I just biased?

Monday, August 12, 2013

Three little ornaments finished


Happy me!  I am going upstairs right now to sort out my stitching basket and get organised for the next batch of ornaments. I've had enough of this sitting around being unproductive!  Looks like the pain-killers and iron tablets have kicked in - I am feeling much more like my old self these days!

These three ornaments include elements adapted from designs in Sam Hawkins '50 Santas to Cross Stitch' booklet (1993), and the 'Believe' motif is adapted from the BH&G '101 Christmas Designs' booklet.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

A little progress - well, at least it's a start!

At last - I've picked up my needle again, and stitched that ornament I've been thinking about for so long.  Just stitched - not yet finished up.  That's a project for the coming week, along with the other two stitched ornaments that have been sitting in my work basket for so long.


The Santas are adapted from Sam Hawkins designs, and the 'Believe' design is adapted from BH&G's '101 Christmas Cross-Stitch Designs' booklet.