Love gadgets

 I know...I have been MIA (missing in action) again. I am still dealing with medical issues that weigh on my mind. Tests...doctor appointments...procedures....just has been getting to me mentally. Anyhoo....I said I love gadgets. Whether cooking or baking and especially when crafting, I can not resist a tool that will make a task easier and more enjoyable.

Have you heard of or seen Applipops? It makes perfect circles for applique. I bought the set and they came in this ice cloth pouch for storing. You can see the 3 sizes that I made...there is a smaller one but too fiddly for me to try right now. Fun! One of these days I will need to make these....practice makes perfect.

I can not resist adorable scissors...most any scissor

Just look at these cuties. I also have tweezers by the same company. Let me just say, they are very...very sharp. Can not help but smile when I look at them. Had to order on line (Annie's catalog) as the quilt shop did not have them. I am excited...waiting for my next tool to arrive for my next project. Stay tuned.

For a short time, Murphy and I will be confined to my room...the HOA painters are here. They finished the front now they will be in our patio to paint. Havoc for Murphy. They are painting across from us in the front. Once they start the back Murphy will be allowed out of the room. Happy that they will be finished today.

Nice to chat with you...thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Fabric and a sunset

The winter days have been so nice....

This recent sunrise... breath taking! The sky looked on fire. The temps have been in the 50s--60s during the day requiring a sweatshirt or sweater when I walk with Murphy. He loves being out for walks and the weather does not seem to bother him.
I asked Alan to fix one area where a plant was removed by adding a couple of bricks...

Alan did a fine job and even fixed more of the area. Of course his assistant was right there to investigate.

Murphy could not resist laying in the dirt! He loves digging and we are planning to fence around the flower beds and kitchen garden to stop the digging and also him chewing on twigs and stuff. It will be very interesting! I mentioned to Alan that we need an electronic door opener/closer for Murphy. He loves going in and out and I have become his doorman.
Lisa and I finally got to the Quilt shop.

 Could not resist another tiny scissor....

 This is  a kit to make a Burrito roll pillowcase that Lisa will be making....

This lovely print will be the backing and binding for my runner.

New prints for a bathroom valance.
I guess my post will need to be at night or mid morning/day. Murphy has kept me pretty busy. This is one week and all personal business he has done outside...no house accidents! Did I mention the vet mentioned that Murphy has a belly more than he, the vet, would like?! He gained 5 pounds in the month he has been with us.... cutting down on his food already. Anyway, I do not think there is an issue...love his belly!❤❤
Okay, time for my lunch. Alan and Lisa are both working so it is just the boy and me....glad you stopped by. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. I am feeling so much better! Thank you for your friendship.

Seeing stars

Since the 115 temp day recently,  we are in a cool down....now the temp is in the mid 100s. Still hot and it will be until September-ish. Not to worry about me because sensibly I am remaining indoors venturing out when I must. I can always find something to keep me busy...

Four Origami Christmas Stars made. Although they are usually not embellished, I think some gold threads are in order... I will experiment. Before I know it I will be making my August star.
I was a little careless while assembling the stars....

I nipped my finger while trimming with the tip of my very sharp fabric scissors. Happily I did not bleed on my star, but I did see stars! Amazing how these small cuts can sting and bleed. Today I have a sore finger but the stars got finished! Now to decide on the next project. I am thinking maybe cat or dog themed stars... or maybe....? Choice of fabrics is endless.
Today I will be just relaxing. Reading is a good option.... or maybe a movie or two. Ahh, the life of a retired gal.
Whatever your plans for today, be sure to take time to relax. It has been so nice chatting with you. Thank you for your kind and caring words. Thank you especially for your friendship.

When I think of Robert Frost's poems, like The Road Not Taken, I feel the support of someone who  understands that life's choices are like, someone who says, "I've been there, and it's okay to go on."

From the book, The world According to Mr Rogers, chapter, The Courage to be Yourself.

Staying Strong

I think there might be some people who will be surprised at how strong I have become. Truth be told, I always was but now it is showing. Time for me to step up and do what needs to be done. I finished the word Strong yesterday. So far each of these words that I have worked on this past week has been so appropriate for what Denny and I are experiencing. When I came home last night the air conditioner still would not kick in...103 out and 91 inside will not do. I made a few calls and "no emergency service" was a response. Glenda and Don, neighbors but more importantly good caring friends, gave me the number of someone to call. I explained to the gal who answered at almost 8 PM the situation and she said she could have someone out in the morning (Sunday) and they would call me before coming. Well not 10 minutes and Brent calls to say he will be here between 7 and 7:30 ...perfect. I let Don know and thanked him for the contact and asked him what to ask. Dennis and I are not used to asking for help....never really had to. I just did not want this company to take advantage (some do) of a woman in this situation. One problem hopefully solved. Let me back up....when I acme home around 7 PM I decided to get out and check the plants and the pond. That fountain was squirting crazy again and knocked over. The broom handle once again did not work. A Pond Shower again! I knew what had to be done and as soon as my stomach settled,  into the pond I reached and I took the slimy pump and fountain out to clean. I know it is not as clean as Denny would make it, but it is clean and back in the pond and working ...at least it was when I left it. I will check at daylight....it is only 3:18 AM right now and I am not going out to check. Mind you, this is the very first time I did this...the pond itself needs cleaning, but it will have to wait. All done and no fish harmed and I did not fall in! Let me tell you about my guy yesterday. It was an uneventful day. Being the weekend, the gang as Denny calls them were few parading in and out. He dozed on/off most of the day. The medication is working to keep him comfortable. He is still having issues with the mouth infection; not eating and did not drink much. He will be home Monday with Hospice and we shall see. There was another platelet transfusion. The goal is to try to stabilize him for a positive return home. I need to say that I am nervous having him home but it will be so good for both of us. In hospital there are nurses to call if needed...now it will be me. He has concerns but I hope it will go smoothly from here. All that is being done at the hospital is just to reassure Denny so he can come home. The Brother Alan will arrive Tuesday around 12:30 PM and we will move on together during the week to solve some things.  the list has grown form a blank piece of paper to several items. I will call on the Angels to watch over us and whatever will be will be....Some cards arrived yesterday and I will take them to show Denny. I read him Facebook messages and emails. You all have been the rock that I know I can rest on. Thank you for all the caring and loving kind words.....thank you so much for the beautiful friendship you offer. I think a large glass of Rain Berry Gatorade will do nicely....maybe I can catch a short nap before starting the day. Never did find my lovely scissors.  I do not feel very lady-like using a pair with Workforce stamped on them.

The unhappy needle puncher

Here it is 3:30 AM and I am still frustrated with my project. Let me start with, I ordered exactly the Valdani threads listed. When they arrived, I though that they would be fine....not so.

As you can see from the pattern photo the colors are nothing like the actually project. I can live with the clothing colors and even the mistletoe color..... but not the sky or the snow colors. I do understand dye lot changes but these are more than that, they are not the same colors period. It has the look of a dreary day. Why is it that the model picture, which is what sometimes draws you to the project and the actual listed colors do not match at all...not at all. I have never had this happen before. So.....my friends I will begin to pull out the loops and smooth out my fabric and wait for the new colors which I ordered last night to arrive. And because there is a minimum order $$ amount to order, I had to buy something else to bring up the amount. Understand that I am not a cheapie but I do mind spending $30.00 more for thread for this project on top of the $60.00 already spent. Lesson learned, try to really compare (although some of the sample thread pictures are not the best) thread colors and make changes. I plan to write to the designer to explain why I am unhappy.... models should be stitched in the listed colors and these certainly were not. Rant over , well until I begin the dismantling of the sky.

When I began the project I said I needed to get a scissor that would enable me to trim the treads closer....glad I did not buy another one because I already had the perfect curved pair. I have a fair amount of scissors like many of you so it was simply overlooked. These are really just right. Thank you for the kind words for The Brother Alan...even he liked the post. I had planned a different post for today but it can wait. This rant was important to unload. I am lucky that you even listen! Thank you for being here and for your friendship and very kind words. Have a good day....

Carmen, Hardanger and a winner

Meet Carmen...we bought her just before my birthday. She is 15 inches, her head/face is made from a half coconut shell and her outfit from painted canvas. She adds a smile to my face and to the kitchen. Someone once asked me if my home was all western now that I live in Arizona. No, it is very eclectic. I do have some western/southwest décor, but we have whatever suits us. A bit of this and some of that! I wanted to have something special to mark this birthday...there is nothing really special about it; well, except that The Brother Alan and Lisa were here..... anyway, I began a Hardanger project...

(look beyond the wrinkles please). It is a kit (had it for ages) from Nordic Needle, and is suppose to be a candle mat. Not sure if that will be so, but it is coming along nicely especially with the wonderful scissors from the Brother Alan and Lisa. Mr H always tells me to do your best you must have the right equipment and it is so true. A very long and sharp tool....I wish the pattern included a little more detail about the stitching, but I am using the photo included to copy. I am always amazed at what I find in the craft closet! I have had a busy morning...a few laundries, breakfast and oh yes, picking a recipient for my Un-Birthday winner. The names were all put into a bag and out came....

So, Vickie, please email me your address so I can send you a gift. It is always fun to give as it is to receive.  Thank you all for your good wishes and for taking the time to comment for this. Most of all, I thank you for your friendship and kind words. Have a wonderful day.

Oh Brother....are you there?

Here I am finally getting to bake, well make Pizzelle...my cup of coffee at the ready George Winston's December playing in the background.... and the phone rings.... I am always...always so happy to chat with my brother Alan. Although he is 11 years younger than me, sometimes he has been the big brother. After some chatting, he said he could not figure my blog out!? He does not know how to comment...not sure of himself. What!? This a  very smart man...a college grad and holds a job with position. He did get himself to follow but did not know how to navigate after that... we soon got that straightened out. In a short time he will be coming to visit us...his annual visit and we are so looking forward to his arrival. we have some plans but we usually just go with the flow of the day. This year Mr H will have some limits, but I am sure we can work around that. So today, I was the one to help him out. Back to my Pizzelles....

 I have a couple of dozen to have here and to share. Of course I did have to sample to make sure they were okay....Later I will attempt to make some cookies...only meaning if I get around to it. I hope to make Lucy's Pinwheels and Mike's Biscuits before Christmas. Nothing difficult but just to fit it in. I am working on my project and although I wish the scissors were like my original Hardanger ones, these are working out nice. I hate to order sight unseen (on line) so one of these days I will get to The Attic to see what is available. I also contacted my scissor sharpener and he may be able to fix these. So I find that I have some options. Well, time for another cup of coffee and sample another Pizzelle...just to be really sure they are okay. Glad to have you visit with me. Thank you for your friendship and kind words. Have a wonderful day.

New Scissors

They are not as perfect as the first pair, but they will do until I find the perfect pair..

 

see how small and sleek the broken pair is.... perfect for cutting threads in Hardanger. The new pair I bought at the Viking Sewing Center at Jo Ann's this morning. I tried them and they do work.... I really like the original pair. I checked on line and also Nordic Needle and I really do not want to pay $60+ for a replacement. The little pair did cost a fair amount, but at the time of purchase I was given a very nice discount. These cost $29.00 and then a 20% discount. So, for now these will do. I still have not started my baking...what am I waiting for? I really do like to bake at night or very early in the morning...tomorrow is football day so that may be a good day. Remember the socks that I just knit...sent them off to my mom, EvaP for Christmas. What did she say? She carried on about how talented I am and that her friends love them but that she doesn't know if she should wear them. She does not want to spoil them! What! My response is that if she does not wear them I want them back. They are made to be worn. EvaP just celebrated her 89th birthday and is " I should save this/that/these mind set. Really.... Anyway, that's my tale for the day. Happy to have you visit with me. Thank you for your kind words and your wonderful friendship. Enjoy your day.