Bit of a Break

It has been awhile since we last visited.

It may be even longer before I return on a regular basis.

Our drive to Minnesota, for last month's appointment at the Mayo Clinic, was much like that old saying about the postal service:  through rain, sleet, hail and snow. 

Add in some unbelievable winds, a little sunshine, and a range of temperatures from freezing to sweltering, and you have a description of our traveling experience.

The news received from my appointment was a mixture of good and not-so-good.

I returned and decided to take a brief break, while enjoying this wonderful Spring season.

It has always been one of my favorites:
a season of rebirth, joy and hope.

I love to watch bulbs planted last fall burst forth in glorious bloom and color.

I wonder each year if my beloved peonies survived our long hot and dry summer, and if my hydrangeas were protected enough during the cold of our winter.

Nothing makes my heart pitter patter as much as that first glimpse of a red tinged peony shoot peeking up through the garden soil, or a bright green hydrangea leaf bud on an otherwise dead looking branch.

All of these were happening, and I was oh-so-happy!

I was also humming along in my sewing room, stitching on pretty pastels and summer brights.

On Saturday morning, my husband and I were outside working in our yard.

I felt a sharp prick in the third finger of my right hand.

I do not wear gloves.

There is nothing like playing in the dirt and feeling it squish through your fingers.

I find it more difficult to deadhead flowers or squash an unwanted bug with gloved fingers.

They never fit well, and seem to cause more callouses and blisters -- at least for me.

So, I am used to splinters, scratches and cuts.

This one was different.

It felt different.

It looked different.

My finger and hand began to swell before my eyes.

Then, I saw why.

A snake.

I screamed.

My husband ran.

I managed not to pass out, but only barely.

He identified the snake as a Copperhead, and rushed me to the nearest hospital's Emergency Room.

I was hospitalized for the weekend, receiving anti-venom and other medications.

I returned home with an extremely discolored and swollen hand and arm.

Yesterday, new symptoms sent us to another physician for additional treatment.

Recovery will be longer than I expected, and is much more painful -- both physically and emotionally -- than I wish to admit.

There may be permanent damage from both external and internal tissue damage.

Please be careful in your yards and gardens, as you welcome Spring this year.

I am not sure when I will be able to return to blogging, sewing, or gardening.

In the meantime, I wish each of you a joyful Spring and blessed Easter.

Return to Rochester

Those of you who have read my blog for awhile, are familiar with the above photograph.

I originally posted it here, when I first learned of serious problems with my vision, and later in several follow-up posts.

Well, here it is again.

My husband and I will be returning to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota this week.

Recently, periods of double vision have been creeping back.

While not as severe as previously, it is enough to be bothersome.

Before it worsens, we are visiting my wonderful surgeon to seek his opinion and advice.

We were relieved that Minnesota was experiencing a mild winter this year.

As usual, just as we are to arrive, winter storms and winds are beginning to howl!

Coats, sweaters, gloves and boots are now packed.

Once again, my prayer is to gracefully accept any limitations and the path my life follows. 

Even with wonky eyes, I will be OK!

I truly believe that.

Monster Tooth Pillow

Isn't he cute, in a monster sort of way?

I adore this guy-friendly design for a tooth fairy pillow!

I happened to discover it while browsing Suzanne's blog, Just Another Hangup.

I used a medium weight twill for the pillow front and a quilting cotton for the back.

Applique pieces are a mixture of quilting cottons and craft felt.

I used a buttonhole stitch to applique the fabric pieces, and a zig zag stitch for the felt eyes and teeth.

I added a fabric loop at the pillow's top.

It may be hung on a door knob, drawer pull or wall hook, making it a little easier for the Tooth Fairy to find in the dark!

Finished size is approximately 10" square, and it is lightly stuffed with polyfil.

The lower part of his funny face makes a pocket for the surprises and treats

left behind by the Tooth Fairy!

Be sure to visit Suzanne's blog for other creative and fun ideas!

A link to the pattern and instructions for the monster tooth pillow, and a tutorial for applique by machine, may be found in the sidebar of her blog.

And now this little monster pillow is on its way to a special little boy!

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start!

Blessings

Safekeeping

Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear;

rather look to them with full hope that, as they arise,

God, whose you are,

will deliver you out of them.

He is your keeper.

He has kept you hitherto.

Do you but hold fast to his dear hand,

and he will lead you safely through all things;

and, when you cannot stand,

he will bear you in his arms.

Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow.

Our Father will either shield you from suffering,

or he will give you strength to bear it.

~St. Frances de Sales~

Shortcake Romper and Dress

A fun little romper for Spring!

I used this pattern, Shortcake Reversible Romper & Dress

by The Cottage Mama.  It includes Sizes 6 Months to 6 Years.

Designer, Lindsay Wilkes, has recently started marketing her cute patterns.

She also has a fun blog, The Cottage Home, filled with scrumptious recipes, tales of being a young mother, and examples of her creative sewing.

Her patterns include excellent instructions, complete with photographs of each step of construction.

This pattern also included a recipe for Lemon Blueberry Shortcake Muffins!

Yum!

My version of the romper used Freckles in blue by FreeSpirit Fabrics and

Treetop in pink from an Oliver + S collection for Moda Fabrics.

This is a Size 3T.

This is a very easy and simple pattern, perfect for beginners, or if you just want to whip up something really, really quickly!  There is no hand sewing at all.  It is all completed by machine.

It probably took me longer to decide on fabrics and trace the pattern, than it did to actually stitch.

The romper is completely reversible, making it two outfits in one!

Both romper and dress tie at the shoulders.

I did add a sweet applique monogram to the blue side.

This is the Rick Rack Monogram from DigiStitches.

I alternated the fabrics for the leg bands, to add a little more contrast and interest to the finished project.  I also applied a lightweight woven fusible interfacing to each  leg band piece.  I believe this added a little stability and gave a more finished appearance.

In all honesty, I thought about adding the interfacing while tracing and preparing the pattern.

In my haste to get to the fun part of stitching, I forgot to cut out the interfacing.

Again, I decided to try and follow the pattern instructions for this first time use.

However, after attaching one leg band, I could tell interfacing would really help.

So, my trusty seam ripper was put into action!

After a few minutes of cutting and applying interfacing, I was stitching again and more pleased with the outcome.

For the dress version, I selected Half Moon Modern Big Dots in Steel by Moda.

I used a solid pink broadcloth for the lining.  While the dress is still reversible, I made it mostly to be worn with the dots as the outer fabric.

The hem is edged with pink rick rack.

The dress is Size 4T.

I really love the more full swing style of this little dress -- perfect for running, skipping and twirling!

I also monogrammed the dress in pale pink to match the rick rack and lining.

The font is Empire, one of my all-time favorites, from Embroidery Arts.

I am cleaning up my sewing room to prepare for a few more projects.

First, I am off to pamper myself with a much needed manicure!

Happy Friday to all!

All fabric and patterns available at BessieMary.

The First Day of Lent

The last couple of days, I have read or listened to sacrifices that friends are making for Lent.

I have pondered what I could do.
Honestly, I have never been too successful at giving something up for the duration of the season.

I could, and probably should, give up the massive amount of Diet Coke I consume.

It would make me a healthier person in the long run, but most likely a very unhappy person

for the next forty days.  I would probably only substitute its absence with milkshakes or sweet tea.

 I do not think that is such a wise thing.

I could also give up chocolate and all sweets.

But, that would probably also make me grumpy.

It is a little difficult for me to give up the computer or internet, since it is the basis of my

business.  It is also the only way I am sometimes able to stay in touch with our son.

As I prepare to travel for a few days, my computer and cell phone become even more important for safety and communication purposes.

Somehow, I don't think God really cares if I indulge in soft drinks and sweets, or if I depend on modern technology.

I do think He objects if those things become the most important things in my life, decreasing the amount of time and attention I devote to Him.

As I sat in the darkened sanctuary today, the preacher shared that this season is not so much about changing habits, as it is about changing hearts.

I can do that.

Today, there is a cross-shaped smudge on my forehead.

It is an outward symbol of my faith and God's love for me.

Later tonight, it will be washed away.

It then becomes my responsibility, over the next forty days and beyond, to outwardly show

God's grace and love in all that I say and do.

That will, in some cases, require sacrifices and a change of heart on my part.

To those of you who are also observing Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent,

I wish you a blessed, peaceful, and reflective journey during these forty days.

Blessings

My Valentine's Day orchid.

It is no unworthy thing to wish to count for something

and to do a great work in the world;

but we shall count in the final audit

not by the measure of our capacity, our business, our energy,

but of the tenacity and vitality of our faith and our love.

~Richard Roberts~