I admit it... I'm bummed. The doctor said two more weeks in the cast. My shoulder is not loosening up the way he wants it to, and my fingers are getting stiffer. My shoulder exercises have been increased to 8 times a day, and I still have to do my hand exercises for 10 minutes out of each hour. I'm sure the reason I'm not progressing is that I've been back at school, and it's just impossible to exercise for 10-15 minutes per hour while teaching! So, I'm staying home for the next two weeks and exercising as prescribed. I'm carrying around my little clip-on timer, and I've already fit in 3 rounds of exercise since getting home from the doctor's office!
The good news is, I don't have to use the sling all the time (only when my cast feels tight or when I'm taking a long walk), and I'm supposed to try and use my hand more... no lifting, though! I can type, or play the piano, or play the violin... how exciting! I don't own either instrument, but now I can play them... if only I knew how! I know... that's a very old joke! I think I'll just try to tat, knit, or crochet!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Eva's lace
Yesterday Dave and I went to daughter Alison's house to help apply primer to the walls of their new room addition. Dave helped; I sat on the couch and watched Finding Nemo with the kids. Before we watched the movie, five-year-old Eva made her bed and cleaned her room and wanted me to see what she had done. She was very proud of herself! When I was in her room, she wanted to show off her treasure box. It was great! She had saved little scraps of fabric from some of Alison's sewing projects, some fabric yo-yos, and some of my tatting practice pieces. Eva handled each piece lovingly! I think she might be a future tatter!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Found!
Babette found the picture of the ring pillow! It's in Lyn Morton's Tatting Patterns, which I've looked through a couple of times in the last few weeks. I was so sure that I had seen the picture on the Internet, that I never thought to look through my books! Thank you, Babette!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Short stuff!
Yea! As of this morning, I have a short cast! Based on how my arm feels now, I think it will be a while before I can tat, knit, crochet, or sew. My task now is to strengthen my elbow by bending and flexing my arm, and by turning my arm side to side. Easy you say? That's what I thought, until I actually tried it! Ouch!
Some time in the last week or so, I saw a picture of a ring bearer's pillow with a cluster of tatted flowers. Now I can't remember where I saw it! Does anyone else remember seeing it? Do you know where it is? Help! Please!
Some time in the last week or so, I saw a picture of a ring bearer's pillow with a cluster of tatted flowers. Now I can't remember where I saw it! Does anyone else remember seeing it? Do you know where it is? Help! Please!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Influences
My parents have had the greatest influence in my life, which I'm sure is true for many people. My love of needlework and fiber arts definitely comes from my mother. Mom is a fabulous seamstress, knitter, crocheter, and weaver. She encouraged the three of us girls to sew when we were in school. Janet really got into making halter tops in college! Lisa and I learned to knit, and I also learned to crochet. A couple of years ago, Mom walked me through the basics of weaving, and we plan to attend a week-long weaving class at John C. Campbell Folk School this summer.
Last year Mom took classes in liturgical weaving. She is particularly interested in stoles, and these pictures are of her first completed project. She has plans for another stole, and I will be tatting three crosses to embellish it. I'm planning on tatting the "Basic Cross Pattern" from Lyn Morton's Tatting Patterns. The basic cross is square, which Mom can put on the seam at the back of the stole. Lyn's "Traditional Cross" will embellish each side of the front of the stole. I actually started the first cross the day I broke my arm. I'm using Marilee's "Golden Glow." I can't wait to see the finished project! I know. I know. I have to get the cast off first!
No news
I went to the doctor yesterday, and I'll be in the long cast for another week. I might get a short cast or an exit cast next week. That will make me very happy!
I went back to school full time last week. I'm glad to be back, but I've been too tired to do anything at night. I just fall asleep in my chair around 6:30 or 7, and then I get up to go to bed around 9. I feel very lazy!
I did re-read one of my favorite books this weekend, Tryst by Elswyth Thane. My dad first picked up a paperback copy of this book for me at an airport when I was in college. He knew I loved romantic ghost stories, especially The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R. A. Dick. I loaned my copy to a friend and forgot to ask for it back when she moved away. I was still able to read it, because it was in the public library. Then I moved away! A few years ago, I found reprints of both books at alibris.com. Of course, I bought them both! I read each of them at least twice a year. I know what's going to happen, but I just can't put them down!
I went back to school full time last week. I'm glad to be back, but I've been too tired to do anything at night. I just fall asleep in my chair around 6:30 or 7, and then I get up to go to bed around 9. I feel very lazy!
I did re-read one of my favorite books this weekend, Tryst by Elswyth Thane. My dad first picked up a paperback copy of this book for me at an airport when I was in college. He knew I loved romantic ghost stories, especially The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R. A. Dick. I loaned my copy to a friend and forgot to ask for it back when she moved away. I was still able to read it, because it was in the public library. Then I moved away! A few years ago, I found reprints of both books at alibris.com. Of course, I bought them both! I read each of them at least twice a year. I know what's going to happen, but I just can't put them down!