Blue Rhapsody Egg

DH's favorite color is blue so I thought I would try to do some in blue. This one is done using metallic paints that give it more shine, but they don't come in as many colors.

Anyway, this one took a bit longer to do so the two other ones that I have backgrounded (is that a word??) in blue are still waiting for me this morning. It's always such an adventure (grin)... never know what I will be drawing until I pick up the pen.

Well, it's been 35 days since I have smoked. I am still wearing the patches and will be stepping down to the 14mg. patches in another 10 days or so. I have to admit to having a few bad days when I really would have "walked a mile for a Camel" recently. Some days I think "If it's going to be like this forever, why am I bothering with all this!?" DH assures me that it is because I am using the patch and it will get better as they patch comes off, but I wonder (??) .

Until yesterday around 1pm, the previous couple of days were the best I have had recently as far as the heart thing goes. Had been feeling really good (even if reminded 30 times a day to slow down, sit down or rest..grin). Deb and Roger were coming by yesterday so I picked up a couple of things and put them away, actually got dressed (amazing!), but did nothing of any note. Suddenly the pounding in my chest, throat and ears became almost unbearable for a while. So, the remainder of the day was spent on the sofa... Then was awakened this morning with the same pounding throb. I told DH that as soon as this is fixed, there will be a new sofa... I am so sick of this one! (grin)

Snails & Violets

Ok, so they're not really violets. Maybe miniature clematis. Anyway, this is what I did with the time that I was up yesterday. I finally found the dozen ceramic eggs that I had been looking for since Sunday... right there on the counter in front of my face..grin The tiny cabin landscape was done a few weeks ago, but there was nothing else on the egg... so I touched it up and finished the egg. The snail scene is one that I have been drawing on napkins for about 20 years. Two down... ten more to go...grin

I've Outdone Myself!

I've made some ugly things in my time, but I truly think I have outdone myself with these tweed slippers! ...lol... But I still haven't found just the right combination of stitches to make the slippers I want. Will continue to try... Anyway, they wouldn't be so bad if the right colors of yarns were used, but I am so determined to get rid of the Homespun yarns in my stash. I had no idea that two partial skeins could go soooo far. The pattern for these is up on the Fabric Follies site. Very easy to make (and quick).

Today is DH's birthday... "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HON!" Since we are still waiting for the cardiac cath procedure to be done in October, I guess there won't be much celebrating today except for a birthday breakfast in a small town nearby.

My Origami Purse

In the previous post, I said I had found a great site called my little mochi. The tutorial for making an origami purse just blew me away...grin

So I made one.

By folding the square of fabric, the purse has the deep center of the purse and two envelope pockets on each side. I did the embellishment on the envelope pockets in different ways so it would be easy to remember what was put in which pocket.

Komaneko

I did my usual wander around through the blogs and one led to another, etc. You know how it is. Well, here is a terrifically creative blog called my little mochi and on it is a link to another site on the YouTube.com site. You have to look....

Komaneko Episode #1

• Komaneko Episode #2
• Komaneko Episode #3
• Komaneko Episode #4
• Komaneko Episode #5

From there, a link to the Komaneko site...but alas it is in Japanese and my translation stuff won't do an adequate job of translating. But the little videos speak for themselves...lol They are wayyyy toooo true!

Congrats to Stan! & Hat Pattern is Up!

It won't be long until I will have a full month of non-smoking under the "growing larger every day" old belt. I think of that every time I see that commercial about women continuing to smoke because they are afraid they will gain weight. Well, I suppose the weight gain just goes with it, but I truly think that the addiction to nicotine is just like any other drug and the nibbling on something sweet helps with the craving. It's also a killer on the old teeth and gums... another great reason not to begin smoking. Anyway, I had a 2 day period when I didn't use the patch, but decided that I really don't want to go the route of taking chances after having made it this long, so put the patch back on and will continue with the step down patches.

The cardiac cath is set for October 6.

I have finally put the pattern up for the cap that matches the fingerless mittens. It's here on my Fabric Follies site.

Also want to say "Congratulations!" to brother Stan and wife Marla. They were married on September 16.

Day 26, Hat to Match Fingerless Mittens

While waiting for the cardiac cath to see what is happening in there, I am spending a lot of time being quiet. It would help with the not smoking if I could be up and busy, but the pounding in the chest and the weak knees put a quick stop to that, not to mention the protective DH. As a result, two more sets of fingerless mittens have come into being. Since I had plenty of the thread, I thought... why not try to come up with a hat done in the same pattern... so I did. The hat pattern will be put up on the Fabric Follies site in a few days.

Today is the day for the initial visit to the cardiologist who will be doing the cath. I have never met him and must admit to being a bit nervous. I have been assured by Deb that he is very good and has done at least one of the 5 cardiac cath's that Roger has had done. Thank goodness for Deb.

Today's the Day...

Cardiologist appt. this afternoon and am I ready to get this over with! Today makes 21 days (wow...3 weeks!) of no smoking. It is still something that I have to watch pretty closely. Have gained 10 lbs., I figure the trail mix that I eat almost incessantly is better than the cigs or life savers...

The spider lilies are blooming... autumn has arrived.

2 Weeks Plus

I'm giving myself roses today.. I have made it past the two week point by 2 days. At 16 days, the automatic responses to things don't seem to be pointing to smoking as often as they did even a week ago. My first real bang of the last couple of days was this morning when we got in the car after having breakfast with a friend who had come in from out of town. That "in the car" response only lasted a minute or two and then was gone.

"Almost" The Way It Was...

Another jewel that came in email. I had to laugh a bit when this came through. Back when women just did not work unless they were widowed, spinsters or had "no good" husbands, taking care of the home and children was their job... and it was a real job. Her pride came in how clean her house was, how well behaved and happy her children were and how content & comfortable she could make her husband... However... this takes it a bit far. You don't suppose this article was written by a man... hummm... Click on the pic for a really large one that is readable...

Grandma's Apron

I just got this in my email from Debbie. Love it... and so true..

Aprons

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that "old-time apron" that served so many purposes.

"Gauntlets" & Day 13

Well, the fingerless mittens are now "gauntlets" and I will be making several more pair for grandsons. I had no idea they would be such a hit, but I should have suspected when I read on another site that their grandchildren loved them.

We went to breakfast day before yesterday with Deb and Roger.. that was a treat!

Day 13: The last couple of days have been ok... they seem to be easing a bit and the need to go smoke seems to have dissipated. I have not been having that desperate urge and automatic turn toward the back porch like I was having. I did notice again while in the car on the way home from breakfast ... that feeling of almost overwhelming grief .. I have to admit to being very surprised when I finally identified what that feeling was that I kept having... never suspected it would grief...

Shop Porch Surround is Finished! & Day 10

What a difference it makes! Jim & Don spent yesterday putting the lattice up around the screened in porch. It really makes a difference... it looks really nice and makes the hot tub much more private while allowing the air to flow. From the inside you can still see out and see the green of the trees, but watching the birds and squirrels might be a bit of an iffy situation..grin Now to finish the inside with linoleum tiles, put some furniture in, do a little decorating...

Day 10: Well, today I find myself clenching my teeth and a little bit trembly...(is that a word???) So I look out the window and watch the breeze softly moving around the leaves of the trees. It has a calming effect. I have to know... is there another animal in the natural world that will deliberately start and maintain a habit that they know will cause them infinite harm? ...

Day 9: Questions

Day 9: I take the nicotine patch off when I go to bed, as the instructions say to do. When I got up this morning and made my way in to make coffee, I found that I really wanted to go smoke... so I asked myself... What is there about smoking that makes it feel like an old friend that you miss desperately when they are gone? What is that feeling of loss... like the need for a soft, cozy afghan when one lies down or the arms of a small child around your neck? Because that is exactly what it felt like this morning. It's funny that smoking is as much a psychological need as it is a physical addiction. Even with physical side of it eased, the psychological side finds a way to make itself known. It can't be just the camaraderie of smoking with someone else, because the desire hits when you are alone also. Is it just something to do with your hands..?? Is it a need for that repetitive behavior? Or is there a chemical release with just the idea of smoking that is almost an endorphine induced calm? I have no idea... but I did find that just by asking myself the question, the desire faded.

Soap Petals & Labor Day Weekend

Well, it's Labor Day Weekend... already. It seems that I just took the Christmas tree down the day before yesterday. And here we are at the last summer holiday weekend ... with Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner. I'm not sure how the holidays will work out this year, but one thing I do know.... there will be no cornices made this year!.. grin

This is the cutest idea! The tutorial for making these single use rose petal soaps is here as part of Craft and Fabric Links.com where you can find links for free sewing lessons, free patterns, free graphics, free quilt lessons and patterns ...etc...etc.. These Rose Petal Soaps would be lovely in a basket with towels and bubble bath for a Christmas gift...

Day 8: So far so good... but looking forward to day 60...grin