Don't let the difficulties of the present moments overshadow the reality of God's promises. God's promises still stand. And God's promises are stronger than our failures.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Stuff and Nonsense

Did you think I was never coming back?  I was beginning to!  When I last posted I told you I had surgery on my right hand.  At that point I was looking l like this:


When that came off I looked like this (warning - might be a bit graphic):


Actually, I thought it looked pretty good!  You can see that on the finger the surgeon made a V cut so that the scar tissue wouldn't hamper movement.  That finger got a plastic joint.  The thumb, though, got a ligament from my wrist rolled up and put between the bones to form a cushion.

All the redness is gone now and the scars are already white and fading.  I have no pain in those joints any more but unfortunately my grip is not up to par yet.  I couldn't make a fist before and still can't make a good one now but it's better than before for sure.  I'm even able to open some jars now if they aren't too stuck.  :)

Of course this limited my stitching so I've done what I could - which oddly enough was more cross stitching than anything else.

On the sewing front I've made about 20 of these project bags - several of which I have given as gifts to my stitching friends:



They are pretty large - about 12 x 14 - and the tutorial is from Vonna Pfeiffer, The Twisted Stitcher.  These are perfect for holding everything I need for a wool applique or cross stitch project.  And speaking of wool applique, we were weren't we?, my sister sent me this pattern from The Buttermilk Basin that I've been wanting!  I can't wait to get this one ready for stitching!


It's just beautiful when you see it all stitched.

I also finished a couple of cross stitch ornaments:


This one is Roly Poly Santa by Robin Laukhuf of Olde Willow Stitchery Threads and was in the 2016 Christmas-Winter Magazine.


And this one is Eve of St. Nicholas by Lori Markovic of La-D-Da and is in the 2015 Christmas Punch Needle and Primitive Stitcher Magazine.  I've done a couple of others too but they are either on the tree or in some decoration I've done!

I also took a short trip with my sister to see her daughter, my niece, in Austin, TX.  Our path took us through Waco, TX so we made a little side trip to see:


The Magnolia Market - the shop you've seen on Fixer Upper on HGTV,  designed and built by Chip & Joanna Gaines.  If you don't watch HGTV you won't understand this.  :)  We went on a Saturday, which I will never do again because there were literally hundreds of people!  But she sure had some pretty stuff.

And one last cross stitch piece you might enjoy:


Santa's Workshop is by Bonny Woomer of The Nebby Needle and this one was also in the 2015 magazine I mentioned above.  It took some searching but I finally found an old rusty skeleton key to add to it and this is probably my favorite piece I've stitched this year.

And here's wishing you the key to Santa's Workshop and lots of love and laughter during this season.  Merry Christmas!

31 comments:

marly said...

How wonderful that your pain is gone. I never heard of joints being replaced in fingers around this area. Good to know. Your finishes are really nice and I love the simple stag. Lucky you to visit Magnolia. Merry Christmas.

Needled Mom said...

I am so impressed with your sewing skills post op. So glad that the pain is gone now.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Ray and Jeanne said...

I am so happy to see you back with a good report of progress. Looks like you have accomplished lots!!! Love the project bags and all of your stitchings. Can't wait to see the old pickup truck/Buttermilk Basin pattern done. Love it. Merry Christmas! ~Jeanne

Barb said...

It's nice to have you back. I'm so impressed with all the stitching you were able to do. You have given me courage as I just might be in your boat soon. I have tons of arthritis in my hands so I think it is only a matter of time.

Gail said...

Glad you are doing so well.

I would almost have surgery to go see that shop! I love the show.

Brigitte said...

This is great news about your finger and joint. And so good to know that you can stitch and sew again.
Your ornaments are all so sweet. And 20 project bags, that's not bad :)
That Truck Full of Joy will be gorgeous, Marlene.
Have a Merry Christmas with your family.

Irene said...

Spero che guarirai presto! Tanti cari auguri di Buon Natale!

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

So happy you are doing better. I can't believe you did all of that stitching with a hurt hand! Amazing!
Oh how FUN to get to see Magnolia in person!!!!
Super cute photo of you two pretty gals.
Merry Christmas my friend!
Hugs,
Shell

Annie said...

Wow.. that's some fancy surgery. So great that it's healing well and you are back to doing some crafty stuff.

Happy Holidays!

MartinaM said...

I´m so happy your are doing better, and you did all those beautiful stitching with a hurt hand.
I wish you all the best, merry christmas and a good start to 2017.
Greetings Martina

Sparky said...

you are on the mend, that is the best news, and you went to Magnolia...ohhhhh my wish I was there with you...I just adore this couple and her open concept flood of ideas is lovely....so Merry Christmas Marlene...gotta run...or fly to Magnolia? lol

Vickie said...

I am so impressed with your abilities after your surgery!! Good for you Marlene! My fingers joints are beginning to thicken and turn. :(
Your work is lovely! Merry,Blessed Christmas!!

Karen said...

The Santa cross stitch piece is my very favorite!
I did not know that joints in the hand could be replaced. I know they do hips, knees, and shoulders but have not read anything about fingers. Interesting. Glad you are doing better. And nice to see a post from you. I hope your Christmas is very blessed!

Sherrill said...

Oh MAN!! You drove right past me!! I would've met you at Cracker Barrel for lunch if I'd known! HA My niece has been to Magnolia and she said the same thing--wall to wall people. I doubt I'll ever go, I'd get too aggravated! LOL Glad you're on the mend and had a nice trip with your sis. Merry Christmas!

Andrea said...

So pleased you are back stitching. You've made some wonderful projects.

Have a great Christmas!

Cricket-bug Corner said...

Nice stitchez - the stitchery ones! Looks like a fun trip. Impressive scars!!

tink's mom said...

Wonderful to have you back. Your hand is looking pretty snarly. So glad the joints are working as they are supposed to. The muscles will catch up. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Lois Evensen said...

Oh, my, that surgery doesn't look like fun at ALL! So nice you are back. And, your projects are just beautiful.

laceystitcher said...

I am so glad that your hand is doing better, and that you are able to stitch. I love all of your pretty projects, and those project bags are gorgeous!! As you know, I follow you on Flosstube also, but I was glad to also find your blog site as well. I especially love the stitched piece with the old key; I am looking forward to stitching that one as well. I wish you a Merry Christmas! (P.S. I love Fixer Upper too and watch it as often as I can at my mother's house. Glad you got to see Magnolia first hand.)

Gabri millecrocette said...

Nice to see you happy to know are well...best wishes...happy Christmas

Loniel said...

So happy to see you happy! Your projects are lovely!
Best wishes!
Merry Christmas!

Julie Fukuda said...

I have never heard of such a process but so glad it seems to be doing the trick. Prayers fly your way for a full recovery and a most Happy Holiday Season.

KaHolly said...

It's amazing what they can do now! Glad you're on this side of surgery and recovering nicely!

Val said...

Oh my goodness! You did all that after surgery? Bless your heart! It is amazing what they can do. I can't crochet much anymore because of my hands. Wonder if I could cross stitch? Hope you are better soon! Merry Christmas!

Adrienne said...

I've been very busy caring for my dear, little mama who is nearing the end of her journey so I haven't been able to keep up with my blog friends. It's good to see you again and to know that your surgery is behind you. I always love the work you do and your bags and ornaments are no exception. Hope to see that cute pickup truck when it's finished.
~Adrienne~

Val said...

Just checking in on you! Hope you are doing better!

KaHolly said...

Hope you're doing well! XO

allthingzsewn said...

Glad to see your healing well. Love your needlework, lovely as usual. Hope to see more of you soon. I've been off line as well. This seem to have been a hard year for a lot of the sewing ladies I follow. I have lifted my sisters in Christ in prayer and those that aren't in the family, for God to put someone in their path to share his love and saving grace. Which reminds me, will you be going on missions this summer.

C Reeder PhxAz said...

Missing you. Hope you are well.

Jan said...

Just popped in to check on you, to see if you posted any updates. I hope you're out celebrating your new joint and pain free life. come back soon!

Gene Black said...

Hi Marlene. I was thinking of you this morning as I ate breakfast. I am still using the placemats that I won from you way back in 2008. I hope your surgery was a complete success and you are back to full speed with sewing and stitching.