I finally tried.....

It has been a nice morning...not as hot to start the day but getting there. Today may be around 110. Another good stay indoors day for Mr H and me, myself and I. The laundry is done and the living room drapes are stored. The summer set is up. Next to change the bed---oh wait, Mr H is still in bed!
I decided that this would be the weekend to try to make a hexagon piece....

So, I gathered some scraps from the butterfly potholder...gathered a few other things and began. I really think I made some steps harder than they needed to be but all in all I did enjoy the project. My hand did not cooperate most of the time and so it took more time than most might have done. I see that the writing may not be clear, so , the larger ones are 1 inch and the smaller are about 1/2 inch finished. I did enjoy making them, and I know the next will be easier and look better....

Here they are.... I think I may make them into pincushions.... you know I love my pincushions. The size is easier to see in this picture. Needing to rest my hand, I will try to complete the project  later.
I will be emailing out the July Card exchange list later.....it seems all agree that it is so nice to receive hand written notes. As for the Thimble Exchange, it is still open so if you are interested please let me know. Also if you prefer not to mail internationally, that is fine but let me know.
I desperately need another cup of coffee so I best get to the coffee maker. As always, thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to stop by. I do hope you enjoy your day.

There is nothing more attractive than a nice smile” 

Charles M Schultz

Back to work today

I will be off to work later this morning after a week off..... just the way the schedule is. In a way it is good to rest my hand from the 5 hours of fabric cutting. Then again, it is going to be a long day! I must thank you for the concern and suggestions for my hand. Yes, I have tried the anti-inflammatory meds, the hot and cold compresses, as well as elevation and rest. All have a temporary relief. I am still waiting for the MRI appointment. My blood tests are done so until the next tests it is a wait game. I am just stitching on/off when I can. I think it is good that I am a 2 handed stitcher. Did I mention it is very hot...yesterday we tied the temp of 115...and the whole week is suppose to be like this. House air on as well as the ceiling fans and the car of course. I love the automatic starter so it can be cooled down for several minutes before getting in. Just to go to the garden to water the plants requires a push! It is a busy day here in our homestead....the roofing project continues (my home is not being down yet) and the Palm trees are being trimmed. How these workers can sit on a roof or climb these tall trees in this hot temperatures is a marvel. The roofers can only work from 4:30 AM to around noon and the trees will be down early too. Me, I plan to have very limited outdoor time. I went out to water the potted plants and they will need more by the afternoon. Oh yes, I want to remind you all of the July Card Exchange... I will email the list this weekend and the Thimble Exchange is still open. To answer a recent question, the card exchange is just that...a card only, no gifts (although I have received a few sweet little patterns, the ones that are printed on little cards)---but no gifts. This is to return to the handwritten notes of times gone by.Regarding the Thimble Exchange, it can be what you wish but the important item is the thimble. There, business finished. Thank you for the kind words and for taking the time to visit with me. I treasure your friendship...have a wonderful day. I leave you with my sleeping cats

momma and baby....

And the heat is on~~~~~~~

This entire week will be hot....temps in the triple digit teens.....I will be staying indoors most of the time.

This was yesterday on our return trip home from the doctor. Yes, you re reading it correctly; time 4:13 PM temp 116. Speaking of the doctor--- he did not give me any injections. I went for lab work and will be going for an MRI. It was thought by now my hand would be better. Since I have had no injury to it, there may be another issue so we will look deeper. It is frustrating. Not only the constant ache/pain, but the dropping of things drives me nuts. Of course not being able to stitch more is also a downer. I have tried to do a bit each day on Red...

she is finished and the wolf now has legs to pursue her...but I am holding off on his tail.... maybe to slow him down until the forest is complete! I am not sure if I will be stitching the bottom as charted. I obviously have plenty of time with the slow stitching to decide. To prevent total creative melt down, I am returning to the sewing machine....

this is the material and pattern I got last week. Cute Butterfly potholder. I think the Lady bug might be next.... or the Bee.... eventually all of them. Too cute to use!
That's about it today...but I do want to remind you of the July Card Exchange and The thimble Exchange...Thank you for all the kind words and most of all for your friendship. Enjoy your day!

A hot quiet day

So nice and quiet this morning... very hot outside though. It is 87 right now and the temp is expected to be at 103 today. The whole week is expected to be 103-111. So I think it is best to stay indoors and enjoy the air conditioning comfort. Mr H and I watched a good movie last night; Night Train To Lisbon. I think I may try to get the book to read. I loved the words that were narrated throughout the movie. I did manage this past week to stitch on and off on Red Riding Hood...she is complete and now to get the wolf some legs and the rest of the forest done. Slow going as I can only stitch for short times. But that is okay. Tomorrow I return to the doctor to see what we can do to help eliminate the swelling and pain. This week is the last to sign up for the July Card Exchange. The Thimble Exchange is still open. I guess that about covers it for today. The laundry is drying, I need another cup of coffee and something to munch. Glad you had some time to visit. Have a great day my dear friends.

Not a routine start~~~~~

On the days that I work, we have a routine; Mr H opens the garage door, he waits as I back out and a wave and I am off. Friday was a little different. Instead of the garage door closing and I drive off-----
as I started out onto the street I was confronted with a coyote chasing a little bunny towards me. I began to sound the horn in an attempt to startle the coyote into retreat and save a bunny. Mr H hearing this thought I needed him, so out around the corner he arrives and I am yelling "a coyote chasing a bunny!" Mr H scoops up some crushed stones and begins to run into the courtyard. Drama as he stops to peek around the wall divider...... when  the coyote runs past him, taking a leap and sailing through the air right over a 6 foot wall! This young coyote never even touched the wall, landing right in front of my car. I slowly followed him up the street to make sure it did not double back to find the bunny. Off he went into another  courtyard and I off to work. Well, I tell you,I only wish I had my camera in hand. What a sight---Mr H in pj's, stones in hand for protection and a coyote sailing through the air! We assume the bunny safely made it back to it's home as there was no sign of it anywhere. Now I know that the coyote must eat, and they do keep the rabbit population under control, but not while I am watching!
Now onto a few new items added to my sewing room.

The pretty rooster fabric is to make a skirt for a shelving unit in the kitchen, and the wonderful potholder pattern and the fabrics to make the butterfly twice.

I found this pattern at Jo Ann's---it is from Indigo Junction, Alice in Wonderland collection. I love the March Hare and the Door-mouse, the other is the Mad-hatter. I have a few days off so I hope the get at least the Butterfly potholders made..... maybe a start on the March Hare too. Since I most likely will be having the injections on my right hand Monday, fine needlework will be out of the question for a few days. This will be easier to do. Oh, I forgot to mention.... we have discovered that our Woodpecker is now stopping by for a drink daily. The House finches are not too happy but wait until he leaves before they stop for a turn at the feeder. The Hummingbird? Well, there is another feeder in the the back yard that he goes to. I do not think the Woodpecker has discovered it yet.

Here he is looking at me look at him through the living room window. What a treat to watch him so closely. Once he leaves, the feeder is quite sticky and needs a refill, but I hope he continues to visit daily.
I have received a few cards from the June exchange... such fun and nice to have cards on display each month. So it is time to sign up for July's exchange...leave a message if you want to join in. Also, I am still taking names if you are interested for the Thimble Exchange....lots going on. Glad you stopped buy today...thank you for the kind words and most of all for your friendship. Have a wonderful day.

More rain? Really???

It hardly ever rains here in The Valley of the Sun in Arizona.... yet there is more moving in today. Not complaining, but I do hate to drive in it. People forget how to drive in the rain out here. I took advantage of the couple of days off to rest and put this cold out of my system. I feel much better; not coughing or stuffy. This is a good thing as I have work today. I visited Mr H in the garden yesterday when he was tending to the watering

It was so humid and hot that I was only out for a few minutes. Our Snail vine is just so full and pretty. The arbor is almost completely covered and it is only one plant!

Not sure if Mr H was trying a pole dance or just moving the umbrella! A bit of fun before returning to the comfort of air conditioning. Right now it is so cloudy and humid. For a land locked state, it feels very tropical out there. I did get to stitch a little yesterday. Taking it slow with the swollen hand. I am hoping to get an appointment for Monday for injections. I arranged to have Tuesday off so I can let the hand absorb the medication without working and using it.  We had a visitor~~~~~ again yesterday

 The Gila Woodpecker returned for more sweet hummer food. There is a full birdbath just beneath this feeder, but he prefers to hang and drink.His markings/colors are so nice.A bright patch of red on his head and blush yellow on his underside. He is about 9 inches in length. Just silly looking hanging there.
Starting a  Thimble Exchange ----- if interested let me know to add you to the list. If you join and wish to send only to the USA, just let me know.I enjoy sending and receiving from around the world. That is it for today. Thank you for your visit and the kind words. Have a wonderful day.

Did you miss me?

Well, glad last week is over..... it was a four day work week for me. I much prefer the 2 day week. So easy to get spoiled! My new glass finally arrived and my vision is better for stitching. The eye medication is working for the blurred vision which is wonderful. But the hand has been swollen so not stitching. Can't win sometimes. I do plan to try to do a little stitching today. Red Riding Hood is needing me. We had a wonderful rain storm this past week. So unheard of in The Valley for June.... made the news. Found this after the storm

it was brief, but so pretty. Today we have a breeze but it is too warm to enjoy sitting outside. Besides, I am not feeling too well...is it a cold or just allergies and the change in weather? Whatever it is, I am just going to relax today. The monthly card exchange has been going well....it has been so nice to receive hand written notes and learn a little more about one another. I already have someone ready for July! A sweet friend that works with me, LaTonya, is already signed up. She does not have a blog, but checks mine out and is eager to make some new friends. She also collects thimbles... there was a thimble exchange last month that KimM organized. I was wondering if anyone would like to do a thimble exchange..... let me know. At the moment my cough is returning so I think it is time to curl up and watch the Charlie Chan movie that is on. So glad to chat with you....thank you for your kind words and most of all your friendship. Have a great day.

Thimble in the mail

I received my 2nd thimble from Gema in Madrid Spain...

Gema also made a lovely scissor fob . Her note to me was in Spanish...I only speak a few words so I used translation and got the message okay. The only thing I do not know is if she received my thimble to her.... hopefully she will let Kim M know. Then I received a message last week from someone who read my blog and asked about a thimble exchange because she also collects them. I just may have to find another display box! Work was real busy these last two days. My hand really suffered and there is no time to go for an injection. Luckily I do have the analgesic gel which does help. Simple hand stitching is what I can do at the present. Poor Red, she is lost out in the forest......
I will be emailing the June Card Exchange list out tonight.... so still a little time to join. I am really enjoying the cards and handwritten notes. I am hoping to sit outside for a bit today. My last relaxing time I had a hummer curious about me and I managed to get a picture of him...

they are  very curious and very territorial. When another enters the area, they quickly start to defend their yard..... even with lots of space from more and 2 feeders in the back yard as well as one out front! Mr H has enough flowers to tempt them...

really fun to watch them hover about and those tiny wings fluttering so fast. I have several hummers around the house...this is one of my favorites...

it is suspended from the ceiling just above and to the left of my computer desk. When a breeze enters the kitchen, it floats gently. The birds are wood and metal. The Kachinas like them too!
I would like to work on a couple simple projects today.... they are in the ready to go stages... so unless I get real lazy, I should be able to play around with at least one of them. Truth be told, I can hear the soft call of the Goldfinches.... I do get distracted~! So glad to chat with you today. Thank you for the kind words and most of all for your friendship. Have a wonderful day.

I have show and tell today!

First I want to say a huge thank you for the concern/advice regarding my eyes. I am feeling much better now that I have been using the eye drops. Secondly, I returned to have my eyes re examined and am comfortable with the situation so I ordered my glasses. Hopefully in 2 weeks they will be ready and I can return to cross stitching. On to the fun stuff~~~~~~
I joined in the thimble exchange that KimM organized. I sent to 2 gals, both in Spain. I received my thimble from Montse in Spain yesterday...

Wonderful gifts with the thimble.... a pattern booklet and several other patterns and she even stitched something for me. I also received an email from someone who read a post of mine someplace and wants to do a thimble exchange! Of course I said yes. Then I convinced my sweet little frog pitcher to become a pincushion...

These frogs I have mentioned somewhere along here in the past.... they belonged to my paternal grandma. For as long as I can remember they were in her kitchen above the stove. When she died I got them....I loved them as a child and cherish them now. Sadly I have no one to pass them on to.
Anyway, the little one now has a pincushion made from a scrap of fabric that I have had for ages. Just the right print and look.
As I have not been able to cross stitch, I decided to hand stitch.

I gathered ups some scraps and 2 cd's and beads and a piece of Teneriffe, buttons and trim and this is what I did...a bit of crazy quilting into a pincushion. So, vision or not, I have tried to keep busy. I plan to do another one soon. Today we are having a cloudy day...nice for a change. We might even get some rain. I must dash off now as I have a meeting with one of the homeowners and then with my computer guru to help with my external drive that I just plugged in. A busy morning. I had the week off but will be going in tomorrow....usually Saturday's are busy. So off I go~~~~~~glad to spend some time with you. Hope you have a wonderful day.