An OLD Girl Scout

I was compelled to switch gears and work on a dishtowel pattern that I bought a few years ago.  In fact, I've collected almost all of these patterns and bought the dishtowels, but haven't gotten around to actually making one because I was CHICKEN.  Ha! Scared to embroider.  I haven't embroidered since I was a Girl Scout, and that was a few years ago.  Let's just say I barely remember being a Girl Scout.

I finally decided to dig in and give it a try.  I was amazed at how fast I finished - compared to tatting, it's a fast accomplishment.  I couldn't really remember how many strands of thread to use or how big the stitches should be - all I knew is that I had to be consistent.  It all came back to me, but not until I was on the LAST vine, so my first try is less than wonderful.  But, this practice dishtowel is going in my own kitchen.  Good practice!  

I finished the towel by fusing the fabric "basket" and handle on, and then giving it a simple zig-zag around. Then I added a binding around the entire towel.  The corner basket is the basis of each pattern, with the embroidery different for each one.  When I saw these towels a few years ago, I liked them so much I picked up a pattern whenever I saw one.  Finally, one is complete - so this is a great accomplishment.  Now I'm ready to work on some more - no fear :)

To see the rest of the patterns, click HERE.

AND, in cardiology news, I'm free of it all.  No meds, no check-ups, no worries.  The ablation procedure that I had was apparently effective, and I had no signs of arrhythmia during the torturous 30-days of wearing that monitor that I really disliked. [It's amazing how they can gather that necessary information, however.] The stress test did not produce any arrhythmia either, so I'm back to doing anything I did prior to my hospital visit.  Yahoo!  I could've hugged everyone that came within 5 feet of me for two days after that cardiologist visit.

Instead of passing out hugs to complete strangers, my girls and I took in a class on Nordic Walking.  It's more of a workout than you think - and enjoyable through the beautiful parks we have available to us.  I could get hooked on this type of exercise. 

NORDIC WALKING

Now, if the weather would just cooperate and act like spring.  My tulips are confused!  We are expecting frost by morning, and a high in the upper 80F degrees on Tuesday.  

Only in Minnesota!

No More Motifs!

Not really "no more" motifs, but I have been somewhat obsessed  lately :)  I finished another motif from Jon's Elegant Tatting Gems book, again adding beads.  The beads just give it a little sparkle, but you can't really see it in the pictures.

"Nilakandi" in Lizbeth Blue River Glades

I'm not sure what I'll add these motifs to - maybe a bag or two :)  What do you do with your motifs?  I am planning some covers for my bread maker, toaster and Keurig machine in the kitchen, but I think I would like to add motifs of matching thread color.  Not sure what I'll do there - but I need to make the covers first anyway.  AND, my sewing machine is in for a cleaning and tune-up, so all I can do is plan at this point.  Not like I need more project "plans" - ha ha!

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I sent that heart monitor packing yesterday - gladly!  I had to wear it for 30 days to record my heart rhythm and make sure the meds are doing their job.  Next is a treadmill stress test on Tuesday, and then a visit with my cardiologist on Wednesday.  We'll see if I have to do anything more than just take the meds to keep my renegade heart under control.  I thought I was past being a renegade years ago!

Our Minnesota weather is FINALLY acting like it's spring.  Sunny and 74 F is the high for today, and similar again tomorrow.  I can get out in the yard on my hands and knees and look for any green signs of flowers sprouting :)

Yakut with Beads

 I am really enjoying tatting the motifs from Jon's book Elegant Tatting Gems.  Her patterns are both diagrammed and written out, which has turned out to be invaluable!  I thought I preferred working from diagrammed patterns only, but I have found out that I don't always know which way to turn or reverse my work to get to the desired spot to start the next element. [Is that just me?] When I go back and look at the written pattern, the "aha!" hits me in the forehead.

I decided to tat the Yakut motif with beads added, so I figured out how many beads I needed on each shuttle to place them correctly. (I think I am becoming obsessed with beads.) This would be comical to anyone watching me figure it out, and then a comedy act in itself as I thread the beads while one of the dogs decides to join me on the couch.  Mind you, one of the dogs is small but is old, deaf and blind with horrible depth perception for jumping onto the couch.  The other is a 65 lb. lap dog who plops her head on my lap regardless of what I might be doing (or holding.)

I placed the very first bead in the wrong picot, but didn't realize it until the next repeat.  Oops.  I didn't want to turn back, so I just ignored that little mistake and decided to count it as added 'character'.

I got ALL the way to the 5th spoke of 6, and then ran out of thread on shuttle #1.  I KNEW there was not enough thread on shuttle #2 to finish either.   I didn't think I would need to calculate how much thread I might need for one small motif if I just filled two shuttles.  Oops #2.  How can such a small motif give me this amount of grief?  Thank heavens for tatting friends who just happen to have some of the same thread.  Michelle was kind enough to mail me enough thread to finish the motif.  Whew!  I really didn't want to have to order more thread for just one spoke. 

Lizbeth Leaf Green Size 20 thread
with multi-colored beads.

I like it!  Now I just need to block it well and add it to my collection of motifs to add to sewing projects. 

Since we don't have beautiful spring weather to enjoy outside (ugh!)   it's been dreary here. Ruby showed us how to relax and wait for spring in the few rays of sun that appeared yesterday . . .

Patience.  Patience.  Patience. (In all things!)