Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Our Outside World

For months I have not been able to leave our apartment except for cancer treatments and doctor appointments so I sit on our porch when I am up to it.  When Kevin can sit up he often comes outside and sits with me to read or watch what is going on below us. The picture below is from last night just before sunset.


The porch over looks the creek. Some days it becomes very interesting with the kids running around on the banks. They try to fish, play in the grass, or chase their dogs. That is when the dogs are not chasing the ducks!


Some days we get to watch cars not stop at the four-way stop down the street and instead drive right through it. We have seen some cars drag race through---mainly on the weekends. Once awhile they get stopped by the police. There is a school zone starting right of the picture and that gets a few folks whenever the police are around.


My oldest son, Karl, makes fun of me sitting outside and always says "I am trying to make something." I have always loved to sit outside in the sun. However, on sunny days it is hard for me to cross stitch. I get a glare off the materials. Most of the time, I crochet outside as I was able to do yesterday evening.


My favorite things are watching the ducks, egrets, fish, birds, blue herring and especially the turtles.  At night once in awhile we will hear the bull frog. Feeding the birds and ducks is fun! Making the downstairs neighbor go crazy by blowing bubbles. They get really upset and slam down their windows.



When we can afford it we have flowers or vegetables on the porch. That won't happen this year. But, as you can see above, we do have some flowers that somehow survived the winter.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Ioffer store

Thank you everyone with your support with my ioffer store. I have been exploring new options and getting a few ideas from a competitor site that I will not name!

Please check out my site for items with the word "Clearance" in front of it. These items have been marked down and the shipping cost has been lowered.  Hope this helps everyone.

Your continuing support is very much appreciated and helpful.

Again, my link is http://www.sanditipple.ioffer.com/ 

Thanks!


Sandi

Great Crocheting tutorials


I really need a web cam like the one Bobwilson123 has on her tutorials.  She has a way to zoom from her head like it is attached to her ear.  She is out of Sydney, Australia.  

The tutorial I viewed was entitled “Mile a Minute Crochet Tutorial”. In this video she shows how to join to row together by attaching finished row together with a non-finished row which makes a new row.  In most crocheting books, they explain how to single crochet or join finished row together with a tapestry needle.  Here you are actually joining one finished row with one non-finished one. 

Bobwilson123 is a twitter, Face book, blogger and a YouTube personality.  Bobwilsoon123@ iprimus.com.au. Her tutorials range from basic lessons to projects.  Like how to make hats, beanie, granny square, borders, joining, baby, accessories, etc. 

I plan on viewing more of her videos, especially the hats and beanie ones to make for the cancer center.  I did have trouble with YouTube; but, it maybe because I do not subscribe to it.  Trying to pause or “rewind” to take a re look was difficult.  Planning on having a ball of yarn and a needle to work along with the tutorial.  It really helps to plan ahead.

I came across this on one of my nights that I could not sleep.  People who have Insomnia know what I mean.  However, my non sleep sometime has to do with taking naps during the day or after I had chemo treatment.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Sewing

Yeah! Got my sewing machine back today! Below is a picture of the crochet cover I made for my sewing machine before it went into for repair.


Weeks ago when I was twittering, I discovered how to do a camel crochet stitch.  I never heard of it before; so, I YouTube it and found out how to do it.
Here is the video link I used http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L4WPFhmzDg.  
I used it to make the top parts of the cover. Unfortunately, my fingers were having arthritic problems and did not continue for the sides. I just used double crochet.  It turn out good.  Karl now wants one for his machine. (We have the same model.)

I tested out the sewing machine on the wolf blanket I was working on for Scott.


 This is what the finished blanket looks like.  Kevin wanted to demonstrate the blanket; so, below you will see him laying on the floor with it.  Kevin is 6'3".  Scott is 5'11": so, it will fit him better.






Scott was very surprised that I got to finish it.  He was thinking that I would be spending my time outside; since, it was a nice hot sunny day. (Especially, when we saw a Rainbow outside our door yesterday evening.)



One of my favorite things!!!

Friday, March 23, 2012

Chemo Round 6

This round of chemo was different apparently it was due to the blood transfusion I had after the last session.  I have the RH factor and B negative.  The donor was 0. This change my immune system.

This go round I was more sleepy. Then after the shot Wednesday, I got the flu like symptoms and could not stay awake.  The flu symptoms usually does not hit until Saturday.  I was better this morning but by the afternoon was sleepy again.

Will have to wait until the PET Scan and doctor's appointment in April to see the final results.  In addition I still have to set up appointment with thyroid doctor.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

My Store

Went today to get my blood work done for Chemo treatment tomorrow. Found out that we owe $3,450.00 to oncologist office.  This is before my treatment tomorrow.  Unfortunately, this is what is left over after insurance and medicaid paid.  Thank goodness the doctor is on vacation or they would be at me to pay something to them.

Still need sales www.sanditipple.ioffer.com. I listed some new items 2 weeks ago and no one has even looked at them.  I am very sad and unhappy about this situation. If I did not need the money for my chemo treatment, I would probably just stop doing the site or making items.

I have two more coasters to do out of the 19 for the big coaster project; which, I have been working on for months.  Regrettably, the coaster themselves cost more than my time and materials used.

Will be off-line tomorrow.  Have a great day!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Wolf Quilt

I tried to sit outside; but, the wind was to high and blowing what little hair I have that started growing in.  It did not feel good.  I should say it felt weird!

Below is a picture of what I got done on the quilt.


Scott wanted me to make different quilts for him to take to college.  He keeps on insisting about going away to college.  Told him we will have to see about that situation.
Will have to sew the binding this week.  Hopefully, Karl will let me use his sewing machine; since, my machine is with the repair man.

Scott wants to also do the tie fleece blanket with me next weekend.  Again with the wolf theme.  He has read a lot about totems; since, the boys and I are Mohawk Indian.  He states his totems are the raven, wolf and tiger from what he has read.

We also have a tie fleece blanket to do for the Linus Project, too.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

My Chemo Hats (Skully Hats)

I have been working on Skully hats (Kevin refers to them as "chemo hats") for the donation box for the chemo patients.

Here are what they look like....






and like this. They come in various colors and styles....





This week I will be donating only about six as I have been not been feeling very well most days. Chemo takes a huge toll in so many ways.