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  • Valjean
    Valjean Member Posts: 1,898
    edited January 2012
    Barbe, your work is absolutely beautiful, just stunning.
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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited January 2012

    Thanks for the accolades ladies!!! We ALL have a craft inside us, but we just have to take the humiliating attempts to find out what our medium is. When we do find it, we can glorify in it!! It heals my soul.

    I was beading over an upholstery print. It makes a nice firm backing for a lot of beads. I showed the needle in the second pic to give perspective. Someday I'll finish the whole thing and frame it in a 8"x8" and no one will know there was a print underneath!! I have kept that one un-finished as I used it in classes to show the process. Now I don't teach anymore...sigh.

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  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited January 2012

    barbe:  It takes so much patience to do detail work like that...it's what I don't seem to have.  My DGM tried to teach me to knit...eeeek!  I couldn't sit still long enough.  I used to sew the kid's clothes, but it was always something I could make quickly..without zippers, etc.  I'm hopeless!  I love to read and garden...those are my hobbies.  Again, your work is beautiful and I so admire your abilities.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited January 2012

    Kaara, having the patience to allow a garden to grow in it's own time, is an art in itself!! I don't have the patience to water a garden....I feel that's God's job. So I very rarely have a pretty garden. Your art is your garden!

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  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 5,065
    edited January 2012

    Since getting arthritis in my hands I haven't done crafts very much and express my creativity in my cooking.  I've done most of the common ones, including tatting.  I think my favorite was jacquard knitting.  My Dad, who never knit in his life, taught me to knit.  He had learned by watching his Mother and Sister.  One threw the yarn, the other picked.  He insisted I learn both methods, said you never know when It might come in handy.  When I first tried a jacquard pattern I got frustrated with dropping and picking up the new color yarn every time the pattern changed colors.  I decided to try carrying the dominant color on my throw finger and the rest on the pick finger.  Not only does this make the process of knitting in multiple colors easier, the bonus is an interweaving of the yarns on the back and no long stretches of the minor colors to snag.  My favorite projects was a gift for my brother of an afghan in a Norwegian Northern Lights pattern.

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  • dragonflymary
    dragonflymary Member Posts: 356
    edited January 2012

    Chabba, I've done that same method for color patterns.  Don't have the patience for much of it but a kid's sweater is pretty easy.  The thing is, my guage is so loose I have to go down several needle sizes.  Currently I have a sock pattern that calls for #1 and I'm using #0000!  Do you have any suggestions on how to tighten a guage without pulling every stitch tight?  Just wondering.  Knitting is something I can do that doesn't hurt my back so I've really enjoying it right now.

    Dragon 

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  • Alyson
    Alyson Member Posts: 4,308
    edited January 2012

    One thing about watching tennis I am getting some knitting done - that justifies sitting in front of the TV!!!

    Talking about sitting at present I am sitting waiting to head off for my five year mammo and visit to the BS. At least I will be shown the mammo and then talk to the BS about other things as well but I am nervous.

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  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited January 2012

    Good luck Alyson!  Prayers that you have a positive outcome!

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  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 5,065
    edited January 2012

    Dragon, Had to get out needles and yarn to figure out how I control the tension.  I hold the yarn lightly between my palm and the little finger & the one next to it, just enough for a slight drag.  Adjust the tension on the yarn to adjust the guage of the stich.

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  • dragonflymary
    dragonflymary Member Posts: 356
    edited January 2012

    Chabba, thanks!  It sounds like a simple thing but I can't ever get the yarn in just the right place.

    Alyson, good luck with your upcoming visit.  Those can generate enough anxiety to wear you out! I think the anxiety is the hardest part of the whole cancer experience.  It can't be good for you.

    Dragon 

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  • macatacmv
    macatacmv Member Posts: 1,386
    edited January 2012

    Hi everyone, had an informational meeting with doctors yesterday. It was a long day. To get to Boston I have to take a ferry boat and then drive for an hour and a half, but it is worth it for the best care. Even though it can feel very impersonal. They spent about 4 hours all together with me. First I met the genetic counselor, then the MO and then a post op with the BS. It kinda depends on what the genetic test shows but I am going ahead with meeting with the RO next week, get that set up and in the works. So they feel like it was caught very early and they got it out, but there are no guarantees, so we move forward from here. I said I wanted clear information and feel like I got that. We talked about my fears after going through this process with my sister and watching her struggle and then lose.  I spoke plainly with the MO about my concerns about medications and I think she heard me. So I feel less anxious, more able to buckle down and do what they want me to do. 

    I am still trying to work, which is actually a nice distraction. We are in the middle of ice Hockey season and the equipment is starting to break down so I am repairing goalie pads and replacing numbers on a game jersey for a game tomorrow. Is that kinda like knitting? 

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  • QCA
    QCA Member Posts: 1,539
    edited January 2012

    Mac, I'm glad you had a good consult (4 Hrs!) and are developing a plan of attack. It seems to help when one is actually doing something to fight this beast.

    Alyson, hope you had good results.  Thinking of you.

    We saw the sun today for the first time in 6 days!

    Kathy

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited January 2012

    Nancy, YAY!!! for a good productive visit with you team.  I think it always eases the mind when we have a path to follow.

    Alyson, keeping the fingers crossed that  your mammo is clear.

    Kathy, sunshine?  you want sunshine?  can I send you some of ours.......please......it is so hot here I am living in the airconditioning and to the devil with the electric bill......I'll deal with that when it comes!

    I love knitting and have storage boxes full of wool that has been given to me.  I'm happy to share if anyone wants some for a project.  There is enough of a lot of colors to do a pullover for a man or woman and then there are lots of bits, great for afghans.

    Take care all.  Love n hugs.  Chrissy

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited January 2012

    me too Chrissy, boxes of the yarn...

    I knit all the time I watch TV...I make lap robes for the hospitalized

    Veterans at the VA hospital here..simple but they love them

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  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 5,065
    edited January 2012

    Bit of a storm last evening.

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  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 5,065
    edited January 2012

    Bit of a storm last evening.

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  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited January 2012

    mac; i spent all my younger summers in Falmouth, with my grsandparents, then my parents moved to Vineyard Haven, when my kids were little. spent every summer there!

      my son wants me to go up with him this coming summer, but with my thyroid, i doubt i'll make it!!! i always wanted my DH mur, to go with me.. its a wonderful place, young, or old!!!!3jays

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited January 2012

    WOW!!!  Cabba, that is an amazing shot!   Love the composition!  It looks so bleak and wild.....great!  Love it!!!

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited January 2012

    chabba, you're killing me!!!! I want to duplicate every shot you post in pastel!! I've been teaching myself (blowing my DH's mind!) how to do it by watching youtube videos. Yesterday I did the moon one you posted a couple of pages ago. He said it was the best I've done to date!! Your posts have been such an inspiration and I thank you!!!!

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  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 5,065
    edited January 2012

    I don't take em, I just post em.  We have some very good photographers locally.  Many of them give their pics to the local weekly newspaper.  The paper has an e-mail link to their web site that any subscriber can sign up for.  The editor sends out alerts and links to web postings on everything from breaking news, storm alerts and new photos.  All the pictures I post come from that site.  I just post the ones I like the best.

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  • Alyson
    Alyson Member Posts: 4,308
    edited January 2012

    Morning all

    Have a busy day ahead.

    Yesterday was  a bit of a roller coaster ride especially when I had to go back to have more images taken for my mammo but all fine.

    So officially its five years since Mx. They will keep check on 'smudgy' area in future. BS was delighted and and actually told me they really thought I wasn't going to get this far. She showed me other stats I had never seen - actually very pleased I didn't know some things as there were factors that don't show in the usual stats. This is why they won't discharge me because I am considered very high risk. I am just so grateful for a wondereful BS and the best onc team that has really cared even though the BS says that she didn't help my shoulder and back at all by having to take so much muscle; that chemo caused the neuropathy in my feet; radiation has caused fibrosis in the lymphatic system and that Femara has exacerbated my RA and fibromyalgia. It also made me feel thankful for what I have, a wonderful family, Ilive in a beautiful place and best of all I am alive. The BS also believes that for me giving up work has saved my life.

    So you see I had an awful lot to think about yesterday. It was very sobering in many ways thinking how lucky I have been, especially when I have two friends not doing well with uterine and overian cancers. I am determined that I will attend my DGD's graduation from university (remember that she is 3).

    Now I just have to see an orthopedic guy about this shoulder and get it sorted out. The BS wanted me to see a specialist as she worries about shoulders especially as it is the BC side.

    Now have to get on with today, ring dentist, ring specialist, get flea stuff for cats, go and get a knitting pattern, do another load of washing and of course all the other stufflike dishes and floors but I can do them

    Question what is the weather like in Canada and northern US in October? Looks like it will be early October before we can get away this year and we think we will do a trip to Vancuver and then to Toronto and see friends in Indiana.

    Big hugs to all.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited January 2012

    Alyson, Vancouver will be spectacular in October; the rain won't have started yet. As you drive across the country you will see more and more gorgeous tree colours as the leafs start to change. By the time you hit Toronto, they will be at their peak!! We don't often get snow in October and if it did fall, it would be gone in hours. The temps can vary quite wildly, but you may catch and Indian Summer. I think it's a fabulous time to come to Canada! No bugs, no humidity, no extremes in weather either way.

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  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited January 2012

    Alyson, happy dancing along with you! You should try to meet BCO sisters along the way. How cool!!

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  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited January 2012

    Alyson:  That's wonderful news!

    I got some good news today too.  My RO called and said she was trying to plan my rads treatment but the CT scan shows that the surgical site literally does not exist.  The scar is there and the clip that the BS put in place is there, but it is as though the surgical bed never existed.  Either my BS did a hell of a good job, or some miracle happened!  I remembered my DS and DIL praying for me that God would remove the bc "as though it never existed".  I got chills!

    That was the good news...the bad news is I can't have the PBI that I wanted because she can't see the surgical site to target it, so I am left with WBI, which I don't want to do.  I have a lot of thinking to do this weekend...and praying! 

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited January 2012

    Alyson and Kaara, I'm doing the Happy Dance for all the good news!

    Today was my 61st birthday (on the Hebrew calendar) so my DD called and put my DGDs on the phone. The almost-4yr old sang Happy Birthday and the 2 1/2 yr old thinks she did. Then the older one finished with the only English sentence she knows: "I love you Savta". They fill me with delight.

    My DH will probably be taking a trip to Toronto soon. His 91yr old mother is talking about going into assisted living and selling her house so he needs to go there to help. His brother and sister both live there but since he's the oldest she relies on him emotionally.

    Yes, you read that right. She's 91 and still living in her house, taking care of everything as she always has. Let me tell you, she's one tough cookie. When I grow up I wanna be like her.

    Leah

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  • QCA
    QCA Member Posts: 1,539
    edited January 2012

    Alyson, I'm so happy for you, dancing away here!!

    And Leah, Happy Birthday to you!  I'm not sure what I would be on the Hebrew calendar but I turned 62 on January 17.  And I actually wrote that without even flinching!  Funny how I used to think that was old, but not anymore!

    Kathy

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  • Gingerbrew
    Gingerbrew Member Posts: 2,859
    edited January 2012

    Barbe you quilting and beading are just wonderful. Could you put up somemore photos? Maybe in the stitiching thread. 

    Ginger

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  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited January 2012
    so glad you ladies are getting such good news.. i'll be preaying, for wise decisions from you/ your doctors.. things remain the same here, in bed, up long eneough to do email, and bco.. you guys are my lifeline, right now..3jays
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  • lulubee
    lulubee Member Posts: 1,493
    edited January 2012

    (((((3jays)))))

    Funny how we spend so many years wishing we could just go crawl in bed, and then when we HAVE to be in bed we don't want to be there. 

    Try to think some good thoughts there in the sack, 3jays. And make sure somebody Windexes your bedroom window for you!

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  • hbcheryl
    hbcheryl Member Posts: 5,113
    edited January 2012

    Happy 'Stralia Day, Chrissy

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