As for my title, all kidding aside, I can kind of joke about it now but not much. August 24 I was doing my usual thing at work, filling orders because I work in a warehouse. For the last 9 or 10 months I have climbed ladders of all sizes with no problems. Why all of the sudden on that day has me just scratching my head. I fell off a ladder, actually missed the last 2 or 3 steps, backward, landing point blank on my butt. When I hit, I knew I did something to my back. I immediately couldn't hardly breathe as I probably knocked the wind out also. After talking with emt firefighters and then the ambulance crew, took my first ambulance ride to the ER. I thought if I went in the ambulance they could shoot me up with painkillers because boy, was I in pain. Couldn't hardly stand or walk. I have a compression fracture on one of my vertebrae, T12 it's called. My 3rd doc appointment yesterday, I finally got to see my X-ray film and he pointed out my vertebrae that is squished down. He says it's not a bad one but bad enough. Needless to say I haven't been back to work. I had so many physical restrictions that my job didn't have anything for me to do. I've been going stir crazy! After 2 weeks I started feeling better and could get around much better. Now in my 3rd week, I pleaded my case to the doctor that I can bend over, reach over my head, carry heavier things with no pain. I want to go back to work! Haha. Nope doc says. So next week I have a CAT scan to see anything else that a regular X-ray couldn't and still home rest for another two weeks. My problem is that I'm impatient and hate being incapacitated. My daughter had been my caretaker, buying me groceries and making sure I was okay. The first two days I couldn't keep anything down so I hardly ate. I also couldn't sit very long without changing position so my stitching suffered. When I could sit still for longer, I made up for time! I really think I dodged a bullet because it's a cement floor that I went down on. It replays over and over that it could've been worse.
Okay, onto some more pleasant things!
When all that happened, I was working on These is My Words by LHN. Here's the before...
And now..
Stitching in the wagon canvas is brutal so I go back and forth with the wagon part and the canvas to break up the monotony of the covering. It was coming along good until I got bit by the Halloween bug!
I picked up this WIP by PSS called Ghoul Tidings found in the 2013 special JCS Halloween issue. I know it's out as a stand alone chart now. It's a finish!
Before all I had was the very first penny? at the top left. I had tunnel vision with this. I can't remember what the dark color is, it's all WDW though. I ran out of that color at half of the cart and luckily found another skein in with some kitted up projects that was nearly identical. Another thing is the leaves called for a more greenish floss but mine came out that brownish-green color. Oh well. I love it and those cats!
After that was done, I picked up Halloween Revelry by the Primitive Stitcher that is found in the October 2009 JCS Halloween preview issue. It has been a new start/WIP since publication! I've gone to town on it. Here's the before..
This is from May of this year. Below is where I'm at now...
Love it! That witch took 3 days to stitch. I love her green skin and her outfit as she's out trick or treating. I still have to go back and stitch in the border cats eyes in that orange color. Also calling for WDW floss, I ran out of Charcoal for the black and once again lucked out as I had another skein of it. I'll be stitching this until it's finished, hopefully by the end of this month since it looks like I'll be home still. Aaarggh.
I also stashed just a little..
That Sunflower Seed design has been a want to stitch of mine for awhile so was glad to nab it. And that Primitive Betty sewing book is wonderful.
I also received my giveaway prize from the Flosstuber Kindred Stitcher, a WTN & T chart..
I am searching for the perfect fabric for it, a nice pale white, maybe a vintage lentil from Lakeside?
Couple months ago I downloaded these E-magazines from Etsy. I'm sure some of you remember them. They're found at Etsy at the shop called DesignsbyKirstenE, all one word. You can buy and download a months issue for $3 or buy the all the seasons for $99, I think. So here they are..
This one I bought just for that The Sampler Girl design on the cover. Now I've never read any of the Jane Austen books but I love the colors on this sampler.
This is one of their Christmas ornament issues..
Cute ornaments in this one. The next one I bought for the cover project...
Isn't she pretty! Love the teals and the light greens on this and I have a perfect linen for it.
I was going to wait to post so I could show what I received from my exchange friend with the latest Dixiesamplar exchange but I haven't gotten it yet. I will show what I sent to mine though. I can never remember to take a picture of all the things I put together but I do have pictures of two of the things I made. Judy has received her goodies. Here they are..
A paper mâché round box that I painted orange first and then black, then scuffed it up. That design is Pumpkin + White by Bent Creek. Then I cut woolfelt and sewed on the white wool for white pumpkins and stitched in vines with daisy stitch leaves. Then cut out the window for the design to show through. Glued the black trim around it after attaching the striped ribbon around the lid. Below is the inside..
I made it puffy on the bottom with batting and then the fabric. I attached the ribbon and button over my trim where it meets because I'm horrible meeting ends! It turned out very nice and Judy loves it.
I also did one of those pocket watches from WTN & T..
Turned out great also! Just hope the EEK stays put! Good thing I had stitched and made all these before my accident.
So I think that might be it! I'll continue stitching on Halloween Revelry. When I'm finished with that I think some Halloween ornaments are in order.
Take care everyone. Be careful in everything you do. I'm not sure how I'll take having to climb ladders when I go back to work but it's a fear that I need to deal with. I'm mortally afraid of falling, even walking into a store, etc. See you next time!













Wow - am so sorry to hear of your fall! Take the time your body needs to heal. There's no rushing that. Hope you feel better soon. Love your stitching!
ReplyDeleteOh no, Shelly! Messing up your back is so awful, but I'm so glad it wasn't worse. I'll be keeping you in my prayers for a full recovery. Take good care of yourself, and don't try to do too much too soon.
ReplyDeleteNow Shelly, I always love the things you choose to stitch BUT we don't have to be buddies when it comes to breaking backs. Almost 2 years ago, I had my accident. Mine did end up a burst fracture with emergency surgery so even if you are bored, it could have been worse. I fell backwards off a big step. I do hope you are feeling so much better. It is really a miserable injury.Love all your stitching as usual!!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I'm so glad you weren't more seriously injured! I can just imagine what it's like to have such a drastic change to your lifestyle, hang in there, do what the DR says and you'll be back at work soon.
ReplyDeleteSorry to read about the nasty fall. I could have been so much worse, so count your blessings. I know it's not fun being stuck at home, but not long to go now until you go back to work. Just think about all the stitching you can do ;)
ReplyDeleteYou have certainly been busy. I do love the box you've made for the exchange, such a good idea and looks fantastic!
Wishing you a speedy recovery. Ingrid
Oh, Shelly... I am so sorry to read about your fall! My mother has suffered from many compression fractures through the years due to her osteoporosis and I know how she's suffered. I hope you follow the doctor's orders and take it easy--do not push yourself :) I know what you mean about being afraid to fall, too. After my husband broke his neck two years ago, I am terrified that I will fall, too. I am so very careful of steps now and always hold the railing...
ReplyDeleteLove your Ghoul Tidings finish--those cats are just too cute! And your exchange pieces are adorable... Great job on both the box and the pocket watch finishes--you are becoming an expert :)
Heal quickly!!
I once stepped off the basement stairs three steps too soon. Thankfully I only bruised my knees but your story brought to mind the horror I felt in that moment realizing what I just did! I am so glad you are healing up!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your back injury Shelly. Glad to hear that your on the mend now. Congrats on the pretty finish and great progress on your other projects.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Oh no. Sorry about your back, that's the worst!!!! I love every stitch that you have going on right now ~ you always do such beautiful projects.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better.
Hi Shelly, oh, so sorry to hear about your fall - how awful for you! However, you are managing to get some gorgeous stitching done and I absolutely love what you made for Judy - you clever girl, you! Thanks for the heads up re the The Gift of Stitching magazine - it is my birthday in a few weeks so I have sent a firm hint out to my three children for the entire set! Fingers crossed that they are feeling generous! Shelly, I also wanted to thank you for your kind words on the recent passing of my father. It was very kind of you and I do so miss him greatly. (I didn't email you as you are a no-reply-commenter). Take care of yourself, my dear. hugs, Kaye xxx
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read about your fall, That must have been such a shock. Please take your time recovering and smooth the stitching time now you are starting to feel more comfortable.
ReplyDeleteYour Halloween stitching is all great. I love what you made for Judy - such a professional finish!
Very best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
Shelly, I'm so glad you weren't hurt any worse in that fall!! Please be patient in your recovery and get lots of stitching done! Healing hugs coming your way.
ReplyDelete