Yay! It's not covid

 My test came back negative!!!! Now it looks like I've been sick with a sinus infection. I can believe it since my allergies have been SO bad. I hate to take meds but it really looks like I'm going to have to try some different kinds till I find one that works best.

I'm looking forward to another free art summit (march 2 - 14). Here's the link: 2022-loving-healing-creating-summit  Oh, and Ida Andersen Lang  is having a free class starting on the 28th. I've signed up for both so I'm hoping that I'll feel good enough to take them. I haven't taken much time to make any art since I'm trying to embroider this year's freebies so I'm really looking forward to the classes. This year I decided to design all 12 freebies so I can get them made right away instead of doing one a month. I'm going shopping tomorrow to look for fabric to border the squares.

I need to start posting pics of my work. In fact I need to start taking photos again. Just another thing I got out of the habit of.

oh no, I lost track of time. I wanted to post on 2-22-22 or 22-2-22 if you say it that way. Hope you had  a great day and the flu has stayed away for you and yours.

Too sick to stitch

 Yeah, I know, I bitched last year about wearing masks to avoid covid along with getting all your shots (which I did) and what did I do? I went in my local library and didn't pull up my mask. Three days later I came down with covid, well at least that's what I think I have. My DH took me to CVS yesterday to get tested, so now we wait. So far, fingers crossed, he won't get it. It's definitely not so bad I need to go to the hospital but I am soooooo tired. I'm sure some of what I'm dealing with is my regular allergy crap. So be careful out there cause you never know where that germ is lurking.

I have so much embroidery to do but just can't wrap my brain around any of it. I have been crocheting some boot cuffs but even that isn't going well. I have to use a lot of safety pin to mark the stitches because I keep making mistakes. I have 2 new doll patterns for spring started but again I just can't get past sitting and looking at my supplies.

So it looks like the schedule I set up for myself at the end of the year has gone down the drain for now.  By the time I feel well enough to work again I'll be behind as usual :(

I'm off to curl up with a blanket, a hot cup of tea, and my cat. Will post again soon.

Free Pincushion Pattern

 I guess you were expecting a free embroidery pattern, but though I have all 12 designs drawn and traced I haven't started stitching yet.

I needed a wrist pincushion so I turned it into a pattern to share. I know there are other versions of this style but here's mine.

Material List -

For the band you may need longer or shorter pieces to fit your wrist- You can substitute wide ribbon for the band (so much easier)
9" x 7" piece of cotton fabric and of thin batting or interfacing
4" x 4 1/2" pieces of red felt and white felt
matching sewing thread
3 fun buttons
embroidery floss or pearl cotton
1" x 1/2" piece of velcro or other closure
small amount of polyester filling or wool roving

1. Cut out the 2 hearts from the felt.
2. Lay one felt heart on top of the other. Use all 6 strands of floss to sew the hearts together using a blanket stitch or running stitch. Make sure to leave an opening for stuffing.
3. Stuff the heart firmly. Continue stitching the opening closed.
4. Cut 3 circles from cotton fabric.
5. Sew a gathering stitch close to the edge and pull tightly to make a yo-yo. Shape and flatten it. Repeat for the other 2 circles.
6. Follow the picture for where I placed the yo-yos or put them where you want. Sew them in place and add a button to each center.
7. Now make the wrist band. My band is 8 1/2" but you may need it longer or shorter. I wanted it to go over shirt and sweater sleeves. Measure your wrist and add about 2" and 1/2" for the seam allowances.
8. Fold the fabric in half and lay the strip of batting on top. Sew leaving an opening for turning.
9. Turn right side out. Press and sew opening closed.
10. Sew the velcro to the ends. Make sure one piece is on the top and one on the bottom. Option: add a fun button the top end.
11. Fold the band in half to find the center. Pin the heart pincushion there and hand sew in place.

All done!

Here's a heart pattern to use but you can cut one any size you want.

Life's been busy and I'm really working on my habit of procrastination. Have you heard about choosing a word for the year? The various art groups I follow do this so I thought I'd choose procrastination but I now see it should be focus since this is what I need to do to stop all the putting off things.

I did really well last month. That's when I made the pincushion. In fact I started designing more of them with the intent to do a year of free ones but changed my mind after I got the ideas for some embroidery. I'll be starting one in a few days. Right now I dealing with some really bad allergies and mostly resting. Look for one to be listed by the end of the month.

Why I'm Not posting for a while---

 I know I'm way late putting up a freebie but I just can't get my brain thinking about new designs. You see I lost 2 of my cousins, sisters, at Christmas. They wouldn't get flu shots even though they both had illnesses that made them more likely to get really ill and it caught up with them. They almost lost their Mom and aunt, who had their shots but also had underlying illnesses, last summer so you'd think they get over their fear of the shots but no. So I lost 2 women I grew up with and I'm sad but also super mad. Until I deal with it all I think I'll be blocked. I took a free art retreat last week called 'Women Unleashed' and it helped me accept the anger but now I have to release it to move on. 

I hope to get back by Feb.

Please get your covid shots and wear a mask. Please be considerate about other people and have compassion for everyone. Please be kind.