September 08, 2010

samplers & pugs & rain, oh my!

Hello my dear and faithful readers! I've thought about you often and wanted to write. Really, I did! But I couldn't think of anything to say and since I'm just working on one project right now, wanted to be further along before posting pictures of it. But time sure is flying, and here we are, in September already, so here's where I am on the Mary Beale sampler (that I still don't know the name of!)

marybeale1

It's kind of big and hard to get a good picture of, so the photo above isn't the best.
But look at this little butterfly, I love it...

IMG_4480

and the verse, that I also love. It's just outlined by the green border right now, the chart says to fill in the whole verse area with the same color...but I'm thinking I won't. What do you think?

marybeale2

As there is so much solid stitching around the rest of the sampler...

marybeale3

more grass will fill this area below this blank space (which will have a little couple sitting at a table under some grapevines...



anyway, that's as far as I've gotten on it so far. Almost there!



Some of you that are my Facebook friends will already know about my pug problem, but for those that aren't, here's the problem....Muttley...Munny Pie...Mutt Lee...



It all started when his eyes started looking funny. Cloudy, etc. One eye worse than the other. We took him in to our vet, she did a dye test, which showed a corneal scratch on one eye, and corneal swelling on the other, both due to "injuries" of some sort. All we could figure is, because he's so WILD, he ran into something and scratched it. He loves to bury his face in the carpet or in blankets. So anyway, she prescribes drops, antibiotics and said to come back in a week. TWO DAYS later, the one eye with the scratch turns into the ulcer you see above. How lucky for us it was the holiday weekend, so no going back to the vet until Tuesday, and trust me when I say, it got uglier before Tues. Let me tell you, I pretty much went off the deep end, picturing this little (well, not so little, but you know what I mean), two year old pug, going blind! We've had a bunny rabbit lose an eye, even with excellent specialized medical care, so I knew what it looked like.

But, we made it to Tuesday, took him back in first thing in the morning and now we have this...




The vet made a "patch" over the ulcer, using his extra eye-lid flap, or whatever it's called. It should help speed the healing. It looks seriously gross. He's soooo happy {snort}. It has to stay this way for two weeks, and considering he's WILD, the Cone of Shame must be worn for that amount of time as well, until the stitches come out.
You may notice, the cone is already dented...



He's since figured out that this "Cone of Shame" can be used to his advantage...

*Mom holds his bone for him, so he can get his daily chew on (he chews a LOT on a regular basis, it's his therapy).
*He can terrorize Astro relentlessly (because Astro is terrified of the cone coming at him)
*He can lick food, water and whatever else might get into the cone at his leisure.
*Everyone feels sorry for him when he moans for one solid minute while laying on the couch, so he gets extra treats, rubbin' and kisses.
*If he plants his face straight down on the floor, the cone spreads out and he can pick up miscellaneous crap off said floor.
*He can clear a path really quickly because the humans and other living creatures in the house have figured out that the cone HURTS like h*ll when rammed into their legs, so they get out of the way, and fast!

I'm sure there are other advantages to the cone, but he's only on the first 24 hours, so give him time. Meanwhile, his parents continue to pray really hard that the #1 advantage to all this will be that his eye heals up and when it's opened back up, that ulcer will be much better.

And rain? Yes, lots of it, which normally I love. Except when there's a MONSOON and you're trying to walk doggies with cones on their heads and they are freaking out cause they've never heard all that NOISE before, all around their heads, while they need to peepee reaaaaaaally badly. They hate even getting their feet wet anyway, geesh! (You doggie owners out there know exactly what I'm talking about....don't ya?) I've never been so completely drenched in all of my life, but at least he went potty finally :-)

:::::sigh:::::
Life is good, even when it's nuts! I'm so happy it's the beginning of fall. So happy in fact, that I'm going to have a Fall giveaway very soon, so stay tuned for that. It will be for my loyal blog followers and regular commenting friends only :)

Stay safe! Stay dry! Be happy!

PS. For those that haven't seen the movie UP (such a great movie)...here's a clip about the Cone of Shame:

45 comments:

Karen said...

Your sampler is beautiful! Poor pug....hope all heals well and your house survives with the cone.

Nancy in WI said...

Andrea, Sorry about your mutt. I feel so bad for him but then when you started to talk about the cone it struck me funny and gave me a good laugh. That must be a shameful thing to wear for sure! Seriously, I hope he's on the mend soon. Your sampler is beautiful. If you ever find out the name, let us know. It looks very labor intensive but gorgeous! Nancy in WI

Cindy's Stitching said...

Your sampler is beautiful. I really like the colors. I changes patterns all the time. I you don't want to use a color in one area don't. Always follow your gut. Poor doggy

Chris said...

Andrea,
I am sorry that your dog has been sick, but it sounds like the vet has Mutt-lee(?) on the way to recovery :)
Your sampler is beautiful. Not much further to go!

Chris

Carol said...

Andrea, your sampler is fabulous! I like the verse as it is now too. Your poor puppy! I hope he heals quickly so he can lose the cone of shame.

valerie said...

Poor Muttley! I hope this is a successful treatment and he's none the worse for wear. I can imagine the cone of shame is no fun for him or you!

Your sampler is coming along beautifully!

Hope the rain lets up soon. My sister told me it was pouring today...

Vicky said...

Your Sampler is looking fabulous. Yes the cone of shame LOL

Melissa said...

Oh, what a worry! Your poor boy. Hopefully the cone will help him heal faster!

Love your Mary Beale Sampler! I wouldn't fill in behind the verse myself.

Remember your galoshes! We've had more rain here recently too though nothing close to 'monsoon!' Take care!

Sylvia said...

Your sampler looks amazing. I love Mary Beale stuff, esp. her colors.
The cone of shame just cracked me up - we were at a friends house who has a Brittany Spaniel, and she had to wear the cone of shame. However my friend did not know what we were referring to, so we had to explain. You are correct - it hurts like the dickens when they run into you with that thing. I'm glad to hear that your little fellow will be ok.

BugnLVoe said...

Yeah you blogged!!!!!
Poor puppy :-(
But man your post had me literally laughing out loud at the cone antics.
Pugs have the best personality don't they? :-)

XOXO

Denise said...

Your sampler is beautiful! I agree filling in around the verse is just a pain.

And thank you for the smiles and laughs with puppy. I shouldn't laugh but... Our dog REFUSES to go out if it is raining. And the sound of water drives her wild. Can't imagine adding a cone to that. Hope it all works out well.

Smiles -Denise

Siobhán said...

Awww, poor Muttley! I had to laugh at how he's turned the Cone of Shame to his advantage, though. I hope it helps him heal quickly!

Love love love the Mary Beale! I just love her designs, even if there is a lot of filling in!

Vinniey said...

oh poor Muttley! I hope his eyes will recover soon. Your sampler is fabulous, Andrea. I love large sampler project. :)

Meredith said...

You sampler is GORGEOUS!!!! Wow - that's a lot of work! It is just beautiful!! Poor pup!!! Our one dog, Daisy, ocassionally has to where the cone of shame - the cone usually only lasts for one wearing by the time it used as a battering ram for a week or so... Hope Muttley feels better soon - and your legs, animals, furniture, etc survive the process!! Meredith

connie said...

Beautiful Sampler..Poor Muttley I hope his eye heals quickly..I had a dog once that got a thorn in her eye and it got cloudy.I was frantic thinking maybe she was going blind.I took her to the vet and he said it would probably come out on its own..And thank goodness that is what happened..I believe he gave me drops to put in her eye but that has been so long ago.

Joy said...

The sampler is beautiful...I agree leave the wording as is. Can hardly wait to see the finish.

Poor puppy...hope he's better soon.

Glad to see you back, missed you.

Anna van Schurman said...

Your sampler is seriously awesome! Great job. Good luck with the squirrel chaser and his cone of shame. I loved that movie.

Margaret said...

Oh my! I just love that sampler! I'm going to have to bombard Mary Beale with questions about this one - I need it! lol! As for the fill in around the verse -- hard to say. I bet it would look really nice filled in though. :D

Poor Mutley! Oh my! You had me laughing with the advantages of the cone of shame. lol! Poor thing. Poor all of you! I sure hope his eye heals up -- that's the most important thing!

Catherine said...

Oh poor Muttley!! I do hope he is adjusting to the cone of shame! Too funny that he has learned to use it like he has.

Your sampler is positively stunning - it's going to be amazing all stitched up.

Laurie in Iowa said...

Your sampler is beautiful Andrea. I've never seen this one before. Can't wait to see your grand 'fini' snap.
Poor Muttley... that's so sad about his eye and the 'cone of shame.' For everyone's sake I'm hoping for a speedy recovery.
My Emma agrees with your Muttley about peeing in the rain... no way that's going to happen for my little Diva.

Julie M said...

Your sampler is beautiful!

Sorry you have to deal with the cone of shame and an eye ulcer. I will pray that it heals up nicely!

Katrina said...

Poor baby, I have a sick puppy too, tummy issues. Hope his eye is much better soon. My DH and I loved Up, it's the cutest movie.

Your Mary Beale piece is gorgeous. Is it from one of the Pocketbooks? I need to go look and see if I have the chart.

Kathy said...

Poor, poor baby. But oh, I was chucking reading your description of Muttley in his "cpne of shame". And all the things he CAN do with it. :) Really. It has been a long time since I have had a dog wearing one but I well remember the antics. :)

I do hope the time flys by and his eye is all healed.

By the way, I love your stitching. That piece is just beautiful. And me? IMO I wouldn't fill in the verse.

Rachel S-H said...

I hope he feels better soon. They look so funny in those cones. And so ashamed.

Loraine said...

Andrea, your sampler is absolutely stunning! I love it. More details please!
Sorry to hear about the little pup!
Hugs to you.

Daffycat said...

Wow, this sampler is really gorgeous! I'd leave the verse background plain ~ it looks great.

Oh no, the cone of shame! Poor Muttley! I hope his eyes get better soon.

Sally said...

Oh wow your sampler looks absolutely stunning!

Aww bless your little pug!

Carol said...

That is one incredibly beautiful sampler! I like the contrast of the verse with the heavier stitched areas on the side--I would leave it as you have it (why mess with perfection?!!)

Tanya said...

Your poor Muttley, thank good he is one the road to receovery now.
The sampler is gorgeous!!

KsMaryLou said...

Oh poor Mutt Pupp! Hang in there Muttley, be a good boy, and don't give Mom & Dad too hard a time by trying to play the sympathy card excessively or picking on Astro. This trying time will soon be done with, and all will be well.

Andrea the Mary Beale sampler is gorgeous! Whether or not the background for the verse is filled it will be stunning when finished.

mary said...

Poor Muttley, I hope that he heals quickly, although it sounds like he knows how to "work" the cone. Puggy eyes stick out so far, I always worry about about what my girls will run into. Give him extra pats from me. :)

Love your Mary Beale, I bet the colors are a joy to stitch.

mainely stitching said...

WOW your Mary Beale is just so utterly gorgeous that I want to crawl right into my monitor to admire it close-up!! I love her designs, but the intensity of the stitching sort of intimidates me. I'd skip the fillin around the verse, btw - I think it'll stand out better without it. GORGEOUS. GORGEOUS. Did I mention that I really love it? :)

Michelle said...

OMG it's gorgeous! Wowowow!!! It's stunning! So sorry to hear about your baby. Hope he is healed soon.

Lainey said...

Your sampler is beautiful!!
Hope your darling pup is better soon.

Blu said...

Great looking sampler! I say leave the verse as is. I find it much harder to read words if the space around them is filled in.
And I'm sorry about your baby, but I'm laughing over how he uses his newfound power!

Sherry :o) said...

what a great way to tell a tale that is not the most fun to deal with...it's hard to see our furlined babies have issues - and the cone, although I've never had a puppy have one, I have had a kitty have one and she was really angry for a long time...dogs are more forgiving - I think my pooch would think it's fun - except the rain part.

I love your sampler - it looks great - and I think I would stitch the entire thing and then decide about the background around the verse - I like the verse and would want it to stand out.

have a good weekend - hang in there and hope your pup gets better quickly!

Anonymous said...

Your sampler is breathtaking. It is called simply the Mary Beale sampler and is in her pocketbook needlework series that is still available on her website. I am working on Patterns of Creation, another sampler, which is lovely too. Mary Beale's mother goes to my church here in Dallas.

Alice said...

Andrea, you and I certainly like that same things. That sampler is just out of this world and you have done SO much since the last time. It is one of those MUST HAVE samplers for a sampler wall. Unbelievably beautiful and it gives one such a good feeling. I did not know much about Mary Beale before but boy is she talented. Tell me about dogs not liking rain!! Do I have trouble getting my six out when it rains! I do hope lil' Muttley boy gets better soon. Ulcers take time to heal so don't be in a hurry. I have had many laughs with cones and it is amazing how animals adapt and use it to their advantage. Muttley, being the clever boy that he is, has certainly found the advantages quick. I think this whole thing is worse for you than it actually is for him but you will both get through it. : )
Big hug and courage
Alice

MyLifesAStitch said...

Mary Beale is just stunning!! Wow. Awesome!!

Poor Muttley, lol!!! I was laughing all through your description of his utilization of the cone of shame for his benefit. :) Loved that movie!

Have a great week, and stay dry!!

Mary Beale said...

I love seeing the sampler!...especially since I designed it. The title is not very interesting. I called it Mary Beale, her sampler. It is one of my favorite pieces. The background around the verse...don't fill it in. Back then, I liked everything filled in. I have changed on that slightly. Your work is beautiful! The sampler is from Pocketbook Needlework 1998. Send me a picture when your finished and I will put it up on my web site and link to your blog.

Hazel said...

Wow this sampler is stunning and is really helping me get motivated to get back to my stitching! Oh your poor little dog. He is so cute too. x

Lois said...

Your Mary Beale is gorgeous! I'm with what others have said, I could leave the background round the verse. It really is stunning! What a beauty it's turning out to be!

Poor Muttley, glad he's turning his misfortune to an advantage!

Sharon said...

Your sampler is looking fantastic!

Maggee said...

That Marby Beale Sampler is just beautiful! A LOT of work there! I look forward to seeing it done! Here's praying the pup heals perfectly, and all survive the cone of shame... Hugs.

the striped rose said...

That Mary Beale sampler is gorgeous!! I love Mary Beale, but seeing a picture like that gets me inspired to get that pattern out and give it another look!