The Cup of Fortunes: Week 43 (October 19-25)

This week's fortunes seemed perfectly timed for my life. I've spent the last week taking care of some medical issues with Bea, who is obviously part of my family. This cat cannot catch a break. She's been coughing a lot and not eating much. I took her in on Thursday for blood work, which ruled out a few things, but she hasn't been improving so she had to go back today for chest x-rays. I can pick her up in a few hours. Her vet isn't sure what's going on, but hopes this will give me some answers. Send her some healing vibes this weekend. 

I also had one of those weeks at work where I talked a lot about my own leadership style and what it means to be a good leader. I didn't know that was how my week was going to go when I picked the fortunes, but it aligned pretty well. I tell you, the Cup of Fortunes knows things.

Here are this week's fortunes and lucky numbers. 

October 19

October 20

October 21

October 22

October 23

October 24

October 25

Weeks 1-43

WIP: The House Purse (Meow Manor)

I'm a little behind on the house purse. I started the side panels last weekend, but haven't finished both yet. I did the count wrong on the first one so it's very uneven at the top. I'm going to finish the second one, which is correct count-wise, and then redo the first side panel. It's setting me back a little bit but that's fine. My goal is to finish the purse, not finish it within the stitch-along time. 

Panel 2 - correct count, gray cat addition

Panel 1 - wrong count, black cat addition. I do like the added cat in the upper window. Hopefully, I can keep it that way when I redo this panel.

I also found another contender for the fabric lining. I had to go to the post office yesterday and there's a little thrift store next door. I always stop in when I go to the post office, and usually find something. I found lots of somethings yesterday (more on the rest of the haul later in the post). I was looking at their small fabric section and found this:

The pattern is called Whimsy, specifically Whimsy 150 Mardi Gras according to this a listing I found online. I assume the Cup of Fortunes had something to do with this. 

Here is Whimsy next to the fabric I was considering for the purse lining:

I like the green, but I love Whimsy. I'm still several steps away from working on the lining, so we'll see how I feel when I get to that point. But come on! Whimsy Mardi Gras is just wild. 

Once I finish the side panels, I'll start working on the last panel. It's the bottom of the purse and is meant to look like grass. I'm going to use a combination of three shades of green for this panel. 

Vampire Book Club and Other Small Joys

I'm woefully behind on my last vampire book, Vampires of El Norte. I'm staying home this weekend and should be able to make some progress. What I have read is very good, so I just need to dedicate some reading time this weekend and next week. 

I found some other great things during my thrift store visit. There was a bundle of plastic canvas like what I'm using for the house purse and since I'm really enjoying needlepoint, I picked those up. Now I just need to find some good patterns.

But that's not the best thing I found. Look at this vintage bargello pattern that has all the pieces:

An eyeglass case or a checkbook cover - amazing! I'm enjoying needlepoint more than I thought I would so I'm happy to add this vintage kit to my project list. 

I also found a completed piece of needlepoint and some vintage crocheted (I think) coasters (probably). 

I'm planning on framing the finished needlepoint. I want to try to find the pattern online to see what it was supposed to be. I'm not saying I'll finish as it was supposed to be, but it's fun to know. The coasters will just be more whimsical things to add to my house. 

The other item I found is a finished art piece. I love buying art from thrift stores; I've gotten some really amazing pieces over the last year or so. Adding them to my larger collection of weird art makes me happy. 

Isn't it stunning!?! I don't know where it's going in my house, but I'll find a place. 

The piece is made through a combination of silk-screen printing or airbrush painting, quilting, applique, and trapunto (a quilting technique). I haven't been able to make out the signature on the front of the piece nor can I find any information about Cotton-Wood Designs in Belfast, Maine. There is some discoloration on the back of the piece, so I'm guessing this is at least from the 1970s or 1980s. If anyone knows about Cotton-Wood Designs, let me know. I may see if the embroidery guild has any information on this studio.

Last Sunday, Bea and I had a little memorial day for Keely. I don't think Bea knew what I was talking about nor did she want any of the chicken I roasted in his honor. It was a sad day, and I still miss him so much. 

Hug your pets and your humans. And have a nice weekend. I hope you find something that brings you joy this weekend.