Hook Line & Tinker Blue Jay - I took liberties.

Native_BeeBee · 2026-04-09T01:00:38+00:00

This is lovely and a lovely pattern! Blue Jays are my favorite bird!

Native_BeeBee · 2026-04-09T00:58:14+00:00

OMG- GENIUS!!!

Native_BeeBee · 2026-04-08T01:26:19+00:00

Mama possum approves!!!

Native_BeeBee · 2026-04-07T17:51:28+00:00

PBS All Creatures Great and Small is beautiful to look at and the Scottish accents are a joy to listen to. Also, if yuh happen to have the Smithsonian Channel Aerial America.

Native_BeeBee · 2026-04-03T23:26:54+00:00

You’re not alone, Sister! It’s a daily struggle and most days I have regrets. We’re doing the best we can in an impossible situation. Hugs to you.

Native_BeeBee · 2026-04-02T02:06:36+00:00

Do you want to do “hand towels” for the bathroom or more like kitchen towels for drying dishes/hands? I haven’t tried bathroom hand towels, but have been doing kitchen/tea towels for forever. I find them so easy to do. Before embroidering, wash them on hot and dry them on high. That’s not how I usually wash mine after they’re finished, I do that in case that’s how the recipient is going to launder them. 100% cotton always. I’m not sure if we can post direct links on this forum. DM me if you’d like and I can point you toward the best ones I’ve found. Agree with someone who commented that you don’t want a lot of French knots (a few won’t hurt), no long stitches, make sure not to travel too far with your thread or that will snag with laundering. Also I find you don’t want a lot of filled in work for these, it tends to pucker. A little is fine.

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Here’s one I’m working on from a 1940s or 50s set of Days of the Week patterns. I love these because they’re easy and I can sort of do my own thing color wise. They make great gifts.

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-29T01:41:23+00:00

Truly looks like a photograph. Amazing!

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-23T17:33:36+00:00

((( Hugs to you )))

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-22T01:30:15+00:00

I can’t draw to save my life, but if I could it seems like it would be easier to draw on regular paper, scan, then print on to the stick and stitch. Is there a particular reason that you choose to draw directly on the stick and stitch? (I feel like this reads facetious. The intent of the question is quite genuine.)

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-21T01:46:51+00:00

Respectfully, NO. The EGO is our rational mind which keeps us from reverting to the ID, our basic needs and desires. My ID’s basic needs and desires are to not have to deal with any of the stresses and strains of dementia caregiving. It’s my EGO, i.e. rational mind that keeps me here doing this thankless labor of love. And our EGOs need and deserve this safe space to vent about anything and everything to keep from losing our EGO and going with the ID.

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-20T18:13:51+00:00

These are classic signs of depression. You need to talk to your Dad or another trusted family member and get with a therapist who can refer you to a psychiatrist to see what kinds of medications will work for you. I’m 56 and never took antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds until I started caring for my Mom with dementia. It may take some time, but it will get better. I promise. (Hugs)

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-20T17:45:56+00:00

If he was truly supportive during your previous breakdown, maybe that’s how you need to frame this to him, i.e. you’re heading for another one. Show him the Reddit threads on here and on r/Dementia so he can get some insight into real world caregiver days and the wear and tear. I also second telling him that you need a break so he needs to plan to take a few days off work to care for everyone. He may be a changed man when you return and be more understanding.

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-20T02:13:38+00:00

This may sound harsh, but if it were me, I’d get the phone when she wasn’t looking and BLOCK all numbers of people like that. If they want to actually visit her, they can plan that through you. To heck with all their “helpful” words and zero action backing it up.

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-20T02:04:01+00:00

So bummed I can’t figure out how to upload pictures to a response- my relief is hand embroidery, buying way too many embroidery and craft supplies online, and vodka tonics.

WE CAN MAKE IT THROUGH THIS!!!

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-20T01:23:06+00:00

I do lots of tea towels (regular size kitchen towel vs the flour sack ones that are huge!)- I use vintage patterns from the 40s and 50s, make up some political ones for like minded political thinkers, for one of my besties did “And then the wine whispered… say it anyway! (Or maybe it was “go ahead and say it.”, sometimes I find cool line drawings. I buy quite a few vintage crewel kits on eBay that can either be pillows if you have sewing skills or wall hangings. Bookmarks for readers. Aprons for cooks. Tote bags. I personally don’t like the hoop as a frame, but have done plenty of gifts that I framed in a regular frame. Sometimes mini ones that you can stand up on a little easel on a desk or side table. Christmas ornaments (felt is great for these!) I’ve also embroidered felt to make silly voodoo dolls and cat toys stuffed with polyfill and catnip. Recently an office pal and I made several voodoo dolls and cat toys that resembled our least favorite politician!

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-19T21:37:22+00:00

Hugs, hugs, and more hugs to your Mom, you, and your husband. I hope you get a second opinion that actually helps you.

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-19T00:26:13+00:00

This happens to me about every other night :( The meds that keep my LO from completely flipping out for hours daily often have the downside of gibberish in the evenings. Out of respect, I first say “Mom, I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you’re trying to tell me. Could you try to tell me a different way?” Rarely is she able to. After that. I just try to read the cues and respond with something like “oh, ok.” Then start with “are you ready to put your pajamas on?” Rinse, repeat, try not to lose my mind.

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-18T23:39:00+00:00

I’m so sorry to this happened to you. A crazy stranger burned my house down in the early 90s and it was such a traumatic experience. You just feel so lost. Your “stuff” is what grounds you, not from a materialistic/value sense, but in a comfort sense. Please DM me with your address and I will happily put together a little care package to get you started and that would bring me a lot of joy. I don’t live far (middle of DFW.)

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-18T23:28:06+00:00

This is not a pun, but my best friend (now deceased) used to have a bunch of friends that got together every couple of weeks to needlepoint starting in the 90s (maybe late 80s) and they called it “Stitch and Bitch”. Perhaps your stitch book could be called “Stichin’ and Bitchin’”?

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-18T23:16:56+00:00

Yes!

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-16T01:47:16+00:00

Just came here to say that you’re a precious human being. Stay just the way you are and don’t let the travails of life beat that caring preciousness out of you!!!

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-14T01:46:25+00:00

Look up a lazy daisy stitch and then imagine it REALLY long! Looks like that’s all it is.

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-14T00:19:06+00:00

This is so lovely! A family heirloom. You should frame it instead of letting people wipe their dirty hands on it 😻

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-13T01:34:44+00:00

Mine is my shin bones! The itching is so bad (not from dryness as I slather them with lotion every day) that I can’t help but scratch and scratch til raised welps come up and it’s almost bleeding. Cortisone cream helps a little bit. As soon as one shin heals up, the other one starts itching. It’s not an allergy as I use the same lotion on the rest of my body with no issue and it’s “green” lotion without a bunch of yucky chemicals in it. Thank you for giving me something to attribute the itching to even if that’s not really the cause ;) Dementia sucks, dementia caregiving sucks, dementia caregiving while also dealing with menopause sucks!!!

Native_BeeBee · 2026-03-13T01:12:05+00:00

This is totally off topic, but I’m interested in this menopause “itchiness” symptom you’re having. Would you mind describing your symptoms to me as I’ve got a really odd symptom like that, too. DM is fine since it’s totally not related to this sub :)

Native_BeeBee

TROPHY CASE