My DH has this. He is no longer able to drive. He is diabetic and went through a period of denial - quit taking his meds, etc. He neglected his eyes and this is the result of that. Had they caught it sooner, he would be able to see better. For now, he gets injections in his eyes and laser eye surgery. He has had several of each since the first of last year. He uses magnifying glasses all the time. We just keep them laying around everywhere. His eyes are both better than when he was first diagnosed. They aren't promising anything, but as long as he keeps having small improvements and they continue the treatment, we are thankful. Bad thing is that we were planning to retire early, but now we can't. I have to continue to work to get health insurance until I am 65. I have a heart condition and he has diabetes and the eye problem. We are both uninsurable for all practical purposes. That is what hurts both of us. We worked so hard saving to retire and having enough to do a lot of traveling. Now - who knows. But, you caught yours early, so you should be in good shape. Just be sure you go to the doctor often to have them checked.

Red, It might have helped if I had said to cut 2 strips of fabric 2 1/4" wide and 16 1/4" long. 1 for each side of frame. Yes, fuse fleece to wrong sides of fabric casings. Turn under 1/2"(wrong sides together-- fleece to fleece) on each end of long strips and fuse with scraps of fusible web. So the 16 1/4" long casing is now 15 1/4" long. Turning under the ends gives the ends of the casings a finished look. Fold casings in half lengthwise matching edges and sew with 1/4" seam. This just keeps the edges together when sewing casings to the top edges of the purse .When folded the casings will be 1 1/8" wide and 15 1/2" long. Pin straps to out side of purse (right sides together)where you want them and sew with 1/4" seam. This I suppose is just to reinforce the straps to the purse. Pin casings to each side of purse right sides together,centering the center of casing with the center of purse and raw edges even .Then pin the lining over the casings right sides together raw edges even and sew with 1/4" seam. Turn lining to the inside of purse and topstitch close to lower egde of casings .Slide frames into casings matching opposite ends of frames and insert rivets. Rivets are metal pins used to hold the ends of the frames together. The frame casings do not extend all the way around the top edge of the purse because the frames stick out on each end where the hinges are pinned together. I hope this doesn't confuse you more. Check out this site, it has handbags and all kinds of frames. ghees.com Mare

Sigh. My potholders only remind me of Bloomingdale's (they were on sale). Given laundering the normal amount for potholders, which is usually once or twice a year, plus once or twice more for when they get actually dirty, I really do think the printer fabric would work. You could also do block or screen prints (alas, Print Gocco, you are but a memory). You can easily carve a styro block, like computer packing, and prime it with gesso or acrylic medium, since you're only printing a few. Since you're good with mimeo, does that mean you're good with screen printing stencils? That would be so easy if you have the set up! For just a few prints, you can tape the stencil to a blank screen (true for hand cut too) rather than having to create a whole new screen for each. Anyway, laundry wouldn't be my first concern (you can always make a few extra prints, and have a lifetime supply). The problem with painting is knowing which medium is going to like touching a 450ð oven rack. Without looking things up, I'm guessing inks or dyes would be better than paints, but you can brush those on too, with the right medium. Or you could just cut paper stencils, adhere them well, and adhere to a stiff backing, and spray with car engine paint. Since you have some art/drawing/painting experience, I think doing it by hand would be the best, easiest way, if you can't do direct printing. I know a bunch of different ways to get an image onto cloth, but sometimes doing it by hand is just a lot easier, especially since you're not trying to get photographic detail. :) Actually, if you can't get the images you want made for you, I'm thinking that the engine paint might be the easiest and most durable. :)

I remember all those veggies Cori Ann was planting in with her roses. I was cutting the bottoms (with the little roots) off some green onions for dinner and thought, I should go plant them in the rose beds lol. School can be stressful at any age especially health related careers because you have to do clinicals as well as class. Then you have the patients who don't make it, not to mention dealing with sometimes difficult patients, families, doctors, long hours, other staff, etc. Its not always rosy. I hope Cori Ann is still gardening, its such a good stress reliever!