Home Again
08 Feb 2009 8 Comments
in Gifts, Needlework, Thank You Tags: Family, Gifts, Needlework Tools, Pay It Forward, Quilt Shops
A big thank you to Jane for the beautiful gift I received in the mail while I was away in Colorado. As a winner of her Pay It Forward Award, she sent me a beautiful Temari Ball. She has made many of them and each one is different. On her blog she has just recently posted directions for making the core of the Temari Balls. It is very interesting. Stop in and take a look at World Embroideries to see how it is done. Thank you so MUCH Jane for the lovely gift. I am still working on the gifts for the two who won my Pay It Forward.
Thank you too for all of you who sent well wishes and prayers for my son. He is recovering slowly and making excellent progress. In another three to five months or so he will be back to normal. I was so fortunate to have been able to spend this week or so with him and see for myself how he is doing. This trip to Colorado was a very special time for us.
Here is one of their lovely sunsets.
On our return trip we did a little detour and did some middle-of-the-winter touristy things. We stopped in Custer State Park to see the free roaming buffalo and other animals. 
The buffalo amaze us.
Then the beauty of the Pronghorn antelope is so refined.
We did a quick visit to Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills and saw a wooly mountain goat grazing.
On the way home, I did manage to find the quilt shop that Jill from Cottonwood Quilts in Niwot, Colorado told me about. It was not hard to find and it certainly was well worth the trip. The owner, Debbie, has done a fantastic job of having a LARGE variety of fabrics, patterns, threads, etc. for her customers. It is a delightful shop and it seems to be busy with lots of things going on all the time. They do quite a bit of internet business as well. So stop in to see them at The Quilted Moose in Gretna, Nebraska. It is a lovely town just west of Omaha, Nebraska. It was difficult to walk out of the store without spending a fortune. I could have bought one of this and one of those and some of these….etc. etc. Since my sewing room is shamedly stuffed already with things I haven’t finished…I refrained and just picked up some small pieces of fabric I had been seaching for.
One special find of this trip to Colorado came from The Stitcher’s Garden in Longmont, Colorado. Nancy showed me a delightful tool called a “Fiber Hider.” It is super for all kinds of thread or yarn. One can just slip the looped end under your threads and pull the tail through with the other hooked end. It is a bit pricey ($30…would make a delicious gift), but once I had it…well I can’t imagine not having one now!! And I love the little silver turtles. In the past week, I have used it over and over again! Don’t know what I did without it.
Unexpected Gifts
13 Jan 2009 6 Comments
in French, Friends, Friendship, Gifts, Thank You Tags: Gifts
Today I received some wonderful unexpected gifts from my special friends in France. Maggy sent me a belated Christmas package. Inside were LOVELY rose napkins rings
A beautiful needlecase
With the tiniest button I have ever seen!!
So “couture” !!!
And a wonderful and colorful table mat with six coasters…I think the fabric is catalan fabric from southern France.
She also included a French Magazine, “Marianne”…for me to practice my French. It has the most wonderful news articles from all over the world. And I can see what some of the French are thinking about the U.S.!! She is truly my sister on the other side of the world! Thank you Maggy….I love them all..!!!!
And my good friend Elisabeth (who visited me here a few years ago) sent me a belated birthday gift. She did a crazy quilted Needlework Design Journal. I have never seen one. It is lovely and so unusual.
Her stitches are the tiniest ever! on the front and on the back!
And the inside has a place for me to design my OWN needlework! How great is that????!!!!
Last, but not least, she sent me some handmade Belgian Lace. I can’t imagine the patience it must take to make something so intricate. Thank You Elisabeth…what a delightful surprise from a very special friend!!!
What delightful surprises for my day today…totally unexpected, but VERY much appreciated. There are some days when I am just simply DOWN. And today was one. These far away packages made me smile and I felt the warm hugs all the way across the ocean! My dear friends, I cannot thank you enough.
Friendship
04 Dec 2008 3 Comments
in Friendship, Gifts Tags: Friendship
It is SO EXCITING to get a package in the mail..!!! I received a belated birthday gift the other day. My friend, Maggy, who lives in France, 4,000 miles from me, has been the most delightful friend. Our lives are so parallel and we are truly soul sisters. She sent me the most beautiful set of handkerchiefs. They are the loveliest I have ever seen.
She also sent me this delightful birthday card for “60 years” and one of my favorite French magazines Modes et Travaux and a fun book of gifts of make in one hour….now how fun is that?!!
Many years ago Maggy answered a quilt site forum request I made and we became pen friends immediately. We are able to meet in person when I went to France several years ago for a brief seven day visit to Paris. We have become best friends over the years and I treasure Maggy and her friendship. I have posted before on this topic but I want to say again…the friends I have made over the internet, especially the women I have met from France, are the most wonderful delightful people. Each day I find new blogs and new people on the internet and it has made the world such a small place. Thank you to all of you.
But a SPECIAL thank you to my friend, my soul sister, MAGGY!!!
An Unpopular Item
02 Dec 2008 1 Comment
in Gifts
Friends…it appears that my last post (in spite of the lovely rose and the promise of a handmade gift by me) is an unpopular item. I have had LOTS of lookers, but no takers. Evidently all visitors do not wish to take up the challenge of committing to making something for two people in the next 365 days. It is a big commitment…I understand. Or perhaps they would not like to receive my Gift??? Could it be? So as not to delay, I take license to change the end date and announce that I choose the two who did wish to participate as winners of my Pay It Forward award. Thank you Karol (who does beautiful cross-stitch) and Anne (who is a multimedia artist specializing in ATCs and others) for being so willing to take this on. I promise that you will receive from me, within 365 days, an item handmade by me. Congratulations on being brave and accepting the challenge…to receive my gift and pass it forward. Four other people in the world will now have a gift coming to them through your generosity. Thank you for passing it on. Now off to my teeny tiny little Needlework and Quilts Shop to plan a surprise for each of you. Have a beautiful day.
Pay It Forward
28 Nov 2008 2 Comments
There are two posts today…taking care of business.
I won a “Pay It Forward” challenge on Jane’s blog. I’m excited! I am going to receive something handmade by Jane in the next 365 days. How exciting…and what a surprise it will be. She creates the most beautiful handmade things.
Now I want to Pay It Forward as well. I have chosen one of my photos…this rose as a symbol of my gift to two of you. Here’s how it works: If you would like to receive something handmade by me within the next 365 days, please comment on this post to say that you are interested. Tell me a little something about yourself. I will then draw two names. If you are one of the chosen two, please post the same offer on your blog in return…hence the name Pay It Forward! You may use my rose as your symbol as well. I will do the drawing two weeks from today, Friday, December 12. See you then!
I don’t mind mailing to anywhere in the world so join in! Anyone can win! You can even participate if you don’t have a blog, just keep it going.
Christmas Stockings
21 Nov 2008 7 Comments
in Christmas, Gifts, Sewing, Wool Tags: Christmas Stocking
I’ve been having fun creating a gift for my daughter-in-law, Michelle.
From tip to toe…it was fun designing something for Christmas.
With leaves and flower centers covered with needle felted wool roving mixed with angelina.
And tiny beads in the center to add just another touch of sparkle.
She loves sunflowers and while it’s not exactly traditional Christmas, this is what she asked me to make.
And after I finished hers, I made the other one she asked for…one for the dog. All sparkly and shiny and it even has a squirrel…Birdy’s favorite playmate!!!
That’s Birdy on the left with the little squirrel at the bottom. I think Birdy’s going to love it almost as much as Michelle and Mike. Don’t you think? Now I’d better get this in the mail before they see this post!
Busy Weekend
10 Nov 2008 4 Comments
in Christmas, Friends, Gifts, Quilting Tags: Boutique, Friends, Wedding
It was a bit busy this weekend, but fun. Friday my husband and I attended a beautiful wedding of the daughter of a long time friend. It’s so nice to be together with good friends. And what a special occasion to share with one another. I recall the weddings of my three like yesterday. Here’s a little collage of the day. I feel like I renew my own vows every time I attend someone’s wedding. How romantic! I have been married for 41 years now. And I think we’ll make it for at least another 20.
Also this weekend was our quilting Holiday Boutique. It is similar to a craft fair, but everything is set up like you were in a large department store…without any vendors. Everything is marked and counted before and after the sale. As I mentioned, part of the proceeds support our quilting group…but more than anything else, it is an all day affair where we get to know one another better, have a good time, laugh and share a bit of ourselves. Everyone who attends says its the best sale of its kind anywhere.
And this lovely lady was made by a dear friend of mine who does absolutely exquisite work. She is a talented artist in all sorts of mediums. Her latest project will be a crazy quilt and I can’t wait to see it.
I Was Tagged
03 Nov 2008 10 Comments
in Family, Gifts Tags: Birthday, New Baby, Wine Tasting
Paddy’s Daughter tagged me over a week ago and I am now just getting around to answering it. I am to tell everyone 7 unusual things about myself that most people don’t know. Well…this is really hard. My life is like an open book. Even thinking about it for a week and a half doesn’t help! But here goes anyway
1) When I was younger…my dream was to be a research biologist.
2) I love turtles…they are the voice of God.
3) I am four of five and a Star Trek fan.
4) I am terrified of spiders…any kind…they make my heart jump right out of my chest!
5) I am a weather watcher. Love it.
6) Most women like to shop…I don’t.
7) There is nothing I love more than total silence. It fills my soul.
This was very hard for me…so I am not going to tag anyone else. I did this just for you Sue. Hope you have learned a little bit about me.
Just for fun here is # 8 about me. My niece, Lesly, just a few hours ago gave birth to a beautiful little boy, Ryan Patrick…8 lbs. 8 oz….22 inches long. He has a lot of hair. It is her first baby and we are thrilled…but even better yet….today is my 60th birthday!!! So I will never forget little Ryan’s birthday.
My children gave me a big party yesterday to celebrate. It was such fun. Besides the brithday party, my daughter decided to turn it into a lovely wine tasting party. Great wine! Another day with lots of family and friends to make life wonderful.
New Quilt for Titouan
02 Nov 2008 6 Comments
in Gifts, Quilting, Sewing Tags: Baby Quilt, English Phrases, French Friends
Maggy…my soul sister in France…has a new grandson, Titouan. I had to make something special for him. A bit of fun and a bit of the United States. So I found a fabric with lots of English words on it.
They are phrases which we hear a lot, but perhaps not so common France…but then again…maybe they are common. Can anyone of my French friends tell me if you use these phrases also? I love to learn new things. There are phrases like: See You Later Alligator or Quiet As a Mouse or A Little Bird Told Me…
Reappearing Rabbit or Monkey See Monkey Do or Leaping Leopard
Or Can A Zebra Can His Stripes?
Or Busy As A Bee
His Mom (who loved the quilt) sent me this super photo. Little Titouan doesn’t seem to care…he just loves being the center of attention. Isn’t he the most beautiful baby you have ever seen???
Ornaments
22 Oct 2008 8 Comments
in Christmas, Embroidery, Gifts, Wool Tags: Christmas Ornaments, Wool
I’ve been working a lot without much time for sewing. Actually I wake up at 4 AM and get some sewing done before I go to work. I think I am a bit tired…but I managed to do these Christmas ornaments. They are from a pattern by Indygo Junction. I haven’t done a lot of it, but I love working with wool. I have been collecting it for years hoping to do something fun.
Aren’t they just adorable. I think I will save them for gifts for the holiday season.
I think this green one is my favorite. They worked up quickly and it was something I could do when I was really tired and just wanted to sit in front of the TV at night and “veg.”
The embroidery on this one didn’t take much time and it really adds a lot to the ornament!
The little Christmas tree has beads for ornaments and a tiny silver bead to top the tree. Each ornament has a “jingle bell” attached to the ribbon.
On second thought…I think perhaps that this Mistletoe ornament might be my favorite. When I was a young girl, I always made sure I had mistletoe around at the holidays for the all the gentlemen who might pass through our doorway! What do you think?
Perhaps it is hard to choose a favorite. But I think they will make delightful gifts this year. Glad I spent those early mornings sewing.
