It’s My Birthday…Yesterday!
04 Nov 2011 8 Comments
in Birthdays, Friendship, Gifts, Gratitude, Thank You, Uncategorized Tags: Birthday, Friends, Gifts, Gratitude, Thank You
When one gets to be an “older” woman….one prefers to pretend one’s birthday is just another day. However, secretly I am deeply grateful to my friends and family who went out of their way to make this a very special day.
I received some lovely emails today from some dear friends all the way from France and Belgium, a lovely note from my son and his wife, some from my nieces, many from needlework and quilting friends, other long-time friends, and sisters, Barb & Bonnie, Barb even sent me a some special internet gifts. And there were lots of special phone calls too and a video message from my new 4 month old granddaughter, Maya. I am SO humbled and grateful. Thank you to each of you.
I share with you some photos of other gifts I received in addition to the beautiful Eiffel Tower scissors and books I showed you last post. The other gifts must remain anonymous! Shhhhhh…I’ll never tell….Smile.
My SIL Judy, and friend, Kay, sent me this lovely teacup bouquet to brighten my day. Thanks again, Judy and Kay.
And what a surprise when Southpaw Stitcher made this lovely pincushion for me. It really says a LOT! Thank you so much Pat…yes, friendship DOES grow.
And My friend Jodi equally surprised me when she presented me with this lovely pincushion (filled with sand) handmade by a friend of hers. This one came all the way to me from Washington state. And isn’t this a beautiful card. Thank you Jodi…how kind and thoughtful to think of me while you were away!
I still do some computer work at home for the Augustinian priests and brothers and my boss, Fr. Mike, thoughtfully, sent me this plant with lovely lavender flowers along with a promise of prayers and Mass celebrated in my honor. Thanks so much…I miss all of you.
So you see…..amidst all the “to do” that one really doesn’t want to remember that one is ANOTHER year older…..it is really nice to be remembered. I SO appreciate all of the good wishes and prayers and gifts.
And I plan to keep on celebrating my birthday all month long. After all it comes only once a year….so celebrating for one full month is certainly in order!
Gratefully, Averyclaire
Thank You
29 Sep 2011 5 Comments
in Award, Blogs, Thank You Tags: Award, Blogs, Thank You
Here is an award I received from a delightful lady. Whimseytopia blog is delightful to read and Patsye is a delightful person to know. Did I say this is a delightful place to visit? She is an extremely creative person and she created this award herself. I am honored to be one of the first to receive it. Please visit her blog and get to know her yourself.
Another blog that has been around since the beginning of the year, also delightful with a great sense of humor, is Southpaw Stitcher. I have not posted regularly for quite some time now and have neglected to mention this one as one of my favorites. So check it out. She is an expert needleworker and a new quilter (doing quite well I might say). Please visit her blog as well.
I have been extremely busy with home dec creations for my daughter’s dining room, so I will post more creative things with photos later.
Thanks for continually visiting my blog space.
Amities, Averyclaire
What a Surprise!!
23 Mar 2010 3 Comments
in RAK - Random Act of Kindness, Thank You Tags: RAK - Random Act of Kindness, Thank You
I am SO thrilled… just look at the lovely gifts I received in the mail from Anne at Feather Stitching all the way from AUSTRALIA! She sent me the nicest card with such a pretty water lily on the cover with a beautiful and thoughtful note inside.
Last January I admired a needlework she had done with special trim around it. I had never seen any such pretty trim like it. I asked her about it and here she has sent me some similar trims. In this first photo the color doesn’t show up quite so well, but in the second photo you can see the pretty colors. She also made me a scissors fob which I absolutely adore. I really love ALL the fobs she creates. Each one is prettier than the next. She also included some exquisite hand-dyed floss and ribbon. The blended colors of the floss and ribbons are breathtaking! I was overwhelmed and touched to receive such a lovely gift for no reason at all from someone I do not even know. Thank you so much Anne! This blogging world has brought me many new friends, even though we have never met. I will never cease to be amazed by this.
Can’t you just see these lovely pastel trims around a pretty little “Spring” stitching. I will have to search for just the right pattern to go with my trims! Usually it is just the other way around!
I might add that Anne has a special site called RAK … Random Acts of Kindness. I am not a member yet and am not quite sure how it works … but Anne’s gift is a lovely random act of kindess to me. So please stop by and check it out.
Have a simply stitching Spring day…..Amities, Averyclaire
A Ray of Sunshine Amidst the Stress
19 Feb 2010 3 Comments
in Adamo, Thank You Tags: Adamo, Thank You
Some days are just worse than others. I have had a lot of bad days lately. When I mentioned that I cut my job from five days to two…it was like the weight of the world lifted from one’s shoulders…but it did not come without repercussions and stress. The person I worked for on those “cut” three days is ANGRY. And, of course, I have been the brunt of the anger. And for sure they don’t remember that I had agreed to do these three days only “temporarily.” It’s now two years later. It is with mixed emotions (mostly relief) that this part of my weekly routine has ended. When I resigned from this portion of my work, I gave them seven weeks notice and I am tied to it until the end of March, but soon it will be over. Ahhhhhhh. I shall miss my BIG paychecks and extra benefits of being a “full-time” employee, but I’d rather be poor than suffer through another year or two.
In the midst of the sadness came a bright ray of sunshine for my day. A DVD of Salvatore Adamo appeared in my mailbox…custom created…just for me from a friend. I will sit this weekend and watch and listen and my heart will be healed. Thank you so much for this surprise followed by a thousand kind words.
Here is link to hear some your own Adamo. Amicalement, Averyclaire
Gifts
28 Jan 2010 4 Comments
in Friends, Gifts, Thank You Tags: Friends, Gifts, Moroccan slippers, Thank You
I had a birthday in November and wanted to show you a couple of very special gifts I received from my good friend, Maggy, who lives 4,000 miles away from me. She spent several months living in Morocco with her husband on an extended holiday. They sent me this beautiful little treasure…lovely, pale lilac, Moroccan slippers. I was thrilled when they arrived. Aren’t they the best? So unusual…at least where I live they are!!! The leather is so soft and pliable and the color so delicate. Maggy sent me quite a few other lovely gifts as well…too many to show at this time. I will never catch up on showing all the beautiful things I have received from my friends. I love them ALL, Maggy, thank you again.
And as another special surprise she had French designer, Marie Therese St. Aubin, send me one of her patterns that I simply adore….It is called “L’Adieu.”
There is even a lovely note to me signed by Marie Therese herself. I was delighted beyond anything when I opened the package. It is so special I couldn’t believe it!
So then of course, I immediately ordered some delicate silk thread for this beautiful pattern. It will surely take me quite some time to complete as there are never enough hours in the day. And here I sit playing on my computer, posting, and surfing blogs!!! I must remember…less computer…more sewing!!!
And last but NEVER least….I received the most wonderful gift from another friend, Nicole. She also lives 4,000 miles away and is a lovely and talented artist. Her designs are more and more beautiful each time I see one. She created for me this lovely notebook cover for Christmas. Thank you again, Nicole, I love the batiks and your art is exquisite!!
All of us have the most wonderful friends. We must remember how fortunate we are. I am grateful. Thank you to ALL of my good friends out there. I couldn’t live my life without your friendship and support. Averyclaire
Happy Thanksgiving
26 Nov 2009 2 Comments
in Family, Friendship, Gratitude, Thank You Tags: Family, Friends, Gratitude, Thank You
For all of my blogging friends I am grateful on this special day. 
For my family…my husband, my children, my grandchildren, our extended families and ALL of our friends, we are grateful. We are grateful to be alive and well right now and happy. And we are grateful for our times of trial and illness which help us to see our days in a different light. I am even grateful for the job I sometimes wish I did not have, as so many people today have no job and desperately need one. I am grateful for the men and women who are serving in foreign countries to try to keep our world a safe place for all of us.
But most of all, I am grateful to God for the gifts of love and friendship he has given to each one of us.
In Gratitude….Thank you my friends, Averyclaire
One Year!
09 Aug 2009 9 Comments
in Thank You, Uncategorized Tags: Anniversary
Happy Anniversary to me! Yesterday was one year since I began my blog. I cannot believe the time has gone by so quickly. I was reviewing my posts and have discovered, however, that I am not as faithful a blogger as I would like to be. In one year I made only 63 posts….sad considering I had 365 opportunities. But then I am a person of few words and life has sure had its ups and downs for me this year. Thank you to all of you that I have met through my blog. I very much appreciate your kind words and friendship to me. This is probably the best part of blogging. And one can learn so much from surfing the blogging world. I have seen so many different types of blogs, so many different interests, so many super people. I am glad to be a part of this new and sometimes crazy world.
I intended this blog to be about needlearts and I still hope to have it as such. However, life didn’t allow me to accomplish much sewing, quilting, needlework, knitting, or anything this year. I pray that this coming year will be different. I have finally completed one of my pay-it-forward awards and am just a smidge away from completing the second one. I will photograph them and post them when my awardees have received them.
My DH will be having his second surgery this week. There has been a LOT of waiting. Waiting for test results, waiting for doctor appointments, waiting for surgery, etc. And this week we begin to wait again. I should be learning great patience. I am not so sure that I am. What I did learn was to not dwell on the negative….only on the positive in life. And we enjoy each day for what it is.
Happy Blogging to all of you out there and thank you for helping me to feel such a special part of this group. Averyclaire
Time for Reflection
25 Jul 2009 5 Comments
in Gratitude, Hope, Thank You Tags: Gratitude, Hope, Thank You
My husband is having a second surgery for his bladder cancer in a few weeks. Things are not the best they can be…but they are definitely not the worst either. Life somehow seems to have been put on hold and this cancer thing has consumed our lives. We are trying desparately to assimilate all the facts and options without becoming crazy with worry. It is difficult to say the least. I am still filled with hope for a good outcome in the end, but it is a long road we are facing. I ask all of you for as many prayers as possible.
Thank you to all of you who send comments and emails as they are much appreciated. This blogging world is absolutely amazing…what a comfort to find so many friends around the world.
In the meantime I find comfort in a crazed cleaning out of my sewing/art room. A purging, if you will, of all things unnecessary. Obviously a mental state that matches the excision of anything extraneous in my life as well. I am quite sure this is a perfect remedy for a soothing of the soul. Curling up with a good, light reading, book is also therapeutic. We continue our long four mile walks, we are eating as healthy as we can…also good for the mental and physical health. I am learning more patience…a blessing I am sure. And gratitude for small things has become overwhelming.
So once again…thank you to all my special friends out there. Gratefully yours, Averyclaire
Thanks
08 Apr 2009 1 Comment
I’ve decided to take off work on Thursday and Friday…a much needed rest…so I have four days. And for starters, tomorrow I am going out with some friends…much needed therapy!
My boss took my words seriously…took me out to lunch…offered me a trip to Peru next winter (we do mission work)…and took over some of the stuff he dumped on me. I am feeling MUCH better. Actually they do pay me quite well and I have a very flexible understanding of my time. They just take advantage of me continually and I guess I am guilty of allowing it. I am one of those responsible types who can’t say no when someone needs help and takes on projects that no one else would even dream of. In retrospect, perhaps I am just spoiled by being retired for a while, then semi-retired. And now I find myself semi-locked into a five day a week job which I never really wanted plus LOTS of work at home (said yes once too often). At this point I am remembering what it was like to be fully retired. My DH has been retired for quite a few years (we retired VERY young) and I am used to taking off with him whenever the mood struck. Actually I can still do this within reason (e.g. a 3 week trip to Colorado in Jan/Feb to care for my son), but I must watch the work load at the office carefully and choose wisely. I am an hourly employee with no benefits in exchange for the ability to “come and go” as I please…except the “come and go” part somehow got STUCK.
Tomorrow will be a day of fun and frolic and I will be “back on track.” Thanks to all of you who wrote me and were so VERY encouraging in my time of need. I have a SMILE on my face and can’t wait until tomorrow! Amities, Averyclaire
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.
