Some stitching show and tell...

of A Sweeter Love from Plum Street Samplers. I have loved stitching this piece from the start. It is very colorful from the cobblestone path between the houses, to the flowers and butterflies. I'm stitching it on 40ct. vintage Meadow Rue from Lakeside Linens with one strand of NPI silk. There is a verse that goes in the center and it is stitched over one. There is actually quite a bit of over one stitching with the initials and so on. I usually stitch from the bottom right hand corner and work my way up. On this one, I've jumped all over. I've mentioned in other posts that I get bored with borders. I have this one half done. Yea!

New additions...

to our family. Congratulations to my nephew and his wife on the birth of their twins.
Juliana and Daniel were born on March 20th. Welcome to the family, little ones.

It's been awhile...

1. 
   
   

since I've felt motivated to work on the many scrapbooks I have started. I feel guilty for neglecting the photos that keep piling up. And mostly because I have such sweet little inspirations called grandchildren. I've had this lay out spread all over my work table for almost a week. I love the designs of Brenda Walton of K & Company. Everything coordinates so well and pages usually come together quickly. I think I get frustrated sometimes because I have so much stuff in my stash that it becomes overwhelming. I seemed to get more accomplished back in the day when my layouts consisted of colored card stock and a few embellishments. Now I have such beautiful paper, ribbons, and rub-ons, etc. ,and I find myself hoarding it. What in the world am I saving it for? I mean really, the more I use, the more I will need to buy, right? And we all know there is nothing more fun than shopping in the scrapbook stores. I've promised myself that I'm going to stitch less (just saying those words makes me anxious) and try to complete an album or two.

A St. Patrick's Day memory...

Today is my birthday. No, I won't go there and tell you how many candles are on the cake. I have always felt blessed to have it be on this holiday. Even if it wasn't my birthday, I'd still call this day one of my favorites. Even if you aren't Irish, who doesn't love to celebrate St. Pat's Day? I always thought it would be amazing if I was able to be in Ireland on this day. Well, four years ago the dream came true. For me, it was the trip of a lifetime. Memories were made that I treasure and fondly recall at this time each year. It was more than just the sightseeing and traveling experience. Much more than sailing across the Irish Sea, walking in the green, green grass, eating potato after potato, bumping along on the narrow country roads, listening to wonderful music, and of course, throwing back a pint or two. It was sharing it all with three women who's companionship and friendship mean the world to me. It's being able to reminisce and laugh with them over the good time we had. Eventually, we will all take another trip together, and more memories will be made. Who could ask for more? Happy St. Patricks Day!

Not only...

is Dove my favorite chocolate, it is also one of my favorite birds. They are so calm and peaceful. This one was busy flying back and forth from the tree to the fence. I love all the cooing that goes on in the morning. It is just the sweetest sound. Unlike some of the other bigger birds that come around, the doves seem to co-exist with the finches and sparrows without much drama. It amuses me when they try to hang from the feeder. They end up spilling much of the seed, but maybe that's the plan, as there is always lots of activity under the feeder.

I was gifted with an awesome new camera for Valentine's Day. I've been trying to work on my photography skills, at least a little everyday. There is just so much to learn. For every bad picture that I take, and there are many, it's so rewarding to take a nice shot now and then.

Dinner time...

is all the time for the finches in our yard. I was playing around with the new camera today, and thought I'd see if I could zoom in enough to capture them in action. I got lucky as it looks like they were about to fly away. The gourd feeder I made could sure use some stain and another coat of varnish. It looks really shabby, but it serves it's purpose.

Spring is near...

Last weekend we took a hike with visiting family at the Superstition Mountains. Having had a decent amount of rain this winter, we have anticipated the arrival of the wildflowers. There were a few nice patches here and there, but not as many as I expected. We might be a tad bit too early yet. I was anxious to try out a new camera. These two shots are my favorite from the day.

I also came to the realization that hiking just isn't my thing. While the scenery can be very pretty indeed, I probably missed a lot of it while I was busy keeping a look out for snakes. I think it is still too early for them to be out, but I wasn't willing to chance it. In the twenty plus years that I have lived in the desert, I have never seen a rattler up close and personal and without a glass cage dividing us. I prefer to keep it that way.

Where is Mary Emmerling...

when you need her? Two nights ago, I hardly slept. I lay wide awake rearranging my kitchen over and over in my head. I was really inspired to make some changes, but hardly in the mood to do it at 2:00 am. So, today I made an attempt, and I have drawn some conclusions. No.1: I have too much stuff, and No.2: I need someone to do it for me. I'd love to have one of those services come in, use the things we already have, and give our house a fresh look. I spend a lot of money on decorating books, watch HGTV regularly, and I'm clueless when it comes to creating interesting decor. Even though we live in the city, I'd like my kitchen to have that "old farmhouse feel". Hopefully, a new counter top and apron style sink will be forthcoming sometime soon. I am lucky to have a few pieces that I love, like the old butcher block, which I salvaged from an old garage. The area that I particularly want to change is above the cabinets. It seems to me that everyone in my community goes a little overboard with the silk plants. I do like a little greenery tucked here and there though. Here's a look at some of the things that I have to work with, and I am open to suggestions!