Happy New Year from our family to yours.
Congratulations to
Shirley K. of Shirley Stitches
Happy New Years' Eve from Brynwood's newest party animal - ME! I hear that tonight is a rip-snorter among many a reveler, but in our house, it will be a quiet steak dinner for Mom and Dad. I know at midnight, I'm planning to smooch Kessie when Mom and Dad smooch. Don't tell Kes, though. I want her to be surprised. Mom said we leave the high-powered partying to schnauzers and cocker spaniels.
Before I leave today, I just want you to see the great place I've found for napping these days. After all the chasing and barking Kes and I do under Mom and Dad's dining room table, I decided to stretch out there one day last week. I didn't know it was a great hiding place, too. Mom said she couldn't find me for a while and wondered where I was.
See? It's really comfy and I don't have to worry about anyone buggin' me when I'm trying to get a little corgi shut-eye. I'll see if I can find a new way to be adorable for next week's post. Until then, stay safe, warm and happy. I'll see you next year!
Thank you, my friends, for all your kind and generous anniversary wishes. I read each one to Handsome and he shares my sentiment. You're all so thoughtful to leave us such nice messages. Hugs to each of you from both of us!
All those fabulous pre-Christmas giveaways from fellow bloggers got me to thinking. The Season of Giving doesn't need to end on Christmas Day. I've decided to sprinkle a few little giveaways between now and the first week of January.
Spring 1984. Taken the first time we came to Florida together.
Happy Anniversary, Husband.
I had to do a little paperwork yesterday morning, but once that was finished, I headed to the studio. I had decided that I wanted to make mug mats for the gals in my Books A Million group and needed to finish them for last night's gathering.
These finished mug mats measure 6 3/4" x 5 1/2". I managed to finish all of them before I had to leave, and gave one to each of the gals. My friend, Adele, said that she didn't want to chance spilling anything on hers. She was going to take it home, fold it in half, add a button and clasp and make hers into a needle keep.
If you live in a state where you're currently digging out from under inches or - Heaven forbid - feet of snow, I don't expect you to have an ounce of sympathy for me. But, honestly girlfriends, it's going to be freezing down here the next couple of nights!
We've really perfected our technique of whipping those sheets around as we wrestle control from the wind. We've got quite the collection of heavy duty clips and clamps to secure the sheets to the trees so they stay in place. We're quite a sight to behold.
I didn't sew as many pieces this year as I did last year, but my Christmas gifts were a bit more involved in 2010. I thought I'd create a mosaic to show you everything that was sewn and sent off to very special people this year.
Sunday was a day of playing with my iPad, munching on leftovers and watching football games. I did manage to sew a project, too. I made a case for my iPad, of course! I thought up my own design as I went.
I added my label to the bottom of the front piece. After I'd sewn the front and back together I cut a lining from a soft flannel fabric. I joined them and top-stitched the seam at the top of the case and then I add the flap. The case closes with velcro, which was the last element I added to the case. My iPad fits perfectly and will be nice and safe when tucked inside.
I needed an accessory case for the usb power connector and camera adapters, so I set about to sewing one together in the same fabrics - also, without a pattern. I decided on a folded style.
There is a flap on top to keep the accessories from falling out of the case. I also added ties to secure the folded case.
When the flap is lifted, it reveals a row of pockets (one with a gusset for extra room). Everything fit so I'm happy with the results. Back to playing with my new toy!
Boxing Day is the day after Christmas in the UK. Although we're here in Florida, I do have friends and family in Great Britain, so the reference is for them. Happy Boxing Day!
He gave me an iPad for Christmas! Can you even imagine how surprised I was? I squealed with excitement. I'll be spending the next few days learning how to use it, and I'll also spend a little time in the studio making a special case for it. I'm still walking around the house on my tip-toes.
(Our 2010 Family Christmas card)
Greetings and Glad Tidings on this Christmas Eve Friday. I thought it only appropriate that I should dress up for the occasion. I'm more than a little excited to be celebrating my very first Christmas.
Kes wanted to say "Merry Christmas", too, this week. She was happy to pose with an arrangement that Mom's friend, Ellen, gave her. She has always liked this time of year, but loves it in Florida. Her ol' bones don't have to trudge through the snow when it's time to go out. She tells me that when she lived in Wisconsin, "Dashing Through The Snow" had a whole different meaning.
It happens every year...like clockwork. Temperatures dip into the 30s, we unpack our sweaters and enjoy an occasional chili dinner. The warm, Florida days yield to cooler weather, and send a clear signal that it's time for my Christmas cacti to bud and bloom.
For the last ten years, this Christmas cactus has heralded the holiday season with her stunning blossoms.
They were white when I purchased the plant, but our water has changed her snowy blooms to a faint pink. I love their "watercolored" quality with light petals with darker edges.
The cactus on the lower shelf of my plant stand is always the second one to bloom. It's almost as thought it knows that the older plant is to be respected. The darker pink cactus will bloom next week, between Christmas and New Years Day. Handsome and I will be able to enjoy our holiday just a little longer because Mother Nature has awakened her beautiful decorations for us.
Over the past week, the postman has been delivering the most wonderful surprises for me. I received a package with a familiar return address. Upon opening the wrapping from Michelle Palmer, I saw her enclosed gift note that told me the acorn trinkets were gifts from Marydon of The Blushing Rose!
A couple of weeks ago, I sent a birthday package to Terri Gordon of Designs by Terri Gordon. I never expected anything in return, so you can imagine my glee upon receiving a box in the mail from her. What could it be?
She made the cone filled with creamy shred, embellished with an amber crystal at the bottom and wrapped in beautiful paper. Then she attached a key, beads and ribbons...
...and this sweet image embellished with laces and mounted onto a tag. She attached a wire so that I can hang it to display and enjoy. I am awestruck by this lady's talent!
Last, but certainly not least, one of my very first blogging friends, Christina Jackson of iCandy sent a sweet, tiny box that was a gift in itself! She took a checkers playing piece -
star facing up, and glued it to the top of the box. She also glued a soft ribbon to the box for a little sheen. Then, she tied the top with a primitive stripe fabric strip. I was happy with the box, I tell you, but I thought I'd better check inside - just in case.
Look at the adorable, pearly charms that she tucked inside! I'm going to hang these beribboned, acorn charms above my sewing machine where I can just admire them for a while. I know I'll think of something to create with them, but for now, I'll look at them and smile at the gift my friend sent to me this Christmas.
Yesterday, I worked on my artist trading cards for the Blissfull ATC Swap group for December. I'm swapping with two different members this month. I always have so much fun making these tiny works of art, but sending them off in padded envelopes with a few extra surprises is always the best part.
These angels are two of my favorite angel images. One, innocent and pure with her beautiful white wings, and the other, a medieval angel, playing music.
Do you remember last fall when I told you about losing the berry bowls I'd purchased from an antique shop in Wisconsin? I purchased them when I was there to help my mum stage her house to sell. I paid $2.50 for six of them, and was pretty proud of myself for scoring such a deal.
I've been invited to be a guest on Sweet Jeanette blog. I hope you'll visit Jeanette today and check out my tutorial to make your own "White Wing Dove" Mug Mat.