This Won't Hurt A Bit...

Just when you've settled into something comfortable, things change. I guess change is inevitable, but sometimes it's just a little inconvenient. So instead of viewing it in the negative, I'm going to choose to embrace and move toward that change.

I read my friend Anne's blog today at Fiona & Twig. She always has the most beautiful photographs, and she's famous because her work has been included in a number of magazines now. I love visiting her vintage images and elegantly, down-home Texas posts.

So, the really great thing about visiting Anne today is that I learn I have an option for something on my blog! I'm going to give you her link to her post (here), so that you can read it all for yourself, but if I boil it down to its essence, bloggers need a backup plan for keeping track of their favorite blogs and blog friends.




Thanks to Brent Riggs at Linky Tools, there is now a beta version for that option. (Brent is responsible for the link tool I add to the end of my Memory Lane Monday posts so that other bloggers can link up their own memories posted on their blogs). If you'll look to my right sidebar, I've now added a new friends widget which Brent calls "Linky Followers". It's easy to sign up for the service, where you'll be able keep track of your favorite blogs and your blog friends.

There's no cost and it's a great option if when the inevitable end comes to Google's follower service. As an added bonus for becoming my follower through this service, you can go back to my giveaway post (here) and leave a note to tell me that you're following me through my new widget and get another entry in the giveaway!

Just click "Follow me" on the widget (either above or in my sidebar - they'll both work) and register. The instructions are easy to follow, and it doesn't take long. After you've and added your name on my widget, add your comment to the giveaway. I know...I'm not completely thrilled that there will be a change in our future either, but I have so many things I still want to tell you, show you and celebrate with you. I'd hate to lose touch because we put off doing this.

More fun stuff tomorrow. See you then!

One For Me, One For Tag...

I was so tickled to find that I'd won the drawing that Anne hosted on her blog, Fiona & Twig. I just love Anne, and have watched over the past year or so as she's found her true calling. Her photography is stunning, and she has an eye for finding the most wonderful ways to capture the world around her!

She was offering a "Dreaming of Junking" 2012 Calendar (with her work on the cover and inside!), and a new copy of Artful Blogging (which features an article she wrote, along with more of her own photography). I was surprised (and veeery happy) when she contacted me to let me know I'd won!! This is her original giveaway post.

I pored over the calendar, and am going back to the magazine time and again to soak in every gorgeous page. Thank you, Anne for picking me. I'm so grateful, and consider myself extra fortunate to be able to call you "friend".

On another note...I did what I said I was going to do yesterday. I baked Corgi biscuits to take to Tag today! I cut out corgi shapes, and baked every little leftover piece to make as many treats as possible!

We'll be on our way around ten this morning, and our appointment is to meet Mike and Tag at the Ranch at 1 pm. We'll probably be there early. (Ya think?)

In case you missed the link for the dog biscuit recipe, here it is one more time. (They're called "Boomer and LuLu's Peanut Butter Crunch Biscuits". Boomer and LuLu were featured on The Daily Corgi blog when they shared their recipe.) Everything is safe and good for dogs, and because I made them myself, I know exactly what's in them. I admit we tasted them, too. Handsome said they "stuck to the roof of his mouth". (giggling here) Granted we only tasted a corner of one.

I'm sure that Tag is going to love them, and it will be up to him whether or not he wants to share them with his friends. I'm sure that little minx, Ike (his roomie) will get at least one!

You're going to have to wait til Tuesday to see pictures and a video of The Boy, but I'll get my "Tag fix" very soon! I've gotta run. Time to turn toward Okeechobee.

Today, I'm A Cheerleader...

I just couldn't wait to crow for a Blogland friend -

the talented and sweet Anne of Fiona and Twig!

Anne has been published in Romantic Homes magazine
in a special section they have to feature special websites.

Please click here to read all about it in Anne's own words.

Congratulations, Anne!
I'm just tickled pink for you, my friend.

Sewing away in the studio. I'll be back tomorrow with photos of my current projects. See you then!

Beads on the Beach...

My "secret" commission project is finished!
It's a beaded clutch.
Yesterday, I went to A Good Yarn in Sarasota to show

the finished piece to my client, Susan, who owns the shop.

The clutch features a Lorna's Laces sport weight yarn,
dyed especially for Susan's shop. The color is called "A Good Beach",
hence the name for my piece - "Beads on the Beach Clutch"!
It also incorporates beads from Deanna's Vintage Styles.

My project was to create a pattern for a new class
that I'll be teaching for the shop using this yarn.

I have a few small changes for the finished piece,
including creating a unique button for it.
I've placed a seashell where it will become a button.

I'll do a little tutorial for you next week to show
you how I transform it to "buttonhood", but I had
to show it to you now as you've been so very patient.

I finished the inside of the clutch with linen fabric,
making sure it has the requisite pockets, too!
Just the right size for a cell phone, credit card,
cash, vintage hankie and lip gloss!

Wouldn't you just love this as a memento of
warm, sunny days spent lounging on a Florida beach
(or dreaming of a romantic beach getaway)?

So, what do you think? Do you love it or hate it? Be honest now...
I'd really appreciate your feedback.

If you're interested in taking my class, or
purchasing the kit to make at home,
it will be available in April or early May from Susan
(once I finish proofing the pattern,
and the next shipment of the yarn arrives in the shop).
She'd be happy to send you your own kit!
I'll let you know as soon as they're available.

If you're not a knitter, I'll be making finished clutches available
for purchase in the Boutique. I plan to list them up in April.

Next in the studio, though, is The Wedding Gown Project...
(I hope you'll be back to visit as I progress
from fabric to finished gown over the next couple of weeks!)
Oh, and I'm not crowing, but you have to go to see my friend,
Anne at Fiona and Twig
to read the incredibly wonderful post she wrote about me Saturday.
Made me a little weepy, it did.
Thanks again, Anne.

There's still time to enter my First Blog Birthday Celebration if you haven't done so yet. I'm trying to get around to visit all my new follower friends. If I haven't visited you yet, I promise I'll get there and leave a message for you as soon as I can. I'm really enjoying seeing how creative all of you are. And, if you don't have a blog, no worries! I look forward to getting to know you better, too.

Good luck to all of you in the drawings. I wish I could give a little something to each and every one of you, but if you keep reading and following along, I'll do my best to remedy that in the future.

Thanks to everyone who took my poll about the static or scrolling Etsy widgets. The static widget won, hands down, so I've removed the one that scrolls. I really appreciate your input!