Margaret's Bunny...

My dear creative friend Margaret B. created this sweet rabbit on a strawberry pincushion. I can see the pattern behind her work, but I can't read the designer's name. I'm going to send her a message to see if she'll share.

I thought I had this sweetie in my pattern binder, but I was wrong. I just love it, so I'll have to sort it out. "Ohhhh, Margaret..."

I'm going back to my niece's this morning. One more visit with Di before she returns to Minnesota tomorrow.

I hope you had a great holiday weekend, and wish you an even better week ahead. See you tomorrow!

 

Treasures...

 

I have a treasure shelf in my studio that's filled with things made by dear, creative friends or some of my own work. Some were from blog friends who no longer post, or some who do infrequently, but with whom I'm still in regular touch. 

 

Especially when I'm not able to create, looking at these treasures reignites my creative fire, or just makes me happy.
 

 

My friend, Dawn Edmondson of The Feathered Nest blog and SewManyRoses on Etsy created the sparkling snowman on the pink box (upper left). My friend, Mary Wadsworth created the oak leaf tree (along with a Kes ornament and B for Brynwood ornament) almost as soon as I began blogging. I love all of them. The David Winter piece, called the Crofter's Cottage, was a gift from our (then) boys when I collected many of the pieces. I only have about four left that hold a special place in my heart, and this is one of them. The Harris Tweed Rabbit pincushion  - available as a pattern - and the embroidered teddy bear are both my own creations. I still have the boy bear on my To Do list.

 

I have a Longaberger jar that I turned into a pincushion, filled with wooden acorns that were a gift from my talented designer friend, Bren Riddle of Brenda Riddle Designs. Bircornus done in cross stitch by my New Zealand friend, Marrianne who I met through Ravelry and still have nearly daily contact with. The top one of the stack is my own piece.

Then there's the needle felted Corgi from my friend Marion (who still has Tag's brother, Trip) , a polar bear I just had to have, and the snowman I did during one of our monthly craft days. The white teddy bear was made by Margaret B from Canada. It's fully jointed and weighted, and I love it.

The bottom shelf has the acorn egg cup with the wonderful squirrel and acorns that was a special commission I requested of my friend, Susan Pilotto of Mouse Droppings blog. She's also on Facebook and Instagram, so you can see her current works. She also made the wee mouse on the other end of the shelf sitting on a tuffet created on a wooden spool. I've previously shared a gorgeous, big heart trio with my monogram and another mouse that she also made for me. That one hangs on the wall above my computer. They all make me smile.

The items in between those two pieces are all acorns in one form or another...pincushions I've made, gifted felted acorn-topped pins, and a tin with an acorn cross stitch piece that my faithful blog friend, Marilyn gave me last fall. Each and every piece holds a special place in my heart, and is displayed in this most prominent place where I can enjoy them daily. 

These are not the only gifts I've received over the years, and they're all displayed somewhere in our home. Most are in my studio, but they're definitely not confined to those rooms. There are the gifts from my friend, Jody, who always manages to find the perfect pieces for me to use in the kitchen. Dear Sherry has painted wonderful pieces for me that are on display. I have a really fun sewing mouse that is laden with sewing ephemera, created by my blog friend, Ann many years ago. I wrote about her HERE. That mouse sits right next to my computer. I always try to share these gifts in posts, but I don't always include the gifter's name, in case they'd rather remain anonymous.

There are so many blessings that surround me. When I'm busy with work and have no time or energy to play, these are just some of the pieces that remind me why I've continued to blog, create and share my life with you these past fourteen years. 

 

I'm so blessed, and truly one lucky girl. Thank you to all who fill my life with joy - your comments always make me smile, and your gifts are memories I'll always hold dear.

Painted Shelf...

Gifts From Friends

I thought I finished painting the shelf yesterday. When I was editing these pictures, I still saw a pink tinge in some of the images. Man, that dark brick stain is aggressive!

I've hung the shelf and placed my treasures on it already, so when I'll take it down to tackle that tinge is anyone's guess. I didn't see it when it was hanging up, so it's not top priority for now. I have other things to do.

The top shelf holds the artwork of my blog friend, Mary Wadsworth (the oak leaf tree on the left); a Jim Shore Labrador retriever; an antique acorn table cigarette lighter; a felted polar bear and owl from PeakVintage on Etsy; and a felted corgi from my dear friend, Marion (she owns Tag's brother, Trip).

More Treasures

The tiny bear (sitting on a chair) was made by my longtime Wisconsin girlfriend, Linda; the strawberry pincushion in back next to the chair, and the strawberries on the far right were created by my friend, Jacque. I wrote about them HERE. She also did the corgi cushion hanging in the middle of the next picture.

I placed my antique silver pincushions from England (the swan and shoes) and a dog (behind the swan); and a little basket pincushion, holding custom-made acorn and oak leaf charms (sorry, I couldn't find the Etsy shop for those).

I made the pincushion on the lower shelf (and offer smaller versions in my Etsy shop); the acorn straight pins were a gift from Jacque, too. Susan Pilotto of Mouse Droppings created my gorgeous, little mouse pincushion; and my Canadian friend, Margaret B. of The French Bear made my gorgeous white bear. The wooden acorn is an antique thimble holder.

Hearts

Some of my favorite heart shapes, and the corgi (which was hand stitched by Jacque) hang from the pegs at the bottom of the shelf. There's a pair of acorns hanging behind the corgi, too. (There's that pink tinge. grrrrr)

More Treasures

The brown velvet acorns were also created by Margaret B., and I love them! My friend, Shelly R. of Bungalow Bling created the cone. Isn't it pretty?

I love that little gap at the top of the shelf, too. I chose not to fill it with caulk, preferring the imperfection of it.

Studio Shelf

I originally had my hanging organizer located here, but I decided to move that and put the shelf here instead. I think it's better in this space, and I have another use for the organizer that was here before.

I think you'd agree that I did pretty well for a $15 find and a little leftover paint, wouldn't you?

Gifts From Canada...

We've been exchanging gifts for over a year, but it's never expected. I was thrilled and delighted to find a Canadian package from Margaret B. of The French Bear, in my mailbox last week.
ACORNS!!!! Yippee! Inside my package were wonderful things I'd never seen before! A magnetized acorn needle-keep, a mother-of-pearl thread sorter, and two wonderful, brazzy acorn ornaments. (They were heavy!)
There were coffee-stained tags with acorn motifs (and a closeup of the mother-of-pearl thread sorter).
Acorn drawings that Margaret purchased from Michelle Palmer for me, and felted acorns inside real acorn caps!
The final gift in Maggie's wonderful gift package was a handcrafted Christmas tree. A patchwork of pinks and girly fabrics, with a velvet tree trunk and a brass ring at the top from which to hang it. Jingle bells and seam binding for another festive touch.

Maggie, my dear. I can't tell you how much all your generous gifts mean to me. I really was so tickled. The more I looked, the more wonderful gifts I found! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

You know a package is going to be heading north to you, right?!! Hugs and much gratitude for the package of goodies...but mainly for your gift of friendship.
I have more gifts to share with you, my friends, but I want to give my blogging friends their own post to show my appreciation. I'll be sharing more in the upcoming days. I've been receiving some truly wonderful things and I can't wait to show them to you!

It All Started With An Acorn...

Imagine my glee as I opened a package from
Debbie at Mosaic Magpie
to find all these wonderful gifts! Debbie had told me that she had a little
surprise for me, and that she also wanted to make an ATC for me...only
her second one ever...but, I never expected everything else she added!
Shell...Can you see all the sweet bunnies Debbie sent my way?

Look! Here's the sweetest little acorn cookie cutter!
Debbie also included laces, those bunny embroideries, a charm
and more ephemera that I just can't wait to use!

Debbie, dear. I love your ATC! It's so cute and clever and PERFECT!
I'm sure you're gonna be hooked on making and sharing your artwork.
I know I'm thrilled to have a piece from you, and the acorn and "extras"
are all over-the-top generous! I so appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Your artist trading card will be on its way Monday!
You are truly a blessing and I'm very grateful for you and your gifts.

All those wonderful goodies - and then another package arrived
from Canada. I'd had an alert that this was on its way, but I
really had nooooo idea! I was just giddy with anticipation.

As Mum taught me, I opened the card first and read the message...
it was from Margaret B of The French Bear!
I had sent her a gift of one of my knitted Bead Fringe Scarves and
she said she was going to send a little somethingone my way.

I have to admit, I was curious and just wanted to tear open the

beautiful wrapping...but I carefully undid the ribbons and bows to reveal......Friends, I'd like to introduce you to "Nutmeg".
This sweet thang has jointed legs, soft white pads
and
The. Sweetest. Face.
MUAH!
And, when I straightened up her tie, I found a tiny
acorn charm hanging around her neck!
Margaret, I promise that Nutmeg will hold court in a place of
honor in the studio. I love her and will care for her forever.
A thoughtful and beautiful gift from the hands of my Canadian friend.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

And to think, these wonderful gifts all started with an acorn - The mighty oaks, the talented and strong women who I call friends. Not just those in today's post, but all the friends I've made here in Blogland. My heart is full because of you.

PS. I finished the quilt top last night!! I'll take photos to share with you this week. Once I put the backing together, I'll be taking it to Harbor Heights to machine quilt everything together! woo hoo!

A Gift From The French Bear...

You know how there are the most generous souls out in Blogland? I know you've probably already met at least one of those angels who likes to send you a smile from time to time..."just because".

I can tell you that there are wonderful women with whom I've corresponded since I started blogging. We just seemed to "click". Women with whom I've exchanged gifts and thoughts on our lives.

I won't embarrass them by mentioning them in this message to you today, but I post about them from time to time, and share their gifts to me unless they ask me not to, of course.

My latest gift came from my friend in Canada. As she is getting ready to fly to Cuba to celebrate her stepdaughter's wedding, she took the time to send off a gift to me!

How did she know that I've fallen in love with Michelle Palmer's work? How could she have known that I've been purchasing some of Michelle's beautiful images, with plans for projects just swimming in my head? I know she didn't know that I had recently commissioned Michelle to create a small collection just for me...beautiful squirrels, and my beloved acorns and oak leaves? Why, I hadn't told a single, solitary soul.

But I opened an envelope on Saturday, to find a sweet card from Margaret B. from The French Bear, and inside...an acorn and vintage buttons, created and packaged by Michelle, the "Arteest" herself!

When I took this photograph, one of my little squirrels just had to get into the act!

I know that I'm not the only person to know Margaret's generosity first-hand, and I'm positive many of you already visit her beautiful blog. Such a soothing and creative place to visit!

I am so grateful for these friendships - sans gifts - but to know that someone took the time to shop just for me, and to then send me a gift is humbling beyond words. Thank you, Margaret for your Random Act of Kindness. Thank you so much! I love it!

Safe travels, my friend. Have a wonderful time celebrating, and then hurry back home.

Some Days A Girl Just Needs To Dream...

Do you find that some days, no matter how hard you try, you just can't focus? I have so many ideas swimming in my head right now that I couldn't settle on a single project to tackle in the studio yesterday.

I sorted and chose fabric in lovely colors, patterns and fibers to make a few new things I've been thinking about. Then I sorted fabric. And I moved a few things around. And I looked through a few new magazines. And I made a cup of tea. Then I called my mum to chat. Handsome was gone most of the day, and I had planned to accomplish so much in the studio in his absence. I guess I was just too scattered.

At the end of the day, all I had managed to do was mount and decoupage two reproduction cabinet cards onto fomecore. They are lovely gifts from my friend, Margaret B. (The French Bear) that I had decided to protect and decorate for the studio. I'm going to embellish and finish them later today, and then I'll share them with you. Not much to show for a cold day here in south Florida.

I'll leave you with this image of the vignette on my studio work table that I enjoyed for most of the day. Acorns and beautiful fibers. The day was not lost.