Motivated...

Mary Engelbreit Image

 

I've been asked more than once why I'm in such a hurry to unpack and get the household settled. My answer? Simple. I can't relax with Handsome this summer, and I can't play in the studio if I have all these boxes to unpack.

 

I'm nearly halfway through emptying boxes and arranging the farmhouse, but a number of the boxes will remain packed for the time being. All the book boxes that were in our library in Florida are "shelfless" here. Until we decide where and what we want for them in this home, they'll stay safely tucked in their boxes.

I know I'm creating a home for us these days, but I'll be happy when we're more settled and I can again spend time creating in the studio. I was busy again yesterday, but didn't take any photographs. You don't really want to see packing materials, cardboard and short term chaos, do you? I didn't think so.

I'll be back tomorrow to share a little more progress. Until then, please enjoy the Mary Engelbreit image I found for you today. 

New Chairs For The Studio...

I received a wonderful surprise from a friend at our guild meeting on Tuesday night. I'm always tickled when someone notices something about me and what I like. I'm not surprised when it's one of my blog readers. After all, I frequently come right out and tell you!

Lynn Anderson, a member who also has a long-arm quilting business, came up to me before the meeting with a full shopping bag, and said she thought I might like to have the contents. I'm not sure whether she reads my blog or not, but she has learned about some of the things I like, and these gifts delighted me.

She gifted me some beautiful wool fabrics and wool jackets that I can repurpose for my wool embroideries (or wallets!). Then, tucked inside the wools were these three, sweet Mary Engelbreit chair pincushions.

The little one is weighted, so it's perfect for holding my needle when I'm doing my ribbonwork! The other two chairs are classic ME style. One is the "chair of bowlies" chair and the other is sunny yellow with Mary's cherry fabric.

I think I'll make one of my newest pincushions to give Lynn as a little thank you. I'll present it to her the next time I see her.

Speaking of my pincushions...I was at Nifty 50s yesterday. I took along my latest creations to show the gals, and sold the BFF - Snowbirds set. My client asked me to add a little bling to it for her and her sister (who will be gifted with the second one). We agreed that I'd bring it back in two weeks for her.

I brought them home, chose the embellishments and then added them to each one. They're all finished and wrapped, so I'll just set them aside for safekeeping until our next get-together. Life really is a happy "bowl of cherries"!

Live Like You Mean It...

Art by Mary Engelbreit

After finding I had a dead, dead, dead battery in my car yesterday morning, I was extremely fortunate that Handsome hadn't left for his appointment yet. He gave me a ride up to Carol's and then went on his way.

Carol and I visited for a while (joined by her sweet husband, Jack) and then we left for lunch at Cosimo's. (She drove.) We caught up on the last few months and we discussed Handsome's and my moving plans. After a delicious meal, we headed back to Carol's home to head to her studio.

Carol already has a new Babylock Destiny, so I wanted to sit down and see what it will do. It's just as fabulous as I remembered...and I'm not quite sure I can wait until our move to get one. Carol has really settled into her new home, and the space upstairs that is her "playroom" has me looking at our perspective homes in a new light. It's really perfect for sewing, storing, sitting and stitching. 

Handsome came to pick me up, so I hugged my host and hostess and headed home. We had so much fun together, I never took out my camera. (Next time!)

Handsome picked up a new battery for my Explorer before he came to get me, so we installed it when we got back home and I'm back in business.

I'm going to be in the studio today after I head over to meet up with my friend, Rhonda at Crazy Quilters. Whatever you have planned for today, think about Mary Engelbreit's poster and "Live Like You Mean It".

  Happy May Day!

I Remain Affectionately Yours...

 While cleaning my studio, I realized that I have assembled a

"tin container collection". I didn't even know I was collecting them!

You know how it happens. One here. Another there. Before you know it,

you find that you've established a little flock of something you treasure.

How many of something actually constitutes a collection?

Three? More? How many more?

This tin is one of my favorites...Mary Engelbreit's artwork with an

adorable little girl writing a note to a friend. Don't you just love it?

I frequently use this one to store floss bobbins for embroideries-in-progress.

I'll share more of my newly-recognized collection in future posts.

I wouldn't want to overload you all at once, after all.

 

 Handsome is back home, so all is right in my world again.

I hope you have something great planned for your weekend.

I'll see you later, but know that, always,

"I remain affectionately yours."

Your Own Spot...

This is a counted thread piece that I've had since I owned my needlework shop in Wisconsin. It's a Mary Engelbreit design and you'd have to know that I loved it at first sight all those years ago. The original is pretty colorful, as is most of Ms. Engelbreit's art, but I've transformed it in Photo Elements to this faded sepia tone.This is what the original looks like. Not only was I taken with the image of the boy snuggling with his dog, I also loved the puppies playing around the border. It's just a happy image that makes me feel good. It also reminds me that having a sense of place is important, too.

Home is my own spot. Nothing makes me happier than being here with Handsome and the pups. "Everyone needs their own spot", and I hope that you have a spot that brings you joy. I'd love to know who or what is your own spot. Care to share?