Marie's Mouse...

Marie shared her completed needle felted project from our Craft Day last weekend. Isn't this wee mouse adorable? It reminds me of Feivel from the movie. I think it's the cutest thing ever, and I told Marie I think she's a natural at this.

I think it may be a while before we see Adrienne's projects. It seems her cats were extremely interested in them and there may have been needle felted massacres. She said she is still unable to find parts for one of them. Yikes! 

I know Claudette was awfully intrigued with my fox. I showed it to her when I saw her staring at it, but not soon after, I placed it high on a wall-hung shelf where she can't access it.

I'll see if I can get photos of George's projects, and will wait for those from the other ladies who attended. I really loved this project, and will likely do another soon from the kits and wools I have, but you well-know that I have a few other projects to complete first.

I'm heading to an appointment this morning with an orthopedic doc to see just what I may have done to my leg when I got tangled up in the dog bed six weeks ago. It still hurts like the dickens, so I need a diagnosis and hopefully, relief.

When we get back home, I'm going in to work for my boss. She went to urgent care over the weekend and was diagnosed with sinus and lung infections. She would usually work a double shift on Mondays, but I told her I'd work the 10-4 shift and she should go home and rest. We came to an agreement, so even though I don't think she should work the first shift, at least I got her to go home for second shift. 

We'll see what I can accomplish once I get home. I'd like to have some "play time" if I'm up for it. I'll let you know tomorrow.

Next Up...

Black cork and Tim Holz fabric will be the main fabrics for my next project...a recently commissioned Bella tote. My plan is to make this on Monday after I get home from taking Handsome to the airport.

This morning I'm driving to Portage for our monthly Craft Day, and I'm taking along a wool needle felting kit to work on. We were all asked to bring a project for needle felting, so mine is a small red fox. I'm not sure how far we'll get with it, but I can always finish it once I get home.

After our morning of crafting, we'll be celebrating Annabelle's Birthday with a tea party. Belle is Adrienne's daughter (generation four of my friendship with Linda's family). I'm not sure whether or not I should bring a tea party hat, so I'm going to take one along, just in case. I'm planning to wear a dress, too, which (in light of the current weather) I may come to regret. Fingers crossed that's not the case.

I'd love to stay longer and chat, but I don't want to be late. I hope you have a lovely Saturday and Sunday, and I'll be back on Monday with all sorts of news to share.

Celebrating With My Portage Family...

Handsome wanted to take one more day to be sure he's over whatever he had going on, so part of my Sunday was spent in Portage celebrating the holidays. 

I woke up to dense fog, but the weather weenies promised it would clear off by noon. I left home around 11:30 and drove in it for an hour until I was nearly to Portage. Thankfully, the roads were lightly traveled, and everyone had their lights on for the best visibility. My trip there was uneventful.

Adrienne hosts the family Christmas party at her home every year, and most everyone shows up. I had to giggle when A's daughter, Belle said to me, "I always thought we were related!" I told her we are by choice and that I'm her honorary auntie.

Every year, four generations of these women (plus yours truly) have our photograph taken for the memory books. This year was no exception, and we don't part company until the deed is done. I love this one!

Of course, Linda and I have to have one of just the two of us, too. We've been friends since I first moved to Portage in 1976, and went into the grocery store where she was the manager. She hired me on the spot (I had three years' cashier experience in high school, plus a little more post-graduation.) We quickly became friends, and she and I have been besties every since. I love her dearly. I'm so blessed that we can spend time together again, and also that her daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter are also part of our friendship. Plus, she and Handsome share the same birthdate, so I can celebrate both of them every year!

Handsome called to see when I'd be coming home because, although the fog had cleared in Portage, it was still thick as pea soup at home. He was concerned that I'd be driving back in the dark, so he urged me to leave soon and be careful.

I left Portage around 3:15, and admit I had a lead foot as I neared a section of highway where I should have known better. As I rounded a gentle curve in the road, I saw a squad clocking traffic. I knew he had me, so although I slowed down, I was still over the limit. I checked my rearview mirror and watched him come off the shoulder, turn around and follow me. Soon after, he lit up his colored lights. I immediately pulled over and waited with my license and proof of insurance in hand.

He walked up to my open window with the "afternoon, ma'am" and I replied with a "Hi. I know I was speeding." He asked if I was in a hurry for any particular reason, and I explained that I was trying to get home before dark - considering I knew it was thick fog at home, an hour from where he stopped me. He asked me to hold on as he walked back to his cruiser.

I wasn't really concerned. I'd earned a ticket if he was in the mood to hand them out, but I also knew that I haven't had any interaction with law enforcement in at over a decade, and even then, there hadn't been a ticket.

He walked back to the Explorer and handed me my documents. He said he was just going to give me a verbal warning, and I promised him I wouldn't speed the rest of my trip. (I didn't either.) He walked back to his vehicle, I properly signaled before entering the highway, and was on my way again. So, that was my only excitement on this trip. I got to chat with a really nice police officer.

The balance of my trip was fog-free until I got to our side of Fond du Lac, and I drove home in thick fog again for the last twelve miles. I pulled into the garage and was greeted by a relieved husband. We spent the rest of our anniversary together at home, with plans to have a special dinner once he's completely healthy. Neither of us really cared about going out. We were content to be together. 

I don't work again this week until Friday, so I have plans for things I'd like to accomplish. There will be baking, some canning, and definitely laundry. As for needlework, I will have needle and thread to fabric this week, but I'll share more on that later. Happy Monday!

November Craft Day...

This month's projects were a little outside the sorts of things I usually create or display. Even so, it was another great day with friends.

The first project was to take a decorative bottle and turn it into a lighted angel. While many of the ladies colored and glued embellishments and wings to their bottles, completing them by placing battery-operated fairy lights inside, I chose a different route.

I chose a lavender bottle and ribbon, specifically because I know they're my sister, Di's favorite color. I wired the ribbon to the neck of the bottle as a decoration and placed my lights inside. I'll gift it as a nightlight to her next time we're together. 

This was a quick project, and even the kiddos made one along with us. They were quite proud of their creations, too.

The second project reallllly wasn't my cuppa tea. This entailed floating different colors of nail polish on top of water (seen in the back of this photo) in aluminum pans. (First of all, we had to open a lot of windows because of the fumes.) Once the polish was on the water in a number of different patterns, each of us chose glassware (or cereal dishes, or mugs) and rolled them in the polish to pick up the colors. It was messy and wasn't drying well without using a blow dryer.

My mug is in the back right of this picture (open end up). There was no way I could bring it home with me because it was still fully wet - even after taking a blow dryer to it. The last step is to apply a dishwasher-safe ModPodge™ to the exterior so it can be used and washed.

Adrienne said she'd coat all of the pieces over the course of the next month and they'll be ready for us at our next gathering on December 7th. I'll likely let someone else have mine (so they have a set). 

Well, as I said, it's always worth the drive to me to spend time with dear friends. My girlfriend, Linda K. wasn't there because she's been having problems with her back. If she's not at the next one, I'll be planning to make a side trip to her home to visit with her before leaving town again. 

So, there you have it. Our November projects. I'm baking bread today, and apologize that this post is going up late. Handsome and I were glued to our television until nearly 3 am and understandably slothed in bed later than usual this morning. Time to get productive again. Bread, a little laundry, and perhaps a bit of needle dancing for the rest of today. See you tomorrow!

June Craft Day...

It was my turn to lead our craft group this month, and I chose a sweet, little project making teacup (or mug) bird feeders. I'm sharing Sara's first this month. 

Here's a little closeup of hers, showing you the woodsy-themed design, and some of the details.

Nancy's was a more feminine tea cup and saucer set with little flowers along the border of both pieces. She even added a bit of bling to the bottom!

Marie's is also a more delicate tea set with flowers that she complimented with her added design elements. We were giggling that we can almost predict what each of us will create based on our past preferences. I would have guessed Marie would chose this set.

I specifically hunted for something that Linda could do in her favorite patriotic theme. The closest I could come was this cute lighthouse set. She found the extra elements I brought along (an eagle pendant and starry dangles) to add to her piece. 

I also had these huge flag buttons with me. She glued one to the bottom of her cup!

Kim's favorite color is aqua, and hard as I tried, I was unable to find anything in her color. I did find some plain white sets that had extra detail imprinted in the design of the cup, and she found lots of dusty blues to use instead. I love how hers turned out!

Adrienne always creates such elegant and vintage designs. She chose beautiful silks in a deep blue, added a key dangle near the handle, and added a heart charm to her beads at the bottom of the cup.

 

In case you're interested, we didn't drill anything. I came up with the idea of cutting wine corks into 1" think wafers, to which we secured small screw eyes. From there we glued them to the bottoms of the saucers and could add whatever hanging embellishments we wanted. It worked out great.

 

Finally, my cup. I chose a plain white that had a basket weave pattern on the outside of the cup and along the edge of the saucer. I added teardrop trim to the bottom of mine, and then glued the last dangle back onto the edge of the saucer to secure it. I figured this shiny bauble loop might be a place for a little bird to perch as it waits its turn at the feeder. I finished my design with a bird button on the bottom of the cup, and lilac blossom flowers glued to the sides.

Once again everyone took their set and added their own personality and creative talent to their cups. It was a simple project and made everyone smile when we were finished...and in the end, little birds will benefit when they visit each of our feeders. (Don't tell anyone, but purple is my sister, Di's favorite color. This might end up with her next month. I can always make another.)

I'm already looking forward to next month's project, but will definitely enjoy this one each summer.

Happy Hollyhocks...

Check out these crazy hollyhocks! That blue pot, nearly engulfed by the hollyhocks is large and heavy. It stands nearly three feet tall. The hollyhocks are nearly five feet tall, and they're getting ready to bloom. Won't that be magnificent?

This is the other side of the walkway. In between these two photos of the hollyhocks are three hostas holding their own, and a huge lavender plant...with lots of grass and weeds around them. I have a young man lined up who is doing yard work this summer, but he and his dad tell me he's swamped right now. ugh 

I know I'm going to have to do something to tame the wild growth in the next few days. but I have other things on my agenda first. Craft Day waits for no woman, so I'm hoping I'll have good weeding weather on Sunday.

I'm going to make tea so I can take a go-cuppa with me, and then I'll be on my way to Portage for the morning. I'll share photos on Monday of our projects. I sure hope they like what I've come up with! Gotta scoot...

Runaround Sue...

I spent nearly all day running errands yesterday. It began with a trip to the resale shops in search of supplies for the class I'm leading tomorrow. Nothing like waiting until the last minute, right? ugh (I did manage to find everything I needed in one stop, so that's good!)

After I completed my supplies search, I made a stop to purchase a few plants to start our vegetable garden for this year. The main crops will be tomatoes, squash, beans, onions, and herbs. I'll plant what I purchased on Saturday when I get back home from Portage.

Finally, a stop at the grocery store, and I came home with everything I went out for, and a feeling of accomplishment. 

Today, I'm doing a little prep work ahead of our crafting tomorrow, and then I'm going to help Handsome by mowing the yard before I have to go to work. He's been feeling like he's "out of gas", so I'm giving him extra pampering these days. We always pick up when the other needs the lift. As we both say, "It's what we do.". Because of that, my post is a little late today.

I head to work at 4 for a few hours, so I'd better get out the mower so I can finish with enough time to hop in the shower and head to the station. I'll see you again tomorrow. Happy Friday!

Weekend Stitching...

My weekend began on Friday, stitching this pendant for a customer. I'll make another soon for my shop to replace this sold one. The new owner already has and is wearing this one.

I added the bee charm to the bottle I created on Saturday, so I took a few photos, including showing it lit up with my fairy lights. The little charm is on the neck of the bottle and has crystal wings for a bit of sparkle. 

I'm not sure why the lights cause a blue cast (in spite of my trying to edit that out), because it doesn't read that way at all "in person". It just has a soft white glow, which is much preferred to this blue cast!

At any rate, now it's completely finished and I can enjoy lighting it up for a while at night to enjoy.

After our Saturday craft session, I came home and contemplated how I wanted to make my Corgi brooch sparkle. This is where I stopped at the end of my session. I moved the nose bead down a bit, added a beautiful opal thread - couched in a brick pattern - and will do the feet next. 

After the feet are done, I'll start adding the chipping for the rest of his body. As always, I keep the first one, which is good. I'm my own worst critic, so I see where I could have done better on the white "ruff". I know I'll perfect the second one, knowing ahead of time how I'll put it together, having already done it here.

Yesterday was spent canning. I'll share photos of that tomorrow. I'm working today, so I'd better get organized so I get there with time to spare. See you tomorrow!

Felted Snowmen (and Ladies)...

Now that I have photographs of all the completed snowmen (or ladies), I can share them with you.  These were the samples Linda P. created and used as inspiration for our own projects. She was the leader for this month's craft - Needle Felting. Aren't they adorable? She was a great teacher, by the way!

Kim was the first one to complete her snowman. We all loved the face she created, and her braided scarf inspired more than one of us! Aqua is her favorite color. Can you tell?

 

Adrienne's snowman was so cute. We all loved the stocking hat she made, and here's another happy snowman. We all loved looking at the various face treatments. We all really ran with this project!

 

Like her daughter, Adrienne, Marie chose to make a stocking cap for hers. You can't see it in this picture, but the cap was as long as her snowman is tall. I love that she added a "charcoal" mouth to hers.

Linda K decided to finish dressing her snow lady at home. She was the first to leave on Saturday, so she could get back home to her sweet, old dog, Meg, who's been having a rough time. Sadly, Meg passed away peacefully yesterday, so Linda decided to name her snow lady after her much-loved pet. 

Rather than felt the hat and accessories, Linda chose to crochet the hat, scarf and bag (which holds a star). Perfect to remember her girl, don't you think?

I know you've already seen mine, but I've added my photo again so that I have all our projects from this month on the same blog post. 

I can safely speak for all of us to say that this really was an awesome group project. It was a new technique for everyone except our leader, Linda P. I can also say that every single snowman has a bit of our own DNA in them, as we learned the techniques and hazards of using felting needles. (They can be brutal if you lose your concentration!)

I worked on my "Something Blue" Heart Brooch today. I'll be sharing a completed prototype after Bella's Birthday post, so you'll see the brooch on Friday. Happy Hump Day!

A Weekend of Finishes...

Let's begin with three completed goldwork Heart Brooches that I'll be preparing to mail tomorrow. (President's Day today. No mail service.) I backed them with the same cork fabric they're perched on for this photograph. Each one is signed and dated with my wee signature acorn. Which one is your favorite?

Saturday's Craft Day in Portage was so much fun. I got to try something I hadn't done before and I really enjoyed it. We needle felted snowmen. I don't have all the photos to share today, but will share all of them on Wednesday so you can see everyone else's sweet result.

This is my completed guy. I was watching (actually, listening so I didn't poke my fingers with the felting needle) Harry Potter while I was finishing him yesterday so I named him "Erroll". I added a wee cardinal that landed on his hand. For those in my age range, I named his little red friend "Flynn". I know you'll get the reference.

Handsome wanted to take a photograph with me in it, so you get an idea of Erroll's size. I didn't even stop to straighten my collar, and I'm au naturel (sigh), but you get a reference for how big my snowman turned out.

Linda P. was our leader this session, as she'd already made 6 snowmen of her own. Each one different from the rest. She provided kits, and we provided felting needles, scissors, felting mats and enthusiasm. There's enough wool roving in my kit to make a second snowman, so perhaps Erroll needs a companion?  Not right away, as I have frogs and hearts to stitch first, but I'm definitely going to make another one of these cute projects.

All in all, it was a perfect weekend for crafting, and I'm excited to have completed all my projects before it was all over. Fun. Fun. Fun.

 

Sunday With Friends...

Yesterday was Linda's family's Christmas party. Adrienne and Joe were hosts and all the brothers, sisters, in-laws, kiddos, and I were in attendance. Everyone brought a dish for the buffet, and no one left hungry. One of Marie's sons played his guitar and sang, football games were on televisions in two rooms for the guys, and the ladies mostly sat in the kitchen and caught up. It was just what I needed.

Before I left, we took the annual photograph of my best friend since I first met her in 1976 (Linda); her daughter, Marie; Marie's daughter, Adrienne; and Adrienne's daughter, Belle, and then me. How I love that we're able to chronicle our friendship each year (again) since Handsome and I returned to Wisconsin. I really missed Linda, and she tells me whenever we're together how much she loves that we spend our monthly craft days (and more) together. I am, too.

It was a truly wonderful Sunday to spend with beloved friends. Thankfully, the weather cooperated for my travel - considering it's about an hour and a half each way, -and I was back home and settled in just after dark. Another Portage Christmas party on the books for now. Ho. Ho. Ho!

October Craft Day...

 

Saturday we gathered for another craft day with girlfriends, old and new (this time). My girlfriend, Linda couldn't attend due to a back issue, and her sister-in-law Linda P. had another commitment for the same date. Kim was also absent, attending a child's soccer game. So this time, it was a group of five. L-r: Sarah (one of Marie's friends from church), me, Nancy (Adrienne's mother-in-law), Marie and Adrienne (our hostess). The theme for this month was to create a one-of-a-kind piece using a wooden turkey base purchased from Dollar Tree.

 

Marie was ahead of the game as she decorates and sells these at craft fairs in their area. She had a couple others that were already finished - all different, but really cute. This was one she finished ahead of time. She was still working on hers from the get-together, but it wasn't complete enough to share.

Adrienne chose embellishments that coordinated with the colors in her recent wedding. The "B" initial embroidery I just completed was their wedding gift. They opened it together, and Adrienne said it needed to hang in their family room, as that's where they spend the most time. Her turkey had actual fluffy, maroon feathers on it!

 

Nancy and I used the same napkin as the center of our design. I love her green painted turkey body, and all the colors went together so well. I love it!

I'm sharing a photo of my turkey, too. I decided to add flowers on the head of mine, rather than an eye like some of the others. I loved the shades of tan and gold in the leaves I used for the tail, and placed berries from the leaf picks to embellish the edges of my decoupaged napkin. The only thing I haven't added yet is an acorn to hang from the cord around its neck.

It really was a fun day, and I called Linda on my way home to make sure she was okay. She'll be seeing her doctor today to figure out exactly what's going on with her back. I could tell by her voice that she was hurting, so I really promoted the idea of her making an appointment first thing today. I'll catch up with her in the next day or so to check on her. 

I stopped at the local farm stand close to Adrienne's before coming home. The nice gentleman loaded fifty pounds of potatoes (only $16 for the whole bag!!!) into the back of my Explorer, and my youngest sister, Jan is going to come down during the week to help me can most of them. More food for the pantry shelves!

We got the girls moved into the barn yesterday, so they've got even more posh accommodations this year than last. I fed them there last night, so now they know meals won't be on the porch for a while. They had fun checking out all their sleeping spots, and checked the place for mice. Thankfully for the mice, they were unsuccessful in their hunt. Tag told me he'd like to share photos tomorrow of this year's setup, so I promised to help him pull that off. If you come back tomorrow, I'm sure Mr. Smarty Pants will fill you in as only he can. For now, I'm going to join Handsome for our morning coffee. 

Don't forget to keep entering the Gratitude Giveaway each day. It ends on October 31st, leaving you lots of time between now and then to get multiple entries in!