Helping Hands, Hearts To God...

Today, I'm going to post about two different friends who are concerned for someone they love. One is a beloved child, and one is a dear pet. I hope you'll read on, and then visit their blogs to see if there is any way you might be able to help. I know of the generous hearts of my fellow bloggers, so I'm hoping you'll continue to read, and do what you're able...even $1 will make a difference.

My friend, Nancy from Inside Nana's Head posted about her son's niece today. This sweet little twelve year old girl, Catherine, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Nancy asked me to invite you to go to her blog and learn more about Cat. She will need a miracle to get better, but she has a dream that you might be able to help her achieve.

Please click here to learn how you can help. Nancy isn't asking for huge contributions, but all of us making a small contribution could really make her dream come true.
Then, there's my friend Lara from A Vintage Touch, whose sweet boy, Taffy has been diagnosed with cancer. (See all that nastiness on the side of his face?) Taffy is only seven years old and can't have a surgery, however, Lara and her husband are going to take Taffy through a series of alternative treatments in an effort to affect a cure, or at least extend his life for a while. Please visit Lara's blog here to read more.

Thank you for reading my post all the way to the bottom. If you are unable to make a financial contribution, I hope you'll still be moved to leave a comment for Nancy or Lara, or perhaps click on the "copy" button on each widget and add their widgets to your blog. I know a prayer will mean a great deal to them, too.

I've added a page to my blog called "Helping Hands, Hearts To God". (There's a button in my left sidebar with the same title, which links to the page.) I'll add more widgets and links from time to time so we can help our blog friends in need.

I'll be performing in our last Chorale/Soundsations concert of this season this evening. I'll be thinking about what a blessed and beautiful life I have. I hope all of you have a happy and restful weekend. As always, I'm grateful for each of you in my life.

I Can See Clearly Now...

Two days of singing...performing a Soundsations show on Monday morning, followed by a Chorale rehearsal Monday evening, and then a Soundsations rehearsal yesterday afternoon. No time to sew until today.

I can hear them calling now. Miss Ellie, Prissy and Evvie beckoning me back to the studio. They're anxious to feel my hand guiding fabric beneath their feet, longing for a new spool of thread and a project to create.

The wait is over girls. I have two days where you'll have my undivided attention. A camper table quilt to assemble for surface quilting, two commissions to create by the end of this month, and a few other projects waiting their turn.

I also have a table mat and potholders to sew together for our quilt guild's fund raiser boutique that I want to take to next week's meeting.

I'll be back in the studio today. It's gonna be a bright, sunshine-y day!

A Perfect Weekend...

In case you're wondering how I spent the weekend, let's start with my straw hat and no camera. (I can't believe I forgot to take my camera!)

Handsome and I met friends in Venice where we boarded their new boat. We enjoyed hors' d oeuvres and beautiful weather as we made our way to a great restaurant on Sarasota Bay called Marina Jack's. I brought along my straw hat to provide a little protection from the sun, of course. But I actually held it in my hands - to keep it from blowing away - more than I wore it!
After a light meal, we got back on the boat and returned to Venice. I couldn't have imagined a nicer day for the four of us. We left home at 3 pm and drove back in our driveway at 8 pm. It was perfect.
We really enjoyed boat and house watching as we motored north and back (some of the houses would have taken your breath away), but the nicest thing was catching up with our friends as the water sparkled and the breeze blew.

I promise to take my camera next time so you can join us on the nautical "Parade of Boats and Homes"!
I didn't do any sewing, stitching or otherwise playing in the studio, but I'll tell you tomorrow about my little patio (called a "lanai", in Florida) project.

I'll be singing in our last Soundsations performance of this season today, and then more rehearsals as we prepare for our last Chorale concert of the season on Saturday. It's going to be another busy week, but you know I'll find time to sneak into the studio, and then share it all with you. Busy hands are happy hands!

Did you have a good weekend? I read that there was some bad weather in the midwest. I hope you didn't get any of that! What do you have planned for this week? I'd love to know.

In Case You Were Wondering...

I spent a nice part of Sunday just sitting in a comfortable chair and stitching. I hadn't done this in a long, long time.

I selected a kit that I'd purchased in Williamsburg, VA the day I went shopping with Shell May. It's a Maureen Appleton (The Hearts Content) counted thread kit. If you're not familiar with Maureen or her work, I'll tell you that all of her designs are stitched with one thread of floss over one thread of linen. In this case, the linen is 26 ct. Glenshee. (That's 26 threads to the inch, if you're not a needleworker.)

Maureen is from Wisconsin, and she and I are friends. Although I haven't seen her in a long time, I am a huge fan of her stunning designs. Stitching "one over one" creates a level of detail that you really must see.
This is as far as I got on Sunday. I didn't need a magnifier, but it is easier to see what I'm doing in bright daylight. I will wait for another sunny day to progress on this piece. I do know that this sweet squirrel will make a lovely scissors fob once assembled and attached to my squirrel embroidery scissors (which came in the kit).
Additionally, the ladies (Judy and Sue) have selected their mug mats (from my Second Blog Birthday celebration), so I created or chose a few special things to go along with each of their mats and Target gift cards.
I sure hope they like what I've chosen for them! I managed to include items that fit the theme of the original mat they selected.

I haven't decided what I'll work on today. Tuesdays are busy with Soundsations rehearsals from 1-3 pm, and then getting together with the Books A Million girls in the evening. I think I'll just keep it simple...whatever I decide.

I hope you all have a creative and fun day today. See you tomorrow!

Holiday Sparkle, Music And A Smile...

Handsome accompanied a local musical group when they performed yesterday. I had to be in Sarasota and missed the fun...and I'm told it really was fun.

Of course, I knew he was going to be playing with them, but yesterday morning, I noticed a garment that I hadn't seen before. All bright and sparkly and new. I knew it was Handsome's attire for the performance, and I giggled as I told him, "It's you, Baby!" I knew right away that I was going to be sorry I wouldn't see this show.

Last year, the North Port Chorale asked him to stand in for their usual percussionist. The young man who usually backed the group didn't want to miss his high school prom. Handsome was glad to help out, and they were pretty enamored of his musical contributions. (After all, he has over forty five years experience on their usual drummer.)

He was soon after contacted to ask if he would be the regular percussionist for their group for the 2009-10 concert season. In addition, they requested that he accompany their select group of singers who perform separate from the Chorale called the Soundsations. Never being one to turn down an opportunity to play, Handsome agreed. (So you don't worry - their previous drummer went off to college.)

Yesterday, the Soundsations performed music from their repertoire as they entertained the residents of a local nursing home. I'm told that one gent, in particular, was completely taken with the music. He spent the afternoon "dancing" in his wheelchair, and there was occasional whooping and hollering from others in the gallery, too. You can imagine the group was a big hit!

Thank you to Sharon (the pianist) for taking a photograph of Handsome for me in his concert attire. Nothing like a little holiday sparkle, music and a smile to get you in the spirit of the season!

Only two more days until the end of my 200th Post Giveaway. If we get to 200 followers, there will be a second drawing, too. I just want to remind you to post your comment each day for additional entries.

Have fun as you prepare, primp and plan for time with family, and if you're planning to travel this Thanksgiving, please be safe. I'm looking forward to reading how each and every one of my blogging friends spent their holiday!