August Craft Day...

August Craft Day (Top L-Clockwise: Donna, Nancy, Linda, Marie and Adrienne)

Craft Day this month was really different and fun. We decorated denim pockets salvaged from worn out jeans. Marie had saved the pockets over time from her husband's jeans, so we had many different style pockets to choose from.

The ladies had all sorts of ways to embellish - press-on images, silk and paper flowers, fabric scraps, crocheted pieces, and buttons. Each of us sat and contemplated our choices before digging in to the supplies to come up with five uniquely wonderful pieces. I was completely taken with Linda's fall-themed pocket!

I didn't actually complete mine until I got home. I had used a couple of the floral press-on images, but didn't want to glue my muslin to the denim. Instead, I pulled out a matching floss when I got back home and stitched my trim to the pocket. 

This was another fun day spent crafting with my girlfriends, but as always, the best part is just that we can all be together. It's well worth the hour and a quarter I travel each way to be with these dear friends, and I'm already looking forward to next month!

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.

Finality and Time For Something Fun...

 

Tag's remains came home late yesterday. The clinic and crematorium sent along wonderful memories for us, too. In addition to the beautiful box containing his ashes, we received a certificate, his paw print in ink and in plaster, a lock of his fur, and a bone of handmade paper embedded with wildflower seeds to plant in the spring. I was sad for a minute when I first saw everything, but these are the building blocks of the memorial to my beautiful boy and all our great memories of him. 

I'll start concentrating on all the fun things we did, the times he made us laugh, the times he scared the pants off me when he ran off, watching him swim or retrieve, and all the times he just sat and looked in my eyes as I spoke to him. There's too much good to sit around crying for what was. Instead I'll celebrate my boy and try to be happy. I'm sharing this with you so you can see how much care our vet clinic and the crematorium took with him - and with us.

I'm leaving first thing this morning for Portage for this month's craft day at Adrienne's. It's earlier than usual this month, because our friend who is teaching this time couldn't make it later in the month. My understanding is that we're doing something Easter-themed. You just know I'll have photos for your on Monday!

I'm going to run. It's an hour and fifteen minutes to Adrienne's from here and I don't want to be late. We had rain all evening yesterday, which has turned into winds for the rest of the weekend. I don't want to feel rushed in traffic, so I'm taking extra time for the drive. I'll see you with more after the weekend.

Monday Breadmaking Class...

 

Another result of going for lunch on Saturday was that Mary and Pat wanted to come and watch me next time I baked bread. I told them I was planning to bake Monday, and they were welcome to come on over. We had an informal baking class, and we sure had a great day together.

 

Once the dough was ready, I formed it into four loaves. One goes up the hill to Andy and Shelly, and three go into the freezer or breadbox here. I had reserved enough dough so that the ladies could bake their own once they got back home.

 

 

Mary sent a message to me first with a photograph of her loaf. She formed hers and placed it on a sheet in the oven, rather than using a bread pan. She said she thought her oven might have been too hot, because the bottom of her loaf got darker. I actually wouldn't have noticed had she not told me. We discussed it and I suggested she place her oven shelf up one notch for next time. I think it looks great.

 

Pat's picture came next. I love how she photographed it with one of her autumnal tea towels. She baked her loaf in a foil pan that I sent home with her. I had suggested that I was going to bake my loaves with an egg wash on the top this time, and she did the same. Another beautiful loaf.

 

 

This is how my egg washed loaves looked when they came out of the oven. Mary kept saying she thinks I should do a cooking/canning/baking show. YouTube and Facebook would likely be better venues for me. I told her I'd think about it.

You can tell by the photograph that Handsome is awfully happy to have fresh bread again.That smile makes it all worth it...and visiting with two girlfriends for most of the day wasn't too bad either.

Just Do It...

l-r: Patti P., Kathy W., Pat B., me (back), Mary S. (front), Karen C., Mary B. and Nan S.

 

Today I'm sharing a little food for thought. I'm going to tell you about my Saturday and how I had an epiphany. Perhaps it will change a few attitudes out there that could use a little adjusting like mine did. 

Early Saturday morning I got a group text from some of my girlfriends from high school. Some of these ladies were involved in planning our class reunion, and some weren't. It really doesn't matter to my story as we've all reconnected and become friends. Anyway, the text was asking if we wanted to get together for lunch at 11:30 at a local restaurant.

I'd planned to stay in and stitch all day, so I replied that I "had other plans" and couldn't make it. When I went downstairs I told Handsome and he said, "That's great!". I told him I'd declined. When he asked me why, I said that I just thought I'd hang around at home and stitch. My dear husband said that really didn't sound like me, as I grabbed a cup of coffee and thought about what he'd said. He asked me whether I liked these ladies, and I said I surely did. He suggested I text back and tell them I'd changed my mind.

I collected water and food for the barn girls and headed outside to feed them, and I started thinking about what he'd said. He's right. It didn't sound like me. Why would I rather sit and stitch at home as opposed to having a fun get together with girlfriends? This is a rut I fall into when he's in Florida, too. There are weeks when I don't leave the house...and I'm content. This time I started thinking that I was just being lazy.

I went back into the house, told Handsome that he was right, and I decided I wanted to go to town and meet up with the ladies. I sent a text and said that I'd changed my plans and would be there at 11:30. I finished my morning coffee and ran (well, maybe I not ran) upstairs and got all gussied up to drive out for lunch.

I'm so glad I did!!! My whole attitude changed as I drove to town, and seeing these girlfriends was so worth the trip. We all chattered about what's been going on in our lives; what we're planning for the near future; and ate a tasty meal together. 

 

Some of the gals were planning to go out to our city park (located on Lake Winnebago - the big lake you see if you look at a map of Wisconsin) to meet up with another classmate who competes for largest pumpkin/squash/tomato with her husband, and they were showing off their ribbon winning pumpkin there. When I left home, the sun was shining and it had begun to warm up a bit, so I'd just grabbed a vest to go to lunch. While we ate, the weather turned, and it got windy. (A few other gals hadn't grabbed jackets either.) We knew it would be "cooler by the lake", so we declined. 

Before we parted ways, we asked the hostess at the restaurant to take this picture of us. I shared it with the group on Facebook, and classmates and other friends commented on how great we look. My reply was that it doesn't seem like we're all creeping up on seventy (years old). My knees would say otherwise, but even if we do look 69-70 years old, we're all still young at heart and have great fun together. We're already planning a weekend away in February!

I'm telling you all this because my day would have been vastly different from what it became - and it would have been predictably usual if I'd stayed home. Don't get me wrong. Being home is not boring, drudgery, or bad. That's why it's so easy for me to choose that option. 

 

The truth is that we need our friends. We need a personal interaction that we can only get from friends, and most of all, we're social beings who need to be around those people from time to time. Handsome gets his weekly dose from musician friends at rehearsal. I get mine from girlfriends - and my sisters - and I'm so glad I went.

Not only that, but two of the gals see my regular baking posts on Facebook and asked if they could come and learn from me next time I bake bread. It just so happens that I'm baking today, so they'll be here soon and we'll bake together. I'm really looking forward to it!

If you're a home body, consider getting out a little more often. Spend time with friends and family who help "refill your tank" - people who replenish your soul. Know that you're doing the same for them, and you're twice blessed. At the end of the day, we all need each other. Oh, and don't forget to hug. We all need hugs, too!

 

PS. For some reason, I can only get a few replies written to your comments before I get a message saying that my reply failed to post  and I should "try again later". So, if you don't see a reply from me right away, that's likely why. I promise I'll get back in to answer your notes. Thanks!

August Craft Day...

 

 

Saturday was our August Craft Day, so I ran over to Portage to play with my girlfriends. This month was led by Marie (in the striped top) and Kim (on the right end of this lineup). We started with 8" tall wooden letters that we then embellished.

 

Some of the ladies used flowers, some used paint or decoupaged fancy papers to the front, some used vintage jewelry pieces to add a little bling. I think they all turned out great!

 

It was nice to take our photographs outdoors for a change. The ladies just laid these all out on the grass for a nice arrangement. They're all so different, reflecting the personalities of their creators.

 

This was mine...music paper background which I then embellished with pretty flowers. This was a simple, easy project that I completed in less than an hour (thanks to a blow dryer to hurry the ModPodge™ drying time).

 

I presented Miss Belle with her dragon brooch, too. She's a low key kinda gal, but she tell me how much she loved it, and I even got a hug! It was really fun to present it to her. I may make another someday just for fun.

Sunday was a busy day, but I'll save that for a post later this week. Tomorrow is Tag's turn. He can't wait to see you.

June Craft Day...

l-r: Donna, Linda K. Adrienne, Kim's Daughter, Kim, Nancy and Marie

 

We had fun (as usual) on Saturday. I was the project leader this time, and wanted something simple - but new to the group - as I needed to be back home by 1 pm for my final goldwork class with Clara. I chose an old standby project that I've made before, and the ladies really leaned into it.

 

I shared how to "meld" a photocopy image (or in Linda's case, a small American flag - stick removed) to a candle, using glue stick and a heat gun. After the images were melted into the wax, we added trims and embellishments to finish our projects. 

 

Our candles only took about a 1/2 hour to 45 minutes to complete - even with sharing the heat guns - and the ladies will likely make more of them as gifts in the future. We had time to spare, so we visited for a while, and after hugs and goodbyes, I drove home.

 

These are the two I made - one as the teaching piece, and the other to go with it - as Birthday gifts for a family member. Simple embellishments, but I know they'll be appreciated. 

I completed my Blue Tit Goldwork Bird project yesterday, too. I'll share that with you on Wednesday, and Tag will see you tomorrow. Here's to another productive week!

 

December Craft Day...

We had another great time crafting together in Portage last Saturday. It was my turn to lead the project, and this is the collective result of our "play date".

Kim couldn't be with us that day, as her younger daughter also celebrated a Birthday on the 3rd. Her elder daughter stayed with her Grandma Marie, so she was with us and made two projects! She jumped right in and got very creative. I blurred out the bottom of the first piece for privacy, as she had written her family name on the bottom. 

I absolutely loved the piece (Grandma) Marie created! The cross was so beautiful done in this technique, and really looked like a piece of jewelry.

Adrienne's piece was whimsical and fun. She chose bright colors on the watercolor paper, and then added a mixture of stones on the bottom. I love it!

My dear friend, Linda - the matriarch of this group - chose greens and yellows for her piece. We were all tickled, as she usually leans to the patriotic red, white and blue. This was a lovely change of pace, with a pretty finished artwork.

Debby chose to paint a dreamy background, and then went with an abstract design for the raised elements. It reminds me of a desert scene, with a sparkling caterpillar standing up. 

Sorry that the one piece on the left is so washed out. I guess it just blinded the camera. (lol) The piece on the right was the display piece that I took with me. The other one is the piece I did to teach them the technique. 

All in all, the ladies agreed that this was a new-to-them, fun project. Adrienne's daughter came in after the fact, wanting to learn how, too. Unfortunately, we had to pack up because most of the ladies had plans for the afternoon. Grandma Marie (hers, too) promised to teach her another time.

I was home by 2, and celebrated my Birthday here at Hickory Hill. I spent a little time visiting with Shelly, too. It was a perfect day.

My Turn To Teach Today...

I'm the teacher for this month's craft project with my girlfriends in Portage. This is my sample piece. I love doing these because the end result is a lot of bang for the buck.

Using a few simple components and your imagination, the final piece can be mounted to the top of a wooden (or cigar) box, sit on an easel or in a frame, or become part of a multi-piece display. 

I've been thinking about doing this as a video class online, but I'm wondering if there would be any interest. Class fee would be nominal, and I could either charge a kit fee (to mail) or people could gather their own supplies from a class list.

Leave a comment below if you'd be interested in taking a class after the holidays. I have to get on the road, now though. I don't want to be late today. It's going to be fun spending part of my Birthday with friends I love so much! See you tomorrow.

Let The Celebrating Commence!...

 

Even though my actual Birthday isn't until December, if you've been visiting for a while, you'll know that I have mastered the Art of the Extended Birthday. I begin my celebrating with the first card or gift, and continue until the last card or gift arrives. 

 

My first gift arrived yesterday, so the celebrating officially commences! This package arrived from my dear, long-time Kiwi friend, Marrianne.

 

 

This book is what inspired the gift. Marrianne had shared a recipe she'd made from this cookbook on one of her Facebook posts. As a person who loves cookbooks, and her dish looked delicious, I commented on it. One of the interesting things about this cookbook in particular is that the recipes are small yield dishes...something you prepare for one or two people.

I searched online for Nici's cookbook only to find that it's only available in New Zealand. I may have mentioned that to Marrianne, and she offered to get a copy for me. Never in a million years did I solicit a gift, but she told me she didn't want compensation for the book.

I've already paged through and earmarked about a half dozen recipes, and I can't wait to try them. There are a few localized ingredients that are unfamiliar to me, but when I get to making the recipes, I'll research those items for comparables. I really can't wait to dig in!

 

Also included in my package was a beautiful, cross stitched acorn bookmark. It's something that was very special to her (I'll keep the details between us), but it now means as much to me, and will be treasured by me. When I use it, it will remind me of Marrianne and the significance of this gift.

 

 

Finally, she knows how much I love these confections. Pineapple lumps are a tasty treat specific to New Zealand, and I hoard them to myself whenever they arrive. Yum!

 

So, in conclusion, I've begun the official celebration, thanks to my dear friend. I'm also going to come up with something special for her to thank her for her generosity. Of course, I won't be able to show you what it is (once I come up with it) until after I know she's received it. 

 

Thank you, Marrianne. I'm so grateful for this gift, but more so for the gift of your enduring friendship. We've been separated by thousands of miles, but always so near in our hearts. We've been friends through many heartbreaking moments, as well as many joyful events. You mean the world to me, and I love you, friend. Perhaps some day, we'll meet in person. A girl can hope, right?

 

Girls’ Weekend...

Saturday Craft Group

I drove to Portage on Saturday for another play date with dear friends. This month was Marie’s (she’s to the right of me in the photo) turn to decide the project. We made wall pockets. 

To create the wall pockets we began with large embroidery hoops, selected the fabrics we wanted to use, and then added embellishments. 

We were all finished in three hours, and you can see the results. Each project turned out reflecting each creator’s personality perfectly...and we had fun visiting at the same time! We’re already looking forward to next month!

High School Friends

Sunday was an outing to a local goat farm/creamery with a group of friends from high school. Many of us work together on the class reunion committee. 

The creamery had a Wine/Cheese/Chocolate pairing event. While the taste testing was enjoyable, it was really catching up with the ladies that was most fun. 

I got home mid-afternoon and spent the rest of the day catching my breath. We have a lot scheduled for this week, so I just enjoyed the rest of the weekend with Handsome and the critters. 

I have orders to prepare and mail today, and then more office work to do. Yippee. (Snort)