Mini Grannies...

If you're in my Brynwood Needleworks Facebook group, you've seen the post I put up recently with a granny square piece constructed from 2,000 small grannies. Each one was created using sewing thread and a 0.5 size hook. It took the woman two years to construct, and it's pretty impressive.

It reminded me of the few mini squares I started years ago using #12 pearl cotton and a size 1 hook. I seem to remember starting them to use for artist trading cards, or some other small project. These are all I've made (so far), but now it's got me thinking about using them to create a table mat or runner. Not a blanket, for sure! I do have more colors set aside in a plastic divided container, and most of the colors are represented in the squares you see here. 

I have a number of other projects that are in line ahead of this, but it would be easy to make a few each night while sitting with Handsome. I really just wanted to show these to my crocheting friends for a little inspiration. 

I took it pretty easy yesterday. I'm sorry I didn't respond to the past few posts until last night. Missing Tag hit me all at once, and it just hurt too much to stop to thank all of you for your kind words. Even so, I was in tears as I typed each reply. If you've ever lost a dear pet, I know you understand. It's a hurt that never really leaves. You just learn to live with it. One year out was still to overwhelming for me. Thank you for being there for me, and for all your kind thoughts. I really appreciated reading your memories of him, too.

I think I may start that squirrel today! The spoolies are fun, little projects, but when I'm working on them, I'm totally immersed. It will be fun to see what I can come up with. I'll share more tomorrow. 

It was snowing and blowing all day yesterday. I'm hoping for a quieter day today. Even the little girls (the cats) didn't want to go out in it. Bella and Carly didn't mind so much, but they didn't hang around outside any longer than they had to either.

I'm off to take care of all the girls, and then have a little breakfast myself before I get going with my day. I'll be back tomorrow!

Say Hello To My (Not So Little) Friend...

 

Yesterday my almost-90 year old stepdad and I managed to horse this hefty critter into the back of my Explorer so I could bring him home. When we first came back to Wisconsin, this large carved squirrel sat out in front of an antique shop called The Plaid Squirrel. I admired it every time I drove up the east shore of the lake (Winnebago) where the shop was located.

I drove past it three years (or so) ago to see that the shop had closed and the squirrel was gone. On a visit to my mum's, I saw it sitting out in front of their home and recognized it immediately. I asked her if it was  from The Plaid Squirrel and she was surprised that I knew that. They had gone up to the shop when it was closing, and bought it. I told her I loved it, and we laughed at the sign. (On the reverse it says "Go Away") They actually screwed the sign with the "Welcome" greeting facing out, to keep it from blowing away.

 

Right before my Birthday last year, Mum called to tell me that the squirrel was my gift from them, and I could pick it up any time. The weather turned, so we agreed I'd come and get it in the spring. Yesterday was the day. (As an aside, this is officially the longest "extended" Birthday to date - nearly five months! yay!)

Loading it was a real task as it's awfully heavy. Dad B and I barely got it off the ground, and grunted as we slid it into my vehicle. All the way home I contemplated just how I'd be getting it out of my car to place it. As I drove up the driveway, I decided that the bucket on the front of our big yard tractor would be just the ticket.

I opened the back hatch, and brought the tractor around. Once I had the bucket in place, I pulled the squirrel out the back and onto the bucket. Then I stood it up, tilted the bucket back and moved it over close to its intended location. I had a hand cart waiting next to the bucket as it was lowered. Then, I slid the squirrel onto the cart and rolled it into place. Truthfully, I was on pins and needles, fearing it might fall off the bucket during the move, but it couldn't have gone smoother.

Granted, that's one sad planter sitting on the base, but I intend to add some of my large wooden acorns, and as soon as it gets a bit warmer, I'll have flowers potted all around it. As you can see from this photo, the hollyhocks already have a head start over the rest of the flowers (except a few tulips, and daffodils). They do like this protected southern exposure!

I have extra rogue hollyhock plants that have self-seeded, so I'm going to dig them up and take them to Mum. She used to have them in our backyard when I was growing up, and she allowed as how she'd love to have some of these giants. I warned her she might be sorry for asking, but I'll definitely be taking some to her soon.

Now I need to come up with a name for this large squirrel. Do you have any ideas? If so, please leave them in the comments. See you tomorrow!

Just A Little Giggle...

Web Image - Bloomers Garden Center

Sometimes it's just good to post something cute or funny. Those who know me well will get this. My BFF posted it on my Facebook page yesterday. Thanks for the giggle, Lee.

Have a great weekend!

More Gifties Arrived...

Can you even believe that today is December 1st already? 2011 is quickly coming to an end and I still have so much left to do! Yesterday was another day filled with surprises. There were two packages in the mail for me!

I opened a package from my generous friend, Sherry E. of Createology to find this clever origami bag. (I took the liberty of staging it with my acorn fairy in an acorn-adorned frame.) The fabric Sherry chose fits right in with my acorn decor, doesn't it?

The fabric is folded and sewn to create a pocket on each side of the bag, and Sherry chose tiny tree charms for the flaps. They're perfect choices, Sherry!

I haven't figured out how everything folds together to make up this little tote, but I'm going to keep examining it until I do! I can't wait to use it, too!

Sherry, you are so generous with your time and your talents and I can't tell you how I appreciate the treasures you send my way. Thank you, my friend. I will cherish you and your creation(s) always!

Although I knew a second package was on its way, I had no idea what to expect inside. Wendy W. of The Frog Palace and The Life of Me contacted me to ask for my address, telling me she had something she wanted to send to me. I admit I was intrigued and couldn't wait to open her package when it arrived!

Her handcrafted card had this tiny acorn glued on one corner. (I bet she made that, too!)

Inside I found ornaments made of glass and other natural elements. A glitter-sprinkled pine cone ready to hang in the studio as well as a little "nature boy" ornament created from wood.

Wendy added this artful collage of craftsy items and the verse about creativity. I see something new every time I look at it. (Wouldn't it be fun to play "Eye Spy" with my granddaughters using this?) I have placed it in my wall organizer hanging across from my sewing machine. It looks right at home there!

Look at this teeny, tiny glass squirrel. I'm so glad it made the trip safely to me - as well as the slightly larger glass acorn. They're both so beautiful, and I've never seen a little squirrel ornie before!

I have the perfect spot to hang them so they can be viewed and admired every day. This is the arch in the window in my studio, and the all three new ornaments will join the rest of my collection where they'll be visible from inside the studio - or outside when I'm in the pool area. (Don't miss the new, little "Green Man" ornament hanging on the right end of the rod!)

Thank you, Wendy for thinking of me when you saw the ornaments...and for all the wonderful gifts you sent to me. I love your thoughtfulness and generosity. Sending great big hugs to you across the miles.

My actual Birthday is December 3rd (Saturday), but without even knowing it, my friends are helping me stretch my celebration. Mum told me a package is on its way and Handsome ran a secret mission yesterday. At this rate, he's going to declare me a bona fide "Spoiled Brat" by Saturday...and he'll be right! One of our running jokes around here is that he's not Mr. Right. He's Mr. Always Right** (again).

I find that I'm constantly inspired by my blog friends. I hope that even in the process of writing about the gifts I receive, you'll find inspiration or ideas for gifts to share with your loved ones. As I work my way through my handcrafted Christmas list over the next two weeks, I'll write about them for a little inspiration of my own.

(**I'm required to add a little right-hand wrist flair for effect when I say that. lol)

Because You Just Never Know...

Many days I write my blog posts and never know the lives I touch with my words.  Each day, my goal is to write a thoughtful post about the "joyful and creative" aspects of my life. Then there are days where I share some of the less joyful or less creative stories I have to tell.

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know that this past year has had some sad days, too. Those dark days when I lost Fezzik so unexpectedly, and then this fall when Kes (and my former Golden, Kirby) joined him at the Rainbow Bridge during our travels. Our dogs lives are so very short to begin with, but it still comes with sadness when their times come and they must leave us.

I don't recall this for you to make you relive those sad days with me. Rather, to explain the stories that prompted one of my blog friends to send me a package recently. I received a package in the mail Tuesday and I hate to say that I didn't recognize the return address. Marie in Ohio. Hmmmm. Did I order something and forget where I purchased it? I didn't think so.

Handsome, Tag and I walked back to the house whereupon I immediately went back to the studio to open the box so it would reveal its contents. Imagine my surprise to find so many wonderful surprises inside!

An adorable squirrel holding acorn salt and pepper shakers. Marie knows how I adore acorns and thought of me when she found this. Then, she also added two little sewing (quilting) kits. The sweetest snowman is the center of a small accent quilt from The Wooden Bear Designs, and all the supplies in another kit to create a little zippered Out & About carry-all. Aren't they wonderful?

Marie also added two pieces of nautical-themed fabric that I know will work perfectly with a recent lighthouse fabric purchase.

I opened her handwritten card first, but wanted to save its sentiment for last.  Marie told me that she reads my blog all the time - although she doesn't have one of her own yet - and that she saw the acorn s/p set and got them just for me. (Imagine that!) She also traveled this summer, but spends time in Winter Haven, FL, too. I'm hoping that I will get to see her on her next trip south so that I can thank her in person. (Marie...please send me an email through my blog so that we can see if there's time to get together while you're here!)

By the time I'd finished her card, I admit I was a little weepy. She wrote the most beautiful words to me and I want her to know that she - and all of you - bless me every day with your thoughts and comments, and sometimes with your gifts. Thank you, my new friend, for all the special gifts you sent to me. They will be used and cherished for a long time to come.

I also received another gorgeous artist trading card from Sherry @ Createology. She is so talented and artistic. I'm tickled to have another card from her to add to my collection. I owe you, my friend! I'll get your cards out this week I promise.

So, if you're wondering if anyone reads what you write on your blog, or whether or not you touch anyone with your thoughts, I'm proof that we all do. I'll continue to share those thoughts on my joyful and creative life with you, and try to keep the "reality" posts to a minimum. When I'm writing to you, I'll continue to write as though I'm sitting down to tea with my girlfriends (and boy friends, too). After all, you just never know whose life you might touch...and occasionally, they'll touch you right back.

Again, I am humbled beyond words at the generosity of my long-distance friends. Thank you.

A Cushion It Shall Be...

My squirrel is finished. That tiny one thread of floss over one thread of fine count linen...the size of two quarters...is finished. The pattern calls for it to become a scissors fob. Remember? (This post might jog your memory.) I finished the stitching waaayyy back in June, but just couldn't bring myself to make a scissors fob.

I've finally decided what I want to make with it. I'm going to make a pincushion similar to this one, purchased on a recent quilt shop expedition. The fabrics in the first photograph with the embroidery are the fabrics I'm going to use. Then, I'm going to add some "squirrely" accents. Acorns, perhaps. Oh! What about topping it with a squirrel? I'm going to have to go in search of the perfect little accent for the top!

I'll show you as soon as I'm finished. Another post for another day, but I wanted you to know that I hadn't completed (or abandoned) this project. If you have any ideas, I'm all ears!