Simple Sachets...

 These simple sachets are very easy to make.   I got this idea from the wonderful Jillayne of A Fine Seam.  She shared a beautiful pieced, hand stitched and embellished heart she made on her blog.  Please visit via the link in her blog name.  

I made mine smaller than the pattern suggested.  Here is the pattern that Jillayne shared.  I tried different fabrics.  I stamped the white with a butterfly and a dragonfly motif.  I really like the possibilities.  I embellished them with seam binding, ribbons, buttons, beads and charms.  Some I filled with lavender and a very special one I filled with cloves because my sister is allergic to lavender.  I must say I really like the clove aroma and my studio smells heavenly.  

 Here is an altered tin I did.  I bought this lovely tin of talc.  Once I got it home I decided it could use some embellishing.  So I got out the ribbons, lace, rhinestones, pearls, 3D flower and glitter.  I am very pleased with how it turned out.  

Here is a side view of the finished tin.  I also added a beaded pin to the front ribbon.  

Here are two of the items I have created.  What do you think?  Worthy as a gift to someone?  I am entering into the busiest birthday season in my family.  I am surrounded by Aries. :o}

I have had fun playing in my studio and sewing room.  For being on the road so much I feel blessed to be able to create some fun things.  

Our weather continues to pour rain.  We have had over 10 inches in just three days.  Snow is predicted for this Saturday evening and Sunday.  I ventured out today in the rain and managed to get most of my errands completed.  I did get to wear my plaid rain boots and that is super fun!

What are you creating?  Are you enjoying the longer daylight hours?  I love it staying lighter later.  

My daffodils have begun to bloom but just in time to get flattened by rain and snow.  Bring on Spring...

NASCAR Experience...

 Mr. C and I drove 12 hours to Las Vegas last week.   We had an opportunity to experience NASCAR in person.  Normally neither of us follow NASCAR as turning left and going in a circle is not our style.  We follow Formula One and Indy which have many more road course races than ovals.  So here is Mr. C as we enter the Neon Garage.  Fortunately we had all VIP passes and enjoyed this experience in grand style.

A photo of Tony Stewart on Friday practice.   We really were this close to the cars.

This is Friday and not crowded at all.  Our weather was perfect.  Sunshine and low 70's.  

A few more people now that it is Saturday.  This Las Vegas Speedway is an amazing venue.  The logistics are extremely well planned and executed.  

 Now this is NOT a NASCAR.  What a beautiful Italian import this is...Ferrari!  Sort of out of place at this venue.  Oh for a price you can take a driving course lesson in one of these.  I will pass on that.

The Saturday line up of race cars.  This race included Danica Patrick as one of the drivers.  The fans are so in love with her.  Unfortunately for all she qualified 12th and eventually ended up in the same 12th place.  

Oh dear it is Sunday and the big race.  As you can see the crowds are getting much bigger.  I personally do not like crowds at all.  You should have seen the swarm of wall to wall people in the tunnel we had to traverse...I just tried to focus on getting to the other end safely and in tact.  The tunnel is very very long!

Here is the line up of cars for the big race.  I did not have a favorite driver even though I am familiar with many of them.  The entire race was sold out.  I heard the number 300,000 attendees for Sunday and I believe it.  

As part of our VIP experience we had excellent sky box seats at the pit exits at turn one.  The best about this oval racing is that you can literally see all of the track and cars all at the same time.  The race is over with no major incidents (thank goodness as I never need to see horrid accidents) and Mr. Tony Stewart won.  This photo is an overview of the crowds as they depart.  Fortunately for Mr. C and I we merely walked back over to the Neon Garage, got some refreshments and sat in some very comfortable arm chairs to listen to the live band and watch all the entertainment that was happening so people didn't have to rush to leave and wait in long traffic lines.  After 3 hours of entertainment we headed back over to the motor homes and the parties for a few more hours until we drove back to our hotel.
Now I can honestly say I have experienced NASCAR.  If I had a bucket list with this on it I can now check it off.  Surprisingly I enjoyed my week away and seeing how much Las Vegas has grown since I saw it last.
However, it is good to be home.  I have lots to catch up on and lots to create.
As we drove the long 12 hours home we were able to stay ahead of the storm and drive over Donner Pass with no issues.  Winter has arrived and we have had rain for less than 24 hours that has added up to approximately 3 inches already.  The weather forecast is for about 9 inches of rain for us this week alone.
I will now spend time unpacking, doing laundry and all the wonderful house chores that have waited for me.  I will also spend time catching up on blogging because I missed you all so much.  I look forward to being inspired by the talents each of you share so generously on your blogs.
Creative hugs...

Happily Creatively Playing...

 How blissful to be in my very own studio playing with my wonderful array of supplies.  Here I am working on some lovely green acrylic Shamrocks.  I really never know exactly what I will create until I am beginning my process.  I try different things and see what I like.

 I crocheted a hanger with a loop, tied a green bow, used some flocked Shamrock ribbon on the centers front and back and finally beaded an eye pin to attach as a dangle.  These look really pretty with glorious sunshine glowing through them.  Each of these I made have all found their way to new homes of friends and family just to brighten their days.

I really love ATCs...both making them and receiving them.  I finally got the time and opportunity to join in a swap with the very talented Kimberly of ArtJoyStuff which many of you already follow and have participated in her swaps.  These are some of my selection I am making.

Here is an array of some fun creative supplies I am using on my ATCs.  A lot of this was generously given to me by Ana of Scrappy Pink Corner blog.  Ana makes lots of mini albums and cards that are fabulous.  Please visit her blog and enjoy what you see there.
I have some other projects I am working on but no photos as of yet.  I really need to spend some serious time sorting and de-cluttering and organizing my studio and sewing room.  It amazes me how quickly every horizontal surface in my rooms gets cluttered and piled high with stuff.  I think I have an "Occupy" gathering of creative little fairies that come during the night and pull things off the shelves just to see how high they can stack it on the worktable.  Why they don't put it all away is the real mystery.  Oh and I wish they would return the two pieces of butterfly fabrics I had sitting on the table.  One day they were sitting there and I was happy to look at them and then they disappeared.  I have searched everywhere but no butterfly fabric to be found. Must I go back to Bakersfield to buy more...would they even have any more of it left?  If I did buy more then I would find the pieces I already know I have but cannot find.  LOL  Does this ever happen to any of you?  Do you ever buy the very same item you already own but forgot you had or misplaced?  When I do this I realize I must have really liked it to want it twice...or more.  Besides it gives me a good chance to share with a friend who might like to have it too.
Our weather continues to be very cold and a mix of sunny, cloudy, snowflakes but no accumulation and overall strange.  My prayers continue for those less fortunate in the extreme weather and tornado areas.
Marvelous March is moving along briskly and I wish you each creative joy...

Small Town Saturday Joy...

This is our small town of approximately 3000 population.  The entire town is on the National Historic Registry.  We are located in the Gold Country and have a wonderful rich history.  Saturday with snow covering our home and yard we decided to "go to town" which is merely a mile and a half from home.

 We enjoyed comfort food for breakfast in one of our little favorite restaurants.  The hand painted mural on the wall is actually of the town.  If you watched Hallmark's movie "The Christmas Card" this was the featured diner.

 After breakfast and a stroll to the post office we walked up the street to the local library where they have a book sale the first Saturday of each month.  I love to go to this and support the library.  Mr. C (seen here in blue jacket) even enjoys this for a very short time.  He buys his favorite hard bound books for $1 each, reads them and then donates them back to a future sale.  I am not so generous about donating my purchases back.  I like to keep them as I usually buy books for crafting.

 Here you can see they have quite a selection of every type.  Sometimes the rooms are very crowded with people and you have to wait to get to the book shelves.

 The prices are super fair.  Some books are even free.  How can I not support my local library?!

 Here are three of my latest finds.  Tassels was just 25 cents.  Dressed by the Best was a whole $1 and has lovely wearable art pieces in it. The Art Nouveau Dover book with CD was my find of the month.  Brand new and still complete.  Only 50 cents!  I know!  How lucky am I?  Can you believe Mr. C said to me, "What are you going to do with that?"  I don't think he will ever really understand creative types and I can understand we are a world of difference from his type...Engineer twice over and a Type A personality.  What was I thinking when I found him?  Oh right!  Love does not think.  Besides I had never formally known an engineer.  My entire family is artistic of some sort.

Here we are back to the car across the street from this super old historic hotel and restaurant.  Lots of stories these walls could tell.  Famous and infamous people have stayed here over the years.
We enjoyed a lovely morning in our little town.  Home to shovel snow and wash the car...surrounded by snow.   Our weather is very much Springlike and the daffodils are beginning to bloom.  There are hundreds planted along the highway and it is quite a sight to enjoy.  I walked outside this afternoon and I can already hear and feel another storm coming in.
I am still praying for those who have suffered so much loss with the extreme weather and tornadoes.
Thank you wonderful bloggers who visit and leave me a comment.  I read each and every one and always learn something.  Now I am going to enjoy visiting your blogs and commenting...

Flower Patience...

 A Christmas gift from a dear friend.  Red Lion indoor Amaryllis.  One big bulb in a little green plastic pot.
Water and wait...and wait...and wait.  About 6 weeks later a green leaf sprouts forth.  Then another and another.

 A couple more weeks and a stalk shoots up.  This is a rapid rise to dizzying heights.  Finally a bud.  More waiting...

 One by one each flower opens to spectacular glory.  A total of four blooms at the top of this very sturdy stalk.  The red is truly this gorgeous.

Mr. C and I are enjoying this glorious Amaryllis each and every day.  From Christmas to Spring this is a wonderful gift as it keeps on giving.  After completion of blooming I understand the bulb can be planted outdoors and just might bloom again next year.
March is here...the sun is shining and we still have snow on the ground.  It is cold but with the sun shining so brightly it makes us think it is warmer than it is.  Yesterday I shoveled snow off the upstairs deck but only finished about a third of it so maybe today I shall finish shoveling the deck.
I hope each of you are enjoying a beautiful and relaxing weekend.  I pray for the safety of everyone experiencing severe weather storms and tornadoes.