Q-Snap Frame...

Do you like to follow lots of varied blogs?  I do because I never know what I will be inspired to attempt to create.  Do you follow Sew We Quilt with Madamm Samm?  She is amazing and puts together blog hops like I have never seen before.  I recently followed one of her fun hops and she notified me that I had won a Q-Snap Frame.  I was thrilled.  In less than a week I received my frame in the mail.  Here is is assembled. This was super easy to put together.  It is very lightweight and easy to handle.  I have yet to put fabric in it to test my embroidery skills and will be doing that right after the holidays which are trampling me right now.

Here is the Q-Snap Frame as shipped in a simple padded envelope.  If you need a gift for a stitcher I would recommend these for certain.  I read lots of reviews and everyone was favorable.  I am including the link for your convenience.

Here is the frame in package.  How simple yet how smart.  I like this very much.  Thank you Madamm Samm for your wonderful blog hops and gifts galore.  I feel very fortunate indeed.  I am enjoying this latest hop "Black Tie Boogie".  Such talented and creative participants in your fabulous hops dear.

Here is another dress form pin cushion with some beaded pins adorning her.  I hope the recipient likes the colors.  I picked them especially just for her.

And one more I completed.  I am able to check off a few names on my gift list.  Feeling better each day as I stitch and stuff and embellish and bead.  I love creating gifts tailored to each person.  I do have a few items to shop for however you will not find me out at any malls or major stores this weekend.  Instead I will be home creating and making.  I will also be attending some local artisan craft fairs to support local artisan craft people who make wonderful things.  I prefer to shop local and help my fellow crafters.
Even though Thanksgiving is in the past I shall continue to be grateful for my blessings.  I am still doing my good deeds everyday and you would be amazed at how often people just don't get it.  I have to tell them, "Please don't spoil my good deed I am trying to do."  I don't think some have even heard of doing good deeds.  Kindness is such an easy trait to share with others.  May there be more kindness in our world.
Our weather continues to be warmer than normal and very dry.  I shall be doing some hand watering of plants outdoors so they don't dry up and perish.
Safe keeping as you go about your holiday busy-ness.  Joyful creating as you decorate your homes and make or bake your gifts.  Peace and Bliss...

Happy Thanksgiving Toast...

Here's a toast to Happy Thanksgiving.  

This has been a very trying year yet I feel very blessed and thankful.  

May each of you feel gratitude for what is important in life.

Blessings to all...

Bird Nest Cone...

Oh how can it be such a very short amount of days until Christmas?  My lists are long and time is short. Thankfully I have been able to spend time in my studio and check off an item or two.  When you have a gift to make do you begin with an idea or a sketch or a pattern or maybe something else?  Do you follow your original plan or do you "wing" it as you go along?  This bird nest cone is one of those gifts that was in my head for months but never clear as to how I would create it.  I gathered supplies and they sat on the table.  I would add or subtract from the lot and there they would sit.  I never had the right inspiration...until...
I just began my project and it came together from entirely different components.  Nothing at all like I had in my mind.  This is my best way to create.  I let the gift speak to me and determine how it wants to come together.

I am so pleased with how this turned out.  Even Mr. C was liking it and that is rare.  I used lots of fibers, laces, ribbons and my special hand sewn origami bird.  What do you think of the finished gift?  I am hoping the recipient will be very pleased as well.  This bird nest cone is due to take flight to its new home very soon.

While sorting through my supplies (insert "STUFF") I found this Christmas card I made years ago.  The envelope has a .63 cent stamp on it to include the extra hand cancel postage so this tells you it was a while ago.  I hand made the fabric beads and then formed the tree using the beads and embellishment beads.  A snowflake bead for the topper.  Some inking around the edges and off to friends and family that year.  Mr. C saw this on my table the other day and said, "That is a lot of work and no one will appreciate it."  I understand he is probably right however that never stops me from spending inordinate amounts of time making and sharing my joy of creating.  I am always drawn to the unique and hand made from the heart gifts. I believe my time and creativity is part of the gift I am giving.  Money and store bought do not always give from the heart.  I treasure making something special for someone.
We have had rain and then very strong gale force winds for several days.  Today was hours of raking up pine needles and debris into piles.  Tomorrow we will load the truck and deliver them to the county landfill. It is time consuming and labor intensive and expensive but necessary.  A huge pine tree fell across the roadway and took out phone lines but no one was injured.  We did have a struggle getting home around the road blockage but managed to drive around the cones from the top after trying the bottom of the road.  It was dark and we had no idea what was closing our street.  Power was out for several hours too. Thankfully all is well.  More rain is expected for Thanksgiving.
I have much to be thankful and grateful for...Family, Friends, Food, Shelter and my Loving Husband.  May you each have a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving.  Blessings to all...

Elf Shoes Bribe...

With the days flying by so quickly I need serious help.  I have been hoping for some elves to appear and speed up my production in the studio and sewing rooms.  None ever come to my rescue.  So...I decided that I needed to bribe them with little elf shoes so their feet don't get cold in my mountain home.

With felt and crochet thread and needle I got busy.  I was only going to make two shoes.  I ended up giving those to Sisty when she was here visiting.  I kept making them as they are portable and easy to work on when waiting for appointments.  I admit the first one took way too long.  My blanket stitch skills were very rusty.  Once I got in the rhythm they just multiplied.

Thank you to my friend Judy of jfabrications blog.  Some time ago she sent me this pattern and I set it aside.  In sorting through a stack I recently found it and decided it is time to make these.  My Grandma used to make some very similar so I like the connection.

Here is a shoe cut out and ready for stitching.  The toe can be decorated with a simple pom-pom or a small jingle bell.  I did think of beading some but have to realize my limitations of time.  Maybe next year.  Do you think I can bribe some elves to come and help me with my lists of projects?
Last night and today we got some rain sprinkles.  It wasn't the good soaking we were hoping for but it is some moisture and will at least give the trees and plants a good drink.
Prayers and Healing Energy for all affected in the horrific tornadoes that did so much destruction.
This is still November and I am truly grateful for so many things...family, friends and health.  The ability to spend my days enjoying life and being creative is such a blessing.  I am thankful.
Creative Happy Hearts...

Stitching & Daughter Visited...

Working on Christmas gifts.  This is a dress form style pin cushion complete with some beaded pins.  I have an angel on her shoulder and a heart for her.  She sits on a little glass pedestal filled with beads.  I am pretty certain the recipient will like her.

My wonderful daughter came to visit. Yes, I am getting shorter through the years however she is wearing 6 inch heels.  I hadn't seen her in over a year and she hadn't been to our home in seven years.  Long overdue to spend time here in this beautiful area.

She drove over 500 miles and arrived in her little red "sleigh".

 Mr. C took her for a ride in his beautiful black sleigh.  She had never gotten to ride in it.  They had fun!

Reflecting by the pond.  Mr. C has been doing leaf duty for days.  After all it is still Fall.

This is one of my favorite photos during her short stay.  Mr. C and Jenifer taking a walk checking out the property and enjoying our lovely surroundings.

My Grandma made the best gravy and I loved eating it on biscuits, mashed potatoes or whatever.  I didn't learn how to make it but my daughter learned from her Great Grandma and loves to make gravy.  It takes lots of time and patience and everyone in the family loves her gravy.  She made a huge batch for us while she was here.  I was drinking gravy, licking the spoons, smothering my mashed potatoes and my meatloaf. YUMMY in my tummy.  Thank you honey for making it and once again trying to teach me how.

We did some shopping while she was here.  Her passenger seat was overflowing.  She later told me the jingle bell on the snowman nearly drove her crazy driving home as it jingled over every bump and turn for the entire 500 plus miles.

We barely saved enough room for her to be able to sit and drive home.  The trunk was completely full too. It was a short visit but we made the most of it and spent quality time together.  I am so thankful she was able to come here.  She said she had been wanting to give Mr. C a big hug ever since his trauma accident the first day of summer.  I am a lucky mom to have such a wonderful daughter.
It is getting colder and the trees are almost bare branched.  We are desperate for rain.  So far no rain for us and no snow for the ski resorts to open.  We shall see what the next few weeks hold in store.
I am stealing snippets of time to be in my studio and sewing room.  There are such few days until Christmas and gift giving begins long before that as get-togethers happen and packages must be mailed.  I really am not prepared but I will somehow rise to the challenge that comes every year.
This year I am hoping to fully enjoy each and every magical moment of the holiday season.  I have already begun my joy of giving to the guy playing guitar outside the post office, the helpful man at the landfill, and those less fortunate who are at least trying to help themselves.  What are you going to focus on enjoying? May you create wonderful memories to treasure.  Peace and Joy to all...