Some last minute finishes

A quick note to show off a few last minute finishes:

Bookmarks for Daddy and Mama for Christmas

I charted Psalms 57 - the Dove is from "70 Christian Symbols", purchased from http://www.patternsonline.com/ and the Resurrection Lilies is a freebie from http://www.michaels.com/ which I changed slightly. The pre-finished bookmarks are from CharlesCraft.

My parent celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this month. In honor of that, I did this small design from Carinne's site: http://users.skynet.be/bk236098/CARINNE/ (it's 21CoeurNoceArgent), again with a little change. The oatmeal color of the aida doesn't show up very well. I wanted to frame this in a square frame, set on point, but couldn't find one I liked, and ran out of time to make one, so it's framed in an 8x10 frame I found that looks kind of antiquey.

I'm doing the finishes on bookmarks for my DD this evening (she came down with the flu - poor thing). I designed the bookmarks for her, so I'll post a pic when I'm done.

Back to stitching....

Daisy Stitches Mail Art Contest

Well, I didn't win or place, but had fun, nevertheless. You can see all the entries at http://www.daisystitches.com/mailart.html, including mine.

I didn't take an pics of the construction process, but this is not the last Mail Art I'll do, so next time, I'll photograph all the steps and publish them on http://jcbsleep.wordpress.com/, my finishing ideas blog

Currently reading: Innocent in Death by JD Robb

Currently stitching: scissors biscornu; Halloween ornaments for wXSw SAL, EMS Kitchen alphabet and last, but not least, Needle Guardian by Teresa Wentzler

At Last!

Thought I was gone forever, didn't you? No such luck - lol!

But I have put some content on my finishing ideas blog - check it out here: http://jcbsleep.wordpress.com/

More to come - later!

Our New Furbabies

Say hello to Annie and Nellie:
They are mixed breed 9 week old sisters. It has taken us a while to decide to adopt more furbabies since our beloved Dolly passed away. But Annie and Nellie have stolen our hearts.

I had forgotten how much energy puppies have - they easily wear DH and I out every time we play with them. They are very typical sisters - each wants what the other has!

They may look close to identical in this pic, but they are not: Nellie's ears are carried farther out than Annie's, and Annie has a broad white/black brindle patch on her chest, while Nellie has a small white patch on her chest.

Annie

Perhaps one day I'll be able to get a pic of them sitting or standing - right now the only time they are still is when laying down chewing on something, or when fast asleep.

Nellie

The Courtyard of Alhambra

Let me introduce you to a new designer: Lady Periphaeria. I’ve just completed the stitching on The Courtyard of Alhambra (PD- #4), and it is beautiful! I used 28 count natural linen, and stitched it with Caron Waterlilies® Arroyo. Check out her other designs at Periphaeria Designs.

Now to decide how to finish. Lady Periphaeria shows it finished as a biscornu (always a good choice), but I hate to cover up any of the design by a button or bead in the center. Perhaps a needlecase? Or the start of an accordion book, or a flat fold? Hmm, this is going to take some thought.

Currently stitching: A surprise for the One World, Many Cultures Exchange on the EMS Board
Currently reading: Owlsight by Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon.

Happy Birthday to me!

Received the nicest surprise today - my personalized bookmark from the EMS Cross Stitch Board Exchange. Isn't it beautiful?

I love to participate in these exchanges. I've made new friends from all over the world.

Yes, it is my Birthday, and I'm proud to be here. My life has been blessed, and I like to use my birthday as a very special time to thank the Lord for his many blessings: My beloved DH (and in 9 days, we'll celebrate the 36th anniversary of our first date, and in June, our 35th wedding anniversary), my children, my wonderful grandchildren, all of my family, and all of my friends, both in RL and virtual. Praise God for you all!


My DH is taking me to dinner this evening - and I'll have my once a year treat of Coca-Cola Cake with vanilla bean ice cream from Cracker Barrel. I promise I'll savor every morsel!

In other news, I've been thinking about publishing some tutorials, so I'll be looking for a site to do that on - cost is definately a factor. But I do love to create, and I love to teach - so I'll work on it and publish here when it's ready. I've already been taking photos and writing instructions for the first one - a covered Altoid box.


Currently stitching: Breadcloth for an EMS Exchange
Currently reading: Andre Norton's final fantasy Three Hands for Scorpio

January is almost gone!

I can't believe this month is almost over. Where did it go?

Thought you might enjoy seeing the finished presents for my co-workers. The baskets contain candies and a scented candle.

I've completed a biscornu and a bookmark for exchanges on the EMS Cross Stitch Board. Currently working on a breadcloth for another exchange.

Don't you just hate to get a brilliant idea and not have the time to carry it out? That's where I am right now - I've got to finish the breadcloth before I do anything else, but I've jotted down notes, so hopefully the brilliance won't fade - lol.

It's tax time again - Yuck! I hate filling out all these forms. Wouldn't it be nice if they'd just take the money through the year and then leave you alone? I know, I know, that's a simplistic view - but I think it anyway, every year!

Have lots of errands to do today, so this will have to end here. Take care, and God Bless!