What a fabulous Day!

Hi everyone,

I don't blog twice in one week very often, but I just had to tell you about a wonderful day that I had yesterday!

First of all, thanks to all my wonderful blog friends who wished me a happy birthday! You are the best! It was so nice to read (and hear) all of your messages. Also, my little daughter is beaming with joy over the sweet comments about her painting. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Yesterday, Mother Nature marveled us with hail storms! We don't get them often in Utah, but we had two huge storms before the day was through. They ripped through the grill and furniture covers on the patio, they demolished the garden and little flowers. You would think one would want to stay home amidst this craziness. I however, didn't want to fix myself and family something to eat, so I insisted that we go to lunch in Ogden, and after that go do a little shopping at Shepherd's Bush.

I was starting to regret that decision at first, because the weather was so bad at the restaurant that I thought the car would be damaged from the hail. We also had the power flickering off and on in the restaurant, so I thought that would be eating in the dark. But, all of this was worth it after our trip to SB.

Since the weather was what it was, no one else was crazy enough to brave the storm, and we pretty much had the entire SB staff at our disposal. After I pointed out a few lovely things to DH, that I would like, I hung out in the back of the store while DH decided what to buy. The girls stayed busy for quite a while, and I had no idea what could be taking so long. Well this is why they were taking so long...

Such lovely gifts. Most of them had a little "sheep" tied to the ribbon. The SB girls do know how to spoil!

Hubby did pretty good at picking out fun things. He bought waaayyy more than I would have. The Autumn and Fall charts were a surprise, and I wasn't as jazzed about them. However he said they had changed the colors, and he loved them...guess we got to do something the rest of the family likes once in a while!
He hid all of the gifts in the car before I could see them, and then he went home and set up a wonderful "treasure hunt". It was so fun.

I can't say enough about the SB staff. They really went out of their way to make this a special day, and I don't think my husband will go to another store to buy a present! He has become a loyal customer!
When we were leaving Teri said, "Your husband is really great! Really, you are very lucky." I could not agree more!

My dear friend, Val, gave me a great puzzle from a local artist. She even had the box autographed. Also, she gave me a sweet book about friends. I'm so blessed!

The next two photo's are presents to myself. I went shopping last week, and found this cute angel in the clearance section at a decorating store. It was the only one left, and it was a whopping $.63. Can you believe it! I can't wait to put her with some samplers.

I also bought the turquoise vase and ball things. I thought they were pretty great. They are not antique, but they were cheap, so I added them to my table.

I finished my Bent Creek Wedding row. One more UFO to cross off!

Thanks for visiting me. Hope you all have a wonderful day. Again, I thank you for the sweet comments. They sure brighten my day!

Ah' Tis Spring!

The weather has been so nice...

Hi to all! We have been enjoying the lovely 70's weather this past week. So fun to roast marshmallows around the fire pit. So nice to feel the warm sun. So nice to work in the yard. I have enjoyed every minute of it, UNTIL... a terrible storm came through last night and woke us out of a sound sleep. Pea size hail and thunder woke us out of our slumber. Ah' Tis spring! This is typical weather for us in Utah. Nice one day, and snowing the next. A hailstorm ripped up the flowers and plants this morning...Happy B-day to me! (Yes, it's today! I'm going to take full advantage of it.)
A New Start
"Ah Tis Spring by Notforgotten Farm"
28 count cream Lugana with Weeks, Gentle Art and DMC linen thread

Last Thursday, I needed a new project. Something that would be easy to work on while DD did her math outside, so I caved, and left my goals behind to start something new. Now that I've picked this bunny up, I can't seem to put her down! This is one of those projects that I have loved every second of. I hope to work on her again today. It would be nice to finish a project in a week!

I got all of my new Carriage House Sampling Stash. Our stitching group is splitting up this order and the charts will be going in our library. Since so many of us wanted these charts, we thought this would be a good way for all of us to have chance to stitch these designs. So fun to look at all of these projects. I can't wait to start something new. I love the way Terri stitched Noah's Stocking into a sampler. I may have to copy her! What a great idea.

I also got the new Blackbird book. At first glance, I wasn't really that thrilled with it. I wasn't sure that I would do anything out of it...however after finding FayeRaye's blog, I decided that I may have to do this sampler someday. Really pretty!

Keeping up with my goals this month.
A new bag for a friend who just had her second baby.

My bag to match my Easter dress. Still working on it! (The dress is done!)

My Fig Tree Quilt, Garden Gate! Loving this project.

Lastly, I need to brag about my little daughter. She took a painting class from a lady in our neighborhood. She teaches their "Achievement days" class at our church.
Last night, they had a "Art Appreciation" night to show off the paintings they made.

My DD next to her painting. I can't believe my 8 year old painted this! I'm thrilled with her work.

That's all for this week! Thanks for all you wonderful comments. I love reading them!

Losing spring and Finding Friends

Look at what I woke up to today! What happened to spring? This is quite a snow storm. Enough for the kids to go sledding in! Thankfully, it is spring, and it will melt soon. Also, we really need the snow for the water, so I guess I can see the bright side of this situation. Another bright side...I can stitch today, instead of working in the yard!

Birds of a Feather Friendship Sampler
Stitched on 35 count linen with Weeks and Gentle Art Colors
One strand over two linen threads

Recently, I was the recipient of a most wonderful surprise. I am feeling so grateful for kindred friends I have met while blogging. Teri, is one such special friend. Last Fall, She posted a sampler on her blog that she had stitched with her friend Julie. After it was finished, I commented on how much more special this sampler would be, knowing your stitching friend had stitched part of it. She totally surprised me with a wonderful package! This sampler was part of it. I promised I wouldn't blog about it, but I just can't help myself! I have to share my feelings of appreciation to her.
I have been stitching away on this wonderful sampler, and loving every second of it. It has 3 different over dyed blues for the lettering, which makes me go a little slower, but the effect is wonderful! When she comes to visit in the Fall, (She and her friend Julie are trying to get into the Shepherd's Bush retreat), she will stitch one of the little girls. I hope I'll have the rest of it finished by then! Thanks from the bottom of my heart Terri. Your gift was more than I could ever ask for!

Alphabet Village by Cross My Heart
Stitched on Cream Lugana 32 count
2 strands of DMC over 2 threads
I have been marathon stitching away on my alphabet village. This is my oldest UFO. I have been working on it all weekend. Only one more row to go after I finish this one! It seems to be going fairly fast. I made a goal to finish 2 houses a month, but...you know how that goes! I seem to have a never ending interest in buying new projects.

Ah' Tis Spring by Notforgotten Farm
Kitted up with Gentle Art, Weeks, and DMC Linen thread (My own conversion)
Stitched on 32 count Lugana Evenweave

I've been watching another dear stitching friend, Jane, stitch away on this cute design. I decided to kit this project up. I would love to work on this, but I'm trying to stay focused on my other projects. (A difficult task, for someone like me, that suffers from stitcher startitis!)

Speaking of new projects, when my stitch group met last week, we started talking about Carriage House going out of business. This news sickened all of us, as we, especially me, adore her designs!! What are we going to do without her? Well, we all decided we better start acquiring her charts. I already have all of the Hawk Run Hollow designs, and a few smaller ones as well. I went ahead and ordered another 19 charts! A huge early birthday present to myself! I can't wait to get my package, and I will share with you when it comes!

Have a great week, and thank you so much for your sweet comments. Oh, how they make my day!