Meeting blog friends, Rainbows and Stitching!

A quick post to show you who I got to finally meet this past Friday night...

Jolene and me with stitch group.  My SIL was suppose to take this picture of our faces, not me scrunching down like this!

This is my dear blog friend Jolene and I.  We have been trying to get together for several months, and finally our paths crossed, and I was able to get my stitch group together on a night she could come up.  It was so fun to meet Jolene, FINALLY.  She is a doll.  We hope to do this a lot more often!

As you know from Jolene's blog, that she is very generous with her thoughtful gifts.  She surprised everyone with a  little gift of unique scissors and a beautiful scissor fob.  She made our night! 

 A beautiful and thoughtful gift from Jolene

 She had this cute cork on the end of the scissors, to protect them from punching through the tissue paper.  Teresa (Lower Left) reminded us of the movie "Dirty Rotten Scandrals".  The part with Ruprect having a cork on the end of his fork, so he wouldn't poke his eye out...well, we couldn't help demonstrating how useful the cork will be for us!  No one will be poking their eyes out with this ingenious little addition. 

Later in the evening it started raining, and we had this beautiful double rainbow.  It was great to sit out and watch it, but it did get too cold to stitch, and we ended up going in the house.  :(

 I got my Bent Creek wedding row back from the framers.  I opted to leave the heart buttons off, as they made it look more valentiney, and  I want to leave this up all year.  Sort of a "silent sermon" to my family members of my love for them.

Finally, I have been cleaning out some things in my sewing room, and came upon these.  I decided to show you the sewing accessories I designed for a retreat that I did in Park City several years ago with Cynthia Zittel from the Drawn Thread.  These classes were taught three different years, and eventually I wanted to complete a shaker box to put these in.   Unfortunately, the store that held the retreats went out of business and that ended all the fun. 

 A photo of the back sides.  I never published these designs, but have thought about doing it in the future, when time comes my way again...LOL!

That's all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you have a great week with lots of stitching!

A little chocolate, and a Philly Cheesesteak!

Hi to all.  I'm hopelessly behind on life, blog reading, posting...you get the idea.  However, I cannot complain, as I have been traveling to Pennsylvania this weekend, and I can't wait to show you some things.  Here we go!

Enjoying a fresh pretzel at Immergut (It is Good in German).  Yes it was!

My husband had an overnight trip in Philly, so I took the kids a few days early for a little "field trip".  We drove through the Amish country the first day and then up to Hershey.

Thanks to Siobhan, I was able to look at beautiful scenery like this...instead of the freeway.  She used to live here, and gave me great directions on what to do, and where to go.  My husband bought me a GPS before going, and "Lola" (as my daughter named her), did not like the fact that I was taking a different route, but I ignored all of her instructions and stuck to route 896.

 I bought this cute doll in Intercourse at a the Old Candle Barn.  Then it was on to Eldreth pottery.  I looked at everything, and honestly had the hardest time deciding what to buy, so I left without a thing.  We went to Hershey that night, and after a fitful night of dreaming about not getting a piece of Eldreth pottery, I made the stop on the way back to Philly and bought two plates.  The little black one was my first choice.  I loved the colors, and thought it looked great with my new doll.  The other plate was sitting over with 3 other plates.  They all had names and dates on them, and normally they would have been $50.00.  I don't know if they were ordered and never picked up, or what, but this plate was marked $2.00.  It made me think about orphan samplers with other peoples names on them.  I  decided my doll could be named "Anna Marie", and I bought it.  I told the saleslady she probably thought it was weird that I would buy a plate that had someone else's name on it, but she said people do it all the time.  (I guess I'm not the only crazy person.)

We went on a buggy ride with a former Amish teenager named Kaleb.  His family is Amish, but he has decided to pursue an education and become a vet.  It was really interesting listening to his perspective on things.  We learned much about Amish culture.  A real highlight of the trip.

My daughter was so excited to make her own candy bar, as we had seen on the Hershey website that it was new for 2010.  Well, Wally World was closed when we got there.  The machines have net yet been completed, and it won't be open until the end of June.  It was the biggest letdown!  We toured the factory, and she really loved the ride, so her spirits were better after that. The next day we went to the Hershey museum and went to the "Chocolate lab".  It was really interesting to learn about, and taste chocolate from all over the world.  We didn't know that we would be making our own candy bar in the lab, and DD was thrilled!  We added crushed red peppers to our chocolate to make it more like the Mayan's would have done.  It just makes the chocolate taste warm, but it's not spicy like you would think.  A wonderful place to visit.  I think another trip back to Hershey to stay in the Hershey hotel, is on our list of family vacations!

This little quilt was in the Hershey museum.  I can't wait to find some pink, and make one.  It was so sweet.  The back was interesting too.  It was a pieced quilt as well.  Very different color schemes, that seem to work great together.

This was a sampler in one of the cases.  Love the design of this one too.

Back in Philly, we walked around a bit the first night.  We went to "Logan square" which has some beautiful fountains.  This use to be the place that they had a gallows set up.  Hanging's happened here every weekend.  Hard to imagine, and a little creepy.  They moved the cemetery and made this park, I think in the 60's.

The next day, I didn't take my camera, because we wanted to go to the US Mint, and when I was there last year, camera's were not allowed.  I left it in the hotel room.  Well, wouldn't you know it, they are only open Monday through Friday, so we didn't even get to go, and I had no camera for pictures of Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell!  UGGG!  DH took pictures on his iphone, but it's likely I won't see those again. Our kids favorite thing, Chinatown!  So funny.  DD bought a silk dress, and Chinese parasol there.  DS bought a pack of fake money!

 Lastly, we went to Las Vegas and spent the night.  We had to take a late flight home Monday night, and had the whole day to kill.  We found a Cafe Rio in Vegas (which is one of our local favorites), and right next door was our local favorite custard shop, Nelsen's Custard. 

 After that we went to see the lions at MGM Grand, and walked around all day.  Our feet hurt, and it was hot, and I think we were all feeling "vacationed out".  I don't enjoy the Las Vegas strip at all!  It was hard to have my kids there as there is so much crap that they can see, that I didn't want them to see!  It was not a good end to the trip, however it gave us much to talk about with them, and it helps them to realize what stuff is out there. 

Back home...

Before I left, I received a special surprise in the mail.  Jolene, sent me a wonderful set of silk to stitch Carriage House Samplings Noah's Ark Stocking.  I was so overcome with emotion.  I am so blessed with wonderful friends.  Thanks so much Jolene.  The colors are beautiful!  You are such a sweetie!

When I got home, I received another surprise from my great friend Terri!  She was sending me belated birthday wishes.  I just love this flower frog, and the darling sewing set she made!  The scissors are perfect too.  Terri, you made my day.  Thanks from the bottom of my heart!

My SIL, Melanie, gave me this great tile changing frame.  She made all of the vinyl stickers, and spent a ton of time making this cute gift.  It was so different, and I love it!

I won Sharlotte's blog contest last week, and she sent me this darling towel.  It goes perfect in my house.  It really looks great with Terri's gift!  Thanks Sharlotte!  Love it, and your stitching is wonderful!

On the stitching front:

I'm almost done with my little bunny.  I just have to finish the basket and words.  It's funny how fast this was going at first, and then I kind of stalled.  I hope to finish it up this week.  I don't like how the dye lots change on the dress.  I had an extra skein that I started with, and it was obviously a little brighter than the 2 new skeins I bought.  Oh well!  I still love this little bunny.

I started this little sampler on the airplane.  It is a freebie from Plum Street Samplers.  I thought it was appropriate as we went to the Betsy Ross house, and this reminds me of her house.  We had a lot of turbulence and it was hard to stitch anything.  This is all I got done on the 10+ hours of flying!  Can you believe that?  It was a  wonderful week!  Thanks for checking in with me, and leaving a comment!  You are wonderful, and you make my life sweet! 

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!

Thanks to a wonderful friend!

I was so thrilled to receive this award from a wonderful blogger, Jolene. She is just about the sweetest person on the blogging web, and I am thrilled she wanted to know more about me. Thanks Jolene! I have never been nominated for an award like this. I'm flattered!

1. I am the only girl in my family. I am right in the middle of 5 brothers. Two older and 3 younger. My dad was worried I would be spoiled, so I think he went out of his way to make sure I didn't receive any special treatment. For example, if my car (which I bought and paid for with my own money) needed any mechanical work at all, my dad would not help me with my woes, unless I was sitting by his side helping him work on it. I'm grateful that he made me learn how to be a mechanic, as I have had to use that knowledge a lot in my life!

2. I contemplated changing my major about 5 times in college. First it was business. I wanted to be a buyer for a department store. I didn't know you had to have so much math for this major...I hate math.
Next, public relations...you have to write for the school paper...weekly...nope, not my favorite thing to do.
Third was French...I'm not really sure why I thought about this major! Fourth...microbiology...lab work was not really my thing.
Finally...Marriage and family therapy...I decided to get married, so I didn't finish this one either. I should mention that I really never officially changed my major in college. These are just the things I was interested in. I went to school for 4 years, so if I would have stuck with one thing, and started and finished with my FHD ambitions, I would have finished. Such is life.

3. I hospitalized on my 8th birthday for pneumonia. I had to stay in one of those oxygen tents for about 7 days. It was scary, and lonely, and I wanted to play with my toys that I had gotten for my birthday. I still have vivid memories of a Charlie Brown character book that a friend gave me in the hospital. I loved that book!

4. One summer, I broke my arm, when my brother and I went down to the local go-cart race track and pooled our money together so we could ride twice as long on the track. We took turns "driving" and "pushing the gas pedal". My crazy brother drove us into a bail of hay, and as it was my turn to push the gas, I didn't stop us! This same brother broke his arm a week later when he was showing off on his skateboard, and the garden hose happened to get in the way!
We have another brother that broke his arm a few weeks after that on the neighbor's trampoline. My poor mother!

5. I've been stitching and sewing since I was about eight. It has always been something I have enjoyed doing. I started with those little Bucilla crewel kits. I also sewed with 4-H and I entered several articles of clothing into the fair.

6. I have had my own pattern business. I published under the name of "The Hidden Heart." I designed mostly punch needle patterns, but I also had some embroidery, wool, and cross stitch patterns. I taught classes all over the state of Utah. What fond memories! My favorite retreat was at the Washington School Inn in Park City. I taught 3 years with Cynthia Zittel of "The Drawn Thread." What a thrill!

7. On the day that the SAT test was given, I was really sick. I didn't want to miss the test, as there wasn't another one scheduled for several months, and I was interested in trying to get into college early, during my senior year. I went and took the test, and I don't remember much about that day, other than I was sicker than I ever remember being!
My mom picked me up from the test and took me straight to the hospital instead of going home. After a few blood tests, I was diagnosed with mononucleosis. Needless to say, I spent the next month in bed. I felt awful!
After applying for college, it was not surprising that my SAT scores were too low to get into college early. I wrote a letter of appeal, and told them why my scores were so low, and that I had taken the test while having mono. I guess the person reviewing my case figured that if I had enough dedication to go to a test while having mono, I would be dedicated in my classes, so I was accepted. I was only the 7th person at the time in my high school to go to college early. I guess I really should have finished getting my degree, huh!

I am suppose to nominate 7 other blogger's. I am having a hard time with this part. I love all of the blogs I follow! I feel like I'm breaking one of those "chain" letters, but I'm going to say that if you are on my blog roll, and you would like to tell me a little about yourself, then this award is for you! Please feel free to share 7 things that are unknown about you!

I get to show you what I have been doing this week!
Matching bags for my DD and I for Easter!

I went to a quilting retreat on Thursday through Saturday. I got a few projects done! (Can you hear the hallelujah chorus?) It was so fun! love being able to just sit and work on projects and not be interrupted by kids, phones, and fixing dinner!

Button Up Buttercup by FriendsFolk Quilts

I got this put together on Friday. It's been in my closet for a few years. This is for DD's bed. After it is quilted it will be washed, and the flowers with "rag up" giving it some dimension. It was funny that one of my friends had the same quilt, and she was doing it in black and white prints with bright yellow flowers. It was amazing at how different they were. A great versitle pattern.

Prairie Sweets by Fig Tree Quilts

I bought this yesterday on my way home from the retreat. Isn't this a lovely quilt? I think it's the perfect quilt to use up scraps. I love this little pamphlet. There is a wonderful article in here about having a variety of projects. It's important to have projects that are challenging and some that are just plain easy and fun to finish. She says it helps us be more creative if we mix it up a little. It was just what I need to read. I think I can get overwhelmed at times, and this put things in perspective for me.

Hope all is well in blog land! I really appreciate the comments and support. How I love all my peeps and blog friends! Take Care, and have a wonderful week!