Thoughts Of Spring.....

Another cloudy, dreary day here in McHenry, Illinois.  It's not terribly cold and it's not snowing (that's a good thing), but it's dark and grey.

I spent the day with mom, glittering and gluing.  I have some really pretty new things to share but I'm too tired now to take photos so I'll save them for during the week.

The ugliness of dirty, melting snow adds to the boredom of Winter.  I look forward to the snow disappearing and the little peaks of Crocus' popping their heads out of the soil, reminding us that Spring is near by.  I'm really eager to see Robins again.  Those gorgeous songbirds with their bright orange breasts really tell the world that the glorious season has begun.  For us, we usually see the first Robins of Spring about the last week in February or the first week in March.  It's a bit of a wait yet, but such a thrill for me when I see my first Robin of the season.  Much of last year is a big, fat blur to me.  But I do remember the day I saw my first Spring Robin!

Working on my garden quilt does help me to think of Spring:



Block #6 is coming along nicely, isn't it?  As you can see, I've really been playing with Carol Samples templates.  I only used my Waste Canvas technique for the feather stitch and the herringbone stitch.

Tomorrow, Scott is taking me into town to Borders & Michaels.  The latest Marie Antoinette movie is just screaming at me!  I read the reviews and I just know it's a movie I'll watch over and over.  Thankfully, there's no beheading in the end.  I know I couldn't deal with that right now!  As much as I love Amadeus and usually watch it a few times in January, I can't deal with some of it right now.  Especially the end.  It's not an accurate historical representation of Mozart's life, but it's a bit too dark and heavy for me at the moment.

I'm also going to order the Marie Antoinette issue from Somerset Studio.  I can't stand not having it!  The Somerset Studio magazines have helped me quite a bit the last few months.  The colors and the beautiful handmade things remind me of feeling like my real self.  Not the partial zombie that I've been for too long now.  Some of the zombiness has faded away but I still feel a bit off the planet.  Like I'm trying to function with someone else's glasses on rather than my own.  It's screwy!

Anyway, at Michael's, I need glue!  I can't believe how many different types of glue I use for my projects.  And then there's some of the new Martha Stewart glitters!  Oooof!  I love my glitter!

I'm really itching to go antiquing.  The next flea market isn't until Valentine's Day.  That'll be fun for Scott and I.  I may have to ask him to take me to an antique mall next week.  I love the thrill of the hunt and the thrill of a bargin!

Time To Relax!

I started stitching on Block #5 this morning before I went into town for groceries:



I've been experimenting a little more with Carol Samples Templates.  I'm just about done on the computer for today so I'll go stitch and relax.

Tomorrow is a crafting day with mom.  I'm working on some little bird houses which I hope to complete.  I'd like to say thank you again to everyone who continues to share their kindness with me.  Your concern, encouragement and support means so much!

Not every minute of every day is perfect but I'll get past this at some point.  My stitching and craft projects certainly help to keep my mind off of how I feel.  And heaven knows I've been bitten by the mixed media bug!  And the Marie Antoinette bug!  I have a Borders coupon so I plan to pick up the latest movie over the weekend.

Before I head out to relax, Mom's been cleaning out her sewing room again.  If I have any Quilters here, I just added a bunch of quilt patterns to the Yard Sale section of my shop. If anyone is interested, please hope over and check them out.

Have a good evening everyone!  I'm off to stitch!

Before I Retire For The Night.....

I thought you would enjoy seeing this:



Block #5 of my Garden Quilt is now complete!  I had all 5 blocks out on the floor this morning and oh, this is going to be a pretty wall quilt!

Before I start stitching on Block #6, I thought you'd like to see the pieced block:



I usually stitch in the morning for a little while after my husband leaves for work.  On the days when I can drag myself out of my bed!  I used to get up at 4 am, ready to go, go, go!  Now, I do good once I get going but sometimes my greatest accomplishment for the day is making myself get up.  Today was a good day.  Hope tomorrow is too.

I'm quite tired now so I'll keep this short.  Before I head out, thought I'd share my mom's lastest creations:

Sweet little angel ornaments, perfect for package tie on's for Valentine's Day, Easter, Birthday, Mother's Day, Christmas, New Baby or First Communion.  I don't know which one I love more.  They're all so pretty and sweet!

Mom is really going to town!  I loaned her some of my Somerset Studio magazines and she is so into them, I can hardly get them back from her!

Speaking of Somerset Studio magazines, does anyone have an extra copy of the Marie Antoinette magazine.  I'm willing to pay for it or trade for it.  I was so sick when it came out.  I remember seeing it in Borders, but I just couldn't focus enough to buy anything.  I'd really love to have that one.

NOTE ADDED TO POST:  I don't know what happened to this message!  Can't figure it out so I'll leave it.

Notes To Myself

Slow down girl!  Settle down girl!  Relax girl!  Oh, these things just don't seem to be in my vocabulary!  I keep moving from one task to the next despite the fact that all I really feel like doing is stitching.  That motor on my ADD butt just doesn't quit.  At least until I'm so exhausted that I have no choice but to take a shower and go bed.  And oh yes, how about those night sweats!  Love that.  NOT!  And then the restless leg syndrome caused by my medication.  My body wants to sleep but my legs would rather get up, marathon walk around the lake and stroll down to the WalMart for awhile.  They say that the 40's are some really great years for us women.  I think not!  I hope my 50's will be some good years.  We'll see how that goes when I get there.

In the meantime, here are the latest creations by Mom and Myself:







Mom made these sweet little Blanket Babies.  Some of you may remember that Mom made a ton of them for Pat Winters' Comfort Doll Project.   Although they are for decorative use only, they would make the cutest little package tie-on's for a new baby.

These pretty little Blank Note Cards were made by mom as well:



And I made this set:



I have a tendency to forget that it takes a lot of time to take photos, edit photos and upload photos.  I feel like I didn't accomplish a thing if I don't create something each day.  Jan reminded me and I quote, "As for the accomplishing , you did this - sometimes accomplishment means just acknowledging you're alive".  So true Jan and I think that's something that we all have to remember.  Wasn't there a book out awhile back called, "Women Who Do Too Much"?  That would be me, with an extension added that I never feel like I do enough.

I had to stop at the grocery store this morning so I buzzed through the resale shop which is next door.  I don't usually find much in that one.  It's mainly clothing but today I got lucky:



Is this too cute or what?  So shabby cottage style!  I only paid $3.00 for it!  I have plans for it for Easter.  I'll add some Easter grass to the bottom, sit my sparkly white bunny in there and tuck my metallic eggs in around the bunny.  I'll tie a pretty bow to the handle and call it Spring!  I'm sure I'll find a use for it for the rest of the year too.

I'm looking for a magazine holder that is similar in style.  I'm a magazine junkie!  I'd like to get some of them out of my computer room and my bathroom (library) and move them to a corner in the living room where I can reach them while I watch television.

Speaking of tv, Food Channel is calling me.  First I have to put together my Impossible Bacon Pie that I'm making for dinner.  No, I don't cook!  Really I don't!

I'll leave you with an update on Block #5 of my Garden Crazy Quilt:



Quick note to Karen who left me a message regarding my mom's Tussy Mussy's:  Please drop me an email so I can reply to you Karen.  I don't have your email address and it's important to me to answer your questions.

Rose Garden Design In Cross-Stitch & Needlework

I just received the March 2010 issue of Cross-Stitch & Needlework:



I did this lovely Rose Garden design for Charles Craft last year:



Not bad considering I was in the "depths of hell" at the time I did this design!  I am quite pleased with it.  I don't usually get to the see stitched models until they are published and I must say, this really came out beautiful!

I'd like to offer my copy of this magazine to the first person who leaves a comment letting me know that they would like to have it.  USA residents only please!  I just can't keep every magazine that I ever had a design published in.  There wouldn't be any room in my house for me and my cats!  So if someone would like to have this, just leave me a comment and I'll gladly send it off to you and I'll take care of the postage.

In other news, I made some Oatmeal cookies this morning but I'm not really happy with them.  I used my mom's recipe which I forgot, I don't care for.  They're too crunchy.  Next time, I'll go back to my recipe which is soft and chewy. 

I've also been fooling around with Facebook today.  I had to download the latest version of my browser just to get Facebook to work properly.  Then I set up a "Page" for Kitty & Me Designs.  I'm still trying to figure that out but I did manage to get my Etsy shop linked over there.  I could use some "fans" now if anyone feels like heading over there.

The other day, I worked up a new Banner for my shop:



As I mentioned last week, I've got to not push myself so hard and instead, do things that I really enjoy so I decided to have some fun and play with my craft supplies and my shop.  The banner isn't exactly what I wanted but it's good for now.  I may play with it some more at a later date.

Finally for today, Tristan at Enchanted Revelry blog is offering a very nice give away.  I found his blog today through Mary Anne's blog.  Tristan's blog is wonderful!  Thought provoking and visually incredible!  Do stop by and take a peek!

I guess that's all for now.  I feel like I didn't accomplish anything today!  Did you ever have a day like that?  You make your plans but they just don't work out.  Well, tomorrow's a new day.  For now, I'll get myself into a nice warm bubble bath, grab my latest Somerset Studio magazines and relax.