Carmen, Hardanger and a winner

Meet Carmen...we bought her just before my birthday. She is 15 inches, her head/face is made from a half coconut shell and her outfit from painted canvas. She adds a smile to my face and to the kitchen. Someone once asked me if my home was all western now that I live in Arizona. No, it is very eclectic. I do have some western/southwest décor, but we have whatever suits us. A bit of this and some of that! I wanted to have something special to mark this birthday...there is nothing really special about it; well, except that The Brother Alan and Lisa were here..... anyway, I began a Hardanger project...

(look beyond the wrinkles please). It is a kit (had it for ages) from Nordic Needle, and is suppose to be a candle mat. Not sure if that will be so, but it is coming along nicely especially with the wonderful scissors from the Brother Alan and Lisa. Mr H always tells me to do your best you must have the right equipment and it is so true. A very long and sharp tool....I wish the pattern included a little more detail about the stitching, but I am using the photo included to copy. I am always amazed at what I find in the craft closet! I have had a busy morning...a few laundries, breakfast and oh yes, picking a recipient for my Un-Birthday winner. The names were all put into a bag and out came....

So, Vickie, please email me your address so I can send you a gift. It is always fun to give as it is to receive.  Thank you all for your good wishes and for taking the time to comment for this. Most of all, I thank you for your friendship and kind words. Have a wonderful day.