Down for the count

 Hello friends...... what a week it has been. A simple sore throat last Saturday and by Sunday morning , well let me say that coughing, runny/stuffed nose and headache. Staying inactive meaning remaining in bed was all I could do. Here it is a week later and I am once again functioning. Mind you, not at full mode but nonetheless I am out of bed. Of course while "resting" I watched some YouTube and now my mental file cabinet is wanting to make this and that and one thing led to another and I found a lost project.

Hawaiian Quilt square. Dianna the teacher and a best friend. Started November 2016

 

I really have a lot done so now the task is not so daunting. The name of the pattern is Anthurium. It symbolizes hospitality. Thought to bring luck and protection against evil. quite a few years ago. It was Dianna who chose the design for me and taught me. Well I am determined to finish it. I must before I start a Koren project...oh it never ends.

This Mother's Day I received a beautiful gift from the grand-kids,,, 

They painted this yarn bowl for me with all cacti around it and also sent a grating dish.....garlic will never touch it! I have wanted a yarn bowl but just never found one that I liked.

They all signed the bottom including my D-I-L Andrea,,,, Devin, Julian and Rosie. They even wrote on the inside....

Nana' Yarn! How lucky am I? Very. Andrea sent pictures of them painting it. 

Have you visited the other blog yet?  

My Nighttime Sky  soon to be updated with the rest of the Big Dipper pictures. Alan is getting ready to introduce us to the galaxies and they are fascinating. Be sure to follow and leave a comment.Thank you  for stopping by and thank you for your friendship.

A good month

 Can you believe but this is the last of August. The days have flown by. Arizona has been in a heat advisory and it does not look to end soon. Monsoon officially ends on September 15th. 

This little guy has kept me on my toes. He investigates gets into everything. Last night it was my craft cart.  Upset because he could not have the roll of toilet paper or the decorations on my tree....Sammy wants everything.
 He had a busy day the past Wednesday.  We, Sammy. Lisa and I, went to the pet store to buy him shoes as he lost one of his socks. He had no problems wearing or walking in the shoes. The guys in the store could not believe how cute he is and took a picture of him wearing his shoes.

Then it was to the vet. Sammy is now 10 pounds of energy. He made friends with all the techs and the doctors. You could hear them laughing and gushing over him. Of course Sammy was only to happy to be held and give kisses.

I do not like pets in the market but we had to stop for dinner items so off to Fry's. He was so well behaved. This is how he rode in the shopping cart....taking it all in. Now before you think all my time is spent loving this pooch....I am busy with other things. 

I am still crocheting the afghan for Natalia. The color is really a smoky lavender and white panels. This  is the first afghan pattern that I ever made. 

Also crocheted a bee and some mice

Not fond of the grey one...might need to find it a new home. Also still with crocheting, I mad a floral wreath.

On my working cart is a fat cat in the works. 

My dear friend Dianna has got me interested in baseball. We watch the Arizona Diamondbacks play from a distance, she at her home and me in mine....texting goes on. We live 10 miles apart (about 25 minute drive). I had stopped watching baseball years ago as I found it too long and boring. Now, the rules of play have changed and I don't mind following it again. Used to be the Yankees! After 20 years here in Arizona it is about time to follow the local teams....Diamondbacks/baseball and Cardinals/football. Guess that covers this past month. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words.

Side note: if anyone has pet insurance please share with me. We are looking to get it for Sammy. 

77 Sunset Strip

 Hello my friends... who remembers is old enough to remember  77 Sunset Strip TV series...okay, I do and I just celebrated my 77th birthday. My celebration started on the day...the 3rd with breakfast out with Dianna, lunch out with Lisa on the 4th and ended last night with dinner out with The Brother Alan and Lisa.  Guess I will stop humming the theme song now. Thank you for all the birthday wishes. Cousin Maria send a videocard of Donny Osmand signing to me! Lovely gifts received and cards..... totally feel special. 

I wanted a Fairy setting...for Christmas, The Brother Alan and Lisa gave me the house with the blue arrow and it had a couple of fairies with it,,,for my birthday they gave me the yellow arrow set up that had 14 items,,,I made the back round from collected twigs. I love it. At night it has fairy lights which looks magical.

My sis Lyn sent me this lovely scented candle with Happy Birthday charms that revolve when the candle is lit. A nice soft fragrance.

Dianna brought me these

mushrooms...One glass and the other with a tufted top.... love mushrooms. She also bought a birthday cake and a candle!

Dear Debbie and hubby sent me this beautiful anklet.  The meaning is so lovely. I have not taken it off since it arrived, I have the words posted at my sewing table so I can read them often. All in all, I had a very nice birthday...

The Tiny Dog Adoption went well. One pup is going to Germany, one to Texas, one to Wisconsin. Two are off to Rhode Island and 2 are staying here in Arizona with one going to Lynda Ruth in Canada. These are the last if anyone is interested.

We are expecting a rain storm for the next 3 or 4 days. Happily I can remain indoors and work at my sewing table. It is always nice to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and thank you for your friendship.

How is it already September

Here she is...September Sue. I miss the New England leaves changing colors and falling to the ground....don't miss the raking though. There are some trees here that drop leaves.  

Found a tiny button for her bow and some leaves for her to hold....love making these gals.

Found this twig in the courtyard and it fit perfectly . Dianna suggested some kind of tree.

How about a Lisa update? She is doing great. Recently started Cardiac Rehab 3 times a week. She is getting stronger each day.  Lisa has the all clear to drive.... yes! It means soon we will gallivant. Thank you to all who have sent good wishes and thoughts for her.

I have been busy this past month.... some crocheting, making a Thimble Pip, some embroidery and button stitching...and oh I don't know. I just keep busy all the time. I will post about these adventures soon. We had a doozy of a monsoon storm last night. Today seems iffy for sunshine. Sending thoughts to all those in the path of the recent hurricane. For now, time to sit at the sewing table.....Thank you for visiting and your kind words. thank you for your friendship.

Omyiage girls

 Hello friends. Hope all is well with you. the changing weather, the winds and dust in the air are causing so many issues around here. The Brother Alan's allergies are acting up.... Lisa has had a few issues too. Me?, well mild headaches that thankfully clear by late morning. The AC is now on and I really do not think the heat cycle will return. Remember Hank the fish...

I picked him out because of his black markings. Well, it seems that is now gone

Hank is now all gold . I Googled goldfishes and many do change colors as they age. I do remember the gold fish Dennis had in the pond...they did change color too.

Dianna and Marissa sent me photoss of the Omyiage dolls I made for them, The one on the left is Dianna's and the other is Marissa's. Since we were arriving in Vegas on Easter Sunday, I put together a simple goodies bag. the dolls held candy as did the bag they were in.I enjoy making fabric origami.

This is  called Sakura. To me it resembles a Lotus flower. It has a small draw string pouch in the back. Fun to make and give away.

When plans were being made for Vegas, Dianna told me about the M & M store...all 4 floors of it. Lisa loves peanut M & Ms so

of course she has to have her own dispenser and purple and lavender (her fav color) fills it. Now of course when they are gone, she will have multi-color candy. I also like M & Ms so I got a glass

I filled mine with multi-colors. The store has so many products. The best is 2nd floor where the candy is

Amazing wall ...all sorted by color and type. Children (adults too) stare in awe and then rush to chose and fill their bag. Scales are provided to weigh. What fun! My next project.... well, at the moment I am still trying to decide. so much I want to do! Today is a lazy day for all of us here. Make your day a relaxing one too.Good to chat with you. 

Thank you for your kind words and thank you for your friendship.

Flowers and tea pots

 I know.! another post so soon. Well I just must show off one of the rose bushes in the Rose Garden

One bush... Fragrant Cloud is what the tag names it. We pick almost daily and the fragrance is unbelievable. There are so many buds waiting to catch some sun.

I keep at least 2 or 3 blooms in my bedroom. Today one from that bush and the pink from Chicago Peace

Tomorrow a yellow might be ready. Love having fresh flowers in the home. Sometimes though fabric ones appear

This is Hydrangeas from Fabled Flowers by Kumiko Sudo. I love Japanese origami flower folding and I have this book as well as her book Omiyage. I just made 2 dolls from that book and forgot to take pictures before giving them away.  I plan to make another and will be sure to take a photo.  Still trying to decide on the next fabric origami to do. 

For years my needles was busy with counted cross stitch. Now my interests have taken a turn to hand sewing as I did when I was a child. It is good to have more than one interest. I also finished

the Tea Pot table topper, except for the edging. The pattern called for bias binding edge. Finding the best color seems to be difficult. I may just do a hand stitched edge. For now it sits on the dining table. 

The Las Vegas adventure produced many pictures. So, I will add one when I post.

The three amigos wandering the streets of Vegas...l-r....me, Dianna and Marissa

Always nice to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and thank you for your friendship.

She went to Vegas

 Hello friends. 

When Dianna texted me about going to Las Vegas for a few days, I hesitated. Alan and Lisa said to go...so I did. First time visit..... oh the sights I saw. some were crazy and some were lovely. Food delicious and I discovered that I like grits, who knew. We had a great time.

Marissa, one of Dianna's daughters, drove from Texas to meet us here in Arizona and then onto our adventure. Good driver and tour guide!

We stayed at The Luxor. Dianna reserved us a corner room suite. The room was perfect for us. There were 2 queen beds in the main section with a Jacuzzi in the corner by the window.

The side room was just right for me. Being awake all hours, no one was disturbed.I was comfy and so tired each day that sleep came easy. And we had 2 TVs.....but one remote! Because the building is a pyramid shape, the elevators ride up the side....

You certainly cold feel the difference. It was best to hold on as it moved.

We enjoyed a delicious buffet at The Wynn. That is where I discovered grits...especially one with shrimp, spicy sausage and sauce. We arrived on Sunday the 9th and home on Wednesday....just long enough for me. One of the best burgers I had was at Gordon Ramsey's at the Planet Hollywood.

Not everything that happens in Vegas stays...while there I got a tattoo on my left ankle. I have past  5 years without Dennis. Sometimes difficult, but I have adjusted and moved forward even a little. Daniel, who did the tat captured just what I wanted. ...deh into a heart....Dennis' initials and how I referred to him. Daniel decide to add a red line and a "sparkle" to represent Vegas. Still healing.  I did not tell Alan and Lisa until I was home a day.  

She went to Vegas and came home with a tattoo!

Glad to chat with you today. Move to say but that will be another day. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

I have been busy

 Well hello! I have been ...I really do not know why I have not posted. Lots of pictures to show you.

Meet Miss Daphne, lady gnome. What a surprise to find her in my mail box. She arrived all the way from Surrey, Canada a gift from dear friend Debbie. She is a very talented lady. The knitting is superb.

Ann Wood has wonderful patterns and I had to have these mushrooms. Growing up, we never bought store mushrooms. My dad picked wild mushrooms and we always had enough jars to last the year. Of course his looked different.

These are more Alice in Wonderland type...  a bit psychedelic. A few more will be appearing in my room.

Sail away with Ann Wood pattern. I just happened to have a button with an anchor on it. Her patterns are fun to make. Some are free but the cost is reasonable for those that are not free. I have a few yet to make from my collection.

Making florets for a Hydrangea...Debbie is making some also. I like origami patterns. This is from the book Fabled Flowers by Kumiko Sudo.

April Showers Sun Bonnet Sue is hung...it may be difficult to see, but the rain drops are silver bugle beads.

So, as you can see, I have kept busy. Next week I will be in Las Vegas with Dianna and one of her daughters, Marissa. Almost was not going...but that is for another day. Nice to chat with you. I must try to post regularly. Thank you for your kind words and for  your friendship.

Tea, anyone?

 A beautiful day today...sun is shining and Mocking bird and House Wrens are singing, water fountain is a lovely sound too. Slider open so Murphy is in and out yelling at anything. Flowers are blooming here and there

Salvia for the hummingbirds

Lavender smells wonderful 

Yellow rose, one of 3 that are blooming. It is time to get a tomato plant and replace the Basil and see what else we would like to add to the garden.

I am enjoying my Tea Pot table topper project. Of course my mind is already thinking of what project next! I have few in mind.....Dianna started a Sun Bonnet Sue project and it is coming along. Will get permission to show you. We enjoy working on same type if not the same applique project. together. I wanted to make a runner for the top of my sewing table....but....it it always busy with a project! Glad to chat with you today. I think I will take my project out to the lanai to stitch a while. I have a tray that holds all necessities and a quick pick up and off I go. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Shabby Rose Quilt

 Hello friends. The sewing table has been busy. The quilt is finished..

I am so very pleased with the outcome. It measures about 60 inches square. Of course once one project is completed it is time for next on the list!

Just a sneak peek at the table topper. Still finalizing the placement before ironing it in place. Another hand stitched project. Today Dianna took me to FedEx Office to enlarge the pattern for the topper. It needed to be 200% and try as I may, using my home copier (which has that setting) I was not able to get it right. I also ordered 8oz packet of Emery sand to make a small pincushion. 

It measures 2x3 inches and I used about 4.5oz to fill. Just big enough to keep at the sewing table to keep needles sharp...and pins too. I had this 5 inch square and after fussy cutting had a bumble bee and cone flower to be the cover bag. The Emery is in a stitched close muslin bag. It is what it is.... could be worse. I will deal with it day by day like so many others. So nice to chat with you today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.