Drifting along.........

 ..... with the tumbling tumbleweeds.

Yes---- that is a tumbleweed! For years I have wanted one but when we would see them there were not exactly accessible. Denny would say "you don't need one". Of course I do not need one, but oh I wanted to have one. Then he would say there was no place in the garden for it. Well somewhere along this new journey with Alan and Lisa I must have said something. A few weeks ago (Christmas stuff and all) Alan walked in and said..."There is a tumbleweed in the garage" Wow!  The next day or two Murphy wanted to sniff and most likely eat it so I had to find a place .... here in my room up where he can not touch it but I can enjoy it everyday. And did you notice? Yes that is a picture(s) of My Denny right close by. I finally got it Denny! I love the words to the song too. If you want to hear The Sons of the Pioneers sing it click here. 

Moving on. We all have had issues with the mail during Christmas. Finally the last of my packages arrived in Canada. And My gift from sister Lynowl arrived late yesterday....

It's Mrs. Potts and Chip! I don't remember ever telling Lyn how much I loved this tea pot, but yet here it is. Of course she does know I love tea pots and has added to my collection. I am not a "big" Disney collector fan, but there are a few characters that I love: Alice, Snow White, Cinderella, just to name a few. For now they sit in my room until Christmas is put away. 

My thimble collection just grew by one. This is an antique thimble that was also in the box. Yes, I do use one as the sewing need presents itself. Many of my collection, over 100, are decorative. 

On the back side is engraved the word cherish...... and this I will.
Although I have not been cross stitching, I am sewing, machine as well as by hand. A return to my youth. Now if we could turn back our ages...... 

As an update; I had asked for special thoughts for my niece..... thank you because surgery went well and she is doing well. Still a way to go so keep her in your thoughts. We all need a little more caring for someone else in our lives. 

Glad to have a chat with you today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. Tomorrow Yeti will make an appearance, right here!

Angels, thimble and a glowing sunset

We can't ask for better weather right now. The days are sunny and temps are in the low 70's and it is almost Christmas. I think if I blink twice it will be Christmas, that  is how swiftly the days seem to be passing. I visit6ed with Sweet Jeanne yesterday morning. We sat and laughed more than stitched and had great conversation. She is ready to start another project and I have been trying so hard to get one done. At the rate we were going yesterday, neither  of us is getting too far. I so enjoy my early mornings with her. She had not read the Christmas Spider Legend so I brought her a copy and yes, a spider for her tree. As we sat and talked, she said that she thought I collected thimbles. After a chat about some that I have, she handed me this.

I think my little angel says it all. What a thoughtful lady and look how pretty the mother of pearl inlaid is...almost like a poinsettia! She found it at a sale and thought of me...me. It is now in my thimble display.
I mentioned angels.....when we were Out Wickenburg Way, Mr H picked these for me..

to add to my other Angel...I don't think I ever showed her to you...but I will. These delightful pieces are by Kathleen Ekholm from Arizona. They are called Little Sisters and Sister Angels. I now have 2 angels and one sister.Each is very different from the others but still the same. I will take a picture of the other angel soon.
I am off to work today and the rest of the week...I am so glad you stopped by to visit with me. Thank you for the kind words and of course for your friendship.....I will leave you with last nights glorious sunset.....

What the Postman delivered

I finished my March page for the Needlework Master's SAL group...

I tried to Tat an egg shape...not too bad. This of course is Needle Tatting and I added a butterfly and a cute flower brad. The Cross stitch Bunny you may remember is/was a traveling pattern sent to me from Lee. It is Bent Creek Littles, The Bunny. I have lost track of it since I sent it off to Anne Bernstein. On Tuesday just as I was leaving for work...which is the usual mail delivery time, this is what arrived....#1

 From Nicola who sent a wonderful book with a DVD on Shuttle Tatting and a lovely book for Net Embroidery. Now I have watched a few videos on line that were okay, but they were not by people who wrote a great descriptive book. So far as you can see, I have been able to use the shuttle for the simple tasks. Look closely  at the red picture and you can see some improvement! As for the other book.... just look at the intricate embroidery.... maybe I will try that too.

The #2 delivery ... was from my sis Lynowl. She is always looking to add to my thimble collection.

This is another Kirks Folly... a shamrock on one side and the clover on the other. Always with Swavorski Crystals for extra special sparkle.  It now sits on the top ledge of the thimble cabinet... I only have 9 empty cubby holes left.
It was a good Tuesday mail day! Taxes have finally been e-filed... still trying to find the book that I downloaded to my tablet.... and started another bracelet on the beading loom. I must really say thank you for all the kind words of encouragement on my tatting....also for getting well....you are all so wonderful. I welcome a few new followers..... I enjoy meeting you and visiting your blogs.  I am now going to pick up the file box that fell off the computer desk and re-file the 300 or so index cards that are now all over the floor. If it was put where it belonged.... well you know. Too late for that now. Another cup of coffee and a scone sounds like a good idea...then I will fix the files. Whatever your day holds for you, I hope it is relaxing and fun. Hugs to all of you from me!

My Japanese Thimble

Well it is finished....I have to admit that I am pleased with it. I thought I would not be but I am. I think it could be better, but for the first attempt it did finish nicely. Will i make another ... for sure...I did check to see how to make the base...as for the wrapping and the thread I will have to think more on that. I have a few thoughts on what I want to work on next.... but I just can't make up my mind. At the moment the work table has a Humbug kitted up, the felt for a penny rug, a UFO from BBD, and a possible pincushion. Decisions decisions. No matter what I decide on, I am off to work today and tomorrow which means some limited time to stitch.
I was sitting earlier with my first cup of coffee and thinking just how lucky I am. There are many who have little to no happiness in their life, no job or home life. Me? I have a loving husband, a senile pooch, and wonderful friends near and far. I have a sis who thinks nothing of calling almost everyday just to chat...did I mention the calls are at least 1 hour long! Did  I mention that somethimes they are about nothing at all!  Time is important so I plan to make the best of each day. Where did this all come from????
Thank you for the kind words....always so nice to hear from you. I amlucky to have you all.
The day here is starting cool and breezy. We do enjoy these early days of the year because before we know it the hot summer days will arrive. Where ever you may be, enjoy the day.
Before I forget...today is Dr Suess' birthday and you know who shares this day? Well, Sharon....Happy Birthday to Sharon aka Daffy Cat.

So many pictures-----

Just a warning...pictures to follow....I have been busy!
First I finished Babouska as a free standing doll...

I think she is cute this way.
Next,

This is a freebie from Elisa. i stitched on28 ct Jobelan Blueberry and with Weeks Peoria Purple. The thread was sent to me from CalamityJr.....perfect match up. Now before you ask why the black box......

because for ages I have had a small piece of this Pansy on black print. I finally got to use it. Now for the box...remember the cigar boxes? This is one of them....I added a ribbon to hold the top open as it would open too far.

I decided to leave the name on the sides of the box. I added lavender pearl pins to the ric rack trim.....

 

a small pocket for scissors.....

I love the latch....quite decorative for a cigar box. I am really please with this project finish. I think I will get back to the wine store to see if they have any new boxes!

Remember the mail from Japan??????



Finally decided to order this kit. Maybe today I will start on it.

Time to have another cup of coffee. It was so nice to have you visit today.  I really hope you have a wonderful day. Be sure to save time for yourself.



A potential Prince arrives....

When the garage door bell rings, it usually is the mailman...and yes he had a package for me. My sis Lynowl had originally sent me flowers which did not arrive...so she was going to a special sale and sent me....

I know...where's the Prince? Well Lyn thinks he maybe right here in disguise! I do know that he sit on top of a nice scented candle and around the rim is a bracelet. He is from Kirk's Folly...as is

Just look at these wonderful thimbles to add to my collection! Two of my favorites...a dragonfly and the double hummingbirds. Kirk's Folley is based in Cranston, where she and I lived. They used to have fantastic sales. Now the best way to get anything is on line or when they have thioer QVC sales.

Off to the Post Office I went to mail out much over due posts. Things around here just kept getting in the way.

My back was really painful so Mr H called his Pain Management doctor and got me an appoint for the afternnon and off I went for Xrays and injections. I think it was about 8 into the right back side. I do feel much better....of course I am off to work today so we shall see. My spine has a slight curve and my right hip is lower so he gave me a small wedge to insert into my shoe. But what? a headache?well why not.

I am joining Jo's next special swap so I picked out my project as well as another. I will need a few supplies from work today. It certainly helps to work at Jo Ann's! It is time for a cup of tea and the morning paper........it is always so nice having you stop by. Have a great day.

Thimbles

I would like to share one of my collections..thimbles.

The display holds 100 and I still have a few empty spaces to fill. One blank spot is for a thimble from Illinois. As we drove through the states to get here I picked up a thimble but was unable to get one in Illinois. One day it will be there in the bottom row.

See the silver one...it is the smallest

and the four metal ones are the oldest..one was given to me back in 1980 . The lady was around 80 and it was hers from the 20's!

These are the most ornate. The are from Kirks Folly, a company in Rhode Island. See Dorothy's red slippers!

I have one from Germany, Paris and Switzerland, Canada and Mexico...family and friends have brought them back from travels as well as when I am out and about. I love thimbles!

Well, I do have a stitch update...but you know...it is here...so blog over and see how far I have gotten with.....