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.

Stitching....flowers and laundry

What a combination...stitching and getting the laundry done. I can not imagine doing laundry by hand....this morning is towels...just how did our ancestors do it. I remember when The Brother Alan was born he wore cloth diapers but at least we had a washing machine. Going to take it slow with the stitching making sure to take those breaks. Remember my new friend Verdin~~~~

yesterday he sat and watched me watch him!  I love how his head is blends right in with the golden marigolds. He seems to be alone here, never more than just him. I never see him go to any other flowers. Nice to know we are providing food for the feathered friends. We do put seed out occasionally but that brings such a mess and chaos. I would much rather allow them natural foods and since we do have many types of blooms at all times in the garden that is the best way for them. Besides it then provides those "volunteer" flowers! . One of my goals is to find and finish this year....that is if I do not get side tracked as usual. I must share this with you

What a lovely bright spot in my kitchen! I know it is only one bloom, but it is beautiful. Outstanding is really what it is. Look at the color...so very vibrant. When I got it, there were several flowers so I am hoping that more will show up.  How about these yellow tulips..

I bought them 2 weeks ago...and they look as fresh today as then. Having flowers in the house as well as outside just makes my day. All colors all shapes and sizes. So the guest room is ready for my visitors next Wednesday, my how fast time has passed! While putting something into the craft closet or was I getting something. Anyway, I found a started Hardanger project and I hope to work on it this week. By the way...don't forget about my Un-Birthday celebration.....you can read about it here I will be putting together my gift for my Un-Birthday friend. I will draw a name on Saturday February 6th. Guess that is about it for today.... no stitchy pictures today but I hope you enjoy the flowers. Thank you for your wonderful friendship and kind words. Have a wonderful day.

The Un Birthday Celebration

Okay...someone said everyday is an Un-Birthday...well, for me it is my birthday not yours, so then it is an Un-Birthday for you

What better way than with Alice's Tea Party. Here is how it works... on this post only (so I can keep track) leave me a note why you would like to "attend my party". From this I will choose a name and that person will get a gift from me. Now my party is February 3rd so you must leave your comment no later than the 3rd. Simple as that. This is the last year I can say I am in my 60's...brrrr, chills to think that.  Moving on.....

I have finished February SAL...this is a pop in out frame (that is what I have decided because of the simple back construction) You may be asking what about January? I can explain.... by the time I got everything organized and my hand cooperated, the February chart was almost getting released. So I had completest the outline border and put it aside and now I will work on it .... I just did not want to rush to get February ready for the month to display. And besides, The Brother Alan is coming...have I mentioned that? I may not get mush stitching accomplished.  I have managed to get the guest room/sewing room in order....moved things out, clear some closet hanging space left some space for charging the phone etc.....freshly changed the bed..... now to add some supplies. I always make up a bag of personal supplies (tooth paste and floss and disposable brushes) of course some chocolate for him (runs in the family---the love of chocolate) and the a few other things.... less for him to pack. Not that I am keeping a count but it is only 10 days to arrival. the temps this week are to be around 68-70 and I hope that continues to the next week also. I have been out of bed since 2 AM and I think I need to nap....it is still dark out after all. So, I will be off to find a pillow. Thank you for your friendship and kind words....have a great day.

Thank you

The friendship I share with you is wonderful...you are there when I need a hug, you are there with the stitching encouragement, you are always here.  Thank you for all the loving birthday wishes. I worked on my birthday (Tuesday) and when I appeared at the fabric counter one of my co-workers wished me a happy birthday. An "older" lady called me over and I thought how nice, maybe she wants to wish me a happy birthday....wrong....she wanted to tell me she had a birthday too. She told me it was last week and thought I should know. So with that I wished her a happy 74th birthday and told the other customers and so she got several good wishes which made her smile. The day started out with a sign put up on the kitchen door by Mr H wishing me a happy birthday. There were a dozen or so balloons floating around the living room floor.  I came home from work to the smell of stuffed peppers and garlic bread, and a tossed salad. My dessert was Strawberry topped cheesecake. Later I enjoyed freshly cooked shrimp drowning in butter..... all in all a very nice evening. This guy is a real keeper!
Now for some stitching....

Pink lady is coming along....I know, it doesn't look like I have stitched much, but I have, just lots of pink changes.As for Red Riding Hood...

a bit more of her cape and more forest.....I hope to stitch more on her today. Maybe sitting outside as we are expecting temps in the low 80's today. Sorry for those of you in the cold snow. So pretty to look at but dreadful to shovel and drive in. I do not miss that! So, if you are in my area, let me...you are welcome to share my sunshine. Tomorrow is the last day to sign up for the February--Valentine-- Card Exchange.....list goes out on Sunday. Once again, thank you for all your kind words and your friendship....have a wonderful day.

A Very Merry Un Birthday to you----to me!

Joining me today for my birthday is Lynda...I will send an email soon to be sure I have a correct mailing address. Thank you to many of you for the birthday wishes.....today  I am 68....I remember when I thought that was an old age. Now of course since that is where I am, I dismiss that thought! A friend who just recently celebrated her 73rd special day told me it is just a number..... except on the days of aches and pains. I have received lovely cards in the past few days and many good wishes on Facebook. Friendship is one of the most valued feelings. I spent time stitching these past few days making good progress on Red and Pink Lady. What I have not worked on is the ornament... I really must try to do some stitching on it. Keeping this short this morning as I am trying to loose a headache before I go to work. Glad you could stop by and thank you again for the kind words and birthday wishes. Have a good day....

Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!

Dr. Seuss

Misty grey and damp

Visions disappear quickly

quiet surrounds fog

Erie sight this morning as fog swept into our Valley. I looked out and could not see the drive across the way...it is not often that my morning looks like this. Cautions on the news to drive slowly and carefully. Yes, we are under a DENSE FOG ADVISORY.
That's okay, my plans are to sit quietly and stitch with Red this morning.

 With this fog I am glad she has the start of her cloak. At least her shoulders are covered! I probably will work more on the forest area.
After work last evening, Mr H and I did our grocery shopping and stopped for gas.... the car was on the 3 line! Gas was $1.59!  really must enjoy these prices while they last. We had gas points from Fry's which saved us $ .20 cents per gallon. Look what I have

Arizona grown and fresh picked....lemons and oranges. No, I do not have the trees, but my friend Jeanne's daughter has and I am lucky enough to receive them. Yum! and I will say it again, Yum!
I started an ornament....

it does not look like much yet.... hoping to get several made before November for mailing. I am not sure if I will like doing this one, but it is started and I will finish it. I did like the picture after all. So nice to read that several of you want to celebrate my UN Birthday...still time before I draw a name on February 3rd....and the February Card Exchange...let me know if you want to be included on the list by February 4th. Glad you made it through the fog to visit. Be careful leaving my place....have a wonderful day.

Pink Lady has a face

A chilly start this morning. Give us Arizonans a day or two of "warm" weather and we complain at the normal temps! I will be out for a meeting this morning at 9AM and will need a sweater. Tomorrow? well they are saying temp of 78. It was a beautiful day on Wednesday, Mr H and I sat out on the lanai playing Pocket Farkle. He won big time....today, I am going to enjoy my Friday off. Later this morning Mr H and I would like to go to the Cave Creek area for an Art & Craft Show. In the meantime, I have added more black thread to Red Riding Hood....and also managed a little more on the Pink Lady

I find it sometimes unsettling to  have a face not defined as I work...seems like she was starring at me blankly! Then I added the champagne beads to the bodice and she sparkles! This is an enjoyable project..... stitching at my leisure. This project is set up in the sewing room and Red is in the living room...nice to be able to have 2 areas where I can leave my work undisturbed. It is hard to think that this month is almost over. What happened to those drawn out months?  With the is finish of this month, February brings my birthday and another reminder of getting older, complete with a few new aches here and there. Still, I am luckier than many and for that I am grateful. I will celebrate with my annual Happy UN-Birthday  give away so be sure to watch for it. Thank you for the kind words and of course most of all your friendship. Whatever your plans for the day, hope you have a wonderful time.

                     You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old.

George Burns

I really am organized

Really, I am an organized person...well, most of the time and with certain things. I diligently jot down all the doctor appointments, my work schedule each week and my meetings for this and that. My craft closet is very organized.....

 everything labelled and easy to get to. It is important to be able to find something to do when you are ready. A file or box for everything is my motto. Then why do I forget some things? Are they not of equal importance? Take the computer desk....

there are always papers...actually scrap papers strewn about. Notes for everything.... some are mine...okay most of them are my notes. Mr H shares this computer and desk but keeps his notes to the far right side. He knows better than to leave them too close to mine! In the mix of things, I know I can find a note that I made. Once in awhile, I do misplace a note with all the other notes and that is what happened with the notes from my post of January 2nd about the dream catcher. Well, I did get sick just around that time.....anyway, I did draw the winner as I said I would but forgot all about posting it. It is Lisa. But there is a problem....she has no email listed and I do not have a way of contacting her....so, if you know Lisa, let her know and if I do not hear from her within a week, I will send to the next name I have as back-up. Now, for the next business in line...the draw for the UN Birthday....it is Heather of It's Geek to Me. So there...
Yesterday our Chat and Tat met and at a new location. Rather than meet at the local library where we were sure to eventually be banned for being noisy, I arranged for us to meet monthly at Jo Ann's. We can be noisy and shop...how good is that. We had many ladies stop and visit with us and a few may want to take a lesson....progress for our tiny group. I am washing my last motif and then to starch and block it, I have a laundry ready for the dryer, and I will be off to the market for milk and bread....and not because of a storm (NE England joke) so I guess I best be off. I am so glad you had some time to visit today...hope you have a great day.

Annual UN Birthday Party

Today is my birthday...so it is also someone's UN-Birthday..... could it be yours? If you would like to be in my annual UN-Birthday Party Draw, leave me a comment on this post only and let me know if you are "ready to party". The birthday name will be drawn on Sunday February 9th. So I have any plans for today...no. I have the day off so that in itself is nice. A lazy day is nice...a stitch day even better or maybe trying something from one of my new books. Did I mention I found another nice book...

 There are some really cute patterns here. I think they would make really nice gifts and they do not seem to be too difficult...I do believe I can sew them. I love this one on the cover....so feminine. So, I guess a cup of tea and my books will my morning plan. Mr H and I don't really celebrate our birthdays much. Maybe out for a nice lunch or dinner and a home movie. Just spending time with him is a gift. You all know what I mean. As I get older, my priorities have changed. I am glad you had the time to chat with me...have a great day.

A beautiful day in the neighborhood....

Fred Rogers started his day with that... a nice way to start a Sunday.  The sun is bright and the birds are having breakfast at the feeder.  We had a few very busy days at Jo Ann's.... glad to be off for a few.  I met a young woman who was purchasing some of our Special Occasion fabric. I thought she may be making a christening gown.... no, it was a burial gown for a friend's newborn.  The baby had been buried earlier yesterday and the mother asked if she would duplicate the gown for a keepsake...Yes, this lady had already made the gown once.  What a thoughtful thing to do for a friend.  We had a nice chat while I cut the fabric and she showed me the picture of the first gown...beautiful does not cover my thoughts. In the midst of the hustle and bustle on Saturday, I found a few minutes of calm...I do not know this woman's name, but I do thank her as I did then for that moment.  Just wanted to share....
On th the winner of my Un-Birthday drawing...

it is Shelly... I have already emailed her and now wait for her info. I have asked her a few questions so that I can personalize her gift. Thank you all for the birthday wishes and for entering your name.  I am slowly stitching the rose motifs on my hardanger piece..... not a big fan of satin stitching with pearl cotton. For a short time I did pull out some lovely coordinating cottons to plan a sewing bag.... just can't make up my mind so that is put aside until later.  Back to working on the motifs for now.
Not sure what is in store for today...shh--- Mr H is still sleeping. He is not an early riser like me. Whatever your plans are, have fun. Thank you for sharing a few minutes with me.

Happy Un-Birthday to you

Today is my birthday... so I am having my Un-Birthday party with you.

It is simple...be a follower, leave a comment telling me that you wish to be included and wait for the draw which will be Sunday Feb 10th.  I will be sure to personalize your un-birthday gift.
We have no plans to celebrate...for us, birthdays are just another day.   I am off work until Thursday so that in itself is my celebration.  I received some lovely cards.... Thank you to Angela, Sweet Lu,  the Sun Stitchers group, Fern, Dear Ziz and of course my mom.

Mr H left a beautiful card on the fireplace mantel... He finds the most lovely cards for me. This is what is printed inside:

For My Wife With All My Heart
I probably don't express my feelings for you as often as I should, but that's not because those feelings don't exist. It's just that they're so strong that I hardly know where to start....
When I think about all the times we've shared and how much has changed in our lives, I realize how blessed I am to love someone so remarkable. Your smile brings warmth to my world. Your touch smooths away my cares. Your love is the reason we get through everything life brings.
I love you with all my heart, and always will.
I am still wiping the tears..... I m so very lucky to have him in life.

I finished my Sashiko Japanese Wallet...For my first attempt at this embroidery, I am pleased. Could it be better...yes, but it really looks nice.  I love the button that I found and the fabric for the lining is of course from Jo Ann's. My co-worker Julie helped choose just the one to accent the thread. I can not wait to start a new Sashiko project. I think a large pillow for my bed.
Speaking of starting a new project....
Many years ago...really... I learned to Needle Tat from a friend. I actually made a bookmark which I gave as a gift.  So now I came across the needles and very old instructions and decided to do some tatting. Well... I guess I really need practice... but this is what I tried. I will have to find a more current book with better directions. I really do not know why I am even doing this... it is just me...
I did pull out all the right stuff to do a cross stitch project... well here again... I have 2 that are ready to go so it is just a matter of making up my scattered mind.
I have lost my sunglasses...second time this week. I found them once, but I do not think I will this time. I have searched everywhere.  The Arizona sun is always very bright and I really so use them daily. So, if you should come across them in your travels....
So glad you had time to sit with me... have a pleasant day.

What a day....

This has been a day.... first was the plumber to detect where the leak in our pipes was. I must say it was fascinating to watch all the high tech stuff to find it then locate the path of the pipes ...which are under the house in the cement slab foundation....The house was built in 1978 and there is no basement. They just lay a cement slab and embed the pipes. They will be back on Tuesday to do the work. I won't even tell you how much that is costing! Then Cox came to find out why I loose Internet connection. Do you think the computer would display the problem. Of course not. So he played around then finally determined that it may be the computer....now I will talk with Best Buy. It hasn't been in the house a month yet.
If all this was not enough the blog will not let me add to my blog list on the sidebar. So, I deleted it then have begun to add it back on again. I like having it there so others will stop by to visit with you.....
Did Mr H and I celebrate my birthday? We have been busy since 8:30 this morning. I think we will try for Monday.  I am working tomorrow then Super Bowl is Sunday. We do have some priorities! But I bet you want to know who my birthday package is going to...

Happy Un Birthday..........Cardygirl!
I will be posting your package soon.
Just want to add a few items to personalize it for you!

I will have stitch pictures tomorrow...too tire right now. I need another cup of coffee...I think this one makes 6 for the day!

Thank you for the birthday wishes....thank you for stopping by....see you tomorrow.

The Un Birthday celebration

It's time again...

for my Un Birthday Celebration. I will be getting my gift to one of you ready and will draw a name on my birthday.....Friday February 3rd......for a giveaway. To enter all you need to do is be a follower and  comment on this post and say you want to enter.

So nice to have flowers bloom all year long. Our first Mallow bloom.....

I love this bush....it has grown so tall and when it really begins to bloom it is so lovely.




I spent nice relaxing time stitching on Baboushka....she is looking so cute.

I just had to get her face done. I hate looking at a blank face, don't you? See my wooden nesting Baboushka...it was given to me by my great nephew Nico many years ago.... he is my sis Lynowl's grandson. The tag on the bottom says it was made in Russia. This has been a delightful project to stitch.  My goal is to get the stitching finished this week..... I think I can

will..... I hope to anyway.

Have you seen these pots?

The Down Under Pot

Mr H and I found it at a local nursery. He planted  Lobelia...one of my favorite plants in it and it is growing just right. Finally starting to turn up around the pot. While we are talking about the plants.....Mr H did put up a bit of fencing around my precious tomato plants. I am watching one tomato and will pick it as soon as it turns orange...that is the color of this variety.  The strawberry plant has some new growth in the center so hopefully I will get at least one of them now that it has netting around it. You would think since I put seed out and water as well as hummingbird nectar...made from scratch even.... that they would leave my food alone.

Well, I need my coffee and the morning paper. Thanks for the kind words. I do hopeyou have a great day. 

PS/ Barbara is having a Valentine give away!

Monday's child~~~~

I was born on a Monday....never mind when, but it was February 3rd....why am I telling you this? Well....I thought I would have an un-birthday for one of my followers...that's right. I will  send a gift from me to you. Simply comment here and On February 3rd I will draw a name. If you wish to post it..that's OK.

Now on to other notes...the hummer nest is coming along...no new pictures yet..after all, I do not want to upset the little thing. It is the female who builds and hatches and feeds the young. He is along for only one thing...mating!

As for my challenge progress, you know to go here to see what I have accomplished. Today is our monthly stitch group meeting. I will probably take Angel along with me. I like to take the easy projects, as there is much visiting and sometimes not much stitching!

Have a wonderful day...and I will be stopping by your place later so have the teapot filled. I will bring along my own cup...did I mention that I have a collection? Well, that is for another time~~~~~~