Breaking My Silence

I don't believe I need to post until I have something noteworthy to say....and I've been enjoying my retreat and honoring my silence.  Now....I have something to say.....sinister grins :)

A dear friend, Jean from Jean Creates, recently had foot surgery and it wasn't that long ago that I underwent two surgeries on my ankle so I can definitely understand what a woman would appreciate at a time like this.

If you are 50 or over, you probably already have guessed what I made and sent to her....a "Let It Go" just in case tinkle pad for her chair/sofa.  Yep....I figured she just might feel the urge and need to go quickly to the ladies room to powder her nose....if she didn't make it fast enough....the powder could be absorbed and not ruin her lovely furniture.    I used two pieces of fleece that I had embroidered, a piece of water/powder proof soft lining and serged around the edges.  The goal was to make her laugh and I think I succeeded.

A few weeks back when I was looking out the window at the beautiful snow  I happened to also look down inside the window sill...YIKES. 

Dust, dirt and yes even webs of sorts....not very pretty that's for sure.

 I keep this Micro Vacuum Attachment Kit (available at I Have A Notion, Inc.) near my sewing machine but it works great for all those other hard to reach places including appliances, computers, heat vents etc.  

I attached it to my vacuum hose and quickly got rid of those webs and other unmentionables hanging around in there.  My life isn't always exciting you know.....and I'm guessing yours isn't either!  LOL

On a recent trip to IKEA I found this 6 drawer metal stand....perfect for my embroidery threads!

My only regret is not buying 2. 

I use this one for my embroidery threads, I could use one for my sewing threads as well. It could be said I have tried every thread storage solution out there....and I have liked them.....but what I like best about this solution is it also fits under my sewing tables so I could keep it tucked away if I wanted to.  No labels yet....that isn't so important to me now...but keeping the dust off is :)

My days are not only filled with concerns about powder and dust....I also have some prime entertainment around here!  A bit of a backdrop....there was a fair at Aaron's school recently and the prizes included small plastic toys, rings and kazoos.  Aaron was very taken with the brightly colored plastic rings and he loves wearing them.....what a free spirit he is and I can definitely relate.

Oh and did I mention for a ticket he could get a face painting...ROFL....I do love him so and pray he keeps his joyful spirit for all the days of his life.

The next day he came downstairs and started singing and dancing around wearing all of his rings aka bling.  I could not resist.....please don't ever tell him I shared this video.....I just think it is way too good not to share the laughter and joy with others.

Big Joyful Smiles, Kelly

A Gentle Retreat

I'm not talking about a sewing retreat this morning, I'm referring to a gentle retreat into my surrounds...taking time to NOTICE that which makes my world so special and beautiful.

The boys have only had three days of school since the beginning of the year because of weather conditions.  There have been no complaints at our house....we have all retreated into the warmth of our togetherness and making the most of this beautiful weather.

Monday morning school was canceled because of the snow and we relished the opportunity to go to a local snow hill to sled and enjoy the fire pit at the park.

This morning the boys answered the phone and were squealing with delight when they heard a voice tell them there was a 2 hour delay due to weather conditions.  They did not identify the voice on the other end of the phone as their fathers....ROFL.  Adults prank calling kids....a turn of the tables and it got lots of laughter out of me this morning.  How could they be so gullible?  Giggles

The house got quiet as those gullible little people headed out for school....I sat and looked out the window at the amazing snow.  I thought to myself....how can I capture this magnificent beauty?  Pictures don't always capture what I see with my eye (guess I could learn more about the cameras I own ay?)  Well....I gave it my best and this is what I captured to share with you today:

The close ups of the snow is what I was trying to get....the tiny snow flakes layered on a berry or branch....so beautiful and it is just outside my window....I'm so very grateful.

Something else I'm grateful for is YouTube because I have learned to crochet by watching tutorials posted there.  At long last I have made something larger than a dishcloth....wild laughter.

This started as a prayer shawl that was to be given back to the church who gave me one when my mother was ill.  I found the gift of a prayer shawl so very loving and comforting.  As you can see, it started so nicely....look from the bottom of the picture up about 1/2 way...nice and even...a little decorative stitch at the bottom...nice ay?  Please don't ask me what happened after that....I can not explain.  However...I can laugh and could not stop laughing when I laid it out to take a picture.  A perfectly imperfect shawl to keep someone warm....gotta love it.

Check out the uniqueness of each of the ends:

 I learned a very long time ago to count it all good....and this shawl is indeed GOOD :)  So good as a matter of fact that I have mailed it to my cousin because I know for sure she will treasure it and recognize the love that has been stitched into the shawl.  When she opens the box I guarantee she will let out a howl (laughter) and then wrap herself in it and stay warm in Washington State this winter.

Lets hope I've learned from my "practice"....no calling it mistakes....as I have started an afghan.  Scary thought isn't it?

 No I have not stopped quilting or sewing....as a matter of fact....I have gotten several projects finished recently....I'll post about those soon. 

Smiles,
Kelly

Back to Life

Well, I've had an amazing break these last few weeks. I promised myself that between Dec. 23 and the beginning of this new year I was going to do only those things I wanted to do or absolutely had to do and nothing else.  It was a WONDERFUL break.

I realized that I never posted the gifts we made for Christmas gifts for one another this past year.  Oops....and I didn't take pix of all of them.  But here are a few we made and have enjoyed giving.

 Aaron filled this clear bulb with mini marshmellows and then decorated the outside.  The Raindeer's face is Aaron's thumbprint.  Definitely a much treasured gift he made for me.

This was a pod for a tree that Zachary painted and gave to me.  I don't know the type of pod but I've seen them before somewhere.

The following are an assortment of holiday dish cloths I made and gave away. 

 

My sister requested some crochet dish cloths....so I made these:

Rick taught Aaron to do some carving and Aaron made his first piece...and has gifted it to himself :)

I made pillowcases and forgot to take pix of them....silly me.  I gave away three of the acrylic drink cups that I monogramed.  Here is a pix of one of them...I thought they were cute.

One of the most joyful gifts to see under our tree this year was one Zach had made for his father.  The outside of the package had the little ornament Zach made and a dollar bill taped to the package.

On the inside was this picture that he drew and colored for his father....I just loved it.  What the dollar was about I'm still not sure...but it was wonderful seeing it under our tree for a few weeks.

When Rick asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I made it very easy....I just sent him a link to exactly what I wanted....so very simple :)  I can not tell you how much joy these wind chimes have brought me.  I can hear them throughout the house and the sound is amazing.  I just took this video to share with you....ENJOY!

These are made in the US and are called Gentle Spirits by Majesty Bells.

Smiles,
Kelly