As I was driving home the other night I passed this house. What a gift it is to everyone who drives past. A labor of love that has been shared with those of us who drive past....I'm very grateful!
In those few extra moments I get to stitch, I've been working on making these kitchen towels withHoliday Recipe Towels (they come on USB).
These designs are by Lunch Box Quilts and from the moment I saw them, I just knew I had to make some for gifts. I'm learning quite a bit using my "new to me" embroidery machine. I know many gals who have asked Santa for an embroidery machine and I just hope those reindeer have been fortified because those machines are heavy!
My girlfriend, Diane, made these beautiful gifts for me. The towel is absolutely beautiful isn't it? I can only hope to be as proficient one day as my friends are at machine embroidery.
Speaking of proficient, look what Karin sent to me recently:
Do you remember the Fall Machine Embroidery Hop? If not, you can see the post HERE. The design is from Marjorie's online store, Shop.B-Quilts.com. I choose the Turtle Design to make mug rugs for my co-workers for the holidays and then promptly broke my hand and couldn't make them. I'm all better now so I'm planning on making them each a mug rug for next to their bed. Every night they take a glass of water to bed so a mug rug will come in very handy.
Karin always does such a lovely job. If you have not seen her Etsy Shop, Sew-Write Creations, you really do need to go see the beautiful things that she makes. Karin also does custom orders and I've had the pleasure of seeing the appliance covers she has custom made for some of her customers. They were absolutely top quality.
A Flamingo Update:
I know these photos would be much more fun if taken in the dark so you could see the lights, but then the flamingos don't show up as well. You'll just have to use your imagination.
The Flamingos are being kept busy as you can see. For those who would like to send the Flamingo Family a holiday card, you can Click Here for their address :)
Recently I saw this quote and thought it was wonderful....so I thought I'd share it with all of you.
Rewind to Thanksgiving....our youngest daughter is here...and I was jumping for joy when I heard what she wanted for Christmas....a Sewing Machine!!!!!
Over Thanksgiving weekend Maddy asked could I help her make a Christmas Stocking for Abby, her significant others daughter. My reply, "Well of course...when do you want to start?"
I did the big time Happy Dance :)
I've never made a stocking so we just decided to build it from the ground up. We traced the shape of a stocking onto paper and started interviewing fabrics. Maddy's initial idea was to make a crazy patch stocking, sort of traditional, with Abby's name across the top. Much to her surprise, I introduced my new embroidery machine to her and the ideas didn't stop...LOL.
The stocking quickly went from traditional to wild and fun. Here are a few photos of the process (not necessarily in order) :
After completing the ME design of her choice and embellishing it....we bagan interviewing fabric and trim combinations.....
So very far from traditional.
When I told Maddy she could use anything she wanted and it could look like anything she could think of....well...traditional quickly went out the door. She was absolutely thrilled when I told her that it was only a Christmas Stocking and if she doesn't like it when it's done...ya just make another one next year...no big deal! Maddy was beaming....oh the freedom that gave her....Let the Fun Begin!!
I think we went through every bin and drawer looking for fun combinations. My advise to Maddy was...you'll know it when you see it and don't stop until you see it. I also suggested we take photos of the different arrangements as the photos provide a different perspective somehow.
After going through all my fabrics I got frustrated and called Waldo and asked could we come over and search her stash.
Success! Waldo had this plaid that Maddy loved and some cute hot pink trim too. She was so excited to show off her first creation.
Maddy quilted the fabric and did all the sewing. I operated the Embroidery Machine and she choose all the colors.
And then she added some bling.
I was tired and called it a night when Maddy ran back to the sewing machine and made her two children a little holiday bling:
Annie, Maddy's youngest "child" is now sporting a holiday collar sleeve.
Naturally, she couldn't leave out her son...LOL
Maddy was so excited and proud of herself. What a joy it is to see the next generation embrace stitching :)
Oh yes...I almost forgot....the Flamingo's also celebrated Thanksgiving:
One more thing before I close- HELP NEEDED! Our oldest daughter, Krista, has sent me an e-mail requesting help with her Disertation. She is working on her PHD and needs some folks to fill out a survey. Here is her e-mail:
Could you forward this survey to some of your friends (and ask them to pass it
on as well)?
I need married couples living with their spouse who have NOT had a head
injury.....it would be even better if they were married to someone who
has had a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury...including concussion) at some point in their lifetime....but not
necessary as I need control subjects too. Realistically it takes about 15-20
minutes.
I need at least 20 more participants or I risk not being able to move on to
internship!! eek!!
This is not the best photo...I snapped it on my IPhone last night....yes...last night. I am the new adoptive parent of this amazing work of art and I am just over the moon with joy.
And this beauty will be hanging in my living room, properly, as of now it is just put over a piece of wood and propped into place. I've got to get the right hardware to hang it. I have always loved Susan's work and now I'm the proud adoptive parent of three of her pieces.
Do you have a favorite quilt or textile artist? Have you checked to see if they sell their work? You may be surprised to learn that many of the artists work that you love sell (are will to allow adoptions) their work.
A Hand Update
WARNING: If you are squimish and don't like skeletons except at Halloween....don't look below.
Instead
of answering each of the kindest e-mails inquiring about the healing
process of my hand, I thought I'd just do a little show and tell.
This happened on October 25, 2012
Surgery was on November 2, 2012
The Doctor put 5 screws and a metal plate into my right pinky finger and now I'm bionic!!!
I just think it is the coolest science....being put back together. I'm
still having physical therapy and it is not completely healed....but
I'm certainly on the come back trail :)
The Flamingo Family is gathering food for their Thanksgiving Feast.
And all this time I thought they liked shrimp....silly me. Pumpkin just so happens to be my favorite too. I wonder if the Flamingos have a good pumpkin pie recipe?
I didn't mention in my post that the Beam N Read Light has been changed a bit. It is still the wonderful hands free light with adjustable neck strap but now you can choose to use 6 LEDs or just 3 LEDs...you decide depending on how much light you want and need. Here are some more details taken directly from the Beam N Read website so I didn't mess up describing the benefits of the light filters :)
The only hands free light that comes with clip on filters (2) and a clip on magnifier
Orange filter to soften and warm the light and reduce blue light
Red filter to reduce ambient light for an ultra sensitive bed companion and to help avoid night blindness when switching between lighted and dark conditions
Large 4 x 5 inch, lightweight, acrylic, Fresnel magnifier for detail work Hinged clip allows magnifier to be adjusted in vertical or horizontal position The magnifier is designed for short periods of work for those with normal vision The magnifier is not intended as a low vision aid
Includes adjustable reflector and elastic neck strap for optimum positioning
I think the Orange Filter is an excellent addition to the Beam N Read Hands Free Lights because there are times when the bright light is too much and the filter softens the light.
Make sure you leave your comment on the correct post in order to be counted for the giveaway :)
November 7th will always be a wonderful day, because 18 years ago today Nicholas Anthony was born. He's my sisters youngest son. I helped deliver him and cut the cord. I will never forget the joy on his brother's face when he came into the hospital room to see his new little brother. Aaron was the same way when Zachary was born. I would like to know why now all they do is fight!
I wish I could have posted yesterday but I was in so much pain and found it difficult to type. The cast on my right hand was digging into my wrist. By 8:00 last night, I could take no more, so I cut into the cast around my wrist to relieve the pressure. I wrapped my wrist in pink fleece just at the wrist. Now my dilemma is, what to embroider on the fleece before a visit the Dr. again. I was thinking it should say something like, "I don't know anything about this- talk to the monkey." After all, I don't want to get in trouble and I felt like a little kid being naughty when I did it. Would you think it should say?
If I had posted yesterday, you would have seen these pictures.
I absolutely love the little top hats on the flamingos.
Yesterday the Toledo Blade had an article about "our" flamingos. Click HERE to see the article. It is nice to see that other people appreciate the flamingo family too.
I hope all of you have been following the"Fall Theme Machine Embroidery Blog Hop" hosted by SewCalGal. . This particular blog hop features both machine embroidery and applique made from fabric die cutting machines. Tomorrow is my day to post, you know I'll be up late tonight writing!
I've been doing my best to use as voice activated typing devise and I'm telling you, it is so much easier to type with my hands. For a really humorous post, I should just let the voice dictation interpret what I'm saying and leave the typing, as is, for all of you to see what this computer thinks I'm saying.
While I'm packing feverishly ....not only orders but my suitcase....what do you think those Flamingos are doing?
Some were playing in the leaves while others.....
appeared to be having fun and games....for Halloween perhaps?
Must be...preparing for Halloween.
Dressed in costumes? Yes...apparently....they are ready to go :)
A witch and a pumpkin....what next?
Oh...yes...then there was a Skeleton Flamingo! While I'm out of town who is going to be keeping their eyes on those Flamingos for me? Guess I'll have to ask around.
I'm so excited...and not because I'm leaving for Houston tomorrow....look what I made yesterday:
and I did it all by myself :) Very little instruction and no thread chart....my first ME applique. The design is an Anita Goodesign bonus for those who sign up for their Clubs before the end of November. I was so tickled I could hardly believe how nice it turned out....even without any help with fabric or thread colors.
I know all the Anita Goodesigns are not loaded to the website yet...what's a woman to do? Stay home from Market? Nope...not this one anyway. I'll keep working on it....but sometimes ya just have to go with the flow.
I still check my e-mail and I'm available by phone....so I'm not really going all that far :)
I'm not looking for anyone to take sides here....I'm just reporting what I see from my small town perspective.
Based on what I saw earlier today ....it sure looks like Flamingo Romney has
his neck stretched out quite far....not quite at the podium. His Secret
Service Flamingos don't really look the part....I wonder how much training they've actually had? Do the people who are running for office get the same quality Secret Service Staff as the sitting President? Hm...first time I ever wondered that.
Then I see the Obama/Biden folks. They look cool, calm and relaxed. Their Secret Service Staff are wearing their dark sun glasses....they look "professional" for sure!
Notice how the experience of being the president allows Flamingo Obama to stand relaxed at the podium and speaking directly into the microphone?
Here's a close up for you. I would have to say.......from this perspective..... the Flamingo Obama looks very prepared and confident.......
and the sitting President certainly must get the best and most well prepared Secret Service Staff. Only rookies would leave their Government Issue "Tough Guy" sunglasses in their car.
Please keep in mind, this is only what I saw this afternoon.....things change....I'm not responsible for the Presidential Flamingo Debate....I just tell it as I see it here in Perrysburg, OH.
I think I know have more Coin Purse Frames on this Continent....but I haven't taken a poll!!
This frame arrived today, I only have 50 so if you want one, I suggest you order now. They are silver with the beautiful frame design.
No, I have not lost my mind....although one might think so. I had to express ship enough frames for the "U R Priceless Blog Hop."
The deadline to get the frames to people was looming and there was a sort supply.....so I did what all crazy people do....I went direct to China and had them express shipped.
Believe it or not, I have made more than 6 already...in all different shapes. I plan on using them as gifts so I thought now would be a good time to try a variety of patterns. I can't share them yet....but you know I will :)
On the Flamingo front:
They are out raking and collecting all the leaves :)
While Aaron was working on his homework, Zach and I wrapped over 200 Coin Purse Frames. Why he felt the need for those "safety" goggles....is beyond me. LOL
We had to be sure there were enough frames for all who wanted to join in the "UR Priceless Blog Hop" as well as those who got hooked and could not stop...LOL.
I've made a few of the coin purses already and they are pretty quick and fun. Today I'm going to do some Machine Embroidery and make one.....I hope it turns out well. I think they will make wonderful teacher gifts as well as for other gals in my life.
Those participating in the "UR Priceless Blog Hop" , have been provided with a pattern and tutorial.
For the rest of you who are not participating or you would like to see other patterns and tutorials, I posted a few good tutorials I found on the web.
I have several other versions of Sew In Snap Frames on the way for the holiday gift making season. The good news is, I've added a discount ...the more you buy...the more you save. I figured this would be good for those who want to make them for the holidays, birthdays, Thank You gifts.....and on and on. I know many gals who get hooked on something and make several.
On the Flamingo Front:
Apparently that's what is on the agenda this weekend for the Flamingo Flock. Next weekend we are supposed to be the "Turkeys" camping out...in early October, with the Cub Scouts.
I just hope we are this cozy!
Speaking of Fall....look at this beautiful sunflower....I took this photo a few weeks ago just before a class to make some Wool Felted Pumpkins.
My girlfriend, Diane, had previously ordered some Wool Felting kits from the gals at Back to Back Alpaca. She was thrilled with the price and the quality of the kits she ordered. Diane suggested a group of us get together and do a Felted Wool Pumpkin....you know I was game :)
Waldo was up for some fun too......as was my youngest co-worker, Zach.
He really enjoyed being able to "poke, poke, poke, poke, poke....." the
felted wool. Something about that repetitive activity had his attention
the entire time.
Take a look at some of the Felted Wool Pumpkins that were made that day from the kits we ordered from BacktoBackAlpaca.com
This one is mine. I didn't think it turned out so bad considering it was my first time.
Some gals didn't care for the faces so they enjoyed making the Felted Wool Pumpkin Sans the Face :)
This can be used all the way through Thanksgiving too.
