Dancing with MY Star ..................

Over the weekend I went to a working turn of the century farm (preserve) with DD and her family.
My 11 year old grandson and I were standing in the doorway to an old barn and for what ever the
reason began to dance ----- aren't spontaneous moments the very best? I know it is another
moment I shall always cherish.

BelowCity boys enjoying the chickens.And just a couple weeks ago I was able to spend time with my three "San Diego Grandsons" -- this has been a very special month.

Pooches Play Date

Niece Lisa's lab, Walter,(left - 5 months old) and our Polly (right - 2 years old) had a play date again today. Since the temperature outside was over 80 degrees, Lisa had the pool filled and the pooches had a ball. Here they are, still wet, with Walter guarding a small stick and Polly awaiting the chance to grab it and run. They had a great time- besides them being cool in the pool they managed to shower both Lisa and myself --- I smelled like wet puppy.

Mother's Day 2009

This Mother's Day I was in San Diego and had a wonderful 4 day vacation with my two terrific daughters and 3 of my seven grandsons. What a wonderful time.

Got to meet Lynn.............San Diego

How lucky to be able to meet in person my long time online friend, Lynn. We had lunch together and then, of course, had to check out a few shops --- here we are in a wonderful bead shop, LOST CITIES BEADS, in Old Town, San Diego, CA. Another super shop that also had some great beads was right next door, SHEPHERDESS BEADS. Shepherdess also had some wonderful yarns and great patterns. I indulged in both :-) If you are in San Diego it is well worth the trip to Old Town just to visit these two shops.

While in Old Town La Pinata Mexican Restaurant is a must.


(La Pinata photo courtesy of Amy Boyle Photography, Chicago, IL)

Polly Has A Play Date.................

Today Polly had her first play date with "cousin" Walter P.
They had a wonderful time and played very well together.
I know Polly is looking forward to another play time.
For more cute photos of two shiny black labs, check out these photos by
CLICKING HERE
(Photos courtesy of Lisa E -- Walter's Mom)

First Photo Of a Soggy Duet

Here's Drew and his Mom during a break in the rain.
This was a 6.2 mile walk --- kudos to you all
See Drew's story
PLEASE SPONSOR OUR MARCH FOR BABIES

Please help if you can...........

Today DD, DSIL and 4 grandsons are joining the
MARCH OF DIMES WALK FOR BABIES.
It is pouring down rain -- but they are out there -- as they have been for several years now, to help raise money for a cause near and dear to our hearts. If you can give a little to help -- no amount is too small -- it will be appreciated. See
Drew's story
PLEASE SPONSOR OUR MARCH FOR BABIES

Polly & Munchkin Enjoying The Day

Polly (black lab) and Munchkin (Pug) enjoying our beautiful spring day.

New Beaded Doll I Hope to Make....

Well, I must be feeling better --- maybe it was the return of the Chickadees or the promise of nearly 80 degree weather by the end of the week -- or checking out Beaded Art Doll group and seeing the new challenge.  

Whatever the reason, I am all psyched up about doing the Beaded Babushka Doll. Here is Christine M's body made up -- this is a STAND ALONE (STUMP) DOLL -- meaning she should stand by herself when completed. She is to be 100% beaded -- that's a lot of beads :-)

Here is the form I made for my Babushka Doll. She is firmly stuffed and has a flat bottom with a nickel in it to help her stand. She is made with wonderful, colorful, Kaffee Fasset fabric which won't show when the beading is complete.

Return of the Chickadees --

What a delight to look out my kitchen window and see the return of the Chickadees --- well, not return really. They have been around all along, but I began to think they had found another nesting place when I didn't see them at the Magnolia tree --- well, today, there they were flitting in and out of the hole --I did get a photo as one was waiting for the other to come out. They are such delightful little birds and their song is soo happy.(click here) Last year they began their nesting earlier -- April 2, 2008

RainyDayFun

Spring Break and a rainy day. Grandson decided to stitch a long with me -- and this is his idea and his creation. I did the form on the sewing machine -- the rest, stuffing, sewing on eyes, braiding the tail and sewing it on along with the ears were done by DGS. A fun way to spend a rainy, cold day.

Happy Easter

Hand crocheted basket with Easter eggs

How fortunate can one be????????

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful circle of friends -- look at what the mailman brought today A gorgeous bracelet made by Jeanne. Isn't it just gorgeous? I love it. Thank you so much Jeannie. I will treasure it always. You know how to make a person feel special.

Check Out BEADING DAILY.....

How exciting to open my mail and find Beading Daily there.

Even more exciting was Robin Atkins article -- and what a thrill to
find a photo of my "Waiting Bird" included in the article. I feel like it is Christmas and I just received the very best gift.

2 Days until April .........

This is a picture of the birds filling up the day before the snow storm
The calendar says only 2 days until April -- and we have been enjoying lovely springlike weather --- but, look what we woke up to this morning.

Puppy Tail....

Couldn't resist posting these photos of my daughter's new puppy, Flynn.

Isn't he just the cutest?

Next Week It Is Back to Beading......

There's nothing like a sweet note from Robin A. to get the beading juices flowing again.

Next week it is back to beading my little birds for the BJP project.  

Thanks, Robin, your note is just what I needed :-)

CQ Block for Laurie......

===
It has been a very long time since I made a CQ block --I took a break from my knitting/crocheting and made this block for friend Laurie in Hawaii.Hope she likes it.

Beading Review....

It's been a while since I have worked on any beaded items -- so here is a review of some of the pieces I have done in the past. I'm looking forward to getting back to my beading soon.

Another Day Brightener ....

Here is the lovely pin cushion made for me by my niece, Cindy. I love all things "sewing" and this beautiful pincushion is especially loved because it was made for me by Cindy.

Day Brighteners.... :-)

I have been a bit "under the weather" for a while -- so you can imagine how my spirits were uplifted when the mail man brought these wonderful, thoughtful gifts ---

CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE








A beautiful little doll from Lynn -- doesn't she look like she is running to give a hug? And if you look closely at her head, you will see all the ideas just waiting to be done. What a charmer -- she stands next to my computer where I smile at her very often thru each day.


these fantastic wrist warmer/cuffs. Linda created these and they look so charming coming out the sleeves of a coat -- they make you feel feminine even during the cold dreary days of winter.


This little sewing bag with charming doll scissor fob came from Cynthia -- it was from the Pay it Forward that was going around last year. I did not remember it was coming -- so was all the more of a surprise. Thanks, Cynthia -- I use it every day and love it.

Thank you Lynn, Linda and Cynthia -- very much.

Little Steps For February.....

Life has had me rather tied up the last few seeks -- and for a couple more weeks to come -- but I did get to knit a couple more dishcloths -- it is nice because the project is easily portable, reasonable quick to finish and very satisfying.

Early February brings a couple more dishcloths. The "Kiss Me" one is part of the monthly dishcloth group knit a long.  The multi colored one is just because the vibrant colors bring rays of light on glum, dreary, winter days -- and it was fun to do.

Keeping Hands Busy....

Though I was pretty much glued to the TV yesterday (Inauguration Day), I did manage to get a little knitting in at the same time.
I did the daily rows for the Mystery Pattern and also started this heart (Valentine) dish cloth.

Here it is finished a few days later

I Knew It, I Knew It, Thank You

Oh boy, oh boy, I just knew there was a teddy friend in there somewhere.

Thank you, thank you, Mom 

Now I have someone to play with you can go back to your beading for a while :-)

HINT, HINT ~~~~

Hint, hint, Mom ~~~

I'm so lonely --- and I am just sure there is 

another bear in here somewhere.

Tiny Thread Teddy "Goldie" Finished

Another view of "Goldie" my first thread crocheted tiny teddy.

Holiday Dishcloths....

January 8th, 2009

Above is another I  one made last night.  They are such fun to do.

Above made in December 2008

Three little dishcloths I crocheted as hostess gifts over the holidays.

The Week Between Christmas & New Year's.....

Shari, a friend from Canada, is nick named "Ms. Vortex" -- she has so many wonderful ideas and wants to share all the fun with others ---- and "Ms. V" has a way of sucking us all in -- and we love it.

The newest  are Thread Teddies --- miniature jointed teddy bears. Now, when she got us in to knitting socks I never thought I would be able to do it -- or enjoy it -- somehow knitting with multiple double pointed needles didn't seem like something I could do -- but with this delightful group, I not only did it but thoroughly enjoyed it.  And now we are on to the teeny, tiny, teddies --- and I'm loving this too.

Here's  a teaser picture -- you can see how little the blue one will be -- maximum of 3 inches tall standing -- and I am working on another that will be even smaller.  Will post photos when I have several Teds done so you can see what a difference the thread and/or crochet needle size make.

Since the boys had no school, they were able to spend a few days with us.

The "oldest" loves to help out in the kitchen and decided he would make dinner for us -- his favorite, spaghetti -

he did a great job and was assisted by his 10 year old brother.

The two younger boys always love to sew things when the are here -- pictured is a beaded piece done by the 8 year old.  Unfortunately, the 6 and 8 year old both made little felt birds and somehow I didn't get a photo of them.  Anyway, a fun time was had by all.