Sunday, July 30, 2017

A Gift Finished

     Yes I did! I finished the pillow that I've been working on.  I put the blue fabric around the piece and then around that, I put the ecru muslin.  Will be sending it out in tomorrow's mail and I think she'll be happy with it. Here it is all done.


     Now for the update on the little Bluebirds.  There had been three, but they are growing fast and now there are only two.  So I'm thinking that one has actually fledged.  The mom and dad were feeding them insects right up until this morning, and I noticed this afternoon that mom and dad are now eating from the seed feeders.  So the other two will probably be off on their own tomorrow or the next day.  They have all the feathers that are needed.  The first picture below was taken a week ago, and the second one was taken yesterday.  You can see how much they've grown.



     An update on the "peanut butter" tree.  You can see that most of the white flowers have fallen off, and now we have pink teardrop shaped flowers opening up.  The center of the flowers now have a pale green berry, and as time goes on it will turn a beautiful blue.


     The other day I noticed that my Queen Ann's Lace plants are going by.  I love them in all their beautiful white puffs, but the season is moving on.  I noticed that some wasp has decided for some reason that one of the flowers will make quite the home.  Haven't ever seen this before.  It amazes me just how many seeds are in one flower head.


     We've been keeping busy.  More inside than out here as the weather has been so very hot and humid.  Today was lovely though in the low 80's.  The three of us went into New Bern and had a great lunch at a newly discovered place that our pastor showed us.  We ate our fill of prime rib and everything else on the buffet.  We were right on the water and the sky was as blue as it gets loaded with puffy white clouds.

     We are expecting a great grandson in December and we're very excited indeed.  The little guy is already named, Isaiah Allen.  The name Allen comes from five generations back, and has been used six times in the five generations.  Dad would have been so happy about this.  Of course with a brand new baby coming, I have to get my crochet hooks and yarns out.  I've started a tiny little sweater with this variegated yarn.  Not baby colors at all, but I do plan on making other things in the softer pastels. This sweater is from a pattern called "Easy Peasy  Baby Sweater", and it's all one piece.  I'm also still working on the sampler "FGH" and enjoying the stitch.


     Before I go, I want to thank all my sweet friends and followers for joining me online here.  Your comments are always upbeat and sweet.  I hope I continue to know all of you more and more as time goes on.  Oh! If you do have a blog please be sure to let me know if I haven't visited you there.  I like to keep up with ya'll and see your beautiful pieces and know what's going on in your lives.

     We have 88 followers here at the present, and I picked up a couple more things for the giveaway today.  All we need are 12 more to join in the fun.  So tell the followers that you have about the giveaway and let them have a chance to win it as well.

     For now, I'll let you go.  Until next time, please stay safe and well and don't forget to "feel the colors".

Friday, July 21, 2017

Another Small Start

     Before I get rolling here, I want to thank all my new followers for joining me here.  I thank my long time followers for putting up with my off again, on again blog posts.  I'm doing better.  I do love all of my followers, and I'm so glad your here.  By the way......the giveaway box gets a little fuller every couple of days.  I'll continue to put things in it.  As many neat things as I can fit into it.  Good luck to each of you.  It looks like we're up to 82 followers at this time, so it shouldn't be long now.  Your more than welcomed to let your friends know about the giveaway so they too can become followers and have a chance at winning.  
     The new start is the third in the series "ABC Samplers" from Little House Needleworks.  I have the first two completed and this one, "FGH" I've just started.  Love the softer colors in these pieces and not any of them take an awfully long time to stitch up.  Here's what I have so far....


     The "Love With an Open Heart" is waiting to be made into a pillow still, but I'm a step closer I believe.  I found that I have the perfect, I think, piece of fabric in my stash to use on the front of the pillow.  I'll be using muslin for the back.  Rather than stuff as I usually do, I picked up a 12"X12" foam pillow to cover.  Here's the piece below with the fabric that I'll be using to finish it up.


     Must show you all my dear friends and followers what I finally did over last weekend.  I picked up an old bike for seven dollars and with just a couple of cans of spray paint, turned it into a "come see" for the yard.  I was planning on putting it in one of my garden areas, but Billy said that he would like me to put it in the front yard.  So I'll move it here and there and find a place for it.  Here's a before and after picture.  It was fun! I'm so happy that it came with a basket!



   "Now.  The "Peanut Butter" tree! The blossoms are in their new stage and they're so pretty.  The Hummingbirds are constantly around them and the butterflies as well.


     One last thing before I get ready to leave ya'll.....We have baby Bluebirds and when I took this picture below, they were brand spanking new.  I'll be peaking in on them again this weekend so we'll see how much they've grown.  I believe we have four total, and will be surprised if when I check again, that there was another one that came along after I took the picture.  We'll see.


     Well I must go now.  Hope to get some stitching in this evening before my eyes grow heavy.  Once again, I do want to thank all my followers, old and new alike for joining me here.  I hope I come to know each of you more and more as time goes on.
     Now until next time........ya'll take care and be safe and don't forget to "feel the colors".


Friday, July 14, 2017

Finishes and a Giveaway Plan!

     Oh my goodness! It is so hot and humid here! We're staying in as much as we can out of the heat and we're looking forward with hope of any cold front coming our way.  Even our fur babies, Riley and Tiny Girl aren't happy with the weather.  They want out, but are ready to come back in within just a couple of minutes.

     I think I can show my finish of "Wedding Row".  I know my nephew and his beautiful wife, Nancy are in Japan right now, and may not have opened it yet, but I doubt that they'll be checking my blog out on the honeymoon! So here it is.  The colors aren't true which is sad as it's so much prettier than it looks.  I really enjoyed the stitch.  You can choose whatever colors you want and it took me a total of 26 hours and 45 minutes to complete.  I plan on doing this one again for another gift next year.


     I've also finished up "Love With an Open Heart".  This will be made into a pillow for a sweet friend of mine.  I loved working with all the colors, and the color of the fabric called for goes perfect with them.  Sixteen hours total on this one.


     Now! Phase two of my "peanut butter" tree.  The first of the flowers are out.  Here's the latest picture.  As time goes on....there will be more color showing up and I'll show them all at once at the end of the season.  You can see the pink showing up now.  This tree amazes me each and every year.


     I decided other day to take an old dark wooden chair that had been sitting on our tiny front porch and do something with it.  I wanted to use it as garden decor.  So! After picking up some red spray paint, I purchased a potted flowing Vinca for under five dollars.  I added a piece of primitive decor that I already had in the living room, and this is the end result! Took only about a half hour to paint.  I love it now and it brightens up a spot.  I have about three more chairs.  All different but all wooden and very sturdy.  I think I see more painting fun in the close future.

     I would love to gain more followers, so what I'm going to do is start filling a giveaway box! When I get 100 followers, I'll then draw a name from a hat....Well, maybe a bowl.  No, a box.... Wait! Doesn't matter what it's drawn from, as long as all followers get a chance to win! So what I would like all to do is........If you're a follower of mine, please leave me your name in the comments below.  All my long time followers please do this and if you're brand new, you do so as well. Make sure you you show up in my "Follow" list at the top of my blog page. No ending date for the drawing as it all depends when I hit the 100 followers! So jump in here so I can get to know you, and please let a friend know about the giveaway as well!  The first gift in the giveaway box will be the chart of the piece above and as seen below.  There will be many more goodies!

     Now for everyone who is fighting this heat wave....Please stay safe inside when you can.  Always start your car and give it a couple of minutes to cool down before you leave.  Drink plenty of liquids and dress light.  

     To all my wonderful dear friends and followers! You stay safe and well also, and remember to "Feel the Colors"


Saturday, July 8, 2017

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe Giveaway

Yes! Another collection and it's beautiful.  It's called Grandmother's Favorite Quilts.  Look at how pretty all these colors are! You need to check them out and join the giveaway.

Grandmother-039-s-Favorite-Quilts-hand-dyed-floss-GIFT-BOXED-12-20-yd-skeins

Friday, July 7, 2017

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe Giveaway!

     Head on over to the Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe and sign up for this giveaway.  All her threads are beautiful!

Monday, July 3, 2017

Another Great Giveaway!

     Yes! Another great giveaway over at ......

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

 Please go over and check it out.  All her threads are beautiful.  

https://victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com/2017/07/farmhouse-memories-and-let-me-call-you.html?showComment=1499087870883#c7507492235080816854

Stuff

    Just stuff! Things that keep me from my needlework! ...Doctor appointments! As we're getting older I find there are more and more of...