More Goodies!

You saw in one of my previous posts, the sweet little pansy in the teacup that Bonnie gave to everyone last cross stitch meeting.  Well, she wasn't the only generous person that night... Anita and Jody each brought along something to share!

From Jody- A chocolate bunny & egg (it just wouldn't be Easter without some chocolate!), along with a "handmade by" rubber stamp that were tucked inside this cute little Easter container.  Can't wait until the weather is nice enough to plant my Sunflower Garden!  

From Anita- A colourful emery board ( handy to have beside my stitching chair... don't want any jagged nails catching on my fabric!), that had attached to it the most darling "Happy Spring"  tag (love the little bird!).  I have quite the collection of  tags/cards, etc. all  handmade by Anita... can't bear to part with any of them!  I was also thrilled to receive an early birthday present from her; a needle minder just like the one Bonnie showed you in her previous post.

Thanks Jody and Anita!!  :^)

Tracey

Birthday Wishes and Black Swans

It was windy and raining when I woke up today, but that did not dampen my mood one bit.  Greeting me as I came down the stairs today was this gorgeous bouquet of flowers that Jody sent me for my birthday yesterday.  What a lovely surprise! And how nice it was to have such a splash of colour on such a gloomy day outside.  My birthday was filled with many wishes, gifts and offerings and I am so grateful for all my family and friends and their thoughtfulness.  

Surprise delivery from Jody.

So while we are on the topic of Jody let's announce her latest achievement.  Jody arrived at my house last week for our 'cross-stitch night' with only ONE basket.  Now you have to know Jody;  Jody is to traveling light on cross-stitch nights as Bonnie is to doing things small.  It just doesn't happen.  So this month marked a momentous occasion for her.  One basket.  Half full upon arrival, and half full upon departure.  Normally, Jody marches in with a  full size tote, a large wheelie suitcase and her wooden tiered sewing  box.  Congratulations Jody.  Lessons to Bonnie please. 

When Anita arrived last week, she gave me my birthday gift.  She had made me a needle-minder.  What the heck is a needle-minder you say?  Well it's a very strong magnet housed inside a covered button and another magnet adheres to the back.  You place the needle-minder on your cross-stitch project and it holds your needle in place when not in use.  Anita cross-stitched the tiny design in silk threads.  It's absolutely adorably useful.  I attached it to the homemade card she made me and you can see it in the picture below. 

Tracey invited me over last night for dinner and a movie and how could I possibly resist.?  I didn't have to cook on my birthday, I could sit and relax, cross-stitch  AND watch Black Swan.  Although I must say I was a little disappointed that Tracey did not greet me  at the door in her Oscar gown this time.   Before dinner we went for a nice walk with her dog Willow and then we left to go pick up dinner (apparently Tracey doesn't cook on my birthday either...).  Just before we ate Tracey gave me my card and it was pretty thick.  I wondered what was inside.  She's famous for giving me cross-stitch patterns  or material and I wondered which could it be.  Surprise.  Not a pattern or material.  It was a dishcloth made from the new yarn she discovered and had only just bought last week.  I knew she had made one for herself, but I had no idea she had whipped one up just for me.  This new yarn is super soft, I love it. Thanks Tracey.!!  For all you faithful followers and cat lovers -  if you click on the picture to enlarge it, you will notice that Sushi made it on the blog once again. 

When Tracey had invited me over she said, "Be sure to bring your cross-stitch, although I don't know how much we'll get done watching this movie.  I hear it's pretty intense."  My response was, "How appropriate that you mention to bring my cross-stitch while we are watching Black Swan because I'm working on a ballerina pattern for a little girl who is in a dance class".

While on the drive to pick up our food, there just happened to be a liquor store right next door. To enhance our evening further I said to Tracey, "You get the food, and I'll get the booze!"   I grabbed a very large bottle of Peach Schnapps to go with our Orange Juice.  After all, what better way to get your daily serving of two fruits. 

Note of caution:  Fuzzy Navels + Black Swans = Weird Dreams.   Don't do it.

Bonnie 

P.S.  Thanks again everyone for all the birthday wishes!  It was a great day.

Pink + Green + Yellow = Spring

When Bonnie and I were shopping last week, we knew the day wouldn't be complete without having a look around Hobby Lobby.  Even though I still have a ton of dishcloths to finish crocheting for the wedding, I couldn't pass by the yarn aisle without having a peek.  

Did you know that Hobby Lobby has their own brand of 100% cotton yarn called I LOVE THIS Cotton!? Well I tell you, I whole heartedly agree!!  This yarn is amazingly soft and the variety of colours are just so scrumptious! 

This gorgeous pink and green combo caught my eye and to me it said "Welcome Spring", so into the cart it went!  I think it makes washing the dishes by hand a little more enjoyable too  :^) 

Notice the sweet little teacup with the yellow pansy?  When Bonnie hosted our monthly cross stitch meeting this past week, she had three of these darling Spring favours waiting for each one of us when we arrived.  Don't you just love it?  Thanks so much Bonnie!

Happy Spring everyone!

Tracey

Easter Time

I'm glad Easter arrives a bit later this year because for some reason I seem to be behind schedule in getting my Easter decor set out.  Here's a look at what I've displayed on the mantle for the holiday this year: 

The pretty pastel pillowcase was found in a bag with lots of other linens that came from my Nana's house; as did the buttons that are displayed  in the glass bowl sitting on top of it.  My Nana kept everything, and it took a very  long time going through it all when we were getting the house ready to sell.  I had to look at every little thing... I sure didn't want to miss any treasures!

Don't the "chocolate"  bunnies look good enough to eat?  The one below is a candle! 

Last year I posted about this gorgeous cross stitch that Bonnie made for me. (You can read all about it here.)

There you have it... all ready for the Easter Bunny  :^)

Thanks so much for dropping in to visit!

Tracey  

  

Now That Puts A Spring In My Step

I was craving to work with some yummy sherbert-like colours last week, so I stitched up this Lizzie Kate freebie for Springtime.  Now I'm on the lookout for a cute little frame to finish it off (and I have a few buttons to add to it too!). 

Perhaps Bonnie and I will have luck finding the perfect one during our shopping excursion this Friday...

Stay tuned!  :^)

Tracey

TUSAL- Post #4

Now you must be thinking that I emptied my clear glass TUSAL jar, shined it all up and that's why you can't see it, but no... both Bonnie and I are having computer woes at the moment. Therefore I have no picture to share (today anyway).

I hope dear Daffycat will take pity on me for being a few days late :^)

And I even had some pretty new colours added to it this time around!

*********************************************************************************

 Fast forward 3 days...  here it is!!

Tracey

Today I Purged

I was fortunate enough to be off work today, however it doesn't mean I actually took the day off.  I spent most of the day purging my filing cabinets.  It's my fault for allowing  them to get so full and disorganized in the first place and that I have to spend my well earned day off cleaning them out.  You would think that being an Executive Assistant I would know better, but I guess when you work with papers and files all day long it's the last thing you want to do when you get home.   Thank goodness the sun was shining today to encourage me to carry on. 

While sorting through the files I came across an old Ann Landers article that I had safely tucked away. This article still makes me laugh.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. (you may have to click on the picture to read it)

Then I moved on to the next set of files in the drawer .  As I was about to grab the folders I had to laugh at the priority in which I had filed them;  note the thickness of the first folder which  was inevitably overflowing into the next one followed by two folders that clearly take the back seat in this house. 

And for the dedicated followers who know what my cat is like, and just in case you are wondering.... 

...yes, of course, she was there to help. 

Bonnie