Need Help.....and More to Share

Greetings! Ah, so good to be back at my blog again - missed you gals!

HELP - I had the nicest comment by Home School Mom......and I'd love to get in contact with her, but there's no option to send an email. Homeschoolmom......if you read this (or if anyone out there reading this knows how to reach her), please email me privately so we can connect. I'd love to share Tudor Tuesdays and other stitching adventures with you!

OK - now on to more to share -

I received several lovely, lovely gifts in the mail these past weeks and want to thank my friends for thinking of me.

Montse (no blog) sent me a lovely card and a hand stitched Christmas ornament. THANK YOU! It's so sweet! I've never seen such a tiny gingerbread man cookie cutter. It graced our home this Christmas.

Pilar, such a wonderful friend from Spain, sent me these GLORIOUS scissors! Thank you! They've already been put to use.

And last, but certainly not least, Charlene of Paraclete Designs sent me a calendar called "A Needlework Enthusiast's 2017 Book of Days" and a kit from Just Nan called "Glorious Wings".
I've never ever seen the calendar before. It's a vehicle to record my thoughts, musings and needlework projects. I'm excited to start and hope, someday, my daughter will find it and treasure my needlework journeys. Thank you, Charlene!

For those of you who have been reading my blog for awhile....you know I get off on different toots (aka, projects/challenges) and I've been experimenting with sculpting in polymer clay. Well, meet "Snowboy".

The little star is also made out of polymer clay. He was a labor of love.

5 inch Polymer Clay ornament

Speaking of "Labor of Love".......here's Santa - more about Santa's Saga later - most likely next week, as I'm finishing his costume....

Wishing you a lovely weekend and a New Year that sparkles.

It's Been Awhile....

I can't believe how the time has flown these past weeks. I just checked my posts and see it's been 20 days since my last post. I'm still behind trying to keep up with everyone's blogs and happenings....hope to get back to that soon. Anyway, here's what I've been up to:

RAK #61 delivered safe and sound to Dzintra:

Pillow from a freebie design I printed off years ago....

Sorry I can't find the designer to share with you all....

Some extra goodies...

Here's what DH made for our sweet 2 year old GD:

Hummingbird Cradle - 20"L x 10"W

I made ornaments for step-grandchildren:

Hattie Hedge Hog and Scotty Squirrel (I changed Sophie to "Scotty" since it's for a boy ;0))

Freebies from Brookes Books

I participated in Cheryll's Santa Sack Swap and received this fabulous treasure trove of goodies from Sarah from Sarah Did It!.

A tin of Earl Grey tea (my FAVE), gorgeous, gorgeous tatted lace and a tatted Christmas stocking...a magnet with a view of Sarah's backyard, a sweet zippered bag, mug rug for my teacup. and a fabric box. The box held lots of chocolates.....ummmmmm.....they seem to have disappeared..... <G>

Thank you, Sarah! Everything is purr-fectly perfect (Sarah kind of likes cats).....Love, LOVE the tatting - that's something I cannot do, though I've tried many times. I'm certain I will make a doll that needs the tatted lace to embellish her clothes.

Part of the fun of the Santa Sack Swap is reading your partner's blog to discover what they like - I forgot to take pictures of what I sent to Sarah, so these are from her blog. 

Can you tell Sarah is fond of cats??

Oh dear - the time has gotten away from me - I need to run into town to get a few things before it turns unbelievably windy and cold. I've got more to share.....tomorrow!

Advent Calendar Blog Hop 2016

Greetings and good morning! I have the pleasure of taking part in Jo "who can't think of a clever nickname's" Advent Calendar Blog Hop - check out the entire Advent Calendar at Jo's Serendipitous Stitching to see what other stitchers have shared.

OK - Jo gave me the following question:

"Decorations - do you have a favourite decoration you must have on display every year, maybe an heirloom, one the children made or something with a special story behind it?"

I guess my answer would have to be our Christmas stockings. Christmas just isn't Christmas without "hanging the stockings on the chimney with care." 

There are a lot of memories wrapped up in each and every one of them. I used to travel - a LOT - for work. Whenever I'd travel, I'd search out needlepoint shops and purchase something unusual or that spoke to my heart. These stockings have been all over the USA.

 The ones on the left are mine and my DH.....the ones on the right are DD's and the puppies. (Can't forget those puppies)!

My stocking was purchased in a sweet little shop outside of Dallas. DH was attending a conference, so I took some vacation time and tagged along. He patiently drove me to several NPSs - it was in one of those I fell in love with the angel stocking. 

DH is an outdoorsman and he can identify just about any bird and its song. We love seeing the cardinals feeding at our bird feeders in the winter time - so when I saw the cardinal stocking (Atlanta), I knew I had to stitch it for him.

The stocking with the star was spotted in my own neighborhood. It seemed to reach out to me and was perfect for my little girl (who is now 33......this one's been around for a long time <G>).

And - of course - the puppies - we've almost always had dogs. When their time came to cross over Rainbow's Bridge, it was heartbreaking for me to put their stockings away that had their names on them. So, when I spotted this paw print canvas in Phoenix, it was the answer - one for all.

I'm looking forward to seeing all the stitchers and their posts - sharing their Christmas memories. Thank you, Jo, for hosting this wonderful Blog Hop.

More to Share

RAK Number 60 arrived at Sarah's doorstep:

Needlepoint and leather box

The needlepoint design is my logo - the Claddagh....I thought it fitting to send something depicting my logo and mantra as the magic number SIXTY. Little did I realize, I sent an extra.....#61 is yet to be delivered.....but it has a long way to go from Iowa, USA. I accidentally deleted the picture of the extra goodies I sent to Sarah, but pop over to her blog here and take a peek.

I wanted to mention - I forgot to post RAK #50. It went to Jaimie at Cricket-bug Corner:

 Porcelain Napkin Rings - Painted in European Style 

Extras.....

I must admit, I've been on a sabbatical of sorts from stitching. I will be finishing three Christmas ornaments for the DGS, DStepGS, and DStepGD in the next week or so. Seems my Stitching Mojo needs a break. I've still been busy creating, I'll share the results soon. Until then.....Happy Stitching!

Regarding RAKs.....Not Only Can I Not.....

......keep proper track of my 60 RAK extravaganza, I can't count.

More RAKs have arrived.

#56 went to Maria of Dottys Daughter:

Limoges box painted by me (24 Kt gold embellishments)

Extras

#57 was delivered to Lynda-Ruth of Purple Pixie Dust:

Hand painted porcelain tea caddy in Satsuma style - 24Kt gold embellishments 

Extras

#58 was sent to Jo of ButterZ (again)......see #45.....

"Love" pillow

Extras

#59 sent and delivered to Justine of Justine's Cross Stitch:

LHN Proverbs ornament

Extras

Did I mention I can't count? There are two more RAKs yet to be delivered. SHRUG. Guess I was a bit over exuberant.....or  maybe obsessed would be a better word. 

About Jo's second RAK.....it must have been meant to be. Here's what I'd sent her before (yes, #45 will be forever burned into my mind).....they match! - HA! - Must have been meant to be....

RAK #45

Stay tuned for the final TWO......swirling over the oceans blue.....

Two Down, Five to Go!!

Happy news! RAKs #54 and #55 arrived on doorsteps!

#54 - to Kimberly at Granny Stitches

Suede Fleur de lis needlepoint box

Extra goodies for future stitching 

#55 to Angela of Hooked on Stitches

Needlepoint pillow/door hanger

The Sweetheart Tree's "The Queen's Strawberry Fob" - (notice the royalty theme?)

To take a peek at all 55, please click on the "60 RAKs" button at the top of my blog, or click here.

I Can't Believe I........

OK - today is a banner day. I sent off my

  60TH RAK today!!! HOLY SMOKES!

HOLY COW!

Or to quote Snoopy,

Oh me, Oh my......

53 RAKs have been officially delivered.....seven are swirling in the mail somewhere on this planet...

I gave the post office clerks a Thank You gift for all their patience and help....

Now......let me return to my Happy Dance!!

54! Only 6 More to Go!!

YIPPE!!!!! SKIPPEE!!!!

A visit to the post office yesterday.....more RAKs went out......only six more to go to the magic number:

I have five more ready to pack up.....just need more boxes................stay tuned!!!

Ninth Teacup Exchange

The lovely Stephanie from The Enchanting Rose hosted her Ninth Teacup Exchange. I missed out on the first eight <G>, but am so happy I was able to participate in this grand exchange this time.

I chose to exchange two - a teacup and a mug. Look what I received from Shirlee (Peacefully Knitting and The Easily Influenced Stitcher):

Not one, but THREE mugs, a case to carry tea bags in my purse, note cards and a beautiful book of daily devotions, "Be Still and Know".

A box of ginger lemon cremes (YUMMEE), gorgeous notepad and MY FAVORITE - Harney and Sons Earl Grey tea - THANK YOU, SHIRLEE!!

And from Deborah of The Beautiful Matters:

A stunning antique cup and saucer, vintage linens (LOVE vintage linens), Harney and Sons Earl Grey tea (did I mention they are my favorite??), a beautiful journal, notepad for my purse and milk chocolate sea salt caramel mini bites by "Sanders".

THANK YOU, DEBORAH!!

Aren't these exchange gifts marvelous??? A huge shout-out and THANK YOU to Stephanie for hosting this exchange. I'm looking forward to the next one.

SIDE NOTE: I've never, ever had chocolate sea salt and caramel before. The serving size on the bag said 8 pieces.....and there were approximately three servings in the bag. I thought, "That's not bad - 8 pieces....I'll try them." Three servings later, I was still fishing in the bag hoping there were some I'd missed. No luck.

Deborah - you've created a monster! - HA!

I neglected to take pictures of the exchange packages I sent....pop over to Anne's blog - Stuff and Nonsense to see what I sent to her.....and over to visit Linda at Lady Linda to see her gifts. This entire experience has been heartwarming - it's so nice to meet new friends through the blogsphere!

Two Surprises, Link Party

Well, made it back home from visiting my DD and DGS. It was SOOOOO fun to spend time with them both. Man oh man......I'd forgotten how ACTIVE a two-year-old can be. It's good to be back....but it was so hard to leave.

Look what was waiting for me when I walked in the door:

Minestrone soup was in the crock pot.....and DH handed me a glass of wine. Perfect.

Going through the mail upon my return, I found two surprises - here are birthday gifts from sweet Lilllie of Little Needlecrafter:

A gorgeous scarf I can use as a scarf or wrap and a lovely stitched piece, "Belle", in my favorite color! THANK YOU, LILLIE!

And my dear friend, Renee of Living My Dream sent me two hand stitched gifts....but I can only share one right now, as another will be featured on a magazine early next year, so I"m sworn to secrecy....

This little zippered bag matches a coin purse Renee sent me a year ago or so. I LOVE the material - and the inside has cat eyes that glow - AWESOME! Thank you so much, Renee.

Today is the big reveal day for Stephanie's Teacup Exchange. I've employed DH to take some pictures for me (it's a bit overcast here, so I can't get good pictures). I'll share my delightful gifts and link up with Stephanie and all later today.

Take care!

Surprise, RAK #47, More of Eve, On the Road Again

I received the loveliest surprised the mail from Rosey of Ishkabibble blog. A sweet crocheted bookmark in my very favorite color - BLUE! Thank you so very much, Rosey. What a nice surprise to receive in the mail!!

RAK #47 was given to a dear friend, Evelyn. She and her husband were such good friends of my mother and step-father.....and were there for me through all the struggles with their illnesses. They have remained close friends.  Evelyn has admired my little ladies - so gave Consuelo to her yesterday - her very favorite.

In my last post, I shared my sculpting adventure in Utah with Jack Johnston and Apryl Jensen. Last post I showed you the steps to sculpt the head for it's first baking. Since then, I named the lady "Eve" since she's my first sculpted doll and Eve was the first woman. I thought it appropriate and fitting.

Eve after baking - head measures approximately 3 inches

Sculpting the ears - Side view

Front view after sculpting the ears

Sculpted Shoes with buckles and bows (They will be painted after I decide on her costume)

Little ribbons added to the bows

Sculpting the hands

Top view of sculpted hands

I still have to decide on Eve's dress/costume and hair style. I'll post as soon as she's complete, though it will be a few weeks because....

I'm "On the Road Again"..... driving to Pennsylvania to help DD with DGS while SIL is traveling. YIPPEE! More hugs and squeals from DGS. He's such a cutie!! DH will stay home and do what needs to be done to prepare the farm for winter weather.

Until I return, have a wonderful week full of love, laughter and lots of stitching.