Resolutions

Okay, I wasn't going to do this but here it is:

I resolve to:

• Buy more craft stuff than I know what to do with, whether I have the money or not.

• To always have at least a dozen projects started and still think to myself, "Hmm, what do I want to work on next?"
  

• Not finish cleaning out the garage, unless for some reason we have to move and then it will get done anyway. Not clean, but moved to another location. But that would make THIS garage clean, right?
  

• Keep my guest room a total mess until the night before someone comes to visit. Then I will relocate as much crap as I can to another location until the guests leave. Then put everything back on the floor, the bed and where ever else I can - right back where it really belongs.
  

• Keep good food in the fridge and still eat out whenever possible.

• Spend too much money on coffee from Starbucks.

• Not give a crap what anybody else thinks about what I say or do.

• Stay up way too late as often as possible and sleep in late like the bum that I am.

• To post on this blog whenever I feel like it and not because I feel like I HAVE to.
  

I figured that this year I may as well make some resolutions I could stick with.

***This list is subject to change at any time due to my mood, personal feelings, lack of sleep, or just cause I darn well feel like it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Quick Post!

Sorry I have not been around much lately. I am so far behind on reading blogs, too! My husband is here until mid December and my son and his girlfriend were here for a week and I have been busy cooking, cleaning and visiting! We made a short trip to visit hubby's mom and time is just flying by too quickly. I have started to update my photo albums a little. One album is just my Fair & Square exchanges, one is all other exchanges and now I have one just for my beaded things. I am still loving the beaded stuff and I think that is what everyone will get for Christmas this year. Yep, even the guys! I found these really cool secret compartment key chains to make for them, and am working on bracelet and earring sets for the ladies. I will post pictures of some of those after hubby leaves. Until then, I have posted the other bracelets I have made in the album so you can look there if you like. Hope everyone is enjoying getting ready for Christmas!
Have a great day!

If you can't make it, buy it!

I really meant to post this much sooner but here it is. I ordered these from Corkycat's Etsy store and received them last week. Aren't they cool? Very nice quality and the price is unbeatable for something hand made. I love my new earrings and the ornament hangers will go nicely with the ornaments I will be giving for Christmas. As much as I love to make things myself, I can't do it all. There are some wonderful crafters out there that make really nice things for a reasonable price. I encourage you to take a look at her store, and others out there to enhance your gift giving this year. Handmade is so much better!

Bead Classes and My Lucky Win!

Here are some of my latest beading pieces. Yes, I know there is only one earring. I am going to make the other one in a few minutes =) Isn't it cool? I also finally finished the candy corn bracelet. Just in time for next year! I have a patriotic one in the works and will show it as soon as it is finished. I took another class yesterday and that is where I made the earring and started another bracelet. It is really neat and I can't wait to get more done on it so I can show a progress photo. I never thought I would end up making jewelry. Really. Heck, I might even start wearing it too! I have so many ideas for things I want to make that I think this phase will probably last a while. We'll see. I am taking an ornament class tonight!!!

Here is my lucky win! Staci had a blog drawing last week and I received my gift on Monday. I could not post sooner because I ended up having to go to the dentist for an emergency visit. I just love surface embroidery and am so pleased to have a piece from Staci. That reminds me, I know I have some patterns for that around here somewhere. Thank you so much Staci!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Yesterday I received a very special package from my friend Marie. At first, I thought that maybe she had my name for the floss tag exchange on HOE, but then I opened it and saw that she sent me a most awesome belated birthday present. Thank you so very much, Marie. Your thoughtfulness means more to me than you could know. You are such a special friend and I really hope that someday we will get to meet in person.


Okay, Here is what I have been up to lately. It still involves a needle and thread, but I haven't been stitching. I am learning to make jewelry. It all started with wanting to learn how to make beaded fobs. One trip to the bead store and my curiosity was peaked. I kept telling myself, "You don't even wear jewelry so there is no reason to even get started on that! Hmmmm, I could make it for gifts...... Pretty, shiny jewelry....... I could get my ears re-pierced and make earrings...... you have classes? I love to take classes!"..... I have taken three classes this week. The first one is the red and white bracelet. I immediately made the orange and black one as soon as I got home from the class to wear for Halloween. The second class project isn't pictured because it isn't finished yet. It is way more involved and will take another sitting or two to get done. Then yesterday I learned how to make the gold and white one. So pretty! More on this subject coming soon =)
Have a great day!

Worth the wait!!!

Just as I finished updating my blog and photo albums, my daughter walks in with a package for me! This is my Quaker Animal exchange from Judy. I love it! The Quaker Rooster is adorable and finished very nicely into a pillow. The extra goodies are wonderful, too! Patriotic fabrics, threads, needles, the JCS Ornament issue and the Lizzie Kate kit!!! I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity. Thank you so much!!!
Have a great day!

Finishing Class Projects & Gift for Hubby

My husband received his birthday package and now I can show you what I stitched for him to hang in his office. This is Pirate's Creed by Sue Hillis Designs. I framed it myself. See, you have to learn how to do these things yourself if you are one of those right up to the last minutes kind of stitchers like me ;)

Here are the projects from the finishing class I took at my LNS on Saturday. The charts are Shepherd's Bush freebies and we made a flat fold (or easel), and a Christmas ornament with a beaded edge. Absolutely NO GLUE was used in the process and I am very excited to have learned how to hand sew the cording on. Now I am busy stitching on the pieces for the next class which is November 1st. We will learn to finish a hockey puck shaped pin cushion and a biscornu with tassels.

Now I am off to do more laundry and stitch on my Quaker frog that I started some time ago. Have a great day!