Kitty Tamagoyaki Amigurumi

This is my small finish this morning before work.

Pattern: Sushi base from Yummi 'Gurumi with the rest stitched without a pattern
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft black, sunshine, and white
Hook: size G
Notions: 6mm safety eyes and DMC 310 
Start/Finish: 12/22-23/2014

Black and White Peppermint Brownies

I made these brownies this morning and let them cool before having my sister drizzle the top with melted white chocolate. My sister got a little too enthusiastic about pouring the M&Ms on top of the melted chocolate so it made cutting the brownies a challenge as I had M&Ms popping up everywhere. I was hoping to arrange them nicely on the brownies, but my sister took the bag away from me and said that I just had to have fun with it?!?!?! Hmmm.......crazy baker alert!

The recipe is from a recipe card from Target in their Christmas candy aisle this year. I used Betty Crocker's Supreme brownie mix and sugar cookie mix to make the brownies. White chocolate for the drizzle and Christmas sprinkles and peppermint M&Ms for the topping.

I am the only person in my family who likes peppermint chocolate desserts. My mother only eats them every once in a while and my sister absolutely detests peppermint chocolate in any form.

So luckily for me these brownies are going to work with me tomorrow to share with any of my coworkers who are still in the office and not taking the whole week off for the holidays.

Until next time ^____^

Super Mario Bullet Bill Amigurumi

Pattern: Bullet Bill by Ah! Creations
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft black, heather gray, and white
Hook: Size G
Notions: black and white felt
Start/Finish: 12/12 & 15/2014

For one of my coworkers this year I made a bullet bill from Super Mario as a Christmas gift. I had fun stitching the design. It can easily be made in a couple of hours.

I hope he likes it!

Until next time ^___^

Anime Christmas Party

My friends and I got together on Friday night (despite the dismal rainy weather) to have our annual anime Christmas party. I thought I was going to be late after having to pick up our car from the shop, but I wasn't the only 'late' person. Nicole had to pick up her car from the shop and Bonnie didn't get out until 6pm. So we ended up chatting until everyone arrived.

We had a lot of fun exchanging gifts, sampling food, and chatting.

This year I included in everyone's package a cross stitched item and a box of candy. The celtic knot biscornu went to Candace, the Tardis biscornu to Nicole, the onigiri pincushion to Bonnie, and I framed the woodland fox design for Kristina.

Here's my loot this year.......books galore and other goodies!

From Nicole I received Wolf Children on dvd and one of the Young Sherlock Holmes novels by Andrew Lane. I have read the Wolf Children manga. I can't wait to watch the animation as the manga was wonderfully drawn and was such a beautiful story.

From Kristina I received the Amigurumi at Home book and another one of the Young Sherlock Holmes novels. The amigurumi book has some great patterns and since I have two friends with babies now, I have a chance to make some kids projects......that little tooth fairy amigurumi is perfect!

From Candace I received Clover and Drunken Dream manga collections. Since they were actually gifts from my birthday that never came in time, she also gave me a beautiful Vera Bradley bag.

From Bonnie I received the first volume of Stepping on Roses manga. She also gave each of us a little Chinese takeout box containing a tiny Christmas ornament, Christmas erasers, and stickers. I will definitely be using the stickers in future resin projects next year.

Thanks for a fantastic Christmas party and all the lovely gifts!!

Onigiri Pincushion Finish

I stitched up this little pincushion on Thursday just in time for my friends annual anime Christmas party on Friday night. I really, really wanted to make it into a pincusion wristband for my friend Bonnie, but our sewing machine is out of commission. My mother had used it to stitch some fringe to one of her weaving projects and we haven't been able to fix the tension since then....sigh....

Thankfully Bonnie still liked it and she even mentioned that it would have been cute as a pincushion wristband. LOL Great minds think alike.

Until next time ^____^

A Late Autumn Package from CA

I received a late autumn package from Amanda last weekend full of some lovely items and yummy treats!

First off, I ABSOLUTELY love the Thanksgiving card. How can you not like frolicking squirrels? She even used a 3D squirrel sticker on the back of the envelope.

She crocheted two items for me (she didn't have to!). One was a super cute amigurumi Christmas tree dressed for the winter weather with a red scarf and decked out in Christmas jingle bells and topped with a beautiful star. This is definitely going to be in my Christmas displays in our house in the years to come; it is so cute!

The second item was a complete surprise. We both usually try to include something handmade in our packages to one another if we get the chance so I wasn't expecting another handmade item! She made me a lovely gray and blue infinity scarf. It is amazingly soft. I can't wait for some truly cold weather to wear it outside. Right now, we have been having yo-yo weather lately with temperatures going up and down. Southern weather is so bizarre. It reminds me of something that Constance's husband Jim said when we were in grad school. Does the south have a winter season? Hmm.......we do, but it's unpredictable.

Also included in the package was pumpkin spice Burt's Bees lip balm! Gotta put that in my purse! And some yummy looking goodies: sweet cookies, soda candy, and chocolate biscuits. Gotta take those to work to share!

Thank you for such a lovely autumn package!!!

Until next time ^___^

JBW Snow Globe Pinkeep Finish!

Pattern: French Country Snow Globe by JBW Designs
Notions: white pearlized pins, reindeer fabric, and red braid
Finished: 12/11/2014

This was my gift to Constance this year for Christmas. I think she might have a small collection of JBW Design cross stitch finishes from me over the years/holidays. I was hoping to send her and her family a treat set from Harry and David as well, but sadly I got an email saying that the first item I ordered was out of stock and then when I chose a replacement item, it wouldn't be shipped until December 30. With all that said and done, I decided to cancel the order. It didn't help that they wanted an entire week to send me the first email to start with.....

I'm not sure if I'll even try to place an order with them next year or not. I might just do my usual package of goodies and send it to Constance and her family.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year, Constance and Jim!

Until next time ^__^

CCN Give Joy Pinkeep Finish!

Pattern: Give Joy by Country Cottage Needleworks
Notions: blue and white pearlized pins, snowflake fabric, and white braid
Finished: 12/11/2014

I finished my Give Joy design as a pinkeep and included it in my Christmas package to my friend Amanda this year. I didn't have a chance to photograph my package as I was trying to get out to the mail in time for Christmas. The package was definitely a 'panda' package as it included a lot of panda themed items and some fun things. I sent her some panda cookie cutters, panda tissues, and panda socks. And since she loves board and card games, I sent her a card game that was on her wishlist featuring some really adorable sushi. Kristina included a Michaels gift card for Amanda.

I also sent her some yummy smelling soap that I bought at the Port City Craftsmen show in November by The Hen and Her Chicks.This is the second time I have bought from Ms. Lori at the Port City show. Her soaps make great gifts for Christmas or any occasion. They smell fantastic and are so cute!

I hope you liked your Christmas gifts!

Until next time ^___^

Celtic Biscornu

Pattern: Heart of my Heart freebie by Papillon Creations
Fabric: 28ct evenweave antique white linen by M.C.G Textiles
Thread: DMC 561
Start/Finish: 11/29-30/2014

This is the Celtic biscornu I mentioned earlier. It actually calls for two shades of the same color thread. I thought I was going to use two colors of emerald green, but after stitching a little of the interior, I found that I like the design as an outline instead of fully colored.

I was hoping that I had a different color for the buttons, but I only had Christmas green colored buttons in my stash. I suppose it will have to do.

Now I have cross stitch patterns to 'finish' this week and then start on the final block of Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery's OUAT sampler.

Until next time >____<

Geeky Biscornu ~ Dr. Who

Pattern: Tardis Biscornu freebie by magical525

Fabric: 28ct evenweave antique white linen by M.C.G Textiles

Threads: DMC 310, 666, 798, 973, and white

Start/Finish: 11/25-28/2014

Good evening everyone! I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family :)

On Tuesday, I started another Christmas stitching project. I decided to look online for a Dr. Who biscornu pattern to make for my friend Nicole. Luckily, I ran across a cross stitcher on deviantart who had a freebie pattern for a Tardis design. 

With a short holiday from work, I was able to finish stitching my biscornu today. I thought I was going to run out of the blue DMC 798 color, but I had just enough to whip stitch the edges! The thread gods were merciful as I was hoping I wouldn't have to go to my local craft store on Black Friday for more thread! 

I've got one more Christmas stitching project this season. I will be making another biscornu. My friend Candace loves Celtic designs and I found a beautiful Celtic heart design that I will start tomorrow after I come home from pulling our Christmas tree and decorations out of storage.

Until next time ^____^

Onigiri Love cross stitch

Pattern: Onigiri by an unknown designer
Fabric: 32 ct Belfast Cream linen by Wichelt
Threads: DMC 310, 601, and B5200
Start/Finish: 11/23/2014

Looking online for kawaii designs, I found an adorable pattern for an onigiri. I hope to finish this as a pincushion if I can find the right type of material for the inside of the pincushion. I would like to make it heavy like a standard strawberry or tomato pincushion.

Until next time >___<

Give Joy Finish

Pattern: Give Joy by Country Cottage  Needleworks in JCS Christmas  2014 issue
Fabric: 32 ct Belfast Cream linen by Wichelt 
Threads: recommended DMC 
Start/Finish: 11/22-23/2014

Another cross stitch finish. I love the colors in this design. I think I might try a different way of finishing this design...depending on what I can find at the craft store.

Onward to the next design! For all my American readers, have a great short work week before Thanksgiving.

Until next time >___<

Snow Globe Finish

Pattern: French Country Snow Globe by JBW Designs 
Fabric: 32 ct Belfast Cream linen by Wichelt
Threads: DMC 321, 520, 936, and B5200
Start/Finish: 11/17-22/2014

My first Christmas stitching project is finished. I'm not sure how I'll 'finish' it...perhaps my usual pinkeep finish.

Until next time >___<

Snow Globe Progress

My progress so far this week. I have been stitching before and after work. I love the message in the white stitching....the word 'snow' repeated throughout those areas.

Until next time  >___<

JBW Snow Globe Cross Stitch Progress

I started this design this afternoon and I'm loving it so far.

Pattern: French Country Snow Globe by JBW Designs 
Fabric: 32 ct Belfast Cream linen by Wichelt 
Threads: DMC
Start: 11/16/2014

I will have to look through my stash and see what Christmas fabrics I have to finish this design. Perhaps a trip to my local craft store is in order?!

Until next time >___<

1940s Baking - Corn Meal Cookies

Good morning! I hope you are enjoying a nice Sunday. We are enjoying some warmer weather in the 70s after a few days of 30s-40s. I wish it would last, but we are due for more cold weather this week.

I had bought a cookbook from the Book Nook several years ago for my sister. It was a 1948 copy of Culinary Arts Institute Encyclopedic Cookbook. Looking through it a couple of weekends ago, I found a cookie recipe that I wanted to try my hand at.

On Tuesday, I got up early and baked a batch of corn meal cookies, they came out crunchy and a little burnt on the bottom. I took them to work the next day and everyone seemed to like them despite the faults. One of coworkers said that they were great, but dangerous as the flavor isn't overly sweet, which makes you think you can eat more of them.

This morning I decided I would try the recipe again and lower the temperature from 400 to 350 instead of 375 like I had tried the first time. I also switched out my dark cookie pans for lighter air bake pans. Both my sister and aunt suggested those changes when I told them about attempting the recipe again. I only thought of changing the temperature, I had completely forgot about our old air bake pans.

Viola! yummy soft cookies. I switched the baking time between 10 minutes and 12 minutes. Baking them for 10 minutes makes the cookie crisp around the edges with a soft center and baking them for 12 minutes gives the cookie a darker color and a crispy texture throughout the entire cookie.

This recipe is definitely a keeper. I love the fact that with just raisins, lemon extract, nutmeg, and corn meal, you have a wonderful cookie. Perfect for when you want something sweet, but not too sweet.

I think I'll look through the cookbook again and see what other recipes I want to try in the future.

Until next time ^____^

Fox amongst dandelions cross stitch

Pattern: Fox from Woodland Sampler by Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery
Threads: DMC 310, 351, 470, 782, 919, 937, B5200, and Ecru
Fabric: 28 ct evenweave antique white by Charles Craft
Start/Finish: 11/10-11/2014

I had purchased Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery's Woodland Sampler last year since it featured a multitude of cute woodland creatures in blocks. I knew I could stitch up quite a few of them individually to make into gifts for friends.

I think my favorite so far in the sampler is the fox. It looks so adorable amongst a field of dandelions.

Hopefully tomorrow I can start some Christmas designs for my gift giving this year.

Until next time ^___^

Dracula Ballet

Last Sunday, Kristina and I went downtown to see the Dracula ballet performed by the Mobile Ballet company. It featured Raul Peinado as Count Dracula, Lauren Woods as Lucy, Noel Hanley as Mina, and William Blanken as Jonathan.

The ballet is an original ballet choreographed by Winthrop Corey. I remember seeing the ballet when it was first debuted when I was in college. I had gone to see it during its evening performance with my family. I thought it was a beautiful ballet.

Seeing it once again, the ballet did not disappoint in terms of beauty. My only complaint was that the director went with the musical score that he used during its first showing. The score included music from Interview with a Vampire and I believe the music from Legends of the Fall. While the music adds the right sort of eeriness and emotion to the dancing, I felt that after ten years since its first showing that the director had enough time to have original music composed for the ballet. Hopefully by the next time the ballet is performed again, the music will have been updated.

The ending of the ballet tested my fortitude as I desperately wanted to laugh at Dracula's death scene. It took quite a while and all I could think of while it was going on was a line from the Colonial Radio Theatre's audio drama Jarrem Lee Ghost Hunter's The Whitechapel Vampire......'The memory of Vadevah is LONG!" (I apologize if the spelling of the vampire's name is wrong.....I couldn't find it anywhere on the net.)

The next ballet in the 2014-2015 season is the Nutcracker and Cinderella. I am really excited to see the Cinderella performance. I can't wait to see if they use the original choreography by Zakharov or if the director decides to use a different version of the ballet.

I wonder if I can persuade Bonnie to come along with us to see the Cinderella ballet?! Her photography skills are amazing.......my little camera just can't keep up.

Until next time ^____^

Indian Temple Mound Museum, Fort Walton Beach

Last Saturday after we had lunch we still had time to kill before the Scott McNeil panel at Fandom. We had seen a sign for a Native American museum close by when driving to lunch...since Kristina and I were both anthropology majors in college, we knew we had to stop and see the museum.

The grounds actually include four museums, the Indian Temple Mound Museum, the 1912 Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum, the 1918 Garnier Post Office Museum, and an Civil War exhibition.

We were told by a lovely woman in the museum gift shop where to go first since we had a limited amount of time at the museum. We decided to go to the schoolhouse first (the white building pictured above). The schoolhouse served the community of Camp Walton from 1912 to 1936 with grades from first to eighth. In 1927 another room was added onto the schoolhouse to teach children from ninth to twelfth grade as children could not apply for college without graduating the twelfth grade.

The schoolhouse was made from local yellow pine and other woods. It had been destroyed at one point from a hurricane and it was restored by a local group using as much of the original wood as could be found.

The exhibitions in this schoolhouse were lovely with displays of textbooks used, toys made during the time period, and photographs of several of the classes that attended the school. The entire schoolhouse was setup as if the school was still in operation with period furniture, chalk slates, etc.

Behind the schoolhouse were two smaller buildings, one housing the Garnier post office and an Civil War exhibition. The post office was setup to resemble the original post office that operated in Camp Walton from 1918 until 1956. It houses original artifacts from the post office along with others to illustrate how it would have operated.

Kristina and I both loved the text panels throughout the room. There were several with fun facts about post delivery during the time period. Did you know that Norway used cats to deliver mail at one point? Me neither.......

Beside the post office was another building housing a Civil War exhibition featuring artifacts from the area and text material on the local history of how the war affected the city of Camp Walton.

After seeing those areas, Kristina and I walked around the Indian mound and up the stairs to see the temple structure that was reconstructed by archaeologists to resemble what it might have looked like many years ago.

We went into the museum beside the temple and were quite amazed by the exhibition inside. I've seen some Native American museums that really need work, which isn't the fault of the staff per se, but due to the lack of funding and interest by the local community surrounding it. The Fort Walton museum was beautiful. The displays were informative and quite well done. Kristina and I both agreed that it was one of best Native American museums we have been to in a while.

If you are in the area and have a moment or two to spare, please stop by and see the museums. It is a great way to spend an afternoon!

Until next time ^___^

Fandom 2014

Hi, again! Kristina and I went to Fort Walton Beach last Saturday to the Fandom convention. We went (well, I persuaded Kristina to go) because the voice actor, Scott McNeil, was a guest there. He has voiced many characters included one of my favorites in the MLP universe, Flam. The Flim and Flam brothers are con artists in the MLP show. I love the vaudeville feel of their characters.

Since Amanda had gotten me a Flim and Flam poster from SDCC this year I decided to bring it along to get Mr. McNeil to sign it for me. He was a great speaker, extremely funny and quirky.

I love the fact that he actually spoke to each of his fans as they walked up to get their items signed or get pictures taken with him. I've noticed at some conventions that the voice actors will just sign things with hardly any conversation besides the usual 'thanks for coming'.

He loved the poster and asked where I got it. He mentioned that he really needed a few of them so he could remember how to sing the 'Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000' song as he said that he and the voice actor for Flim had such a hard time with the song as it was quite the tongue twister.

I wish I had other pictures from the convention of cosplayers and the like, but Kristina and I only spent time at the panels for Robert Axelrod and Scott McNeil and then a little time in the dealers room since we got to the convention around noon.

Kristina bought a few things as gifts for our friends for our annual Christmas party. Usually I buy a few things, but I only came away with one thing, but it's PERFECT!

I found a large vinyl bag featuring Hatsune Miku. Wandering around the dealers room a couple of times, I kept coming back to this bag and I knew I had to have it. I loved the illustration on the front and it was a great size! As you can see I've got a cross stitch pattern in the bag along with DMC threads and a 8 inch embroidery hoop inside. I love cute bags for holding projects in!

As the year comes to a close, we won't have any conventions to go to, but hopefully we can go to a few next year.

Until next time ^____^

November Skoshbox

Hi, everyone! I received my Skoshbox for November earlier in the month and decided to sample it sooner than later as my coworkers and I have just finished an extensive project that we have been working on for six months.......I thought we deserved a fun break and what better way to celebrate than a skoshbox of mystery goodies!

Favorites (in order):
1. Anapanman Caramel Corn (caramel puffed corn snack): These caramel corn snacks have a similar taste to cheese puffs, but with a slight caramel flavor. They are quite good. I am glad they came in a small bag because I can see myself eating entire bags of them!

2. Peach Gummies: Our local Asian markets sell this flavor of gummies. They are yummy!

3. Bourbon Elise Wafer Sticks (Hokkaido milk cream wafer): The flavor in these sticks remind me of the milk candies that you can find at almost any Asian market, but it was a sweeter flavor.

4. Sequoia Wafer Bar (strawberry flavor): Does Kit Kat have a strawberry flavor? If not, these are the perfect treat if you love Kit Kats and want a strawberry substitute ^__^

5. Bisco Matcha Sandwich (wheat cracker with green tea cream): This is so different from the other types of matcha cookies I've tried because they are made with wheat crackers. I love that the green tea is the cream version which balances out the wheat flavor.

Questionable (in order):
1. Furuta Flaky Cream Pie (whipped cream pie snack): Hmm......well, I will say they are flaky snacks because when I tried to break it apart to share with my coworkers, it literally fell apart. The flavor is coconut, which normally I love, but it was an odd combination for this snack.

2. Potapota Yaki Senbei (shoyu rice crackers): These are similar to the rice crackers you see at the supermarket in the Asian section, but they are flavored with soy sauce. Not bad, but not my favorite. But I figure if you love soy sauce, you'll love these.

Dislikes (in order):
1.Vitamin C Lemon candy: Hmm........I'm sure if I would advertise this as 'candy' because they smell and taste just like the vitamin C drops you get at the pharmacy if you are trying to get rid of a cold.

2. One Piece chewing gum: This gum really isn't a 'dislike', but it isn't a favorite or questionable......just plain gum.....sadly I didn't get a lucky sticker.

I wonder what treats we'll experience in December?! Mint flavored snacks? Limited edition Kit Kats or Pocky? Hmmm......anticipation is killer!

Until next time ^____^

Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf

I finished stitching November's OUAT block tonight. My favorite motif is the pumpkin pie and cake stand!

October Skoskbox

Hi, everyone! I saved my October skoshbox last month until Halloween so my coworkers and I would have something fun to munch on instead of candy.

Favorites: (in order)
1. Black Thunder Bar: I was so excited that this chocolate bar was in the skoshbox last month. It reminds me of the Krackle bars, but without a sweet chocolate taste. The chocolate was more like those used in Snicker's.

2. Brown Sugar and Milk Senbei: The skoskbox card didn't lie on the description of this cracker. It does taste like caramel popcorn, but without the extreme sweetness. It is a sweet and salty snack! Definitely worth picking up if you see them at your local Asian market.

3. Chibimaruko Marshmallow: How can you go wrong with strawberry filled marshmallows? You can't. I've had these marshmallows before and quite enjoy them. During my last visit to CA I picked some up at a Japanese market in Japantown in Los Angeles.

4. Lychee Gummies: One of my favorite gummy flavors next to strawberry. A friend introduced me to these gummies during a trip to Baton Rouge to see Howl's Moving Castle when it came out in the U.S.

Questionable: (in order)
1. Happy Turn Senbei: These crackers remind me of the ones you find in the Asian snack mix you get at the store, but without the taste of all the other crackers in the mix. If you like those snack mixes, you'll like these crackers.

2. AWA Soda Tab Candy: I really can't describe the taste of this candy. Maybe sugar that fizzes? It was interesting to try, but I wouldn't repeat the experience.

3. Pikachu Grape Gum: Now I know some of you are wondering why this isn't in the 'dislike' category considering the fact that it is grape flavored. Amazingly the taste was extremely light, which reminded me of green grapes. I would recommend this gum for anyone who doesn't like grape flavors since it is a light flavor.

4. Summer Kinako Choco: I thought that I would love this candy because of the other flavors I have tried, but I'm on the fence about this one. The flavor reminds me of the peanut coating on mochi. Not good, but not bad.....

Dislikes:
1. Pokemon Monsterball Candy: Out of the potential flavors ~ grape, cola, and spicy cola ~ what do I get?......yucky grape. (O_o)

I wonder what goodies will arrive in the November skoskbox?!

Until next time >___<

October Recap

Recap:

Read:
1. Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
2. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
3. Jewelry in the Age of Queen Victoria
4. Katana by Cole Gibson
5. Gris Grimly's Frankenstein
6. A Bride's Story volume 4 by Kaoru Mori
7. A Bride's Story volume 5 by Kaoru Mori
8. A Study in Darkness by Emma Jane Holloway
9. The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa
10. Itazura Na Kiss volume 2 by Kaoru Tada

Stitched:
1. OUAT October block and pattern border

Crafts:
1. Barnabas amigurumi
2. Mt. Fuji amigurumi
3. Glitter resin box

Halloween Fun

I hope you guys and girls had a great Halloween on Friday.

Halloween Package to CA

I sent a Halloween package to Amanda on Saturday and she received it yesterday. I had fun making the crochet goodies in this package.

Do you guys remember the pumpkin drawstring bag I crocheted earlier in September? I included it in Amanda's package.....chock-full of Halloween candy and chocolate.

I found a kawaii Halloween-themed tissue pack with candy illustrations on it while out shopping one day and thought it would be fun for her package. I also included various Halloween ribbon that I'm sure she'll use in her crafting next year. Whenever the magazine Make It Yourself comes out, I send a copy to Amanda so she can get inspiration for holiday crafts and cardmaking.

For her Halloween amigurumi, I found a clever idea via Fun & Fang's blog for a spider in a jar. The amigurumi is quite easy to make, I would definitely recommend it for beginners in the world of amigurumi. I loved being able to decorate the jar to my own tastes.

I used some purple Halloween-themed fabric in my stash for the top of the jar and sealed the edges with glittery black ribbon. Inside the jar I cut up several pieces of ribbon to layer the bottom and on the outside I used hologram star stickers.

Amanda asked me if it was a scary spider and if it would invite its friends over to her house. I told her that if I chose a personality for this little spider, she would be a sweet spider. One who loved to watch people craft goodies and who also loved to collect fall and Halloween ribbon so one day she could create a beautiful web made of all sorts of ribbon.

Pattern: Spider in a Jar by Fun and Fang
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft gray sparkle
Hook: Size G
Notions: tiny metal brads for eyes
Start/Finish: 9/20/2014

I wish I could have gotten a better image of my little spider, but with the doming in the glass, I couldn't get a really good photo. It was the only type of jar I could find at HB that was big enough for my spider and that didn't have markings like a Mason jar.

In other holiday news, I am waiting to ice cupcakes with caramel and pecans. I am making caramel apple cupcakes for my coworkers for Halloween tomorrow.

I hope you guys and girls have a fun and safe Halloween!!!

Until next time ^_____^

OUAT Progress

I was able to finish the border on my Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery OUAT sampler this weekend. I love the dark colors used in the border motifs.

By the time I finish the pattern in December, I'll actually be completely done with a design. Happy dance time!

Until next time >___<

Panda Halloween Package

I received a Halloween package from Amanda earlier in the week. It was full of goodies and cute gifts.

She sent me some yummy Pocky, berry carnival and coconut flavors, along with some hard candies in ramune soda flavor and a Lindt chocolate brownie bar! I'm quite excited to try the ramune flavored candies as I've had a few via the skoshboxes, but I haven't had one so far that actually tastes like ramune.

The cute gifts include a plastic bunny that poops jelly beans (always good for laugh), two sticker sets (a Japanese themed one and a cute witch), and an adorable set of rabbit post-it notes for books!

Amanda sent a cute Halloween card featuring a panda and bunny dressed up for Halloween.

Isn't it cute? I love adding it to my growing collection of handmade cards from my friend.

Thanks for the lovely package! I loved everything!

Until next time ^____^

Bookish Weekend

Good evening! I spent yesterday morning at Springhill College's Book Nook browsing their stacks. I came away with some neat finds.

It was a gorgeous day with cool and sunny weather. I couldn't help but stop and take a photo of their chapel before heading to the bookstore.

I found a three books, one of which I can't show because it will be part of a Christmas gift.

As always when I visit a used bookstore, I check their mythology/fairy tale and antique book sections first before browsing the rest of the store.

I found a lovely edition of Augusta Evans Wilson's St. Elmo that is an illustrated edition for theater patrons that was published by Hurst & Co. in 1910. I think my favorite photogravures in the book are those featuring the backdrops of the stage and the ending image with the kissing scene between St. Elmo and Edna, which is also featured on the front cover of the book.

The second book was an Illustrated Junior Library Grimm's Fairy Tales that was illustrated by Fritz Kredel in 1973 and published by Grosset & Dunlap. Kredel was a German artist (1900-1973) who illustrated several hundred books during his career including other fairy tale titles and Eleanor Roosevelt's Christmas.

I love the illustrations in the book. I immediately looked to see if Snow White was listed in the book and skipped over to the end of the story to see what version they used. I was impressed to see that they actually went with the 'dancing in iron shoes' ending. Definitely no need to keep the darkness of the fairy tale away from children in the 1970s.

Yet again, if you haven't been to The Book Nook, I urge you to. You'll never know what you'll find!

Until next time ^____^