Christmas in CA

For Amanda's package this year, I went for a tea theme for the majority of the package. The theme was actually inspired by a lovely children's book that I picked up from my local library called The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill. I think if everyone had a tea dragon in their lives, the world would be a better place.

While at the World Market, I picked up an adorable little hedgehog tea strainer and a box of teas and sugar sticks made in Russia. From Michael's, I picked up one of Caron's tea cakes in the hibiscus color and a pack of movie trivia cards since Amanda loves playing games in her off time. From Target, I found a fun horoscope mug for Virgos and then from 123stitch, I found two clear stamp sets, one with hedgehogs and the other with Christmas gingerbread.

I hope she likes everything. I had fun picking out different items to fit the tea theme. I really should have taken a picture of the wrapping paper I used!!!! Last year at Target, I found a black wrapping paper with gold octopi wearing Christmas hats! Perfect for steampunk geeks. I didn't get to use it last year.....I was happy to able to use it this year as it fit the theme :)

Until next time ^____^

Cinderella Sampler

Pattern: Cinderella Samper by Willow Hill Samplings
Fabric: 32ct oyster linen by M.C.G. Textiles
Threads: recommended DMC
Start: 12/17/2017

The Cinderella sampler won out against the CCN cakes this time around. As you may remember (it's okay if you don't), I had bought fabric for this design from Accented Inc. when Kristina and I were in New Orleans earlier this year. After looking at it against the recommended DMC threads, it seemed too dark of a fabric. The LNS didn't have the recommended fabric color so I opted for a mocha color fabric, but it just doesn't work.

So while I was at Hobby Lobby, I bought some 32ct oyster colored linen by M.C.G. Textiles. I was hoping to buy the cream colored linen by Wichelt, but the cut of fabric was too small for the pattern (darn it!). LOL So I went with the oyster color instead.

I plan on working on this design tomorrow morning before heading over to the bowling alley for our work Christmas party. Our boss is being....well, a boss, by picking teams. My coworkers and I had already decided to form our own team; that was only reason I signed up to go. We asked one of our supervisors and he said he didn't care what we did when we got in the building. LOL 

I can't wait to play. I never get together with my coworkers outside of work.

Until next time ^___^

Bellingrath Gardens - Christmas Light Display

Good evening, everyone! Kristina and I took a trip to Bellingrath Gardens on Friday night after Kristina got out of work. Their Christmas light display started on November 24 and runs until the end of December.

It was a cold night. I was bundled up in a jacket, scarf, and some gloves. Luckily the walk through the lights kept you warm for the most part, unless the wind started to blow or you were near the pond.

We signed up for a tour of the Bellingrath house as well, which was beautiful. It was full of antiques and furnishings collected by the Bellingrath family. For those of you who don't know, Bellingrath made his money in Coca-Cola. He built the Bellingrath home and its gardens for his wife.

For the Christmas lights and the house tour, it was only $24. Definitely worth every penny. I told Kristina that we should come back in the spring when the gardens are in bloom.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season and that you are doing something fun ;)

Until next time ^____^

Eiffel Tower Finish!!

Pattern: Eiffel Tower by Jardin Prive
Fabric: 32ct oyster linen by M.C.G. Textiles
Threads: DMC 152, 223, 3012, and 3781
Start/Finish: 11/5-12-10/2017

I finished my Eiffel Tower design last night before dinner. I was stitching like a madwoman as I really wanted to finish it up before today. Not bad for working on and off of it for a couple of hours each day....except for the days I was being a bum and playing video games or watching movies ;)

Compared to the original color scheme, I like my colors a lot better. Not that varying colors of brown are horrible, I just wanted something soft and calming.

Hmm.....now I just gotta see what I want to stitch next. I haven't made any Christmas gifts this year, my heart and mind just isn't in the mood right now to do so. You gotta be in a cheerful mood to make gifts for the holidays otherwise it's a thankless task.

I think I'll probably pull out my CCN cakes and stitch on one of those or I might start another design. I'll have to dive into my stash and see what calls to me.

Until next time ^___^

Snow in the South? - December 8, 2017

That's right! Snow in lower AL, which is usually unheard of until at least January or February and even then maybe every five+ years.

It was cold and rainy for the majority of the week and by Friday, they mentioned that we might get snow, but we figured it would be above us in the upper part of the state....where snow isn't unheard of.

Imagine our surprise when we looked out the front door at 8pm and it was snowing!

Luckily for us the ground wasn't cold enough for the snow to stick around beyond noon the next day.

There was enough snow on the cars to make a mini snowman. I couldn't make a three ball snowman, the snow wasn't cold enough to make nice balls from anyway.

I took this picture of the moon in the sky on Saturday morning.

If we got snow in December does that mean we can still get snow in January or February if it gets cold enough?! It would be nice to have some days off of work ;) LOL

Until next time ^____^

Mobile Rock and Gem Show 2017

Good morning, everyone! I've got an older post that I meant to put up in November after it happened, but with work driving me crazy in general and to get worse news about it after Thanksgiving, my blog hasn't been on my mind lately.

My family and I went to the annual Mobile Rock and Gem Show at the Abba Temple on Black Friday. While everyone else in town was rushing around for sales, we were at the show instead.

There were a lot of informational displays on one side of the show along with their 'panning' area.

Possibly my favorite in the entire show only because of the hilarious note beside it ;)

My sister persuaded me to try the 'sleuce' area. You pay $10 for a bag of dirt and you can pan it in a wire mesh box through running water.

After I did it, my sister paid for a bag as well. Later on we were able to get our mom to do it as well. LOL Needless to say we came away with a lot of minerals and gems.

My sister really wanted to pan for opals, but an opal bag was $100. Too rich for my taste.

I bought two tumbled stones, a citrine and an unakite and from another vendor I bought a beautiful clear quartz cluster. The amethyst and rose quartz were from our sleuce adventure :)

I have these beauties at work on my desk. I figure I could really use some good positive energy and what better way to promote positive energy then being able to see something beautiful beside you as you work :)

The lady who I usually buy brooches from was at the show, but I didn't see anything I really wanted in terms of brooches. She did have a gorgeous Czech glass necklace from the 1920s, but she wanted $85 and I really couldn't justify buying one item for that amount of money, especially when I usually come away with several brooches for that amount.

We had a great time. I'm sure next year's show will be fun too!

Until next time ^___^