Mardi Gras 2011

Last evening, my sister and I met up with some friends of hers from work to go and see two Mardi Gras parades downtown. We had alot of fun being extremely undignified by screaming at the top of our lungs for all matter of throws.

The first parade to roll had a simile theme with every float decorated according to a saying. One such float was called 'Mad as a Wet Hen' and featured a rather angry looking hen and other decorations while another float called 'Nothing But Death and Taxes' had all the revelers dressed as Uncle Sam. The second parade to roll was the Mystics of Time, which had some amazing floats featuring several dragons (one blew fire) and a host of mythical creatures.

We were hoping to catch the elusive coconut flavored moonpie this year, but once we went through our stash of goodies, we realized that we had only one! (sigh) Our favorite catch of the night was a large stuffed ram from the MOT parade and a Ty beanie rabbit named Ears.

To everyone in Mobile and New Orleans, hope you have a safe Mardi Gras today!

Until next time ^____^

Strawberries

Design: Tea Time Samplers #5, Strawberry Basket by Just Cross Stitch
Fabric: 32ct lambswool Wichelt-Permin
Threads: DMC 319, 320, 347, 610, and 3328
Start/Finish: 3/6/2011

February Recap

February Recap:

Read:
1. The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
2. Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China by Leslie T. Chang
3. Sherlock Holmes in Japan by Keith E. Webb
4. The Iliad by Homer
5. A Lion in the Valley by Elizabeth Peters
6. Book Girl and the Suicidal Mime by Mizuki Nomura
7. Blameless by Gail Carriger
8. Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
9. The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston
10. Nutcracker and Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman
11. The Tale of the Nutcracker by Alexandre Dumas

Stitched:
1. Rose in the Morning by Little House Needleworks
2. Somba Lady dresser scarf, part 1 by Fairway Needlworks
3. Spots of Spring by Pine Mountain Designs
4. Tulip Basket by Just Cross Stitch

Finished:
1. Rose in the Morning - framed
2. Home of the Needleworker - framed
3. The Bookshelf - framed
4. Spots of Spring pillow

Tulips

Design: Tea Time Samplers #2, Tulip Basket by Just Cross Stitch
Fabric: 32ct lambswool Wichelt-Permin
Threads: DMC 433, 924, and 3364
Start/Finish: 2/27/2011

A lovely day for stitching a spring-themed design. This small sampler motif is part of the Tea Time Samplers #2 leaflet. There is another design on the leaflet that I would like to start, but I need to get some more of lambswool color linen.

Until next time ^____^

Spring finish

Design: Spots of Spring by Pine Mountain Designs
Fabric: 28ct antique white M.C.G. Textiles
Threads: DMC
Start/Finish: 2/19-22/2011
Finish as pillow: 2/27/2011

Good afternoon! When I bought this design at my LNS last weekend, it came with a pre-made pillow. I got the chance to slip it into the pillow this morning. I love the colors as it really does match the design quite well.

I've spent the morning rummaging through my stash of patterns looking for something new to stitch. There are some old Just Cross Stitch patterns that I might start on, assuming that I have enough linen in my stash to start them.

I hope you are enjoying your weekend. We are having some lovely weather on the Gulf Coast. We are keeping our fingers crossed that we will continue to have good weather as you never know how the month of March will turn out.

Until next time ^___^

Spots of Spring

Design: Spots of Spring by Pine Mountain Designs
Fabric: 28ct antique white M.C.G. Textiles
Threads: DMC
Start/Finish: 2/19-22/2011

I'm late, very, very late!

During a trip to the MRGS' rock and gem show at the fairgrounds last November, my sister and I actually picked up two other brooches that I couldn't talk about until after the holidays because they were gifts for my Aunt Snowbird.


Knitting pin

My sister bought my aunt this lovely Danecraft knitting-themed pin. Isn't it cute?


Sewing pin

Who would have thought that we would see another hobby-themed pin in the bunch? I saw this Serger sewing-themed pin and knew it was perfect for my aunt.

During December, my friends and I had our annual anime Christmas get together. My friend Kristina bought me two pins, which I hadn't the time to photograph until now.

She bought me a lovely flower bouquet pin and Christmas tree pin.


Flower bouquet pin


Christmas tree pin

I love both of these pins! The flower bouquet is perfect for wearing to work and you can never have too many holiday pins ;)

Enjoy your Sunday!

Until next time ^___^

Somba Lady Part 1

Design: Somba Lady dresser scarf by Fairway Needlecraft
Threads: DMC
Start: May 2010
Finish: First half of scarf - 2/19/2011

Good evening! I hope you are enjoying the start of the weekend. We are enjoying some lovely weather on the Gulf Coast with spring temps. This morning my aunt and I went by a frame shop in Satsuma to get several things framed. I hope to have photos of them next weekend if possible.

We also went by our LNS to browse. My aunt bought some lovely silk yarn while I bought two pillow kits and a needlebook kit. We were sad to learn that our LNS is going to close at the end of March. I will be reduced to shopping online as the closest needlework shop is in Pensacola. (sigh)

I finished up the first half of the Somba Lady dresser scarf this evening. I plan on putting it aside to start on some cross stitch projects. I hope to start something new tomorrow if I have the time.

Enjoy your weekend! Until next time ^____^

Bunnies....lots and lots of bunnies!

Hi! I had a package waiting for me this evening from my dear friend in CA. I thought it would be a Valentine's Day themed package....much to my surprise it was full of bunnies in celebration of the New Year and other goodies ;)




See, I told you it was a lot of bunnies and other goodies!

The package contained a California Starbucks mug, a box of yummy pineapple cakes, a smaller box of chocolates, a bunny plush cell phone holder, US Postal Year of the Rabbit stationery set and stamps, Chinese stationery card set, rubber stamps in a cute Easter egg, My Melody cutlery set, a shower cap, two cell charms (a flashlight and a plushie), and a bunny bottle contained an angel necklace and earrings.


A close-up of the necklace and earring set!

So many bunnies! I love the pastel Easter tin and egg-shaped box. I can't wait to use them for a Spring/Easter display! I wish my cell phone wasn't so small...it would be dwarfed by the cute bunny plushie cell charm! ......I think I might have to upgrade my cell phone to accommodate it ^___^

If I'm not mistaken, the necklace and earring set were handmade by my friend. She is avid beader and crafter. I admire anyone who has the patience to bead :)

I will have to keep a lookout for the Starbucks State mugs and see if I can find a Alabama one!

Thank you dear friend for all the lovely goodies!

Until next time ^_____^

Somba Lady

Design: Somba Lady dresser scarf by Fairway Needlecraft
Threads: DMC

I have slowly been stitching on this dresser scarf every night since I posted on Wednesday. I think when I get this part finished, I will put it aside to work on some cross stitch.

Wishing a great week ;)

Until next time ^___^