Ask not for whom the bell tolls....

Tuesday May 21, 2013

It all started with an email.

Come join in the fun - only 5 days - and you won't regret it!

Uh-huh.

They seemed to have left out a few minor details and slightly twisted the truth....

Oh , there were knights all right ...

...some were called Monty, and even though you could hear them,

 the horses were mysteriously absent.

We won't even get into the Python part of this...

Good thing they told me to bring my passport...

They said I'd have a bit of free time.

So I thought I could bring some stitching.

But seriously - for 12 hours on a bus?

ok, it wasn't that bad...

except the hour wait at the border.

What a hardship the lunch stop was....

in a plaza that had lots of food places,

oh, and maybe a historic site

or not.

I know a few might have found this interesting.

Possibly someone may find these a tad on the small size.

The locals seemed a bit unique to say the least...

They said I might receive a gift. 

I'd never received such a beautiful gift of jewelry ...

Kind of goes with everything.

Oh yeah.

 Could have used a bit sparkly bead accents though.

At least the sights were  interesting.

(If you didn't guess by now... I was in the USA)

... ahhh.. but where?

Somewhere deep underground...

Really neat mural... 

Close-up you can see it's comprised of smaller tiles.

I thought this was really cool.

ahhhhh... dragons!!!

and beautiful flowers...

... and no, this was not a dinner bell.

Nor did it have feet.

Yep that's the Liberty bell - seen through glass.

Almost as good as lining up for an hour to see it inside ;)

Yes indeed... this adventure had taken me to 

Philadelphia.

But why?

Well, that's another story....

Get your sparkle on!

Tuesday May 14, 2013



I've been busy preparing for something and needed some stress relief... so, over the past week I was in a jewelry making mode...

first off was a choker necklace...

close-up ... ladder stitched 

This angel I made quite some time ago.

I gave it to a friend's mother for Mother's Day :)

Another ladder stitch...

It was supposed to be a choker, 

but I decided to make it into a bracelet

close-up ...

another bracelet...

fancier 'layered' stitch... 

has a ladder stitch as the base, and then another row on top

it was very hard to get a good photo of

but here's a close-up

and this one ... another bracelet

I think this is my favorite one so far.

It has a magnetic closure which I love too  ,

so much easier to open and close than the other clasps.

So, now what to do with all these creations?

hmmmm...

Well, the count down is on... to what you may well ask....

that's another story....

Happiness is....

Sunday May 12, 2013

What do you get when you have one box of Lindt chcoclate...

A LONG nap

and lots of time to create?

One happy mom.

Oh - and throw in a hand-made gift... complete with a cursive written note and a origami crane...

Wonder how many more hand-made gifts like these I'll receive....

:)

I trained him well....

Saturday May 11, 2013

So Saturday we had my mom and dad here for lunch. I made vegetable soup, potato salad, green salad and  Schnitzel.

Of course there was desert :). Picked this up from metro.

Boston Cream with strawberries and chocolate fudge icing.

It was 

simply

awesome.

I will definitely be buying this one again!

My mom also brought me a hanging pot of flowers for outside

and chocolates.

My son picked tulips from the garden.

They were fully opened.

Now it's late, and they are closed again.

The colour is just fabulous.

So now that I've done my part - I can relax tomorrow

for the actual Mother's Day day.

My son told me what he wanted to buy me for Mother's Day. 

A diamond ring.

(apparently he heard or saw advertisement about this. 

Maybe media is not such a bad influence...)

Or would I like a gift card?

And does Gitta's sell gift cards?

oh 

yeah

Here sweetie - have the last piece of cake.

I think I trained him well.

:)

MsProcrastination

Friday May 10, 2013

Procrastinator? No. I just wait until the last second to do my work. Because I will be older, therefore... wiser.


Me? Procrastinate?

oh yeah...


Like the time I put the finishing touches on a gift... in the another room.... while the recipients were in the living room.... and my husband wondering what the heck I was doing... it wasn't like it was a surprise visit either...

Or spending all day to make a gift... when I knew it was coming months ago. Birthday's have this way of always falling on the same day. Very strange.

Staying up all night to finish something... nothing new to me...

Oh, but this year - it's different!

For Mother's Day I'm having my mom over for lunch. Saturday. That's after I asked her what she was doing Sunday for Mother's Day. She replied - but what are you going to do? Ah - better come the day before! lol

So today - I spent the day cleaning. Usually there's a flurry of cleaning the hours before guests arrive.
I even bought a cake today.

Tonight - I made the potato salad and veggie soup.

Saturday - all I have to do is make the main part of the meal.

Gift? Made a necklace... and finished it YESTERDAY!!!

First time making a necklace like this.

I think it turned out pretty nice :)

Today I made matching earrings

It was hard to get a photo that shows the sparkle of the Swarovski crystals

I think she'll like it.

Caution!

Cuteness alert!!

Wonder what Kiwi is waiting for?

My mom?

We're almost all ready here....

the BIG reveal

Wednesday May 8, 2013

Whooo hooo! A new card reader!!! So now I can finally share with you the BIG project....

I assembled it and even made the cord  with a tassel for it.

Quite pleased how it turned out :)

Here's a close-up of the cord...

I can hear you thinking - that's not so big!

Nope... but it's actually an accessory...

A scissor fob for some BIG scissors...

Yep... that's a 12" ruler :)

So you see - it's a giant scissor fob!

A birthday present for a great gal ... who just might have a collection of scissors,

but certainly none like this one.

I think she liked it :)

Wonder what the scissor keep might look like...

and maybe there should be a giant biscornu to match.

(By all means -  go for it- don't let me stop you now!)

Wonder what the needle to match the set might look like.

oh - and then you'd need a nice piece of large fabric too.

and a matching giant skein of floss...

silk please!

(and a giant wallet too)

The birthday gal bought herself a mighty big bag 

at Gitta's today

A gorgeous stitchy bag

A bag I had been drooling over, by the way

(and in my colours too, by the way...)

Not big enough for these scissors though.

Maybe not even big enough for her scissor collection either for that matter...

I reminded her that my birthday was coming up.

Ok, ok...so it's in January....

It's always coming up - once it's past, lol.

So the one of a kind giant scissors with scissor fob found a new home.

So did that nice bag too.

Wonder if she'd trade it for some chocolate...

Oh wait, I already gave her some of that too....

drat

off to find a tempting trade for my bag....

ohhhh

I think I know...hehehe

but that's another story

to be continued....

Tuesday May 7, 2013

... and so the story goes... my memory card reader still doesn't work.. and my camera refuses to talk to my computer. Either that or the 'big' project I was working on wants to remain a mystery....

So once again... a boring post and no photos.

I'll have to go console myself with crushed candy and M&M's.....

on strike....

Monday May 6, 2013

Finally... I can post what I've been working on ...

if only my camera would talk to my computer..... sigh.....

Attended a fun birthday celebration with some great friends this evening.... hence the reason I could post the photo of my project now... if only....

So here you are... a boring post.. and no photos.

I must say I was very happy on how it turned out. I think the recipient liked her gift too.

One of a kind. Perfect addition to her 'collection' too.

Oh - and I'd LOVE to post a photo of the delicious chocolate cake too...

 ah well..... maybe tomorrow.

Until then... the mystery persists.... until my camera decides to end its' strike....

:)

back to the drawing board?

Saturday May 4, 2013

 I decided to do a bit of pencil drawing ... 

haven't done this in a while and it felt really good to get back into it.  

This is an anniversary present for my husband. 

I used our wedding photo - you can see that on my April 27 blog post.

Well, here it is...

I almost didn't want to post it, since I'm not completely happy with the result.

I may still work on it a bit more... 

or maybe just start all over again.. ...

That may have to wait a bit... since I'm working on another deadline...

but that's another story...

;)

Spring flowers

Friday May 3, 2013

ahhhhh.... spring :)

Mighty Small... Mighty big

Thursday May 2, 2013

Can you believe it  - it's May!! And the weather has been gorgeous this week!

Not even a jacket today :)

Had a guild meeting and we made paper ort boxes.

(Ort containers are for placing the snipped off threads)

Before

After

It's made out of wallpaper - but you could use any thick paper.

A little glue holds the bottom flap closed... 

ah yes .. 

Me and the glue... 

I would have prefered a glue stick.

I won't go into detail about the bottle of craft glue

Suffice it say... I touched it 

(At the same time the gal next to me saying - it's cracked!)

 and it ooozed all over the place.

OK.. I think I got it.

Maybe it was just a little too excited by my touch....

ehem

But wait! There's more!

It folds flat!

How cool is that!

Small and flat - Perfect for traveling. 

and packing Light.

(It's a start!!!)

Could also be used to hold other things like money...

Wondering if I can make one out of fabric.

Someone brought in a few miniatures...

I can't believe how small that bear is!

sooooo cute :)

Wouldn't this make a nice Mother's Day gift???

And some beautiful stitching....

Yes... it's miniature too

(But not made by me)

Incredible... and inspiring.

We had our annual Scouting Banquet - there was LOTS of food

(yes even chocolaty cupcakes)

My son earned 

his 6th award badge

and a plaque for earning all 6 stars!

He did a lot of work to earn this.

 So proud of my son 

:)

I'd say that's a mighty big achievement

Speaking of big... I better get cracking on a celebratory gift...

It's BIG...

really BIG

but that's another story...

Not for me

Monday April 29, 2013

Well, sometimes I do follow the rules..... another Mill Hill... with no inspirational changes :)

I have no idea what possessed me when I bought this kit.

I don't drink coffee.

I've tasted it, but never actually even had a cup of it, ever.

The only way I like it is 

CRISP.

I think my Austrian parents probably adopted me too.

It's kind of  funny that I don't like

coffee ... 

beer ...even hate the smell of it

sausages...

and 

sauerkraut.

Well, I've learned to tolerate the sauerkraut over time.. only because I understand 

APPARENTLY

there's lots of good in eating it.

Don't get me wrong - it's not because of the caffeine.

I do like green tea.

And chocolate.

Of course.

Back to the coffee stitching.

I have no idea why I stitched it.

Must be the beads.

I guess for now it'll be added to the box of completed projects.

My handiwork always has a way of  finding it's way to the right owner.

Eventually.

It's just not evident right now for this piece.

It is for a few in the box though... seems inspiration struck recently 

but that's another story....

:)

A night at the museum

Sunday April 28, 2013

Well it's been a pretty good weekend. Spent Friday night at the Bradley Museum with our Cub group. There was some interesting needlework displayed as well...

The ladies from the museum wore period costumes

and explained all about the process of turning wool into yarn,

and  the different dyes they used.

A table loom 

They used scrap pieces of fabric to weave with - nothing went to waste.

There are demonstrations of this so I'll have to go back another time.

I have a loom, but have not used it yet.

Yep, another hobby.

A small patchwork piece... so colourful

What a nice verse at the front door of the house

I had delusions of having time to stitch...  I actually brought some stitching.

(Quit laughing, yes I know , it was a cub sleepover at a museum.)

The light was not really that great at night.

Note to self: next time don't pack the 40 count over-one,

and add the Ott Light to my packing list.

There was a mystery game for the kids.... any idea what these tools are?

We were surrounded by woods... and of course there was some wildlife

The kids made bannock and 3 Sister Soup.

They had fun preparing it.

In the traditional way of the pioneers,

it was cooked over an open hearth.

Quite yummy... 

although most of the kids barely tried it,

might have had something to do with all those veggies.

Saturday night we finally got to celebrate our anniversary...

Speaking of needlework...

another Mill Hill :)

Angle view so you can see the 3D effect...

According to the kit, the needles and thimble were supposed to be stitched.

Yep I broke the rules again. Had an inspiration.

I decided to add a thimble and sewing needle buttons, 

 some flower crystals for the pin heads,

and shiny rayon for the 'thread' on the needle.

I think I may turn this into a name tag.

That or add it to my box of finishes....

Still wondering about those mystery tools?

Butter squeezer, Funnel, Ruffle iron.

(No it was not a finger poker.)