Look What I Woke to This Morning!

They were flat as a door nail when I went to bed after throwing in the towel and haven given "it" my Sunday Best.  Ever have this happen to you?

1st -Time for Tea and Embroidery

Time for Tea and Embroidery


Lindy Munday who owns Bearpaws and Hollyhocks was receptive to my "brainy" idea of having an open Tea Party AND relaxing with our embroidery or other hand work.  I think in my "sales pitch," I said something like, "make a Tea Party and they will come."  Yes, I was stretching it when I played on the title of one of my favourite movies about baseball, "Field of Dreams."  Lindy, had a little twinkle in her eye and said, "Yes!"  Thank you Lindy!!!!  


January 29th was the first Time for Tea and Embroidery.  


My mother who came down from the Old Country to celebrate her birthday the previous day and to celebrate mine a week later was up for the event. Plans for the Tea had been made long before her visit plans were made.  Well, we had so much fun reminiscing about Teas of our past.  Afternoon Teas in friends homes were the norm.  There is nothing like a bunch of ladies sitting around in someone's living room balancing tea cups and saucer and tea goodies, but no one let that stop them.  Most showers were tea parties, there were teas after bridge groups, funerals, in the back yard, engagement celebrations, and trousseau teas were really big.  I know I am not mentioning half of them.


I set the menu and we had fun preparing the squares and the sandwiches.  

My mother making the sandwiches.  

And I made the squares.

Blushing here - I forgot to take pictures of the set up or during the Tea.  What can I say - I was having too much fun.  The above picture and the one that follows where after I had begun to pack up to go home.  Sorry!  The best laid plans - out the window.

The Tea was pretty and we all had a fun time, especially my mother.  She dragged an old, very old stitchery, down with her.  She thought that she might enjoy picking it up again.  

Kim gave me a formatting lesson at dinner last night, and I am excited to see if I got her lesson.  There is nothing like taking notes on a paper placemat....  Thank you Kim.

2nd Time for Tea and Embroidery to follow in the next post - if my formatting turned out.

I Got Out... and Went Shopping

Well, yesterday, I got out and went shopping, where else, Bearpaws and Hollyhocks.
Yes, siree, nothing like a little fabric therapy (Martinique by Moda - 2 Charms Packs and a Honey Bun AND a book out called Feedsack Secrets - Fashion from Hard Times by Gloria Nixon by Kansas City Star Quilts.)


I think this weekend I need to get out my Schnibbles patterns and match up the Martinique Charm Packs to one of them.  You know, (true confession here....)  some play with the buttons they collect, I play with charm packs and Schnibbles patterns, shish what does that tell you about me - don't answer!


Well, I am off to finish my preparations for my Time for Tea and Embroidery Tea Party at Bearpaws and Hollyhocks this afternoon.  It is a windy, blustery day here and a great day to have a Tea Party with friends.


TTL


PS - again,  Kim is going to give me a formating lesson today after the Tea Party.  Please bear with me until I get the formatting refined.

Tom Brokaw Explains Canada To Americans

This morning my sis in the "Old Country" sent me the following You Tube piece presented by Tom Brokaw titled - 

Tom Brokaw Explains Canada

 To Americans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYoTJItSPt0

No matter which side of the border (the 49th parallel), that you live, 

this is a piece worth watching. In fact I invite all of you to view the piece 

no matter which "side of the pond" around the world that you live, 

it is a piece worth watching.  It is not long, make a cup of tea, sit back and enjoy. (It is only a couple of minutes.)

O Canada - the true north strong and free.

I would love to read what you have to say about the piece.


PS - I apologize for the formatting problems tonight, I have tried four times to fix it, and I am throwing in the towel.

Our Quilt Book Club

Our Quilt Book Club members are about the nicest people you ever want to met.  Each member is different from the other and our diversity draws us together more.  We each share our two cents worth and our discussions are lively.  Show and Tell before our book discussion is the best!   And last but not least each is an avid reader, oh, and a pretty darn good treat maker!!! 

This picture was taken at the meeting this month, which happened to be on my birthday, Feb. 5th.  

 Check out the scarf that my dear DIL, whom I call my "daughter in heart", made for my birthday.  It's the second project she has ever made!!  I love it.

Something kind of sweet is one of our members is not a quilter, she happened by Bearpaws and Hollyhock while waiting for her son to have his eye glasses looked at by the Optomitrist, who has a shop in the same complex.  She wondered around the shop and it felt good to her.  Her husband had recently died and finding a place to feel good in drew her to wondering a little longer.  Long enough to discover there was a Book Club and that she would be welcomed.  All I know is that if she was not in the Book Club there would be a huge hole there.  Her gifts are many and we would miss out in the fun of explaining things like what a Fat Quarter is.  


One of our members was missing due to a grandsons game, so we had a full group on the fifth of February for the picture.  Each of us are so dedicated to being there that times of trips, surgeries and other what-nots that come along are arranged around being able to be together on the first Friday evening of the month, (accept children's weddings and grandchildren's games.)  :o)


Kim is going to be joining us in March.  She is one very busy woman, yet with being off work for the next couple of months, AND she reads all the books we do, her two cents will be welcomed.  Speaking of Kim, keep her in your thoughts and prayers this week - she starts very painful therapy on her arms and hands today.  You can send her your speedy recovery wishes by following the link on my side bar - Kimsbigquiltingadventure.


Do you belong to a book club?  I would love to hear about your experience if you do.


Tootles!

Toes Up

Enough already about my toes.  See what happens when I have too much time on my hands (well, my bottom with toes up!)  I am having fun joking around about this predicament, but enough already, except - one last post on the subject ----
Diane at Month of Sundays mentioned her sister had foot surgery the same day I did and she mentioned "help" that her sister might not be getting.  My words of advice to pass on and for any of you who might find this helpful, "... some FYI to pass on to your sister.  Get her a whistle.  Not a little silver or china bell, get her an all around good old fashioned plastic whistle.  My neighbour gave me one when I had my first mastectomy.   A bright Yellow Whistle!

(She is a very wise woman, knows men and she also knew the men in my house.)  I thought that you would like to see a picture of it.  It has saved my life, well, not really, just made a great need get met a few times.  AND you can bet I am not getting rid of it.  I hardly have used it, yet, I keep it tucked away in a secret place, these many years, so it will not disappear.  

My DH did go out today for Neosporin Ointment.  For the next two week I have to soak my tootsies 2 times a day, and afterwards lather on Neosporin (my big toes) and then swaddle them (my big toes) in bulky non-stick bandages.  Cute, eh!  DH also picked up a Cadbury Caramello bar for me and Tapioca Pudding.

 (Yes, they are my favourite comfort foods - I guess I am stretching it by calling them comfort foods.)  I guess I will keep him....  (surgery was Wednesday, this is Friday).

I completely forgot about the Sew-In tonight - sorry Heidi - next month.  I think I will just stick with the panel that I am embroidering and relax.  I have a couple of things calling my name, but they will have to wait.

How long does it take for recovery?  Any of you have this done?  Please let me know how long it was for you.  Most important to recovery is not getting an infection or infections.  Then the biggy - shoes.  I think for now I will be wearing sandals with socks over the bandages bkz I can not get my feet into my shoes.  :o)

What are you working on this evening?

As for me I am soaking my feet and watching Denmark and Canada in the curling match.  AND then creme de la creme, Ice Dancing starts tonight.  O Canada, eh!  I think I hear my accent returning.

What I am up to while my two toes are up -

Nothing exotic - why?

Throbbing, burning toes and Tylenol.

Also naps, hobbling back and forth to the bathroom, and foraging for something to eat that I do not have to make.  I have gone through all the chocolate chips and pretzels left over from the super bowl weekend.  Yes, I know fruit and veggies would be better for me, yet, when I am not feeling 100% there is nothing like salt and sugar.

With all that in mind, do you think I would work on something special?  Not!

This is a panel that I have for times when I wait in a doctors office.  It makes me feel like I am being productive when I need to pay attention to dodging people coughing or a small one with green snot and bright fever rosy cheeks.  It also has been great to stitch on while watching the Olympics.

I am loving the Curling, Hockey, and Figure Skating!

What are you doing while you are watching the Olympics?

Happy Friday, DH is home, maybe I will have a gofer?? Not.

Two Nails

So, I was telling the Doctor......

And looked what happened.

I am sure that many of you have been through this exciting experience!? Nail surgery, both sides of both big toes.  Well, what the heck, why not get it all over with at the same time!  I wonder if I can get out of making dinner tomorrow night too?

Something very special to share  — one of my sweet Knot-y Embroidery Ladies entered (for the first time) one of her works of art to the Folsom Quilt Show.  She not only won a ribbon for the best in the category of interpreting a master piece SHE WON THE BEST OF SHOW!!  Well Done Nancy.  You are an inspiration!

(I apologize for the poor photograph, it was taken across the classroom and then my battery went dead.  Nancy's work is breath taking when you see it up close, and her work holds your eyes to explore in wonder!)

How are you doing, getting any Olympic watching in?

PS - Kim was able to make it to class on Monday evening.  She was looking good and as happy to be out with us all as we were to  have her with us.  There is much PT and recovery still ahead for her, she is feeling better though and that is something to celebrate.  Hooray for you KIM!

Sandys Giveaway Prize Arrived

I got it, I got it!!!!

Thank you Sandy!

Sandy at http://sandyinstitches.blogspot.com


Sandy's blog caught my attention - quote follows:
SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010

One Year Giveaway

Today marks my first year blogiversary! I wrote my first little post hoping someone might read it and leave a comment. Thanks to a couple of friends that had blogs already, they helped spread the word. I have met a lot of great gals from all over the world and love hearing about their stories and accomplishments. I get so inspired daily by so many talented crafters/quilters that share their ideas with all of us. I hope that something I have made or suggested might have helped or inspired somebody also. So to share a little in honor of my year of fun, I am giving the following away to celebrate. A darling pattern from the Acorn Quilt & Gift Company, Betsy's Closet....several half yard pieces of the cute fabric, Doll Dresses.....a charm pack of Spring Magic by April Cornell for Moda.....and a 5 1/2 inch ruler (one of those things I bought and had already, yes, you have done the same thing). This all will help us think Spring!

Sandy Dear your package has arrived safe and did make me think of Spring.  

When I actually held the pattern and the fabric I began planning a quilt for our

little soon to be two year old granddaughter. There is no way that I will be able to make up the cute quilt pattern between now and her birthdate, yet, I am 

going to start. Seems to me that it should be done well ahead of her 2 

and a half year birthday. The 5.5 inch square is one that I have wanted

to get for myself. How did you know that I ne-e-e-ded it!?

I am touched by the card that you sent. On the front of the card are three

lovely tea pots with an inscription that says, "...serve one another in love."  

You are an example of serving one another and I will pass on your gift of giving. (I have my first anniversary coming up in April....)

Enjoy the pictures and lucky me gets to enjoy the gifts. Thank you Sandy!

Thank you Sandy!

If you are so kind as to leave a comment, I will forward them on to Sandy.

Thank you for stopping by.

Poo Poo Paper - Am I the only one who didn't know?

LIFE  has been busy with my mother visiting from the "old country" for the past twelve days.  She needs one on one and I kept her busy.  On the way to the airport this morning, she said she really enjoyed her visit with our family.  

I feel like I have been away and want to catch up with all of you - my blogette friends.  Sewing and Stitching has mostly gone by the wayside and I hear some thread and fabric wanting to be made into something fun.  Well, why not!!

After getting home from the airport, I sat right down at the computer, and a cup of tea.  Wondering was really what I have been doing and came across this interesting information and thought of you.  Hee!  Hee!  Perhaps I am the only one who has not heard of this unique item - then again, perhaps not. Check it out - it is for real.

"Turning Poo to Paper

Your source for hand made paper stationery.

 

The making of paper starts with the collection and processing of the dung pulp. Elephant dung is typically full of short to medium grained fibrous materials from the elephants diet which when processed makes excellent paper:

Process

 

• We collect naturally dried elephant dung  from elephant conservation parks and bring it back to our paper-making factory."

It makes me LOL and then think OMGosh - what do you think?  Are you ordering any?

http://www.poopoopaper.com/index.html

Well, I am off to do laundry and find a stitchery.

Tootles.

Give Away's Happening In Blogland

Some fun give away traveling this morning and they are too good not to share:



http://anitas-bedofroses.blogspot.com/

This one ends today - but go see what she is giving away - pretty neat!

*********************

Another Delightful GiveAway



http://sewonandsewon-noelle.blogspot.com/

I hope your sunday is a peaceful one.  Thank you for stopping by, hope you come visit again soon.

My Quilting Friends are Like Humming Birds

An excerpt from the "other" blog I had- 

Last night was a special quilting friends night out.  It had started out as a Saturday Road trip up into the foothills to visit quilt shops.  One of the shops in Sonora is owned by one of my students and we were excited to see her “100 bolts of Flannel.”  Well, life and the times and the weather threw a monkey wrench into our best laid plans.  No Problem, Ethel, Lucy, Thelma and Louise are never at a lose for ideas!  You know I think going on field trips is an excuse for getting together and talking.  Girls just need to have fun.

Thelma and Louise had dinner at Ettore’s, a local restaurant and bakery.  The owner is from Switzerland and almost everything on the menu has won some sort of award.  My burger was made with beef raised without all the “stuff” in it, smothered in fresh sautéed mushrooms, grilled to my preferred doneness (no groans now, I like it well done) - the best burger I have ever eaten.  Sorry, I forgot my camera.

After dinner we headed down to Lodi to meet up with Ethel and Lucy and Ethel’s sweet little girl.  (She is a sweetheart to put up with the four of us....  She was kept in cookies and something to drink, plus she came prepared with her Ipod.)

So, what is the connection of quilting friends to humming birds?

They both delight me.  

Each morning I get my cup of tea and watch their feeder outside my kitchen window while I sit and visit with blogland quilting friends.  Both zip into my life and I love that they linger awhile over something to drink.  Both have talents that are remarkable and each creates their own way on this journey called life.  I am thankful that my quilting friends and humming birds cross my path.    It is a joy to have both in my life.  I celebrate them!  They lift me up and fill my life with a delight that is wrapped in a giggle deep inside.  My heart is full and my life is uplifted for having quilting (and embroidery) friends and humming birds.

Do you have any quilting friend and/or humming birds in your life?  I would love to hear about them.

Thank you for stopping by - it means a lot to me if you leave a comment.  Thanks!

I'm Back on Blogspot

Here we go again - I am back on blogspot.

http://knot-yembroiderylady.blogspot.com/

I have tried using my very own web site, paid for it, actually enjoy the ease of creating each post and having all the bells and whistles I wanted. So, why did I change back to a FREE blogspot - friends in different parts were having their computers do "funny" things when they tried opening my site. So, after working with the company, and asking friends to view my blog using the browser Safari or FireFox, and understanding that change is not what they are interested in, especially when they don't have to change their browser and they were able to view other blogs without changing, I decided that they had a very good point.

I am happy to change back to blogspot.

It has been nine months since I started on this blogland journey. My learning curve has been a steep incline. I have enjoyed the journey and want to continue the enjoyment it has brought to my life.

Any comments, feedback, advice on blogging are welcome and appreciated. I look forward to your comments.

It is Done, Really, Really Done

This is one of my UFO’s from October 2009 - the Welcome Flag Holder and the February - Theme Penny Rug - designed by Starry Pines Pattern company.

I am taking the class at Bearpaws and Hollyhocks. We met in October for a kick off party and learning the techniques needed to make the Welcome Flag Holder. I promptly took it home after class and did not touch it until our January meeting. (Well, I was stuck on the floss and which technique I was going to use to embroider.) The cast iron stand was included in the cost of the class. I was determined to take the class just to get the stand.

Check out that stand. This picture is of the finished Welcome Flag Holder. It seemed as though I was never going to get it finished. There seemed to be never ending backings and velcro circle to create plus a sleeve to hang the flag with. There is a lot of subtle embroidery on the front and I choose to blanket stitch the piece together instead of binding it.

This is a picture of my finished February - theme Penny Rug.

Even though we all received the same kit, we have the permission of the instructor to create away. My work is pretty much following the pattern, however, I changed the background to a wool, and I think I am the only one who is using Gentle Arts Floss and Wool Floss. Both are wonderful to handle and give back so much to my work. The variegations are engaging and create a vintage type effect.

Another thing I learned from Gretchen, is how to use the Calico Braided Rug needle by Piecemaker. Again, using it made my embroidery and needle work go so smooth. I never want to be without those needles when I am working with wool.

After I get my mess cleaned up I need to get working on my next project - UFO- and you know I have a lot to choose from.

I wish you the same feeling of accomplishment that I have this evening.

Thank you for stopping by.

Announcing my new WEB SITE

Please bookmark my new url so you will know where to find me.

http://web.me.com/knot_yembroiderylady

You are invited to view my blog.

A while back I decided that maybe I was "grown up" enough to have a Web page. Or that my brain was able to take the next step and try making one up. It has been fun to say the least and to say the most, I sure have a lot to learn. Those of you who know me, know that I love to learn new things and figure out how everything works. I can tell that I have a hugh playground to play in and the only thing that will limit me is time.

Starting today I am using my new site. Please come on over to find where I am now.

knot_yembroiderylady@me.com is my new email address

To Celebrate Something NEW!

Tomorrow I am going to announce a Give-away to celebrate this new step into the Web.

I look forward to your visits and your comments.

The Knot-y Embroidery Lady

Please bookmark my new url so you will know where to find me.

http://web.me.com/knot_yembroiderylady

You are invited to view my blog.
Your comments are welcome.

Happy 4th of July

Happy Fourth of July

Wishing you and yours a day to enjoy the freedom we have in North America.

Doctor in Training

Our sweet daughter-in-heart sent this IPhoto to me.

DGrS's Daddy and Mommy both have woren scrubs for years and there must be little scrubs out there for the chicklets. DGrS turned three a couple months ago and his daddy is starting a four year dental surgery residency in Bethesda Maryland at the Naval hospital. Yesterday was his (DS) 1st official day there.

OH, I love my grandchildren. Gosh I miss them all the way across the country.

From time to time I will be sharing some grandparent humor a friend sent to me today. Perfect timing for the picture and the humor to arrive on the same day.

1. She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup,

under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter,

as she'd done many times before.

After she applied her lipstick and started to leave,

the little one said,

"But Gramma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!"

I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking

about kissing the toilet paper good-bye...

Thank you for stopping by. If you have good grandparent jokes, please send me an email or comment so that we can share the laughter!

Tea Towel from Pam

Well done Pam. Thank you for sending me a picture to post!

I saw Pam pick out her tea towel and thread and the combination was/is very sharp.

Yellow stripes on the towel and she choose black Prescencia, two strands done in the Outline Stitch.

Well Done!

Tea Towel Sample for Class and the Shop

The fruit bowl was relaxing to embroider.

• Tea towel made by Dunroven House that is 100% cotton.
• I prewashed and ironed the towel before I transferred the pattern.
• Outline Stitch with two threads, which lays flat on the surface.
• Embroidery done using the Gentle Art Thread - Weathered Barn.
• It is hard to see the exact colour here, but the match is right on and compliments the dyes used in the stripes of the tea towel.

For any of my students who have their tea towels done, email them to me and I will post them on my blog. Sometimes we take on larger pieces and it is wonderful to complete something that is done in a shorter amount of time.

There now, I shared my joy and I can feel it doubling.

Thank you for stopping by, I have not posted this past week, because of all the homecoming celebrating we have been enjoying at our home. More posts to follow and lots of pictures to share, please come again.

Summer Hand Embroidery Class Starting Soon

Come and enjoy embroidery heaven with me.

If you are in or near the Sacramento area in July and August you might consider enrolling in my new encore class.

NEW - ENCORE KNOT-Y EMBROIDERY LADIES CLASS

By popular demand, I have designed

an ENCORE Knot-y Embroidery Ladies,

three session class

for beginners and refresher level hand embroiderers.

It will be fun to pick up your embroidery this summer

and enjoy relaxing in embroidery heaven.

There are exciting things happening in the hand embroidery world, and it's not your grandmother's embroidery any more. (Not that she did not hand embroider beautifully....)

The Encore Knot-y Embroidery Ladies class is on the schedule at Bearpaws and Hollyhocks Quilt Shop, (916 - 971-9392). Sign up early - the class is filling. You can sign up by going to the shop or for your convenience by phone.

There are two session to choose from:

Monday Evenings - 6:00 - 8:00 pm

July 13, August 3, and August 24

Tuesday Mornings - 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

July 14, August 4 and August 25

The cost of each session is $30.00

Taking this class is the prerequisite for joining the Knot-y Embroidery Ladies in September.

We have fun and enjoy being together with like minded people.

I hope you will come and join me.